It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you look at the broad field of art and art careers. (I tried to keep the list short at my Squidoo page about Art Careers. It’s still overwhelming.)

You need a starting point. One of my favorite parts of the movie, The Secret, is where the guy says something like, “If you think to yourself, ‘Well, I could do it that way, but I wish I didn’t have to,’ …that’s not it.”

In other words, if you’re not building the career of your dreams, pause. Rethink what you’re doing. If you’re doing something only because you think it’s the one-and-only way to succeed… you’re already off-track.

Art is about energy. If the energy isn’t there for you — and I mean in nearly every aspect of your career — find a way to make the energy happen.

I think it’s Stuart Wilde who talks about people buying energy, not things. When they buy your art, it’s about acquiring something that displays your unique energy. No energy = no sale.

So, you need a creative vision. You need a goal. You need a way to get there. And… you need to know the business side of a career in the visual arts.

Taking the Leap by Cay Lang is probably the best all-purpose guide to the nuts & bolt side of a career in the visual arts.

From the list of possible art careers, to creating your PR materials, to how to approach galleries and collectors… all the way to the ins & outs of contracts, Taking the Leap holds your hand and shows you what to do and what to avoid.

I won’t pretend this is light, amusing, inspiring reading.

Oh, it’s inspiring enough, especially when you read about the percentages of artists who are doing it wrong. They’re mistakes narrow the field considerably, giving you a h-u-g-e advantage.

But, this is roll-up-your-sleeves reading. It’s the kind of book you should own, and read when you’re serious about success. It’s as close to a blueprint for success as you’re going to find, with all the bits of information you’ll need to avoid costly blunders from the start.

My own copy is dog-eared and the spine — and a few pages — are stained with fruit juice. (I don’t drink coffee, or I’m sure there’d be coffee rings throughout this book.)

I understand artists. I’m one myself. We tend to try everything intuitive before looking for answers elsewhere.

And, by the time we’re consulting others, we’re usually securely in “starving artist” mode, reminding ourselves that Vincent Van Gogh sold one painting during his entire lifetime… and that was to a relative.

So, I understand that you don’t want to spend a cent that you don’t have to.

The good news is, you public library probably has a copy of this book. The newest edition is best, but if you have to use an older copy, that’s okay. You’ll find enough information in it to get things moving in the right direction.

However, before long, you’ll realize that you need to own this book. It’s that useful, no matter where you are in your art career.

Buy this book at Amazon.com and then… take the leap!

It’s a thorough book about collage and assemblage, and it demonstrates altered art as well.  Though readers may not be able to find the exact items used in this project book, I think the ideas can be adapted to other materials, if your brain works in that direction.

However, if you want a by-the-numbers approach to learning collage, assemblage or altered art, the projects may not always work for you.

In addition, I can’t rave about this book without reservations.

I like the book cover.  (Well, mostly.)

I wanted to be really excited about this book.  I even read it twice, months apart.

But… it’s not an exciting book.  Not for me, anyway.

Sure, there’s something for everyone in its pages, but also something to bore everyone… if they’re at all familiar with this field of art.

For me, the clue was the vintage photo with the clown’s hat (or dunce’s cap) on the cover.  That was a cliche about ten years ago.  At this point,  that imagery can be annoying to old-timers (like me), but it might still charm people who are discovering collage and assemblage for the first time.

I don’t want to sound as if I hate this book.  I don’t.  I actually like it, but not enough to own it.

It’s the kind of book that teachers will love because it’s a good, general reference.   Almost any student can find something inspiring in its pages.

Like most of Maurer-Mathison’s books, this is a top-quality approach to a broad, art-related subject.  She touches on every major point that someone will want to know about, if they’re exploring collage, assemblage and altered art.

My problem is, I wanted more extravagance from Collage, Assemblage and Altered Art.  I wanted the author — and the art in this book — to go out on a limb, try daring and exciting things, and generally inspire me.

Compare this book with Altered Curiosities by Jane Ann Wynn; for me, Wynn’s book will win, nine times out of ten.

That said, I don’t think Maurer-Mathison intended it as anything intense or controversial.  It’s not quite a textbook, but… it’s a lot like one.

