Artist’s Block Cured! - Book Review

Feeling a little unmotivated lately? Experiencing a bit of an artistic slump? Then you need to check out Artist’s Block Cured! (201 Ways to Unleash Your Creativity) written by Linda Krall & Amy Runyen (from Walter Foster Publishing, Inc.)

When I first opened the book, I was immediately impressed by the short blocks of text and large colorful photographs. This eye-catching format invites readers to dive right in – and begin learning how to jumpstart their creativity.

The book’s entries are divided into six, color-coded categories which makes it easy to find specific activities or inspirational enlightenment. Categories include:

• Assignments
• Inspiration
• Mental Exercises
• Experiments in Media
• Games
• Artist’s Spotlight

There are also entries on Did You Know? And Do It Now! sprinkled throughout the book. These ideas will surely rev up your creative engines.

You don’t need to start at page one of this book. Open the book to any random page - choose an entry - and begin chipping away at that artist’s block.

 

My book pages are already covered with Post-it® Notes marking the projects that I want to try next.

I was intrigued by Assignment #77 – entitled Gumpy. The assignment encourages you to paint a simple object - and then stretch your imagination by stretching your image - shrinking your image - making it fly - making it float in water - or making it more human.

Experiments in Media #113 - entitled Wire Sketches suggests that you Draw through Space. Using only wire, create a sculpture of a human, or animal, as though it were a three-dimensional gesture drawing. Get your 20-gauge wire at the hardware store to save on costs.

I especially enjoyed getting a behind-the-scenes look at how other artists handle artist’s block in the series of Artist’s Spotlights.

Artist’s Block Cured! is definitely a keeper and not meant to sit on a book shelf. This is a book that I plan to put right beside my Art Desk for easy reference and ongoing inspiration.

 

Comments

[Auto Body Seattle]

There is a lot of variety in this book for helping unleash ideas. I've only given it a read through at this point, but I have a huge list of the exercises that I would like to try out and have already learned a few things about different types of mediums.