Art Business and Creativity Book Recommendations
I’ve intended to write this blog post for a year, but it seemed like a lot of work because I’ve read a lot of business books and putting them together, with summaries and my opinions on each, is a massive undertaking.
And that gets to the point of why an art business is overwhelming- because there are endless tasks, more ideas than you’ll have time for, something new to learn every week…. and somehow, during all this work, you’ll need to be making art!
This morning, (it’s 7:00am), I decided to take this idea and go easy. I’ll collect and link the book titles, but it’s in your hands to form opinions and decide which to read.
I’m offering them in loose order of when I read them, showing how your business needs change the deeper you get into your art business. (I will put stars next to my favorites.)
And many of these books aren’t strictly art business books- they are books on creativity, writing, and finances. It’s my list of books that have shaped my approach to my creative business.
And while they are linked to purchase sites, borrow them from your public library first!
On Writing By Stephen King
The Artist’s Way By Julia Cameron
Writing Down the Bones By Natalie Goldberg
*** Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life By Anne Lamott
*** Big Magic By Elizabeth Gilbert
The War of Art By Steven Pressfield
Find Your Artistic Voice By Lisa Congdon
Art Inc.- The Essential Guide for Building your Career as an Artist By Lisa Congdon
The Creative Doer By Anna Lovind
The Complete Smartist Guide By Exaterina Popova and Alicia Puig
The Creative Business Handbook By Exaterina Popova and Alicia Puig
*** Steal Like an Artist By Austin Kleon
*** Keep Going By Austin Kleon
*** Show Your Work By Austin Kleon
*** Atomic Habits By James Clear
The Creative Act: A Way of Being By Rick Rubin
*** I'd Rather Be In The Studio!: The Artists No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion By Alyson B. Stanfield
Artpreneur: The Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Sustainable Living from Your Creativity By Miriam Schulman
Graphic Artists Guide Handbook: Pricing and Ethical Guidelines By The Graphic Artists Guild
Legal Guide for the Visual Artist By Tad Crawford and M.J. Bogatin
Don’t Make it Weird By Colleen Nichols
*** The Creative Habit By Twyla Tharp.
Best Story Wins: Storytelling for Business Success By Mark Edwards
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less By Greg McKeown
Arts and Numbers: A Financial Guide for Artists By Elaine Grogan Luttrull
The Practice: Shipping Creative Work By Seth Godin
*** Daybook: The Journal of an Artist By Anne Truitt
Effortless By Greg McKeown
More Sales Please By Sara Nasser Dalrymple
*** Get the Picture By Bianca Boxker
*** Dear Writer by Maggie Smith
The Roar of her Story By Hilary Salzman
The Passion Economy By Adam Davidson
Check back for new titles-
My online searches for what I’ve read lead me to many books I haven’t read. My local library will be delighted that I’m increasing their circulation numbers with all the books I’ve requested!
What have I missed? Add your titles in the comments, please!