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Saturday, May 10, 2014

Book Club for Artists...How to be a Successful Creative Person

'Water's Edge'             9x12           pastel          ©Karen Margulis
purchase painting $145
It is strange how ideas evolve.  Take this blog post for example.  Sometimes I have an idea for a topic and sometimes I just have a painting to share. I need to think of some interesting content. I usually just let my mind wander and something will pop up.  Today I decided to peruse my art books. A book jumped out at me because the title fit my painting. But as I pulled out the book and flipped through it I was filled with ideas!

The book is 'Standing at Water's Edge, Moving Past Fears, Blocks and Pitfalls to Discover the Power of Creative Immersion' by Anne Paris PhD.  The title says it all. It is a book all creatives can use. I haven't read it yet. It joins a big pile of art books I haven't had the chance to read.  But as I flipped through the book I knew that not only did I want to read it, I wanted to share it with other artists.....which led to my idea.

detail of painting

A Book Club for Artists! 
 Book clubs help bring people together. They encourage learning, discussion, friendship and support.  All of the things that artists need.  We often lead a solitary life in our creative pursuits.  We need the support of fellow artists.  It is nice to get together to paint or take classes but sometimes we just need to talk...about art or about life. We understand one another.

detail of painting

I imagine a book club just for artists. Conducted like regular book clubs only using art related books. We would meet every other month and share our thoughts about our book choice. It would be an opportunity to have a relaxed get together with other artists without painting or dragging supplies around. Sometimes we need that!

detail of painting

I would like to start a Book Club for Artists. My goal is to have the first get together in July. I have some ideas to make it fun but would love your help.

  • Are you in a book club for artists?
  •  Do you have any suggestions to share?  
  • If you are an Atlanta area artist let me know if you are interested.
  • Do you have any art related books to recommend?

7 comments:

zartist said...

Karen, I don't live in the Atlanta area, however I just ordered a used copy of this book on Amazon, maybe we could have a discussion on your book club on Facebook for those of us that can't join the book club...

Karen said...

That's a great idea!! I will do that in conjunction with our Atlanta get togethers. I am looking at July though since I have a very busy June!

rroseman said...

I read a book "hare with Amber Eyes" that I enjoyed and always thought would be a good book club book for artists. It is historical memoir.

Mariela said...

Karen your idea is great!
I'll try to get an Art Book club with my students here in Athens after September.
Thank you very much for the idea!!

Karen said...

Thanks for commenting and for the book suggestions!! Keep them coming!

Marcela Strasdas said...

I wish I lived closer! It would be a heck of a commute from Victoria BC!

Anonymous said...

Karen-at an annual business conference, a dozen of us bring our favorite titles that we've read in the past year. A list is then compiled and shared with anyone who wants it. I would love to know the favored art books of your pastel artists and friends as this is my rookie year with pastel :-). I have learned MUCH from your blogs and hope to meet you one day! Thank you!!
Ginny Stocker