Make Your Art No Matter What: Moving Beyond Creative Hurdles

I needed to read this book. As someone without a formal art education and making my living in another profession, so much of what was written helped me to realize that I am also an artist. She covers the fears and insecurities I have trying to make art. I enjoyed this immensely.

A very helpful book full of actionable advice for artists. Beth Pickens really understands artists and the support they need (emotional, financial, social, spiritual). Highly recommend this book!

Nothing may be wrong with this book just for me it turned out to not be what I thought. No real life changing advice in it just the regular run of the mill stuff.

There are innumerable (almost) books out there for artists, many of which repeat each other. I own about half of them and actually was pleasantly surprised by this book. Creative block is a huge problem for most artists at least at some point, and the advice given in many of these books boils down to: find your muse, set a working schedule, create your niche. These suggestions do have their place, but often the ability to move ahead with one's art has more of the feel of an existential crisis that resists simple solutions. So, imagine my surprise when I opened Ms. Pickens' book and found a treasure chest of valuable wisdom for people like me. The chapters present actually useful considerations on issues like "time" and "work", yes, but also on less obvious challenges such as grief and other people. The author is a practicing therapist who has been through the wars with artists who are locked in the tortuous and torturous pathways-cum-dead-ends that live and multiply in their minds. They (we) can play endless dialogue games about what keeps them from picking up the paint brush or sitting down at the computer or continuing to map out that dance routine. We know the problem and "solutions" but between Point A and Point B we somehow slide off the edge of the earth and land on shame, fear, or other catastrophic continents. (Do any of the metaphors in this review help?) Ms. Pickens has new insights into all of this, is empathetic, and - wait for it - creative. I heartily recommend this book as a prescription for what ails the creatives described above.

This is a practical and compassionate guide for artists who are learning to navigate the particular challenges of an artist's life. It might appeal to new artists or those who've reached a stumbling block.For established artists, it might be a little annoying that the author seems to be giving us "permission" to be artists, as if we require external affirmation. So, whether you find this book useful might depend on where you are in your career.Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I'm 1/3rd thru the book. I was hoping for something that'd "help me make art no matter what" (ie get into a schedule). Unfortunately, as a hobbyist, this has only talked about artist employment and money thus far, and every other page is insulting capitalism or pushing DEI/LGBTQ - which is fine, just not pertinent and doesn't serve the title of book.

The rest of the advice is common everyday knowledge. No new information for creatives or wannabes. Don't waste your time.

Very disappointed in this book.

You are the only barrier to your painting happiness. No else can do it for you physically or mentally!

A wonderful source of encouragement before I start painting each morning. I love how the author respects all artists, paid or not to make art no matter what!