A handful of art and creative books I’m loving now:

365 Days of Art: A Creative Exercise for Every Day of the Year by Lorna Scobie

I don’t remember how I stumbled upon Lorna Scobie’s books but I’m so glad I did. I love all the ideas and prompts. There’s never a dull page. Filled with exercises with color, calligraphy, pencil, paint, patterns etc. I don’t even go in order…I just open it like a magic eight ball.

 “365 Days of Art is an inspiring journal designed to help readers and budding artists nurture their creativity and explore their feelings through the medium of art. Featuring an activity for every day of the year, from simple tasks like drawing shapes and lines, to more mindful exercises like coloring-in, painting with primary colors, and drawing what you see. With beautiful, vibrant hand-lettering and watercolor illustrations, the book pairs inspiring quotes with supportive prompts and exercises to spark reflection through your drawing, writing, painting and more.”

 

365 Days of Drawing: Sketch and Paint Your Way Through the Creative Year by Lorna Scobie

I love the focus on drawing in this book. There are lots of different ways to approach drawing and sketching and art in general.

“Get lost in your creativity with 365 Days of Drawing, a thoughtful and inspiring art journal designed to help you carve out moments of self-expression. Lorna shows you that drawing does not have to be scary – it can be done with any materials, in any color, in any style and can be done anywhere.

Each activity has been given a loose category: imagination, tutorial, relaxation, color theory, and observational, so that you can practice a broad range of drawing skills. Each ‘theme’ is designed to expand your creative skills and spark the artist within. With helpful prompts and pages that encourage you to try new materials to draw with, 365 Days of Drawing is guaranteed to stir your imagination and put a little creativity into every single day.”

 

Journal Sparks: Fire Up Your Creativity with Spontaneous Art, Wild Writing, and Inventive Thinking by Emily Neuburger

I love the imagination in this book. So many imaginative ways to fill a page. There are no rules to journaling. And the back few pages are filled with stickers…

“Using words, drawing, collage, and observation-based list-making, award-winning author Emily K. Neuburger highlights the many paths into journaling. Her 60 interactive writing prompts and art how-tos help you to expand your imagination and stimulate your creativity. Every spread invites a new approach to filling a page, from making a visual map of a day-in-my-life to turning random splotches into quirky characters for a playful story. ​It’s the perfect companion to all those blank books and an ideal launchpad to explore creative self-expression and develop an imaginative voice — for anyone ages 10 to 100!”

 

In Pursuit of Inspiration: Trust Your Instincts and Make More Art by Rae Dunn

Who doesn’t love Rae Dunn?! This book is filled with her signature style and inspiration. I love the stories mixed in with the collage and art…and her beautiful lettering. 

“In this visually rich hardcover volume, beloved artist Rae Dunn shares her favorite techniques for approaching a blank page. From drawing with your nondominant hand to sketching with objects found in nature, each chapter offers a simple yet surprising catalyst to help readers get in touch with their own creativity. Full of gorgeous watercolors, sketches, original patterns, dreamy photography, and hand-lettered insight from the author, In Pursuit of Inspiration offers a unique glimpse into the process of a successful fine artist. It’s the perfect how-to book for artists of all skill levels who prefer freeform experimentation to step-by-step instruction.”

 

Expressive Flower Painting: Simple Mixed Media Techniques for Bold Beautiful Blooms by Lynn Whipple.

Since I’ve been exploring more floral paintings this year I’ve loved Lynn Whipple’s layering approach. She goes step-by-step to how she paints so loosely and freely. They are like surprise still life paintings. 

“Lynn Whipple paints wildly and in small to large formats with a combination of acrylic paint, charcoal, and colorful soft pastel. Expressive Flower Painting presents a range of creative painting exercises that help readers develop vibrant nature paintings. This exciting book is an in-depth expansion of Lynn’s class called Big Bold Bloom Wild Painting, with additional content.

Expressive Flower Painting covers mark making, layering techniques, how to do “spin drawings,” color methods, painted backgrounds, working from life, and how to successfully combine a wide variety of media for the maximum effect.”

 

Doodling for Dog People: 50 inspiring doodle prompts and creative exercises for dog lovers by Gemma Correll

This one is self explanatory. I bought it for Sienna for Christmas but I’ve used it more than she has. It has the cutest approaches to drawing pups. (Gemma also has a whole bunch of the cutest most imaginative books!)

