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"This is a book about making art. Ordinary art. Ordinary art means something like: all art not made by Mozart. After all, art is rarely made by Mozart-like people; essentially—statistically speaking—there aren't any people like that. Geniuses get made once-a-century or so, yet good art gets made all the time, so to equate the making of art with the workings of genius removes this intimately human activity to a strangely unreachable and unknowable place. For all practical purposes making art can be examined in great detail without ever getting entangled in the very remote problems of genius."
—-from the Introduction
Art & Fear explores the way art gets made, the reasons it often doesn't get made, and the nature of the difficulties that cause so many artists to give up along the way. The book's co-authors, David Bayles and Ted Orland, are themselves both working artists, grappling daily with the problems of making art in the real world. Their insights and observations, drawn from personal experience, provide an incisive view into the world of art as it is expeienced by artmakers themselves.
This is not your typical self-help book. This is a book written by artists, for artists -— it's about what it feels like when artists sit down at their easel or keyboard, in their studio or performance space, trying to do the work they need to do. First published in 1994, Art & Fear quickly became an underground classic. Word-of-mouth response alone—now enhanced by internet posting—has placed it among the best-selling books on artmaking and creativity nationally.
Art & Fear has attracted a remarkably diverse audience, ranging from beginning to accomplished artists in every medium, and including an exceptional concentration among students and teachers. The original Capra Press edition of Art & Fear sold 80,000 copies.
An excerpt:
Today, more than it was however many years ago, art is hard because you have to keep after it so consistently. On so many different fronts. For so little external reward. Artists become veteran artists only by making peace not just with themselves, but with a huge range of issues. You have to find your work...
| Introduction | ||
| The Nature of the Problem | 1 | |
| A Few Assumptions | ||
| Art & Fear | 9 | |
| Vision & Execution | ||
| Imagination | ||
| Materials | ||
| Uncertainty | ||
| Fears About Yourself | 23 | |
| Pretending | ||
| Talent | ||
| Perfection | ||
| Annihilation | ||
| Magic | ||
| Expectations | ||
| Fears About Others | 37 | |
| Understanding | ||
| Acceptance | ||
| Approval | ||
| Finding Your Work | 49 | |
| Canon | ||
| The Outside World | 65 | |
| Ordinary Problems | ||
| Common Ground | ||
| Art Issues | ||
| Competition | ||
| Navigating the System | ||
| The Academic World | 79 | |
| Faculty Issues | ||
| Student Issues | ||
| Books about Art | ||
| Conceptual Worlds | 93 | |
| Ideas and Technique | ||
| Craft | ||
| New Work | ||
| Creativity | ||
| Habits | ||
| Art & Science | ||
| Self-Reference | ||
| Metaphor | ||
| The Human Voice | 113 | |
| Questions | ||
| Constants | ||
| vox humana |
kmconverse
Posted December 7, 2011
I believe this book accomplished what it set out to accomplish--to describe the perils and rewards of artmaking. It was not hard to identify with many of the obstacles it describes that are often encountered in the artmaking process. The book was extremely insightful and had some amazing quotes, and in that light I found it to be a humbling and enlightening experience.
However, I would not recommend this book to anyone who is struggling to overcome their fear in art. I'm sure there are other books and resources that would be much better fit to motivate and inspire you to continue your art. This is not so much a "how to" book, but rather a book that identifies common conditions that prevent us from creating. In other words, it points out the problems. When I read it, I think I was expecting more SOLUTIONS, or at least something a little more positive, but that is not actually the purpose of the book.
Overall, I found this book to be a great resource for someone who is seeking to understand WHY there are obstacles in artmaking (which was it's purpose), but not so great if you are seeking HOW to overcome those obstacles.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Mark40CO
Posted March 26, 2012
Great read for anyone who creates. Leads you through the pitfalls of what art making can feel like. Takes the excuses away and leaves you feeling free to create. All artists should read this!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 3, 2012
I don't know how it took me so long to find this tiny book of big ideas. It should be required reading @ every art school.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 5, 2011
Spoke to my soul
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 9, 2006
Definitely delivers on what it promises. An organized collection of essays discussing the major pitfalls, hurdles and issues everyday, yes, everyday people go through in the process of practicing their art, hindering and suppressing them, sometimes to the point of getting them to quit. If you've quit or thought of quitting, or have become paralyzingly frustrated, or just having a hard time making music, art, dance, whatever, this is the book for you. Let me add a little disclaimer here: this is NOT a book with all the answers. Ratherm it has some of the answers, and leads to some of the mroe important questions, questions you'll need to answer yourself. Really great book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 20, 2006
This book should be required reading for all college freshman regardless of their major. It not only gives practical advice on approaching art, but it encourages experimentation and expression. I encourage anyone to pick up this book you won't be able to stop reading it until it is done.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 24, 2002
I'm not much of a reader and this is one of the first books I've ever read that actually spoke to me. You don't have to be a professional artist to know what it's like to be a frustrated artist. This book not only validated how I feel when trying to create, but moreso, gave me inspiration to push forward! I've dog-eared and highlighted nearly every page in this book and have even taken notes (in a separate notebook) to refer back to when I start to question myself again. It's not a book to help you get creative; it's a book that pushes you to make that thumbnail sketch or idea in your head come to life! An excellent resource for those who need help making their ideas a reality.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 29, 2002
This book gave me a sense of purpose and an understanding of my whole approach to art and the art-making process. You will be guided to discover your own voice of expression. I believe every artist, writer, photographer, musician, creator should get this book. You will love it!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 31, 2000
The pages of this book are littered with insights. Keep a pencil handy, because you'll be underlining a lot. Among my favorites: 'After all, you know better than anyone else the accidental nature of much that appears in your art, not to mention all those elements you know originated with others (and even some you never even intended but which the audience has read into your work). From there it's only a short hop to feeling like you're just going through the motions of being an artist. It's easy to imagine that real artists know what they're doing, and that they -- unlike you -- are entitled to feel good about themselves and their art. Fear that you are not a real artist causes you to undervalue your work.' So, forget your therapist(s). Just buy this book. And then do your art.
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Posted September 24, 2011
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Overview
"This is a book about making art. Ordinary art. Ordinary art means something like: all art not made by Mozart. After all, art is rarely made by Mozart-like people; essentially—statistically speaking—there aren't any people like that. Geniuses get made once-a-century or so, yet good art gets made all the time, so to equate the making of art with the workings of genius removes this intimately human activity to a strangely unreachable and unknowable place. For all practical purposes making art can be examined in ...