The top 5 books every artist needs on their shelf
Reading allows you to be inspired, to expand your thinking, to glimpse at what’s possible, and grow your business (yes, if your goal is to make a living creating then you need to approach it as a business. Otherwise you just have a hobby). Read on for my favorite books I always recommend to clients and my creative friends.
Good books are to be savored, not just once, but many times. I have a carefully culled collection of a few that I keep. I encourage you to do the same. Be VERY SELECTIVE with which ones stay and make a commitment to re-read or refer to them every year otherwise, donate or pass them on. Many times, in reading a second or third time, I fall even more in love with them and grab onto something powerful and new I missed on the first read.
The Art of War - by Steven Pressfield
If you haven’t read this - RUN, don’t walk and get your copy! This powerful little book is a quick read - great for a ‘page a day’ practice. It gets to the heart of many of the challenges we all experience as creatives daily: fear, judgment, comparison, and procrastination. It gives clear, concise ways to identify, defeat, and unlock the inner barriers to creativity. Inspirational, funny and always on my shelf. This is important work and it never ends. You’ll need and love this book!
Atomic Habits - by James Clear
A practical, tactical, powerful book that provides a clear roadmap to designing habits that work for you rather than against you. You’ll shed light on habits that are not serving you, and will shift how you approach your day and live your life with an aligned routine that allows you to achieve your goals.
Live Beautiful - Athena Calderone
The minimalist and closet interior designer in me is still swooning from indulging in this gorgeous coffee-table worthy read years ago. I still go to it for inspiration. Athena is a wildly talented interior designer, creator of the lifestyle brand Eyeswoon, and the author of James Beard Award-Winning cookbook Eat Beautiful. She’s a true master of understanding and translating the unique, individual beauty in every person she works with into a cohesive, magical space that captivates at every turn.
Find Your Voice - Lisa Congdon
Dubbed “ the essential guide to working your creative magic’ - this gem-filled read gets you one step closer to understanding what it means to have an artistic voice and most importantly, WHY it matters. A powerful, inspiring guidebook that opens the doors to identify and begin to nourish your own unique visual identity through dedicated practice, release of limiting beliefs, and a deep appreciation for where you’re at on the creative path and your journey along the way.
In the Company of Women - a great idea is to read the 2-3 pages about one of the women in this book every morning. It’s just SO good! Inspiring, and full of tips, advice and candid stories of all sorts of women artists, makers and entrepreneurs. You’ll laugh, you’ll relate, you’ll feel validated. Most importantly, you’ll want to revisit this one for many years to come and walk away inspired and empowered to build your own creative business on your own terms.
What do you think? Have you read these? What are your favorites? Drop in the comments below.