Art

Make Your Art No Matter What: Moving Beyond Creative Hurdles

Make Your Art No Matter What: Moving Beyond Creative Hurdles

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  • Create Date:2021-06-12 09:51:06
  • Update Date:2025-09-07
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Beth Pickens
  • ISBN:1452182957
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

The Artist's Way for the 21st century—from esteemed creative counselor Beth Pickens。

If you are an artist, you need to make your art。 That's not an overstatement—it's a fact; if you stop doing your creative work, your quality of life is diminished。 But what do you do when life gets in the way? In this down-to-earth handbook, experienced artist coach Beth Pickens offers practical advice for developing a lasting and meaningful artistic practice in the face of life's inevitable obstacles and distractions。 This thoughtful volume suggests creative ways to address the challenges all artists must overcome—from making decisions about time, money, and education, to grappling with isolation, fear, and anxiety。 No matter where you are in your art-making journey, this book will motivate and inspire you。 Because not only do you need your art—the world needs it, too。

• EXPERT ADVICE: Beth Pickens is an experienced and passionate arts advocate with extensive insight into working through creative obstacles。 She has spent the last decade advising artists on everything from financial strategy to coping with grief。
• PRACTICAL AND POSITIVE: This book is both a love letter to art and artists and a hands-on guide to approaching the thorniest problems those artists might face。 Pickens offers a warm reminder that you are not alone, that what you do matters, and that someone out there wants you to succeed。
• TIMELESS TOPIC: Like a trusted advisor, this book is an invaluable resource jam-packed with strategies for building a successful creative practice。 From mixing business and friendship to marketing yourself on social media, this book can help。 And it will—again and again。

Perfect for:

• Visual artists and makers
• Writers, musicians, filmmakers, and other creatives
• Art and design school graduates and grad-gift givers

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Reviews

Moushumi Ghose

Some great reminders in here。 As a writer this book was very profound, as a musician as well there were a lot of great reminders。 A lot of talk for visual artists and writers, less so for musicians however there was a lot of general themes that I really related to。 Overall I would recommend that every artist needs to read this。

Lisa

I listened to the author on an episode of the Forever 35 podcast and loved the interview。 I liked this book a lot less, but one valuable takeaway from the book for me has been the author's daily attention to death, and particularly the app WeCroak! I listened to the author on an episode of the Forever 35 podcast and loved the interview。 I liked this book a lot less, but one valuable takeaway from the book for me has been the author's daily attention to death, and particularly the app WeCroak! 。。。more

Giovanna

This book is a wonderful reminder to all - not just artists! - that what you have to give to the world is deserving of all the devotion and attention you can give to it at any moment。 Each time you pick the book up, you’ll feel as though you’re in a session with a therapist who is willing to sit with you for as long as it takes for you to get what you need。 It’s wonderful。 Take notes, mark up the margins, leave yourself something nice。 It’ll be cool to open up the book some other time and see wh This book is a wonderful reminder to all - not just artists! - that what you have to give to the world is deserving of all the devotion and attention you can give to it at any moment。 Each time you pick the book up, you’ll feel as though you’re in a session with a therapist who is willing to sit with you for as long as it takes for you to get what you need。 It’s wonderful。 Take notes, mark up the margins, leave yourself something nice。 It’ll be cool to open up the book some other time and see what you needed and how you were able to give that to yourself。 And repeat that process。 Beth Pickens gives wonderful advice and insight through the journey of realization, motivation, creation and completion。 Anyone who has set a goal for themselves should pick this up, substitute whatever word you need for art, and use the advice in this book to your advantage。 Happy reading, my friends! 。。。more

Jennifer Phillips

This book is an excellent DIY coaching resource for creatives。 It covers everything from mindset to money, from community to isolation, from fear to time, and more。 Pickens’s death positive framework provides artists, writers, etc。 a loving push do whatever we can to get our work into the world。 Go for it, folks! Life is short。

