My Creative Book Stash

They say….you can learn a lot about a person just by looking at the books she likes to read.  And that’s probably very true for me.



I’d have to put magazines in that book category too!  Any time I travel, I add to my magazine stash.  These are not cheap, but they are worth every penny in the inspiration and visual delight category.

• Where Woman Create
• Art Journaling & Artful Blogging (Stampington)
• Cloth Paper Scissors

Then there are the more esoteric reads:

• Artist’s Way
• the War of Art
• Art and Fear

And since I love textile design….I picked up a few to help me understand this field better:

• Print and Pattern 1 & 2
• A Field Guide to Fabric Design

And to help me figure out the body better:

• Face Parts
• The Big Book of the Human Anatomy
• Lifelike Drawing
• Creative Fashion Drawing
• How to Draw People
• Secrets to Drawing Realistic Faces

Since watercolor frustrates me so, I thought I might gain some insight from these books:

• Watercolor Secrets
• The Watercolor Bible
• Watercolor Wisdom
• Atmospheric Watercolours

Then there are my magazine subscriptions and various zines!  So many people in the spotlight!! So much talent!



Funny that there are so many books titled “Secrets to….”.  The real secret is applying…..put pen/pencil/brush to paper and play!  But when you aren’t in a class with an instructor hovering over you, reading helps tons!  It just takes a bit more time.

I’m probably a half-ass reader.  I don’t read every word written about every technique covered.  But I do look at all the pictures.  And when I’m stuck or blocked or frustrated….picking up one of these books gets me back on course. 

Where there’s a will there’s a way!  Amen