Let your creativity loose and start making art, without getting bogged down in detail or accuracy - just allow yourself to experiment, have fun, be present and play with colour, shape and texture to your heart's content. Through a variety of projects, including simple shapes, abstract botanicals, and expressive landscapes, you'll learn easy techniques to combine color, texture, and contrast in exciting ways, and how to add gorgeous embellishments using gel pens and metallics

This non-technical handbook will help you master essential principles relatively quickly and equip you with the knowledge you need to become an accomplished perspective artist. In addition to his clear explanations of technical aspects of the craft, the author emphasizes key points so that your understanding will become second nature in no time. Available here

Covering the oldest and most traditional ways to make pots, Handbuilt is a beginner's guide to hand building with clay, no pottery wheel required. Available here

The shapes, patterns and structures found in the natural world can provide a source of wonder and inspiration for mosaic artists. Mosaics do not have to be made from tiles and then grouted, but instead they can be full of texture, incorporating a whole array of materials which hold connections to nature and to particular places. The subtle beauty of stone surfaces gives the work an organic feel, creating beautiful abstract designs. Available here

A direct and often bracing look at the psychological obstacles artists face. Fear, comparison, productivity, persistence, it’s all here. This thought-provoking exploration reveals how fear, of failure, of judgment, and even of success, can stifle creativity and hinder artistic expression, ultimately posing a universal challenge that resonates with anyone striving to make their mark in the world of art Available here

Many of us approach art with quick judgments, “I like it” or “I don’t.” Schlam gently shifts that habit. She offers practical tools for looking more closely and asking better questions. One of the greatest benefits of viewing art is that it challenges presumptions and opens our minds to new ideas. A helpful companion for artists and viewers alike. Available here

A quiet, illustrated meditation on friendship, vulnerability, and courage. A curious boy, a greedy mole, a wary fox, and a wise horse who embark on a journey  together. Throughout their adventures, they share important life lessons about  vulnerability, kindness, hope, and love . The conversations between the characters are both heartwarming and thought-provoking, making the book resonate with readers of all ages. Available here

John Ruskan explores the intricacies of feeling-oriented art. He presents radical insights about the nature of the art process that explain exactly what it is that artists do, how they can do it better, and how to make art an essential route to enlightenment through revealing and integrating the personal subconscious. How to experience art, either as a viewer or creator, as a vital part of your evolutionary advancement. Penetrating insights into creative blocking, the struggl

Elaine M. Goodwin This book reminds me that mosaic is lineage as much as technique. Goodwin situates contemporary practice within thousands of years of history, which I find grounding. There is comfort in remembering that we are placing our small pieces into a very long conversation. Available here →

A classic in creative recovery and discipline. Morning pages, artist dates, and the steady practice of showing up. Whether followed strictly or loosely, it invites artists back into rhythm and permission. "It's Never Too Late to Begin Again: Discovering Creativity and Meaning at Midlife and Beyond" Available here →

The refusal to treat creativity as indulgent or secondary. The clear assertion that making something is not selfish. It is necessary.