We were walking along Main Street in Cambria and came upon a thrift store called Love Me Two Times. What a great name for a second hand store and what a great band The Doors were.
There is a little bit of everything in the store including a great selection of books. I found a couple of books I'd like to recommend. Most books I read I donate back to thrift stores, but I found two I'll be re-reading and also keeping for my library.
Art & Fear, Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking is written by David Bayles and Ted Orland. Each chapter is filled with any number of ideas, we as artists may have thought, and it helps to see these thoughts in print. Several folks in classroom settings have said I produce too much work. I was happy to see a chapter in the book suggesting lots of work is what should be done.
Girl in Hyacinth Blue written by Susan Vreeland is an historical fiction about the travels of a Vermeer painting over time. But it is written in reverse chronological order which gives an interesting twist to the story. This book is beautifully written and thought provoking. While reading, I found myself thinking about the purpose of art in my life and other's lives as well.
I highly recommend both of these books which can be enjoyed by not only those involved in the profession of art but by anyone else.
Linda,
ReplyDeleteSometimes, I have found, when folks are saying that you make too much work, or worse that your work is "too Big" ie bowls and platters, well there are other reasons they are commenting on your work. Do not let others, bring you down or shape your work and art in a negative way. I love your pieces, keep producing!
Mary
Hi Linda,
ReplyDeleteWe've had more snow and expect more on Saturday. Would send some to you if at all possible.
I have the book "Art & Fear", but have yet to crack it open. I hope to get more reading in this new year.
Happy New Year!
Diane
"Too much work!!" Like that could even happen.
ReplyDeleteFor that matter, "too big" doesn't seem like a legitimate criticism in itself, either. i did once I have a student who I thought focused too much on throwing larger, at the expense of basic things like handles and lids, but throwing or building large itself is a marvelous skill to have.
I'm so sorry to have missed your visit to Cambria. Dang it!
ReplyDeleteArt and Fear is such a great book. I re-read that book every year or so. I wish I could have it stamped in my brain.
Hi Mary, yes there are politics going on, sometimes I am too sensitive and have always been, guess that's the artistic part feeling things more. Thanks for your support.
ReplyDeleteHi Diane, I used to read so much when I was young, then I turned into a doer - like landscaping and pottery, but since I was at the coast, I didn't have much to do in the evenings but read - so I got a lot done - the book is great and inspirational.
Hi Potterchik, yes that's what I say, there are always so many more things I want to make than I can get done and my internal clock makes me feel guilty about it - so I keep pushing ahead.
Hi Patricia, we already want to be back at the coast, so I am sure we will be going back soon. I did meet a neighbor of yours and another potter and his wife while we were there - Rollie & Lauren Younger - Cambria Pottery.com I need to make some goals for myself for this new year and one of them should definitely be reading a little bit of Art & Fear each week of the year.
Girl in Hyacinth blue was an excellent book!
ReplyDeleteHi Gary, I am going to keep Girl in Hyacinth Blue. I already need to re-read it. Lots going on in each chapter.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if those people wish they were doing as much work as you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the book recommendations. Love the idea of following a painting through time so I will be looking for the book.
Hi Barbara, probably a little bit of envy there.
ReplyDeleteI'm always looking for good books, so when I found a couple I thought I would post them here. Hope you enjoy.
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