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Books I'm Thinking With
These are books I’ve engaged with, some deeply, some curiously. I don’t agree with every author on every point, but each has shaped how I think about art, creativity, and the inner life. I share them here in the spirit of conversation rather than endorsement.If you’ve read any of these, I’d love to hear what stayed with you.


Gift from the Sea: 70th Anniversary Edition by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
"Gift from the Sea is like a shell itself in its small and perfect form ... It tells of light and life and love and the security that lies at the heart." —New York Times Book Review Drawing inspiration from the the shells on the shore, Lindbergh's musings on the shape of a woman's life will bring new understanding to readers, male and family, at any stage of life. A mother of five and professional writer, she casts an unsentimental eye at the trappings of modern life that thr
May 14


Robert Rauschenberg: Thirty-Four Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno Paperback Robert Rauschenberg (Artist)
Rauschenberg's inventive contemporaneous interpretation of Dante's Inferno Between 1958 and 1960, Robert Rauschenberg produced a series of 34 drawings, one for each Canto, or section, of Dante’s poem The Inferno (1308–1321). Together they are a virtual encyclopedia of modern-day imagery, made by transferring photographic reproductions from magazines or newspapers onto the drawing surface. “I think a picture is more like the real world when it’s made out of the real world,” Ra
May 12


Infinity Net: The Autobiography of Yayoi Kusama Yayoi Kusama, Ralph McCarthy (Translator)
Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama presents Infinity Net, a remarkable memoir that reveals her to be a fascinating figure, channeling her obsessive neurosis into an art that transcends cultural barriers. Infinity Net paints a vivid, multilayered portrait of this fascinating artist. Taking us from her restrictive childhood to her groundbreaking years in New York―where she collaborated with Andy Warhol, shared an apartment with Donald Judd, and became close with Joseph Cornell―this m
May 11


Life in the Studio: Inspiration and Lessons on Creativity by Frances Palmer
What makes a creative life? For an artist like Frances Palmer, it’s knitting all of one’s passions—all of one’s creativity—into the whole of life. And what an inspiration it is. Life in the Studio is as beautiful and unexpected as Palmer’s pottery, as breathtakingly colorful as her celebrated dahlias, as intimate as the dinners she hosts in her studio for friends and family. There are insights into making pots—the importance of centering, the discovery that clay has a memory
May 7


The Art of You: The Essential Guidebook for Reclaiming Your Creativity by James McCrae
Creativity is not a rare skill to be accessed by a privileged few....Whatever form your art takes―writing, painting, music, business, performance, marketing, technology, or social media content―this guide will help you actualize your unique higher purpose, turn your imagination into reality, and transform both yourself and the world around you. The Art of You is centered around “the yin and yang of creativity,” a signature framework for understanding and mastering the creativ
May 7


Great Art Explained: The Stories Behind the World's Greatest Masterpieces by James Payne
Art can be thrilling, and resonate on a deep personal level. It is how you view the work, place it in context and understand its history that makes an artwork truly come alive. A fresh approach to a classic subject, James Payne's no-nonsense analysis sheds new light on 30 masterpieces from around the globe and reveals what makes them truly timeless works of art. Each chapter delves into not only the art itself but also the artist's life, as well as the work’s place in their w
May 7


Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative (Austin Kleon)
Nothing is original, so embrace influence, school yourself through the work of others, remix and reimagine to discover your own path. Follow interests wherever they take you—what feels like a hobby may turn into you life’s work. Forget the old cliché about writing what you know: Instead, write the book you want to read, make the movie you want to watch. Available here.
Apr 20


It's Never Too Late to Begin Again: Discovering Creativity and Meaning at Midlife and Beyond (Artist's Way)
When someone retires, the newfound freedom can be quite exciting, but also daunting. The life that someone had has changed, and the life to come is yet to be defined. In this book, Cameron shows readers how cultivating their creative selves can help them navigate this new terrain. She tells the inspiring stories of retirees who discovered new artistic pursuits and passions that more than filled their days—they nurtured their souls. Available here
Apr 20


Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver
"Devotions" serves as both a retrospective of Oliver’s career and a guide for readers seeking reflection, inspiration, and a deeper connection to the world around them. Its accessible yet profound style makes it suitable for longtime fans and new readers alike, offering a timeless exploration of life, nature, and the human experience. Whether read sequentially or dipped into at random, the collection provides moments of insight, joy, and contemplation, making it a treasured r
Mar 17


Listening to Stone: The Art and Life of Isamu Noguchi
A master of what he called "the sculpturing of space," Isamu Noguchi was a vital figure for modern public art. Born to an American mother and a Japanese father, Noguchi never felt like he belonged anywhere and spent his life assembling identities in his statues, monuments, and gardens. He traveled incessantly from New York to remote Japanese islands, from Paris to Bangladesh, synthesizing aesthetic values. The result--massive sculptures of interlocking wood, Zen-like gardens
Mar 15


