Make Your Art No Matter What: A Book Review
24/02/2023
By Beth Pickens
Goodreads (Add it to your shelves!)
Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Art
Pages: 208
ISBN: 9781452182957
ASIN: B08SJ9RN2Q
Audio ASIN: B08ZNWBH39
Format: Paperback, eBook (Kindle), Audiobook (Audible)
Publication date: April 6, 2021
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Type: Book, Self-Help
* I received a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. No compensation has been given and I write this book review willingly. A big thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books! *
Introduction
“Art!”
Wait, hold on, did someone say art? I’m right here!
Yup, any time someone mentions the words art or writing, you’ll see me poppin’ up.
So, how about when I read that title, Make Your Art No Matter What, over on NetGalley? Instant request!
Thankfully I was approved!
And thus began a soul-digging yet rewarding and comforting adventure…
Blurb
The Artist's Way for the 21st century—from esteemed creative counselor Beth Pickens.
If you are an artist, you need to make your art. That's not an overstatement—it's a fact; if you stop doing your creative work, your quality of life is diminished. But what do you do when life gets in the way? In this down-to-earth handbook, experienced artist coach Beth Pickens offers practical advice for developing a lasting and meaningful artistic practice in the face of life's inevitable obstacles and distractions. This thoughtful volume suggests creative ways to address the challenges all artists must overcome—from making decisions about time, money, and education, to grappling with isolation, fear, and anxiety. No matter where you are in your art-making journey, this book will motivate and inspire you. Because not only do you need your art—the world needs it, too.
The Positive Sides
“It’s an exchange, so the agreement is this: I’ll keep helping artists and you keep making your work and putting it in the world. Deal?”
That sentence right there touched me deeply, made me feel warm inside and smile. And you know what? DEAL!
On a side-note, the graphics of each chapter title is really beautiful with calming waves and gently surfing letters. That, in itself, is art, and quite appreciated too. It’s pleasant to the eye.
I love how each chapter relates to a major issue experienced by most artists. It’s clear and easy to navigate to and understand. So the book not only becomes one to read through, but a companion to come back to about a specific topic in times of need! Furthermore, her writing is sometimes funny, yet she is professional and amiable. I liked her voice as an author, I felt safe, and as though she was a friend looking over me.
There’s something mind-blowing about the author’s pedigree of this artist’s self-help book: She is a psychologist specializing with artists! I never heard of this, but it’s AWESOME. And it gives weight to her tips and tricks and her words. She gives so many tips and tricks (proven ones from a psychologist’s point of view!). I’m now using at least four of her techniques, it’s amazing what it does to our art practice!
For example, I love the techniques and mindset of “Your birthday every month for life things” and the “aim to get 20 rejections, which means you’ll have tried and applied for many more opportunities and received approvals in several.”
Overall, there’s something uplifting and helpful for EVERY artist. Me, my bestie, and my mom are three very different artists BUT there are things I told them from this book that resonated with THEM and not me, while others did so with me! It’s amazing how helpful this book can be!
I recommend it to EVERY artist, crafter, writer…. even engineer! Anything that requires creativity!!!
The Negative Sides
Erm, it’s too short to my liking? I mean, it’s an admirable piece of work and I LOVE it! But that’s exactly the thing… I’d take easily a hundred pages more of it. It feels like a motivational, helpful, and true elixir for all types of art!
Come on, who wouldn’t want more?
In Conclusion
Taking into consideration all the advice, counsel, comfort, and techniques Make Your Art No Matter What offers us, I give Beth Pickens’ book a rating of 5 out of 5 stars, undeniably. But please, make the next one longer?
If you want to learn more about the author, you can visit her Web site, you can also follow him on Amazon author page and Goodreads. You can also add Make Your Art No Matter What to your bookshelves on Goodreads and LibraryThing.