Handing over my creative bibles, just for you

For all of us who want to be artists or creators, there is no step-by-step, one-size-fits-all approach. However, these books are the ones that have guided me, some for over five years by now, in my path as an artist.

They are the closest thing I have to a creative bible. They stay at my desk, always close at hand. These are books I have read, re-read, and re-re-read many times each. Every time, I learn something new. I find their different chapters become relevant in different parts of my process. I hope they become something similar to you!

This list will be written in chronological order: from the oldest creative bible to the newest in my collection. Without further ado, let's dive in!

1. Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon

I'd say this is a must-read, not only for artists but for anyone doing any sort of work in which they have to come up with creative ideas. It talks about how the concept of originality is dead, and how "original" ideas are just ideas that take inspiration from so many sources, you can't see their influences.

It takes a lot of weight off when you're trying to be creative. And it gives you great tools on how to take inspiration from others to make your work the best it can be.

I've re-read this book at least six times, I'd say. I annotate it with different colored pens each time, and I love seeing the different things I've noticed each time. I always find something new to underline, something that hadn't caught my attention before.

One of my favorite quotes from the book: "The best advice is not to write what you know, it's to write what you like. Write the kind of story you like best – write the story you want to read. The same principle applies to your life and your career." -Austin Kleon

2. Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon

Second Austin Kleon book on the list. I actually bought these two together. Ali Abdaal described this book as a guide to self-promotion for people who hate self-promotion, and I couldn't agree more. In the end, everyone trying to build something valuable in the 21st century needs to find a way to get eyeballs on it.

Our art and projects need to be seen. And this is a guide as to how to do it in the least cringy-feeling way. Fun fact: this is the first place I heard (or rather, read) someone say "hey, you should write a newsletter."

I've also re-read this one about six times (for both of these, that comes to at least once a year.) Another thing I love about Austin's books is how friendly he writes. It feels almost like having a conversation with him, not like being lectured, which I really appreciate.

A quote I love that summarizes the book well: "Make stuff you love and talk about stuff you love and you'll attract people who love that kind of stuff. It's that simple." -Austin Kleon

3.The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp

I read this book as I was starting my second year of college and I had to go back to it every time I was working on a big project. Twyla Tharp is one of the most successful choreographers alive. And as a dancer, believe me when I say that's unlikely in this industry. She says a lot of her creative success comes down to thinking of creativity, not as divine inspiration, but as a habit, a routine. She sees it as an action every human can take.

My favorite part about this book is how actionable it is. Every chapter comes with creative exercises, which expand your mind and how you think about the act of creating. Once again, I believe this book is not only for artists but for anyone whose job requires any sort of creativity. It's helpful to expand your mind in this particular way.

One quote I love: "whether or not God has kissed your brow, you still have to work." -Twyla Tharp

4. Keep Going by Austin Kleon

The last Austin Kleon book in this newsletter, I swear! Well... at least until he writes another one. This man is amazing for all things creativity. This is his most recent book, I first read it in 2020 at the very beginning of quarantine. I can say its lessons got me through the pandemic years.

This book talks about how making art doesn't work if you always depend on inspiration. It talks about how to be creative consistently, without going crazy or becoming miserable. I'd say its topics are a little bit similar to The Creative Habit in some way.

My favorite quote: "I don't want to know how a thirty-year-old became rich and famous; I want to hear how an eighty-year-old spent her life in obscurity, kept making art, and lived a happy life. I want to know how Bill Cunningham jumped on his bicycle every day and rode around New York taking photos in his eighties. I want to know how Joan Rivers was able to tell jokes up until the very end. I want to know how in his nineties, Pablo Casals still got up every morning and practiced his cello." -Austin Kleon

5. Real Artists Don't Starve by Jeff Goins

We've all heard it, we've all been spooked by it: The Starving Artist. If you're trying to be an artist, you've been warned of it by well-meaning aunts and strangers on the street alike. Jeff Goins says it's a lie. He says "hey, there are some artists in history who did not starve, who did not suffer because of money. Here's what they did that set them apart."

I love this book because it covers the three important areas you need to know if you're going to be a thriving artist instead of a starving artist: the craft, the market, and the money.

A quote I love: "If you don't want your best work to die with you, you must train yourself to think and live differently than the ways we've been told artists behave. Don't starve for your art. Help it thrive." -Jeff Goins

6. Art Matters by Neil Gaiman and Chris Ridell

This is the latest addition to my Creative Bibles collection, which I discovered less than a month ago. However, from the first read, I knew it deserved a place on this list. This small, beautifully illustrated book, puts together different speeches and quotes by Neil Gaiman, all forming a very convincing manifesto stating that Art Matters.

More exactly, making art matters. Making art and giving it your all matters. I loved every page.

But this, by far, was my favorite: "First of all, when you start out on a career in the arts you have no idea what you are doing. This is great. People who know what they are doing know the rules, and they know what is possible and what is impossible. You do not. The rules on what is possible and impossible in the arts were made by people who had not tested the bounds of the possible by going beyond them. And you can." -Neil Gaiman

Why should you have a creative bible?

As I said, creativity is not only for artists. We all lead a better life if we can become creative, and do the things we need to do to consistently be creative. It's good for your emotional and mental health. But it's often hard to know where to start. Like I said at the beginning: we aren't ever taught how to do this. If anything, we're taught how to do the opposite: we're taught how to follow rules and do what we're told.

This is why for me, developing my little collection of creative bibles has been crucial. As someone who is actively trying to develop a career in the arts, I know I often wish I had more guidance. And these books are written by masters, people who know their craft and who have decided to share it. It's as close as we can get to have them as teachers.

And I know it's worth it to take that opportunity.

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I hope these books help you as much as they have helped me, as much as they have given me hope and guidance.

I'm gonna skip on art recs this week, because this entire edition is basically made up of art recs.

I hope the rest of your week is filled with warm sweaters, heartwarming food, smiling friends, and soft cats sleeping on your lap.

-Vale, The Friendly Artist