Needlefingers

Not to boil this book down to one sentence, because it brings up so many critical topics and, for me, great new ways to think about them (thinking about marketing as a service you perform for your work, not necessarily you or at least more indirectly so), but this one line could quite possibly transform a life:"What if there is no wrong thing, just the next thing?"So far, I've resisted the temptation to plaster this on every surface in the house just to constantly remind myself and reprogram my Not to boil this book down to one sentence, because it brings up so many critical topics and, for me, great new ways to think about them (thinking about marketing as a service you perform for your work, not necessarily you or at least more indirectly so), but this one line could quite possibly transform a life:"What if there is no wrong thing, just the next thing?"So far, I've resisted the temptation to plaster this on every surface in the house just to constantly remind myself and reprogram my dear brain。 。。。more

Julie

Practical, helpful advice for the artist who worries, frets, procrastinates but refuses to give up。

Catherine Girard-Veilleux

RTC - This was an ARC。 Thank you so much it was an amazing read!! Very useful!

Rebecca

I apologize ahead of time, but I am going to be brief。 I am not a fan of this book。 In my opinion, it read like a self-help book or a business book on how to stay organized and meet your goals。 I was hoping for an book that was more specific to producing art。 I felt it was more focused on how to make money from your art and be a more prolific producer。

Maddy Court

It's a little magical that I came across this book when I did。 For the past few years, I have been trying to build a beefier, more resilient creative practice。 As a full-time writer-type, I struggle with feeling legitimate, coping with rejection, and managing my TIME。 It's difficult to find relevant resources when it comes to creative work, perhaps because creative work is so strange and competitive。 A lot of stuff focuses on creativity and self-expression without regard to money, totally ignori It's a little magical that I came across this book when I did。 For the past few years, I have been trying to build a beefier, more resilient creative practice。 As a full-time writer-type, I struggle with feeling legitimate, coping with rejection, and managing my TIME。 It's difficult to find relevant resources when it comes to creative work, perhaps because creative work is so strange and competitive。 A lot of stuff focuses on creativity and self-expression without regard to money, totally ignoring the fact that I run a SMALL BUSINESS out of my BRAIN。 Beth understands that the spice must flow。This book is friendly and helpful, the chapter on Isolation spoke to this past year and my entire life。 The incorporation of other artists made me feel less alone。 This book was everything I didn't know I needed--a realistic pep talk from a Capricorn。 。。。more

Katie

This book was really helpful to me。 Very conversational。 I liked the way the book was split into sections。 It’s great if you want to revisit certain topics again。

Lauren

This was more helpful and relevant that I expected。 Sometimes books with big titles like this promise a lot and deliver the equivalent of a carousel of instagram infographics。 That is not the case here。 Beth Pickens, who works as a therapist for artists, understands the real issues many artists face。 Her words were a salve to me, someone who grew up in a home where artists were laughable and who currently lives in a society that does not place much value on art。 Pickens supplies words of encoura This was more helpful and relevant that I expected。 Sometimes books with big titles like this promise a lot and deliver the equivalent of a carousel of instagram infographics。 That is not the case here。 Beth Pickens, who works as a therapist for artists, understands the real issues many artists face。 Her words were a salve to me, someone who grew up in a home where artists were laughable and who currently lives in a society that does not place much value on art。 Pickens supplies words of encouragement and advice beyond “believe in yourself” emptiness, which is true but not very helpful。 Reading this book while finally working with my own great therapist has me feeling more at peace。 。。。more