If you’re buying books for a public library or a school, get this book. That’s an easy choice, because your patrons will enjoy this book tremendously.  It’ll be taken out of the library often, and recommended to others.

However, if it’s for your own bookshelf, I can’t give it the same endorsement.

Of course, you should take a look at it, but I recommend browsing through it at a local bookstore, instead of buying it sight-unseen at Amazon.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars Collage, Assemblage and Altered Art by Diane Maurer-Mathison

Collage, Assemblage, and Altered Art: Creating Unique Images and Objects
Price: USD 14.96

34 used & new available from USD 11.93

Subtitled “250 Exercises to Wake Up Your Brain,” this book offers some tremendously fun and stimulating exercises to get you un-stuck as an artist… in minutes.

This book suggests things I’ve never seen anywhere else.  For example: Write down 20 things that smell great when they are cooking.

See?  Doesn’t that kick your senses out of the doldrums?

Or how about these:

• Go take 15 pictures of different kinds of barriers.
• Build the shell of a robot out of objects around you right now.
• Choose a song and make a children’s story out of it.

This book offers 250 fresh, exciting ways to refresh your brain and your creativity.

It’s visually inspiring, too. The presentation — a mix of fonts in a very creative book design — makes this book tremendous fun to flip through.

Ordinarily, I try to say something negative (but fair) about every book, even those I rave about. With this book… I can’t think of anything bad to say about it.

Go buy a copy and take it out when you’re stuck. It will work. I promise.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Caffeine for the Creative Mind: 250 Exercises to Wake Up Your Brain by Stefan Mumaw and Wendy Lee Oldfield.

Buy it now at Amazon.com

Caffeine for the Creative Mind: 250 Exercises to Wake Up Your Brain
Price: USD 11.55

47 used & new available from USD 6.44

It’s ideal as the basis of a daily or weekly art lesson.  It’s also a great preparation for taking young children to art museums.  In fact, it’s one of the best I’ve seen, for that purpose.

Each letter of the alphabet is matched to an art-related word.  The word — like the book — is in English, but it’s also provided in Spanish, German, and French.  Each letter is also represented with Sign language.  This expands the use of the book in any classroom setting.

The illustrations in the book are delightful.  They aren’t too intimidating for young children, and will definitely appeal to them.  They’re colorful and fun.

The brief definition of each art-related word will give teachers enough to work with, to teach effectively.  They’re even more useful if the teacher spends a little time online or with art books, learning more about the subject to explain it in more depth.

I especially like that the book includes several complex art concepts, and it doesn’t “talk down” to children.

This kind of book is ideal for a homeschool group, teaching children at  multiple grade levels.

For teaching a class, or reading to more than a very small group of children, larger illustrations will be helpful.  The examples in the book are too small to be seen beyond the second row in a classroom setting.

However, many school and public libraries have excellent books to supplement what’s in “…The ABC’s of Art.”  (Every book has its limits, and this one addresses that issue well.)

The price of the book reflects the full-color pages, but it may be a little price-y for a teacher or homeschooler who is taking this out of his or her personal budget.

However, this is a very useful book for a department, school library, or public library to purchase.  It will be greatly appreciated by teachers.

As a starting point for a daily or weekly art theory lesson, this is a book that teachers have needed for a long time.

Pros

• Every page is in color, and has a lot of visual appeal.
• The terminology doesn’t “talk down” to children.
• Helpful tips make it easy for teachers to share this information without an art background.

Cons

• The price of this large paperback book  isn’t competitive with some art books from larger publishers.
• Images of the art being described are small for students to see from a distance.

(Aside from the price, I had to look hard to find a second negative comment to make.)

If you are buying books for a public or school library, I think this is a must-buy.  If you frequent your public or school library, recommend this book as a useful resource for teachers and parents.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Herman The Jester and The ABC’s of Art
Price: USD 23.99

14 used & new available from USD 4.00

The Weekend Crafter: Making Books And Journals: 20 Great Weekend Projects is a short (80 pages) book that features some unusual book designs and lots of photos showing readers exactly how to make each book.