Georgia O'Keeffe: Art and Letters
This is a book of wonders in many respects. The essays illuminate selected corners of O'Keeffe's life and art. The letters, full of vivacity, keen insight, and hard thinking, show how she saw her life and chose to live. Above all are the brilliantly reproduced paintings; easily seen as sensual, they are also tightly controlled visions of color and form, monumental and deeply intellectual. It is far too easy to make O'Keeffe a cultural icon instead of seeing her as one of the
Mar 15


Mosaic Fine Art Abstracts Irit Levy, Pam Givens
This book features many of the contemporary fine art mosaics in the world. If you’re already an artist, you’ll discover the use of materials in ways you may never have imagined possible; further, you may not be able to sleep because you are thinking about what you’ll do in your studio tomorrow. If you don’t think of yourself as an artist, you may find that strangely unfamiliar tickles of desire are telling you to create art. Available Here
Mar 15


Mosaic Fine Art Portraits Paperback – by Irit Levy, Pam Givens
Mosaic Fine Art Portraits, a collection from some of the finest contemporary mosaic artists worldwide, is the first book in a series that presents mosaic art as fine art. The five featured artists discuss the philosophy that drives their work, their discovery of mosaic art, and their personal journeys as artists. The book includes a gallery of sixty-four mosaic portraits by contemporary artists and an insightful introduction by the prominent mosaic artist George Fishman. Mosa
Mar 15


Diego Rivera. The Complete Murals
After spending the 1910s in Europe, where he surrounded himself with other artists and embraced the Cubist movement, he returned to Mexico and began to paint the large-scale murals for which he is most famous. In his murals, he addressed social and political issues relating to the working class, earning him prophetic status among the peasants of Mexico. He was invited to create works abroad, most notably in the United States, where he stirred up controversy by depicting Lenin
Mar 15


The Courage to Create
What if imagination and art are not, as many of us might think, the frosting on life but the fountainhead of human experience? What if our logic and science derive from art forms rather than the other way around? Available Here
Mar 15


Becoming an Artist: How to Make Art Like a Human by Embracing Failure, Discovering Your Creative Voice & Finding Joy in the Process
Scott Christian Sava , a beloved artist and social media star, delivers a refreshingly honest guide to navigating the emotional and creative complexities of being an artist. Known for his down-to-earth wisdom and warm, irreverent tone, Sava encourages artists to embrace imperfection, push through self-doubt, and just start making art, no matter the obstacles. Available Here
Mar 13


Fused Glass Mosaics: Master Class Techniques with Martin Cheek
Illustrated with more than 300 color images and driven by an engaging text, each chapter offers techniques and examples, and concludes with a challenge designed to expand the reader's artistic and practical abilities, like making a subtle mosaic using analogous colors or making a piece inspired by a favorite artist. Available Here
Mar 13


The War of Art
Resistance kicks everyone's butt, and the desire to defeat it is equally as universal. The War of Art identifies the enemy that every one of us must face, outlines a battle plan to conquer this internal foe, then pinpoints just how to achieve the greatest success. Available here.
Mar 13


The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession
For centuries, works of art have been stolen in countless ways from all over the world, but no one has been quite as successful at it as the master thief Stéphane Breitwieser. Carrying out more than two hundred heists over nearly eight years—in museums and cathedrals all over Europe—Breitwieser, along with his girlfriend who worked as his lookout, stole more than three hundred objects, until it all fell apart in spectacular fashion. Available here
Mar 13


Creative Abstract Watercolor: The beginner's guide.... by Kate Rebecca Leach
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
Feb 24


Perspective Made Easy by Ernest R. Norling
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
Feb 24


Handbuilt: A Modern Potter's Guide to Handbuilding by Lilly Maetzig
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
Feb 24


Mosaics Inspired by Nature by Rachel Davies
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
Feb 24


Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking David Bayles & Ted Orland
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
Feb 22


More Joy of Art: Keys to Appreciating Art Carolyn Schlam
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
Feb 22


The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse Charlie Mackesy
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
Feb 22


Emotion and Art: Mastering the Artist's Path by John Ruskan
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
Feb 22


Classic Mosaic: Designs & Projects Inspired by 6,000 Years of Mosaic Art by Elaine M. Goodwin
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 →
Feb 16


The Artist’s Way (25th Anniversary Edition) by Julia Cameron
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 →
Feb 16


"We Need Your Art" by Amie McNee
The refusal to treat creativity as indulgent or secondary.
The clear assertion that making something is not selfish. It is necessary.
Feb 16
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