Kay-Leigh

Books about making art have become a subgenre of their own。 From Julia Cameron to Steven Pressfield, there is a lot out there to wade through as you try to take your own art seriously。 I almost DNFed this as it fell a little short in comparison。 The swearing was distasteful and unnecessary。 And the initial chapters bored me。Pickens has real experience coaching and counselling many artists, which is valuable。 She talks about money which is something most creatives despise doing。 She encourages pe Books about making art have become a subgenre of their own。 From Julia Cameron to Steven Pressfield, there is a lot out there to wade through as you try to take your own art seriously。 I almost DNFed this as it fell a little short in comparison。 The swearing was distasteful and unnecessary。 And the initial chapters bored me。Pickens has real experience coaching and counselling many artists, which is valuable。 She talks about money which is something most creatives despise doing。 She encourages people to ask for help。 She's not scared to talk about grief and she rejects the idea of the straving artist trope。 I half-skimmed a few sections as they have been covered in other books on the topic。Chapter 8: Education perked my interest。 Finally, someone is talking about how predetermined our options for higher education actually are。 And admitting that an MFA is not a standard requirement! Then Chapter 9 challenges us to view our thoughts critically and not just accept every random, passing idea as truth。 She says very clearly "We are not our thoughts"。She goes on to reiterate an idea that Cameron also wrote about where the idea of god is defined as "good orderly direction"。 This idea apparently stems from the 12-step programme。 In this chapter she links the concepts of death and god to each other。 It was an interesting idea and I began to see that she is writing from a very particular philosophical view point。 It is a counter-culture stand point that faces your imminent death as a daily and spiritual practice。 Towards the end she offers many examples of art and artists that explore the themes she is discussing。 She also gives a further reading list which is sometimes my favourite section of a book!While this was not the most practical or ground breaking work on the importance or practice of art, it did challenge my pre-conceived attitudes towards death, education and the creative process。 。。。more

Rose Arscott

Truly didn’t think there could be a more supportive or encouraging book than Your Art Will Save Your Life and then this book came along。

Andrea Laurion

This is a book to keep on a shelf and return to when creating art seems too much/not enough/overwhelming/etc etc。 I’ve already reread a couple chapters to get myself through my current project。 I especially appreciate the last chapter on death and remembrance of our finite time on this planet。

Cooper Bombardier

Essential reading for all artists and writers。 I especially appreciate the way the book engages holistically with well-being and creativity and discusses the importance of taking care of ourselves--pushing back against the myth of the self-destructive artist prevalent in patriarchal capitalism。This book is a friend worth keeping nearby to come back to again and again as you work。 What an act of generosity of Beth Pickens to make her wisdom about what artist struggle with--and how to meet these i Essential reading for all artists and writers。 I especially appreciate the way the book engages holistically with well-being and creativity and discusses the importance of taking care of ourselves--pushing back against the myth of the self-destructive artist prevalent in patriarchal capitalism。This book is a friend worth keeping nearby to come back to again and again as you work。 What an act of generosity of Beth Pickens to make her wisdom about what artist struggle with--and how to meet these issues head on and with compassion--available to us all。 Also, Pickens is a fantastic writer in her own right and there's tons of humor and wit throughout。 。。。more

Izabella (Pages Full of Stars)

Review to come!

Aisling

This is a book I will be keeping as a reference/mini therapy session and a book I will be buying and gifting to friends。 Although the author tries especially to help marginalized artists this is a great book for anyone。 It is broken down into very manageable concepts and each one is clearly explained and suggestions (from her years as a therapist to artists) for overcoming doubts or hurdles is generously given。 I found myself inspired and armed with lots of techniques for accomplishing goals。 Of This is a book I will be keeping as a reference/mini therapy session and a book I will be buying and gifting to friends。 Although the author tries especially to help marginalized artists this is a great book for anyone。 It is broken down into very manageable concepts and each one is clearly explained and suggestions (from her years as a therapist to artists) for overcoming doubts or hurdles is generously given。 I found myself inspired and armed with lots of techniques for accomplishing goals。 Of course a book can't replace one on one therapy but this book sure comes close。 I highly recommend it for artists of any kind or even just people who run a small business。 The advice in here is useful, helpful, and warmly given。 A great read and a great game plan。 。。。more

Marissa

This is not the exact book I needed right now, but I know it would have been so helpful when I was having a really tough time fitting art-making and, truly, my identity as an artist into my everyday life。 Lots of practical strategies for addressing the things that get in the way of making art (you know, like money and day jobs and time and self-doubt)。 Not fuzzy at all, but kind and supportive, as one would hope a creative coach would be。 Loved the list of books recommended in the back & that I’ This is not the exact book I needed right now, but I know it would have been so helpful when I was having a really tough time fitting art-making and, truly, my identity as an artist into my everyday life。 Lots of practical strategies for addressing the things that get in the way of making art (you know, like money and day jobs and time and self-doubt)。 Not fuzzy at all, but kind and supportive, as one would hope a creative coach would be。 Loved the list of books recommended in the back & that I’d already read most of them made me wonder if I know more than I think I know。 。。。more

