February 4, 2014

My Creative Book Stash

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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.

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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
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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
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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
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Since watercolor frustrates me so, I thought I might gain some insight from these books:
  • Watercolor Secrets
  • The Watercolor Bible
  • Watercolor Wisdom
  • Atmospheric Watercolours
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Then there are my magazine subscriptions and various zines!  So many people in the spotlight!! So much talent!

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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 Smile

5 comments:

Janet said...

Thanks for sharing some of your art books. I love books of any kind and most especially art books. I have many of the same books and enjoy many of the same magazines. I can usually find inspiration in a book or magazine.

Wildflowerhouse said...

I thought you had gone into my studio and photographed my books and magazines. Ha. I treasure all of mine and am always finding new things in them all the time. Great post!

Eden said...

Hi Janet! Hi Sharon! My theory is a girl can never have too many books and life is never boring if you have books! It's a dangerous thing for me to be in a bookstore with a credit card! And I see you two concur :)

DianeH said...

I have several of the same books -plus many more. Like you, I look at every photo but only read what catches my eye, or the specific information I am looking for.
I am curious, what "zines" do you read or subscribe to? I follow lots of blogs but haven't found any online zines to check out.

Eden said...

Hi Diane, the zines I've gotten are not online. I've gotten Teesha Moore and Andrea Joseph. I haven't read any online zines but I think Tammy at Daisy Yellow puts one out. I probably should look into this cuz I enjoy reading magazines/books on my ipad. Good Luck! I'd love to hear what you find :)

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By day...I work in the Healthcare field, where every .. i.. has to be dotted and every ..t.. has to be crossed. This blog is the place where I can let myself go and have some fun. I am on a journey. A journey I started a long time ago, but it has been a bit sidetracked with Navy Wife relocations and raising kids. I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and I have got some time for me. No, I will not be one of those moms walking around the house with Empty Nest Syndrome, I have got way too much to do, to learn, to create. Sure, once the kids are gone I will miss them....but hey, there is always the phone, the email, the texting and the Plane tickets! I love my life and my family and It is fun moving into this new stage. I am into Digital Scrapbooking, photography, journaling, Art Journaling and Drawing. I am a do-it-yourselfer and I am trying to teach myself to draw. I am finding that it takes a lot of patience, lots of practice and a good eraser! And if you're really curious there's a 3 part Interview by Eileen: HERE All the best, Eden