I’m in three book clubs and I wonder why I’m so busy all the time! Two of them may not be real book clubs. Although, I consider meeting a friend for lunch to discuss a book a book club others may not. My third is definitely a book club. I meet with three co-workers, this months pick was from L – Art & Fear: Observations On the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles & Ted Orland. Amzon describes the book as
Art & Fear explores the way art gets made, the reasons it often doesn’t get made, and the nature of the difficulties that cause so many artists to give up along the way. The book’s co-authors, David Bayles and Ted Orland, are themselves both working artists, grappling daily with the problems of making art in the real world. Their insights and observations, drawn from personal experience, provide an incisive view into the world of art as it is experienced by art-makers themselves.
This is not your typical self-help book. This is a book written by artists, for artists -— it’s about what it feels like when artists sit down at their easel or keyboard, in their studio or performance space, trying to do the work they need to do. First published in 1994, Art & Fear quickly became an underground classic. Word-of-mouth response alone—now enhanced by Internet posting—has placed it among the best-selling books on art-making and creativity nationally.
I don’t always trust amazon reviews but 105 out of 134 gave this book 5 stars. With that said, I was really looking forward to reading what these artist had to say. Sadly, for me it did not live up to expectation. I was left wondering who is the intended audience of this book? You have to have a vast knowledge of art history and humanities in general to know some of the artist, ideas, and theories. When artist are talked about they are mentioned mostly by one name without reference to their work. Artist ideas are not quoted or supported by fact. This really bothers me.
In the end I realized this book is meant to be one artist conservation to another (artist). Most likely an artist that has been through an art program. I would give this book 2 stars and would not recommend the book.