Tess Malone

This is a guide for how not let obstacles prevent you from making your art。 Pickens breaks down the common barriers to artistic practice—issues with time, not asking for you need, even fear of death—and gives smart questions to ask and concrete solutions。 I appreciated the anti-Capitalist and intersectional framework。 Pickens is, as always, as a warm and empathetic task master you need to get out of your own way and make your art!

Debra

I frequently struggle with creative blocks and stop painting for long periods of time。 I am always looking for books to inspire creativity and give me concrete ideas to keep painting。 tI found this book to be filled with all the general things about procrastination that we are all familiar with。 Some might find this book helpful。 It does cover a broad range of topics from depression to marketing。tI received this book from NetGalley。

Kaitlin

Written by a therapist who deals mostly with people working in the creative field there are some pearls of wisdom in here, but overall I found it a slow read with a few too many examples。It was not quite what I was looking for, but if you are stuck in an artistic rut, you might find it helpful。Thanks to Netgalley for a copy, all opinions are my own。

Cathy Geha

Make Your Art No Matter What by Beth PickensMoving Beyond Creative HurdlesWith personal anecdotes, examples and stories taken from people she has consulted with, information she has gleaned from life, and issues she believes are important to artists this book provides case studies, suggestions, activities, meditations, list making, work to be done and more as it identifies twelve areas that might cause difficulty and how to overcome issues that might arise。 The Twelve areas covered:* Time* Work* Make Your Art No Matter What by Beth PickensMoving Beyond Creative HurdlesWith personal anecdotes, examples and stories taken from people she has consulted with, information she has gleaned from life, and issues she believes are important to artists this book provides case studies, suggestions, activities, meditations, list making, work to be done and more as it identifies twelve areas that might cause difficulty and how to overcome issues that might arise。 The Twelve areas covered:* Time* Work* Asking* Money* Fear* Grief* Other People* Education* Thinking and Feeling* Isolation* Marketing* Death + God- additional reading suggestions aAs an amateur artist, I have gotten away from the practice of creating and thought this book might assist me in returning to art, but it did not provide that stimulus or ideas that I was hoping for。 Instead, it is more of a friendly consultant-like exploration of the topics listed above, the author’s thoughts and suggestions and beliefs on each topic, and a bit like a manual and self-help for artists with the above specific issues to address。 If you do have such issues then this book might help, but it is not the book that I need right now or the one I was hoping it would be。 Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the ARC – This is my honest review。 2-3 Stars 。。。more

Darlene Messenger

I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley for review and all thoughts and opinions are my own。Author is a psychology counselor, specialist in women's studies and gender studies, an activist。 This book is written about and for creatives of all walks of life。 With topical chapter headings, prompts and questions for further reflection,she delves into the value and purpose of art; of any creative choice; in one's daily life。 Her religious viewpoint is panentheism which is addressed i I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley for review and all thoughts and opinions are my own。Author is a psychology counselor, specialist in women's studies and gender studies, an activist。 This book is written about and for creatives of all walks of life。 With topical chapter headings, prompts and questions for further reflection,she delves into the value and purpose of art; of any creative choice; in one's daily life。 Her religious viewpoint is panentheism which is addressed in final chapter。 If this is your forte, enjoy。 Take what you like and discard the rest。 I can only address the structure of the text and not the full content as it wasn't to my personal usefulness。 。。。more

Kristine

Make Your Art No Matter What by Beth Pickens is a free NetGalley ebook that I read in late March。Pickens writers chapters on the hindrances that artists face, as told through interviews and her own experiences as a kind of art liaison and philanthropist。 This book emphasizes making use of every moment, staying inspired and busy, self-confidence, promotion, working with others, humbly accepting praise and criticism; an all-around helpful resource for someone who’s making art on their own。