What I love about this book is that it’s great for beginners and it includes some innovative ideas that will delight experienced book artists as well.

Some people thrill when they discover a new, intricate binding technique for art books.

While I enjoy those, I’m far more enthusiastic about clever, simple designs that allow me to wildly embellish the books.

The latter is why I recommend this book: The projects are easy enough for beginners, and exciting enough for experts.

Here are just a few of the 20 projects featured in this book:

• Folded Book with Pockets
• Roll-Up Travel Journal
• Mailable Journal
• Jelly Bean Books
• Angel Photo Albums
• Ornament Books
• Coptic-Bound Sketch Journal
• Japanese-Bound Picture Frame Album

… and 12 more, plus many ideas based on these handmade books.

What I love about this book for beginners is this: The photos show how to create each book, step-by-step. These really are projects that you can complete in a few hours, or at least in a weekend.

This book is also great for experts because many of these books can be embellished into awe-inspiring projects. And, the simpler books can be given to friends, sold online inexpensively, or displayed around your home or office, to let others know about your more elaborate handmade books.

All in all, this is a book that may look average on the bookshelf, but — once you look at the projects that it features — you’ll be impressed.

Making Books and Journals is also simple enough to give as a gift for anyone — including a child old enough to use the tools — who’d like to learn to make handmade books. It also offers a wealth of ideas for Scouts or youth group projects.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Read others’ reviews at

Amazon.com or  Amazon.co.uk

The Weekend Crafter: Making Books And Journals: 20 Great Weekend Projects
Price: —

36 used & new available from USD 1.21

Over 40 projects fill this book with fabulous ideas for making one-of-a-kind handmade books, journals, and albums. It is one of the most exciting and inspiring books for anyone who is interested in making unique art books.

Whether you want to start with a simple folded book or scroll book or leap into a tunnel book, flag book, pocket book, or even a three-panel Jacob’s Ladder book, Unique Handmade Books will delight you.

This book includes projects that beginners can complete within an hour or two using paper, glue, scissors and any art supplies that you have on hand. However if you want to learn classic and ornate bookbinding techniques, they are included as well.

One of my favorite chapters is called “Transforming Everyday Life,” which includes inspiring illustrations of a mixed media books and related projects. This chapter includes instructions for spiral binding, a card file book, a found poetry journal, and an innovative use of a spell checker to create poetry.

If you’ve been intrigued by cloth books, the author includes three different fiber projects.

In separate chapters, Ms. Golden includes techniques for illustrating your new handmade book with a variety of media. She also presents fascinating ways to display your handmade books and even discusses ideas for collaborative projects for adults and for children.

If you can only buy one book about making handmade books, this would be an excellent choice. I highly recommend it .

I have referred to this book often for my own work and consider it a vital reference in my studio library.

PROS: Enough ideas to spark and sustain a career in handmade art books. Juicy photos show many ways to personalize these projects. I can’t possibly rave enough about this book.

CONS: Beginners may be overwhelmed by the number and variety of projects in this great book. Illustrations can be confusing if you tackle a complex design without prior experience in paper folding and book constructing techniques. Start with the simplest projects, and work your way up.

Summary

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Buy this book and read others’ reviews at

Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

Unique Handmade Books
Price: —

11 used & new available from USD 24.99

If you are someone who is intimidated by startling, innovative art journaling techniques, this rich, juicy book may overwhelm you. This is an idea book more than a step-by-step guide for beginning book artists.

Since my approach to paper art is often, “When all else fails, read the directions,” this is one of my favorite reference books. However, I also understand why many of my students feel that it is strictly for advanced artists.

If you are an artist who learns visually and would prefer to have more pictures and less text in an art reference book, you’ll probably love this book.

On the other hand, if you are someone who stares at completed work and wonders how they did that, you may prefer a different book.

If I could own only three books about art journaling, this would probably be one of them. I am endlessly inspired by the many lavish photos in this book.

While the focus is generally on paper arts, the approach is more aligned with mixed media techniques. Some of the featured projects include found object art, fabric art, decorative metal work, and truly extraordinary art.

