Art & Fear
by David Bayles and Ted Orland
A slim book on the fears that stop artists: that you are not talented, that others will judge, that the work will not match the vision. The ceramics-class parable (quantity group beat quality group) comes from here. Wise, short and passed hand to hand for thirty years.
Read it if…
you make things and fear is winning.
See the book →
Skip it if…
you want technique; it is about the inner obstacle.
Try instead: Make Your Art No Matter What →
Three things you will actually use
- Quantity produces quality.
- The work you make reveals the next work.
- Talent is a weak predictor; continuing is strong.
Do this first
Read the pottery parable and make ten of something.
Our verdict
Passed hand to hand for thirty years.
See the book →
Compare with other Motivation books
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An alphabet for makers.
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