Cass

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a digital copy in exchange for an honest review。Wow。 Beth Pickens is a counsellor who focuses on working with artists, and her book has been compared to Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way for millenials。 I can understand why - I got through one chapter of the latter, but found this book much more accessible。She gently but firmly guides the reader through chapters that will help them continue practising their art, no matter what medium。 Things we Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a digital copy in exchange for an honest review。Wow。 Beth Pickens is a counsellor who focuses on working with artists, and her book has been compared to Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way for millenials。 I can understand why - I got through one chapter of the latter, but found this book much more accessible。She gently but firmly guides the reader through chapters that will help them continue practising their art, no matter what medium。 Things we shy away from because of doubt, or lacking time or 。 。 。 Networking, ugh。 Pickens provides a perspective that is friendly and honest, but also acknowledges her own identities and how they inform her view - where she has privelege and where she doesn't。 Pickens notes that she may not be the right resource for some, but encourages you to seek out people who can speak to your experience。 I loved this book, and will be buying a physical copy。 I've screenshot so many pages that really struck a chord or made me challenge old thinking patterns about my own art。 A couple of the exercises Pickens mentions made me pause。 Or avoid them (ahem, the Ask list, anyone?)I did skip a chapter on death as I am not really in a place to ponder existential questions right now。 " Your life is finite, and you should make your art。 Things will get in the way and you should still make your art。Return to your art, over and over again。" 。。。more

tappkalina

We are not responsible for our first thought。 We are responsible for our second thought and first action。 Don't think it's bad, because I gave it 2 stars。 2 stars to me literally mean "it was okay"。I just expected a totally different book based on the title。 I thought an artist will lighten me up, tell me secrets, or reapeat the forever repeated facts, instead the author stated at the beginning that she doesn't consider herself an artist, but she works with them, so here is how she can help。 We are not responsible for our first thought。 We are responsible for our second thought and first action。 Don't think it's bad, because I gave it 2 stars。 2 stars to me literally mean "it was okay"。I just expected a totally different book based on the title。 I thought an artist will lighten me up, tell me secrets, or reapeat the forever repeated facts, instead the author stated at the beginning that she doesn't consider herself an artist, but she works with them, so here is how she can help。So what this book is about exactly?The main titles are: Time, Work, Asking, Money, Fear, Grief, Other people, Education, Thinking + Feeling, Isolation, Marketing, Death + God (not necessarily in a religious way)。I would actually recommend this to those who need some guidance both in their art or life in general。 The target audience may be artists, but in my opinion this book could help anybody。 I mena, who couldn't use some tips on time and money management? But I watch and read so much stuff about writing and self-improvement, that I didn't get new informations。 Although I got two amazing quotes, so that's a win itself。 Don't believe everything you think。 。。。more

Annie

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader。 Make Your Art No Matter What is a well written practical guide full of anecdotes and advice by art advocate Beth Pickens。 Due out 6th April 2021 from Chronicle Books, it's 208 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats。 It's not much of an overstatement to say that everyone I know has had their lives impacted in major and minor ways because of the pandemic and the societal shifts which have occurred to a greater degree the last yea Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader。 Make Your Art No Matter What is a well written practical guide full of anecdotes and advice by art advocate Beth Pickens。 Due out 6th April 2021 from Chronicle Books, it's 208 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats。 It's not much of an overstatement to say that everyone I know has had their lives impacted in major and minor ways because of the pandemic and the societal shifts which have occurred to a greater degree the last year (and a little bit)。 There have been upheavals in travel, culture, performance art, museums, studios, makers' groups, libraries, concerts, everywhere, top to bottom。 Additionally, humans are social creatures, we create because we *need to*。。。 and those psychological and creative outlets have been severely curtailed or cut off altogether。 This is a timely look at how to continue to make art practice and creativity a non-negotiable part of our existence。 These are concrete suggestions from an experienced advocate, applicable for all ages。 When I read the author's words about social justice and advocacy work they resonated so deeply。 I have the same cares, the same feelings (justice, equity, reproductive health advocacy for women no matter where they live, disability action and access, LGBTQIA+ rights, education access, freedoms, safety, etc etc)。。 and have also *needed* art, music, expression, to gather and maintain some sort of positive energy in my own life surrounded by desperate inequality, unfairness, danger, and the general seemingly unrelenting sh*tstorm that is much of world existence these days。 I'm a healthcare professional, I've dedicated my life and my intellect to improving the lives of my fellow humans, but I get overwhelmed and burnt out。 I have needed art to survive (and thrive)。This is a valuable resource for artists, with concrete advice and guidance。 It's also conversely a good read for audiences and patrons of the arts。 I would recommend this as a meaningful selection for library acquisition as well as for students and admirers of the arts。Four stars。Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes。 。。。more