Depending upon your learning mode, this book will either be one of your favorites or a book that you put aside to enjoy when you are more confident about exploring new materials, media, and techniques on your own.

PROS: Rich, colorful, highly inspiring illustrations covering a wide range of art journaling techniques. From textiles to aluminum foil to cigar boxes, you’ll find a wealth of ideas in over 125 glossy, full-color pages.

CONS: Weak instructions rely on readers’ experience/intuition–or perhaps daring–to achieve similar results. If you prefer to learn from specific, step-by-step instruction, you probably won’t like this book.

That said, if you buy this book and are disappointed in it, put it aside and look at it again in a few months. It will probably become one of your favorite reference books.

Summary

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Buy this book and read others’ reviews at

Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

Artists’ Journals and Sketchbooks: Exploring and Creating Personal Pages
Price: USD 14.95

73 used & new available from USD 7.62

The Artful Dodger: Images and Reflections by Nick Bantock is a must-own for fans of his art and writing.

Nick Bantock may be best known for his Griffin & Sabine Trilogy, but he has authored many other extraordinarily beautiful books featuring his own art and text.

In the Artful Dodger, Bantock offers some of his most haunting, beautiful, and inspiring art from each of his books, with commentary.

In the some cases, he explains why he wrote the books the way that he did and provides insights to his creative process.  If some of his more cryptic books have baffled you, you may find answers in this large, comprehensive volume.

Bantock also shares many examples of other art that he has created, including his paintings as well as book covers and illustrations for other authors.

In discussing the art process, Bantock dismisses any attempts at faux elitism. In talking about some of his paintings, Bantock says, “I was working on the floor so that I could walk around the piece. Also I was using brushes less and less, often paintings with my fingers. ”

Later, discussing his pop-ups, Bantock says, “I taught myself how to construct pop-ups by trial and error; using scissors and a role of Scotch tape. I began with simple cuts and folds; then, when I’d gotten the hang of the easy stuff, I started dismantling any old pop-up books I could get my hands on to see how the more complex paper mechanics functioned. ”

By offering a wide range of examples from many years of his work as an artist, Bantock gives us a fabulously inspiring overview of his development and his talents. The results are stunning.

If you have been inspired by Bantock’s art but are less interested in his stories, the Artful Dodger is a wise investment. However, all fans of Bantock will enjoy this book; it includes favorites from most of his stories as well as a tour of his lesser-known studio works.

This is a high quality, hardcover coffee table book that you will treasure for years to come. It is among my favorites references for collage and mixed media art.

PROS: A rich sampling featuring varied art by an extraordinary contemporary artist. Varied techniques, media, subjects, and approaches offer a wealth of inspiration for artists.

CONS: Does not include the intriguing envelopes and enclosures of the Griffin & Sabine series, only the art. Very little text from the original books; instead, Bantock offers extensive narrative insights and backstory for his popular art novels.

SUMMARY

• Coffee table book, not a how-to book
• Insights into Bantock’s inspiring art career
• Includes many of the best of Bantock’s illustrations

If you like Bantock’s art, this book is a worthwhile purchase for your studio reference library.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

For others’ reviews of this book
see Amazon.com, or, in the UK, see Amazon.co.uk

The Artful Dodger: Images and Reflections
Price: —

67 used & new available from USD 1.95

Art Doll Adventures: Exploring Projects and Processes through Cultural Traditions by Lisa Li Hertzi

First, a disclaimer: I know Li (she’s one of our expert reviewers) and she’s a very good friend. That said, I’d rave about her book even if I didn’t know her.

See, I’ve been making art dolls since childhood, and selling them since the early 1970s, so I’m always interested in books about creating dolls of all kinds. I’m also bored out of my mind by vapid, cookie-cutter dolls.

Since I’m venting… the other problem that I have with many dollmaking books is that they’re either too much by-the-numbers, or they’re so advanced, even experts gasp in awe when they see some of the projects.

So, I opened the package with Li’s book and held my breath as I opened the cover. I mean, I hate to write a negative review about a friend’s book, but I also need to be honest.

Whew! (That exclamation should be in neon lights.)

