I’m so pleased you’ve found your creative spark! I love all of these books you’ve recommended. One I’m slightly obsessed with right now is ‘Free Play: Improvisation in Life & Art” by Stephen Nachmanovich. It’s been a game changer.
I LOVE Big Magic. It's the only book I still re-read sometimes. My biggest takeaway from it is that creativity doesn't have to have a goal. You're not "unsuccessful" if you don't become famous or celebrated for your creativity, nor does it have to support you financially. It is such a liberating view to enjoy creativity for creativity's sake.
She definitely helped us to open our minds to other ways of thinking! We can look after our creativity by not expecting it to support us financially. xx
The Artist's Way was the catalyst for me picking up the pen as well. I've started my substack, I've been on a fiction writing course, I've done some big thinking through my (version of) morning pages.
And beyond that it's allowed me to explore lots of other creative things - I've been going to more exhibitions and galleries, I've picked my knitting needles back up, and this week I got a whole lot of kit so I can start sketching (as a complete novice!).
Me of last year would never have imagined feeling so creative.
Hi Mika, I love what you wrote. I can very much relate to what you talk about: stalling, waiting for 'the perfect moment' is also a thing for me. Yes, I read Julia Cameron (also some of her other books) and they do indeed spark that creativity. One book I would like to add is "The Creative License: Giving Yourself Permission to Be the Artist You Truly Are" by Danny Gregory, that one I read years ago, but it made a profound impact on me, in encouraging me to just go and create. As it says on the book itself: "He gently instructs us in the art of allowing ourselves to fail, giving up the expectation of perfection and opening our eyes to the beauty around us."
The Artist's Way is like code for "something major will happen" and Big Magic is one I go back to every few years. I do also love Twyla Tharp The Creative Habit xo
Love the way you overcame the blank page block. Using scraps of paper of some kind is brilliant.
I like Austin’s books - also have Keep Going. They’re handy to pick up for a short quick dose of motivation.
I am always surprised that I have never read The Artist’s Way. I have picked it up in many charity shops, and I think I actually borrowed it from the library once, but it really doesn’t call to me. Maybe because I know about the two biggest takeaways (morning pages and artist dates, right?), but also because it seems to get too spiritual, and I don’t think of myself as spiritual.
Beth Kempton’s Feeedom Seeker was one I found particularly powerful, and I got it at the right time for me, too, I think. That is one of he things that made me go out and start finding ways, and money, to do solo travelling. At first, it was just srprs.me trips, where I would save the time and money for a 3 or 4 day trip and let them take me wherever. But worked up to, and beyond, my 5 week interrail adventure last year. But I think it gave me more than that, I think it gave me the permission to be me and to give myself time to be creative in whatever way I wanted or needed.
So many great books. It's a little bit different, but I almost put "The Alchemist" on here. Do you have other books that have helped you with your creativity?
I'm not sure if it's creativity per se but I really found Emma Gannon's book - The Success Myth v helpful. It helped me to realise that I was better off scaling back and doing a few things well, rather than doing lots of things poorly.
I haven't read any of those, but I'll check them out. Thank you, Mika, for sharing this. I've been called to do more art recently, I bought some art supplies to make my own divider/tags on my Bible.
Am inspired reading your post, just need to get out of this hospital bed, arrrgh but I have my journal and ink pen with cerise pink ink, I’m in, it’s my morning pages to start, let’s see where that takes me, it was a pleasure reading your posts
I remember getting sick at the beginning of the year and I was so frustrated!! But then I did a lot of introspection. It was actually an amazing time of discovery and inspiration. xx
Thank you for this authentic share!! Simplicity is such a powerful way to create space for more creativity!! And thank you for these great book recommendations 💖💛
This is nuts but I just picked up a paint brush again this week!! Acrylics, a few brushes and an empty canvas—I ended up painting a really bad snake plant! Like really bad. But I did it, and I was very into it. I'm not ditching the project either, I'm going to use it as a playful experience to figure out how to do certain effects on it. (That's how I'm tricking my brain! 😆)
Oh my gosh. This is insane! I love that we have both been drawn to it at the same time! Feel free to send me some pics in my DM! And I'll send you some questionable florals!! 😊
You are so welcome! Please let me know which one you end up getting. 🥰📚 (Also, if you have Spotify premium, they offer a bunch of audiobooks as part of the package. I love having physical and audiobooks. 😊)
I have given The Artist’s Way to certain clients for over 20 years. I Worked primarily with addressing childhood trauma, and adult survivors. It worked wonders with my more creative clients.
I read "The right to write" years ago and have always meant to get back to it because it was sooo inspiring –but of course I've yet to manage to. It's a bit like "The Artist's way" for writers, you may want to check it out.
Big Magic seems so universally loved and after I read it, I can see why. It helped me realize that creativity needs space so I always try to respect that.
I will add Austin Kleon's books to my to-read list. Once I see a book in several places being recommended, I can't ignore it - Thanks Mika!
I’m so pleased you’ve found your creative spark! I love all of these books you’ve recommended. One I’m slightly obsessed with right now is ‘Free Play: Improvisation in Life & Art” by Stephen Nachmanovich. It’s been a game changer.
Oh my! I need that book in my life! Thanks so much for the recommendation!
I LOVE Big Magic. It's the only book I still re-read sometimes. My biggest takeaway from it is that creativity doesn't have to have a goal. You're not "unsuccessful" if you don't become famous or celebrated for your creativity, nor does it have to support you financially. It is such a liberating view to enjoy creativity for creativity's sake.