Michelle McGrane

A creative counsellor and artist coach, Beth Pickens begins her book with a love letter to all artists: “Dear Reader, I love artists。 You are my favourite people and my life is more livable because of your work。 I’m so grateful for what you make and put into the world。 All my life, art has facilitated my ability to have feelings during disorientating grief, challenged me to grow even when I didn’t want to, introduced me to crucial information I couldn’t find elsewhere, and helped me become more A creative counsellor and artist coach, Beth Pickens begins her book with a love letter to all artists: “Dear Reader, I love artists。 You are my favourite people and my life is more livable because of your work。 I’m so grateful for what you make and put into the world。 All my life, art has facilitated my ability to have feelings during disorientating grief, challenged me to grow even when I didn’t want to, introduced me to crucial information I couldn’t find elsewhere, and helped me become more of myself”。She continues, “The full scope of human emotion becomes available to me and is then intensified by art。 Art tells me that I am not alone in any feeling, thought, or experience。 Art has saved my life and the lives of many of my loved ones”。 Boom! The first paragraph already insists that the book is a trusted companion that every artist needs to read and own。 It’s a long time since I read such honest, simple and passionate first lines。Pickens goes on to identify a number of major roadblocks in artists’ lives: time; work; asking, money; fear; grief; other people; education; thinking and feeling; isolation; marketing, and death and God。 These blocks all have a chapter of their own prefaced with a relevant and carefully selected quote, and a conclusion and list of further reading at the end of the book。This is a wonderful handbook of enthusiasms, epiphanies and support, both for those who have been involved within an art form for many years, and the perplexed who might be wondering where to begin。 Pickens writes beautifully。 She is both a fearless and arrestingly tender kind of writer whom one never doubts is rooting for artists everywhere。 While her writing is warm and grounded, she is working at the margins of the sacred。I fervently hope that great things await this invaluable book, not least of all a wide and international readership。A huge thank you to @NetGalley and @ChronicleBooks for an ARC in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Michelle "Champ"

I think this book would be a wonderful read for someone trying to carve out time to do things they love。 This book seems to cover everything from time management, feelings, to making money on your art。 I didn't really see myself needing to find a way to find more art time, but I could see so many people that I know would benefit from this book。 I hear the phrase "I wish I had time to do ___ like you do"。 Well, you do and this book will show you how。 I received an advanced reader's copy in exchan I think this book would be a wonderful read for someone trying to carve out time to do things they love。 This book seems to cover everything from time management, feelings, to making money on your art。 I didn't really see myself needing to find a way to find more art time, but I could see so many people that I know would benefit from this book。 I hear the phrase "I wish I had time to do ___ like you do"。 Well, you do and this book will show you how。 I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review。 。。。more

Nouk

Some advice on art in different kind of categories (time managament, money, beliefs, etc。)。 It doesn't go in depth enough in my opinion, as it is written in a very airy and easy writing style。 The writers own experiences are on the forground, but that is fine。Overall, I skimmed a bit, there is some good advice, it's fine。*I received an E-Arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review* Some advice on art in different kind of categories (time managament, money, beliefs, etc。)。 It doesn't go in depth enough in my opinion, as it is written in a very airy and easy writing style。 The writers own experiences are on the forground, but that is fine。Overall, I skimmed a bit, there is some good advice, it's fine。*I received an E-Arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review* 。。。more