I love this book. Really, it’s one of the few dollmaking books that I can recommend to absolutely anyone with any level of experience, even a total beginner.

Well… okay… If you’re looking for dolls with sweet, realistic faces made from skin-toned fabric, with the correct number of fingers and toes, this probably isn’t the book for you.

For anyone else: Get this book. I mean it. Skip the rest of this review and order it right now. (That’s an Amazon.com link, btw.)

Need more info?

Okay, here it is: Li features all kinds of wild & wonderful cloth dolls, including lots of designs inspired by tribal and primitive art and archaeology. The colors (and sometimes beading) are vivid and juicy.

Li has provided lots of detailed instructions, not just about the dolls, but about the techniques of making them. She doesn’t just say, “Rub ivory black into the crevices,” she has a photo showing exactly how to do it.

This book isn’t just about dolls, either. There are many very cool, fabric art projects.

One of them is a fabric color wheel… unlike any color wheel you’ve ever seen. Then, there’s the Agreements Book Screen, which is a paneled fabric book that’s also a backdrop for displaying your handmade dolls & figures. And, an Etched Petroglyph ATC made from fabric and acrylic artist’s supplies, as well as instructions for a simple, layered-fabric ATC.

If you’re interested in making contemporary cloth dolls and figures, this book belongs in your collection.

If you’re a total beginner and you can buy only one book, this is an ideal choice. It includes full-size pattern pieces, and detailed, illustrated step-by-step directions.

Or, if you’re a professional dollmaker and you’re looking for inspiration, this is one of those books that you’ll consult again and again. Even the step-by-step instructions feature illustrations and tips that make me say, “Ooh, what a great idea!”

I especially like that the basic designs are really simple.

You won’t get bogged down with teensy little sewing details. You won’t spend 20 minutes trying to figure how to attach pieces A and B to piece C.

And, you’ll have plenty of energy left for creative embellishments that will make the figure uniquely yours.

I don’t usually write such long reviews, or rave this much about a book unless it’s truly one of the best in the field. Art Doll Adventures gets my 100% enthusiastic recommendation as a must-own book for dollmakers at all levels.

SUMMARY

• Fun, innovative, highly original cloth doll projects.
• Great for beginners and advanced fiber artists alike.
• Nothing insipid! Dolls, ATCs, fabric books & more.

Doll artists with figures in this book include: Inez Brasch, Patti Medaris Culea, Sue Farmer, Cody Goodwin, Linda Hansen, Jan Hayman, Judith Harmon Hertzi, Barb & Doug Keeling, Kathy Kenny, Elizabeth McGrath, Leslie Molen, John Murphy, Rosie Rojas, Rivkah Rosenfeld, and Isabella Zambezi.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Order a copy or read others’ reviews at
Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk

Art Doll Adventures: Exploring Projects and Processes through Cultural Traditions
Price: USD 21.36

33 used & new available from USD 4.98

Colourwash Quilts by Deirdre Amsden is a superb and inspiring book for advanced quilters.

If you enjoyed Strip Pieced Watercolor Magic, but you are ready to try more complex, innovative or original designs, this is an ideal book.

In this book, author Deirdre Amsden spends far more time explaining how to design your quilt than the details of constructing it.

Although she gives many examples that you can copy by following her directions, this is not a book offering by-the-numbers instructions. In fact, many of the quilts that you make from this book will be one-of-a-kind, and designed on graph paper, or an enlarged grid.

One of the reasons that I like this book so much, is because the author uses wide range of fabrics in modern and historical inspired patterns. She talks about her pattern, color and value choices as part of the design process.

She also is a daring with colors. On the cover of the book, you’ll see color opposites — such as blue and brown — placed next to each other. You’ll see other similar, startling combinations inside this very exciting book.

This is a visually dazzling book if you love color.

There are books that talk you through projects so that you can create the quilt that you see in the photograph. This is not one of those books.

Instead, this is a book that you will browse for inspiration when you want to create an award-winning quilt that is innovative as well as a unique art statement.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Order a copy or read others’ reviews at
Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk

Colourwash Quilts: A Personal Approach to Design & Technique
Price: —

44 used & new available from USD 3.35