I’m a book hound. Well, maybe I’m a book hoarder… in any case, I have a fairly extensive library most of which is non-fiction. I read to learn. I read to keep my brain alive.

Sometimes I read books that I already assume I am going to agree with, and some I read to challenge my way of thinking.

My husband thinks it a bit odd that I am often reading as many as six or seven books at one time. I will read little bits of this one and little bits of that one and, frankly, often get them confused in my mind… but all that information is going in there somewhere and making an impact. But, of late, I have come to realize I’ve let things get a bit out of hand.

So, I thought I would try to engage with you, my dear reader, and see if we can work together to make a significant dent in my reading pile. I’m going to focus on my art related books for now and now and then, post a book review when I have finished a book. I’d love to get your insights and thoughts on books you have read and books you recommend. Some of these I’m reading in Kindle. Others are actual printed books.

In Kindle:

Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Art Making by David Byless and Ted Orland

Art-Write: The Writing Guide for Visual Artists by Vickie Krohn Amorose

Outdoor Study to Studio: Take Your Plein Air Paintings to the Next Level by Michael Chelsey Johnson

How to Mix Color for Oil and Acrylic Paint: 100 Mixing Formulas by Mark Bornowski

Daily Painting by Carol Marine (I liked this one enough that I went ahead and purchased a hard copy for my library)

How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist:Selling Yourself without Selling Your Soul by Caroll Michels

Creative Freedom: 52 Art Ideas, Projects and Exercises to Overcome Your Creative Block by Maggie Price

In Hard copy I own quite a few more than I’m going to list here… but these are the ones currently in my reading pile. I’ll add the others in future posts.

Composition of Outdoor Painting  by Edgar Payne

Write It Down, Make It Happen: Know What You Want — And Getting It! by Henrietta Anne Klauser (not specifically an art book, but it does help with figuring out what my creative goals are and what my business goals are and how to reach them.)

The Art Spirit by Robert Henri

Art/Work: Everything You Need to Know (and Do) As You Pursue Your Art Career by Heather Darcy Bhandari and Johnathan Melber

Adobe Photoshop CC for Dummies  by Peter Bauer (to help me improve my reference photos)

Backpacker Painting: Outdoors with Oil and Pastel by Michael Chesley Johnson

What books are you currently reading or have read and can recommend?