I love to read.

And given that it’s my job, I especially love to read about creative practice. One of my most popular posts is a list of ten of the best books for creatives. So I think it’s time for ten more.

If you’re an artist, designer, maker, musician, writer, or anyone who works in a creative field (or wants to), you’ll find lots of help and inspiration in this list.

1. Rick Rubin, The Creative Act

As a record producer, Rubin has worked with everyone from Run-DMC to Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash to Lana Del Rey. He’s not a musician, so people go to him for his taste, his tactics, his creative toolkit. And he shares that wisdom here in short, themed chapters.

This isn’t necessarily a book to read from start to finish. But if you dip into it whenever you’re feeling stuck or unsure, you’re bound to find exactly what you need.

Sample quote: “The only practice that matters is the one you consistently do, not the practice of any other artist. Find your most generative method, apply it, and then let go when it is no longer of use. There is no wrong way to make art.”

2. Amie McNee, We Need Your Art

A writer, artist, and prolific creator, McNee understands creative process, and the pressures both internal and external that get in the way. The subtitle – “Stop f*cking around and make something” – shows the tone, and if you’ve got out of the habit of creativity, her two-week creative challenge will get you back into action.

Sample quote: “Do you know how powerful I am because I know I can handle failure? Oh my God I am unstoppable.”

3. Brian Eno/Bette Adriaanse, What Art Does: An Unfinished Theory

The extraordinarily creative musician, producer and artist Brian Eno thinks art is both essential and everywhere: what you wear, how you eat, your home decor, your haircut (see below). Lavishly illustrated by Bette A, this book passionately shares his thoughts on why the arts aren’t merely an optional add-on for a good life. Creativity is an essential part of being human.

“Play is how children learn. Art is how adults play.”

4. Austin Kleon, Don’t Call It Art

I love all of Kleon’s books, his newsletter and his blog. This latest one is inspired by his children, but it’s not a parenting book and you don’t need to have children in your life to get a lot out of it. Subtitled “10 ways to create like a kid again”, it’s about being playful and non-judgemental, and getting out of your own way so you can create joyfully.

Beautifully illustrated, this is a deceptively simple little book that you can devour is a single sitting. But you’ll go back to it, again and again.

“As I was learning to love and care for these little artists in my life [his two sons], I started wondering why I idn’t show myself the same love and care. It was the thought I had when reading parenting books: Why are we doing all this stuff for our kids but not ourselves? Why aren’t we all taking time to play? Why aren’t we all letting ourselves get bored? Why aren’t we all limiting our screen time and going outside?”

5. Mason Currey, Making Art And Making A Living

It’s the eternal question for artists, writers, musicians and indeed anyone working in creative fields: how do we make this pay? Here Currey investigates how artists have resolved this is the past, from family money and state subsidies to jobs grim and joyful; from finding patrons to outright theft – and much wilder schemes.

In 1719, the poet Alexander Pope pioneered a subscription model 300 years before Substack came along; in 1959, composer John Cage went on an Italian game show and won enough to buy a Steinway.

If you’re struggling for money, this won’t offer practical help. But it will make you feel less alone.

From novelist John O’Hara’s letter to his editor at the New Yorker: “I want more money I want more money I want more money I want more money I want more money I want more money I want more money I want more money I want more money I want more money I want more money.”

6. Sally Mann, Art Work: On The Creative Life

The US artist/photographer writes with searing honesty and a lot of humour on the trials, tribulations and joys of making art. Her route to success was a long and torturous one, and she doesn’t glamourise or sugarcoat the struggle. Yet she still inspires you to get out of your own way and get on with it. Because it’s who you are.

“People make art everywhere. They have made it in caves and on the sides of subway cars and hunched over a prison cot writing on toilet paper. They do it when they are exhausted, discouraged; they make their work in spite of not having the time or resources, never mind a computer or a studio. And they make it in the moments cobbled together from a day just as jam-packed as your day is, as you plug yourself into your soul-destroying day job or juggle a baby on your hip while packing the school lunches..”

And proving her point, here’s a photograph from the book, showing Mann in her darkroom with her young family.

7. David Bayles and Ted Orland, Art & Fear

Ted Orland’s letters feature in Sally Mann’s book above, and this book grew out of their friendship, and their struggles as artists. A deep dive into fear in all its forms, how it hinders creativity – and how to make your work anyway.

“You make good work by making lots of work that isn’t very good, and gradually weeding out the parts that aren’t good, the parts that aren’t yours. It’s called feedback, and it’s the most direct route to learning about your own vision. It’s also called doing your work. After all, someone has to do your work, and you’re the closest person around.”

8. Sheryl Garratt, Creative Play

The need to play is a recurrent theme in many of these books. It an essential part of any sustainable creative practice. Yet many of us have forgotten how to do it. My book is about why creatives need play. But mainly, it offers 365 ideas for playful activities, to get you back on track.

“Play is not a distraction from your creative work. It is your creative work.”

9. Beth Pickens, Make Your Art No Matter What

A therapist turned creative coach, Pickens understands the challenges and often has something wise to say about them. From making time to building community, from money and marketing to asking for help.

“I tell my clients when they get a no that particularly stings—a coveted residency, a lengthy grant application, requesting a studio visit with a powerful curator—they should make space for feeling terrible for half a day. One day tops.

“The day of the rejection, you are free to feel awful, have a pity party alone or with friends, and wonder if it’s all been for naught. Really go for it! Then, the next day, you have to commit to taking three new actions toward the goal you have for your art.”

10. Lynda Barry, What It Is

A cartoonist, writer and creative mentor, Barry uses the graphic novel format to describe her own creative journey. But she also shares all she’s learned about art and writing. Packed with practical exercises for writing and drawing, it’s impossible to read this and not feel inspired.

“I copied old illustrations and ads and then photographs. I copied poems and song lyrics. I copied thoughts of others and tried to change my situation by copying my way into another world. And it worked. In a fairytale it wouldn’t work, but in real life it did.”

Want more book recommendations?

This is my second selection of books for creatives. Read about the first ten books I chose here. If you’re a writer, all of the books above will help. But here’s my list of ten books especially for writers.

---

---

All links on this page lead to Amazon. If you choose to buy there, a tiny amount goes from Jeff Bezos to me. If you prefer to support your local bookstore instead – more power to you!