Tag Archives: pottery

It is no great secret to anyone who knows me that I am a true book addict.  I love books.  Just everything about them except their weight when you have to move them.  There is hardly a room in the house which doesn’t have a shelf or at least a pile of to-be-read books. 

Last year I put myself on a book diet, i.e., vowing not to order any books for the entire year.  Ha ha.  Well, I stuck with that intention for most of the year, with some exceptions.  Gift cards could be used.  And of course, the libraries, and free digital resources.  This forced me into rereading some of the many books I already own rather than buy new ones.

However, it’s a new year and my wish list is long.  But I have been a bit more cautious about the size and number of books that I buy, still concentrating on rereading old favorites.

The Art Spirit – by Robert Henri

First published in 1923, Henri did not actually write this book.  It is a compilation of his class notes and lectures by one of his students, Margery Ryerson. Henri taught at the Arts Student League of New York and the National Academy of Design.  He emphasized using some of the new styles of the day (impressionism and cubism) to capture some of the grittier sides of life, particularly urban scenes.  He is credited as being the founder of the Ashcan School and instructed many soon-to-be famous artists. 

My copy of The Art Spirit is pretty old, underlined, starred, and has notes in the margins.  This is the only book that I took with me on vacation recently.  I often find that in rereading an old favorite, I will pick up new ideas and I did here. 

Be a warhorse for work, and enjoy even the struggle against defeat.

You are working for your character, and your pay is to last you all your life.

I believe that keeping one’s faculties in full exercise is the secret of good health and longevity. It made Titian a young man at nearly a hundred.

Perhaps mental inactivity is the most fatiguing thing in the world.

This is not necessarily a how-to paint book but a book about creating and living as an artist.  An old book, still in print, which reads like new ideas. 

The Creative Act:  A Way of Being –  Rick Rubin

Best known as an icon in the music industry, Rick Rubin has created a long shadow as an innovator and producer. Upon reading this book, you can immediately see why his influence is so great and he’s so respected among those in his field.  He’s a deep thinker.

The nearly 400 page book is filled with short chapters which give you inspiration and things to contemplate.  Especially surprising is that despite Rubin’s music background, he uses the term art in the broad sense of the word -physical art, music, writing, dance, nearly any kind of creative pursuit.  I was pleasantly surprised. 

This is not the type of book that you want to rush through, but to take in small bites, read and reread sections, then begin again. 

I suggest that you check out a copy of the book’s chapter headings at 78 Areas of Thought, either online or in the bookstore.  You will want to consume the ideas, yet take time to savor them.  A book for your shelves for years to come.

Life in the Studio – Frances Palmer

You may be surprised by my choice of this book since Frances Palmer is a potter.  She’s also a gardener, cook, businesswoman, and creative soul.  I think I mostly bought the book because of the beautiful photographs.  They are just exquisite.

I admit, my first pass through the book was just to consume and enjoy the photography. Truly wonderful, not only the lighting, but the entire settings.

My second pass through this book was to read how Frances Palmer became the creator that she is today.  Yes, she does talk about some technical aspects of learning her craft, but I enjoyed the wabi-sabi nature of her work.  The pottery is filmed displaying colorful flowers from her own garden.  (She turned the tennis courts of her house into raised beds.)  Palmer also hosts intimate meals for friends and family featuring her family recipes served, of course, on her tableware.

But some of the parts of the book that I appreciated most were her journey from beginning crafter to the renown artist that she is now.  Her insecurities, her difficulties, the support of her friends and family.  And I especially like that she is still learning and adapting to new ideas and techniques.  It is a big step for any creator to get out of their comfort zone and try the untried, not knowing how it will turn out or be accepted. 

If you like unusual clayware, beautiful flowers and photographs, earthy recipes, and some nice biographical scenes of a successful artist, I certainly recommend this book.

These are not the only books on creativity that I like, but I think this is a good mix to fire up your artistic juices. Give yourself a treat this summer.

Check them out at these links.

The Art Spirit – Robert Henri

The Creative Act: A Way of Being – Rick Rubin

Life in the Studio: Inspiration and Lessons on Creativity – Frances Palmer