She definitely helped us to open our minds to other ways of thinking! We can look after our creativity by not expecting it to support us financially. xx
Creativity for creativity’s sake! 🔥🔥
The Artist's Way was the catalyst for me picking up the pen as well. I've started my substack, I've been on a fiction writing course, I've done some big thinking through my (version of) morning pages.
And beyond that it's allowed me to explore lots of other creative things - I've been going to more exhibitions and galleries, I've picked my knitting needles back up, and this week I got a whole lot of kit so I can start sketching (as a complete novice!).
Me of last year would never have imagined feeling so creative.
Feeling inspired just by reading this Lee! ✨
Love it!
Hi Mika, I love what you wrote. I can very much relate to what you talk about: stalling, waiting for 'the perfect moment' is also a thing for me. Yes, I read Julia Cameron (also some of her other books) and they do indeed spark that creativity. One book I would like to add is "The Creative License: Giving Yourself Permission to Be the Artist You Truly Are" by Danny Gregory, that one I read years ago, but it made a profound impact on me, in encouraging me to just go and create. As it says on the book itself: "He gently instructs us in the art of allowing ourselves to fail, giving up the expectation of perfection and opening our eyes to the beauty around us."
Sounds like I need that book! Thank you so much for the recommendation. It sounds like something that would be very useful for me! 🥰
He's a very good 'teacher' and his writing style is comfortable, easy to read. Yet his wisdom is profound. Hope you'll like it.
The Artist's Way is like code for "something major will happen" and Big Magic is one I go back to every few years. I do also love Twyla Tharp The Creative Habit xo
I love that! Thanks for the book recommendation too!
Love the way you overcame the blank page block. Using scraps of paper of some kind is brilliant.
I like Austin’s books - also have Keep Going. They’re handy to pick up for a short quick dose of motivation.
I am always surprised that I have never read The Artist’s Way. I have picked it up in many charity shops, and I think I actually borrowed it from the library once, but it really doesn’t call to me. Maybe because I know about the two biggest takeaways (morning pages and artist dates, right?), but also because it seems to get too spiritual, and I don’t think of myself as spiritual.
Beth Kempton’s Feeedom Seeker was one I found particularly powerful, and I got it at the right time for me, too, I think. That is one of he things that made me go out and start finding ways, and money, to do solo travelling. At first, it was just srprs.me trips, where I would save the time and money for a 3 or 4 day trip and let them take me wherever. But worked up to, and beyond, my 5 week interrail adventure last year. But I think it gave me more than that, I think it gave me the permission to be me and to give myself time to be creative in whatever way I wanted or needed.
This is so inspiring! I’ve never heard of srprs.me.
I really enjoyed Big Magic and Show Your Work - I need to read his other book now.
So many great books. It's a little bit different, but I almost put "The Alchemist" on here. Do you have other books that have helped you with your creativity?
I'm not sure if it's creativity per se but I really found Emma Gannon's book - The Success Myth v helpful. It helped me to realise that I was better off scaling back and doing a few things well, rather than doing lots of things poorly.
I haven't read any of those, but I'll check them out. Thank you, Mika, for sharing this. I've been called to do more art recently, I bought some art supplies to make my own divider/tags on my Bible.
My daughter made some tabs her self for her scriptures and it was really really cute!
I hope you enjoy playing and crafting. 🥰
Am inspired reading your post, just need to get out of this hospital bed, arrrgh but I have my journal and ink pen with cerise pink ink, I’m in, it’s my morning pages to start, let’s see where that takes me, it was a pleasure reading your posts
I hope you are on the mend!
I remember getting sick at the beginning of the year and I was so frustrated!! But then I did a lot of introspection. It was actually an amazing time of discovery and inspiration. xx
That’s just where I am mika
Thank you for this authentic share!! Simplicity is such a powerful way to create space for more creativity!! And thank you for these great book recommendations 💖💛
You’re so welcome! I’m so excited for others to have a creative breakthrough because of these books! 💕
This is nuts but I just picked up a paint brush again this week!! Acrylics, a few brushes and an empty canvas—I ended up painting a really bad snake plant! Like really bad. But I did it, and I was very into it. I'm not ditching the project either, I'm going to use it as a playful experience to figure out how to do certain effects on it. (That's how I'm tricking my brain! 😆)
Oh my gosh. This is insane! I love that we have both been drawn to it at the same time! Feel free to send me some pics in my DM! And I'll send you some questionable florals!! 😊
Have you read The Work of Art, Mika? It's an incredible book too.
By Adam Moss? No, I haven’t. Sounds really interesting. What were some of your takeaways from it?
How creating something is a process that looks very different for every artist.
Such an important message ✨
Looks like I’ll be taking a trip to Barnes and noble today!! Thank you for the book suggestions!
You are so welcome! Please let me know which one you end up getting. 🥰📚 (Also, if you have Spotify premium, they offer a bunch of audiobooks as part of the package. I love having physical and audiobooks. 😊)
I have given The Artist’s Way to certain clients for over 20 years. I Worked primarily with addressing childhood trauma, and adult survivors. It worked wonders with my more creative clients.
You do such important work David. 🙏🏻
All great books! From Julia Cameron, I recommend also “The right to write” and “Living the artist’s way”.
Thank you so much for the recommendations! 🙏🏻
I bought “living the artist’s way” recently. How does it compare to the original?
I read "The right to write" years ago and have always meant to get back to it because it was sooo inspiring –but of course I've yet to manage to. It's a bit like "The Artist's way" for writers, you may want to check it out.
Big Magic seems so universally loved and after I read it, I can see why. It helped me realize that creativity needs space so I always try to respect that.
I will add Austin Kleon's books to my to-read list. Once I see a book in several places being recommended, I can't ignore it - Thanks Mika!
Have you got any fav books that you love to recommend?