The Artists Business Lounge
Art Business Coaching for Visual Artists
Books, books and more books
I have always been a reader.
As a child, I used to do the annual MS Read-a-thon fundraiser and when people responded to my request for sponsorship with the offer of 50 cents per book I would solemnly warn them without exaggeration that I was likely to read 40 books (sorry MS fundraising team).
Books are a way to lose yourself, experience new worlds, understand new and different perspectives and gain information all in an enjoyable yet short amount of time.
I remember a teacher telling me that books were never expensive because for just the price of a book you got access to the outcomes of years of learning and research. I took that to heart and have never quibbled over the price of books (just as art is a;lways great value for a similar reason).
I love the feeling of a book in my hand and once upon a time I couldn’t imagine reading an ebook (oh that seems so long ago) but I have found that I now enjoy different book types in different ways – for books that are more ‘business’ oriented I prefer audio books (providing the narrator is good), and because I like to read at night without lights – and I no longer use a torch under the doona after being told it’s bedtime – I am a fan of eBooks on Kindle, mostly for fiction, but art books and architecture I enjoy most in physical form. How about you?
I have a lot of books to recommend and I thoughts I’d start sharing here, some books I have found useful for myself, my business and my art. There are way too many books on my ‘Books I love and Recommend list’ for one post, so today I am going to share Five Books that can help you to: make more good art, get to work and shift your money mindset (yes that’s a thing) so you can make more money.
How to Be An Artist by Jerry Saltz
This book is such a joy. Insightful, irreverent, inspirational and just a bit practical too, Now some of the reviews complain this book doesn't specifically tell you How to Be An Artist, or that it covers things artists already know. But like most of the reviewers who rated this 4 and 5 stars, I disagree.
I bought this on Audible so I could listen to Jerry reading to me. And then I got it in hardcopy so I could pull it off the shelf whenever I feel inclined.
He has some wonderful 'rules' like Listen to the Wildest Voices in Your Head, Finish The Damn Thing, What you Don't Like is as Important as What you Do Like. Each with a chapter explaining.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
If you want something to change, you have to change something.
But it doesn't have to be a big something.
World-renowned habits expert James Clear knows that real change comes from the compound effect of hundreds of small decisions: doing two push-ups a day, waking up five minutes early, or holding a single short phone call.
This is such a clear and paractical book you might have already read it.
Do The Work by Steven Pressfield
Do the Work, a manifesto by Steven Pressfield, that will show you, not only that resistance is more common than you may have thought, but that getting things done isn't about 'better ideas' it's about actually doing the work. If you struggle to get started and want a swift kick up the behind to get you going, this book is well worth a read.
The Wealthy Creative: 24 Successful Artists and Writers Share Their Winning Habits by Genevieve Parker Hill
We need more examples of artists and other creative people living successful and prosperous lives to counter all the "you can't make money as an artist/actor/writer" BS out there in the world. So when a book interviews authors, artists, designers, and other creative professionals who are leading successful lives (even if you've never heard of them) and they share their stories, it's worth picking up.
You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero
If you think you can't make money being who you really are and pursuing your most heartfelt dreams (hello artists, I see you) this is a good book to check out. It's a self-help book from the once desperately poor wannabe writer who managed to get out of her own head long enough to realise she didn't HAVE to be poor. Now a speaker, life coach and best-selling author many times over, Jen knows her stuff. Money Mindset is a real thing and this book is a great place to start if you want to stop believing you can't make a living as an artist. Plus she is a New Yorker, Gen X, swears a bit and I like her style so it was an audiobook for me. If you don't like the sweary stuff opt for the paperback instead
There are waaaay more books I love, so I will share some more in a later post.
If you have any books you’d recommend to add on to the blog list, please let me know. I always love book recommendations
Cheers
Amanda
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This post includes affiliate links. I only recommend books that I have read and value. If you purchase any of these books through the link you won’t pay any more, but I may receive a small payment.