“Doodling for Dog People is designed to appeal to seasoned artists and doodle enthusiasts alike. Packed with more than 50 fun and inspirational prompts, doodling exercises, and canine-related factoids, professional illustrator Gemma Correll sparks the imagination and spurs canine lovers to explore, experiment, and brainstorm ways to draw and doodle their favorite furry friends with her cute and clever art style. The artist’s simple, unique, and whimsical approach is sure to inspire, entertain, and guide artists of any skill level. Doodlers will find inspiration for drawing different types of dogs, dogs in outfits, dogs in action, and even doggie accessories. An interactive book, Doodling for Dog People demonstrates how to draw whimsical doggie doodles, while encouraging artists and doodle enthusiasts to develop their own style and techniques. With its portable format and plenty of open doodling pages, this quirky doodle book is perfect for on-the-go creative types.”

 

Old Watercolorists Never Die, They Just Wet Their Sheets by Joe Miller 

I love this book so much. I first picked it up at Cheap Joe’s because I couldn’t stop reading it in the store. There is so much artist wisdom in this book and lots of great advice for beginners and experts. 

“Cheap” Joe Miller loves to share his enthusiasm for life and for art! In these books written by and/or illustrated by Joe, he shares his experiences and his artwork, and hopes they’ll be as entertaining as they are instructional. Joe Miller – Pharmacist turned artist, Joe Miller offers you a glimpse into his art, and his life. Inside you’ll find a little humor, a few art tips, a little wisdom, lots of art and some Joe ramblings that hopefully will tickle your funny bone.”

More collections of books I love are linked up here. 

I love this book! 

I have been mending jeans for a long time now and a few pairs have so many patches that not much of the original jeans are present anymore. Katrina Rodabaugh’s book is full of mending techniques and ideas but what I really love about the book is the WHY behind mending: how slow fashion is another form of mindfulness, how it changes our shopping habits and helps us understand our needs better.

So much of our donated clothing just ends up in a landfill overseas and I’m trying to do better about not contributing to that cycle. I have a great group of friends that passes clothing back and forth to make it last longer and the things I can’t pass on I’m constantly trying to make into something new. I carry a bag full of mending projects to the DMV, the school pickup line and on any road trip. The process becomes enjoyable…and there’s a design element that’s added with patching and mending! I’ve had people ask to buy my old jeans because of how interesting they look after years of mending. So even if you can’t bring yourself to wear something that’s mended…there’s someone out there who would love to wear it instead. Slow fashion is a revolution and I love that more and more people are becoming aware of ethically made clothing. It gives me hope for our planet and that more and more people are concerned with who is making their clothing and how. 

I get so many emails with questions on how to slow down, how to create a simple life…start with things like clothing, toys and food. If you can find meaning in those three things it’s a huge step. It’s very empowering to take control and make hard decisions…and there’s so much joy to be found in the process. 

Mending Matters: Stitch, Patch, and Repair Your Favorite Denim & More by Katrina Rodabaugh

“Mending Matters explores sewing on two levels: First, it includes more than 20 hands-on projects that showcase current trends in visible mending that are edgy, modern, and bold—but draw on traditional stitching. It does all this through just four very simple mending techniques: exterior patches, interior patches, slow stitches, darning, and weaving. In addition, the book addresses the way mending leads to a more mindful relationship to fashion and to overall well-being. In essays that accompany each how-to chapter, Katrina Rodabaugh explores mending as a metaphor for appreciating our own naturally flawed selves, and she examines the ways in which mending teaches us new skills, self-reliance, and confidence, all gained from making things with our own hands.”

 

 

I’m all about books…here’s a link to more I’ve written about if you are interested!

I’ve put together a fun list of creative books for summer survival. I found the hardest thing to do around here is try to curb electronic use. This stack of books is one of the things I can point Boo to when she says she is bored. It’s a mix of new additions and staples (you might notice a few repeats of past recommendations):

 

A little more on each one:
Art on the Rocks: More than 35 colorful & contemporary rock-painting projects, tips, and techniques to inspire your creativity. by F. Sehnaz Bac 

I love all the cute ideas in this book and the step-by-step is great for any age. People have been painting rocks and leaving them around town recently and this book has the prettiest ideas I’ve seen. The fox!

“Packed with creative ideas, step-by-step projects, and endless inspiration, Art on the Rocks offers a colorful, modern approach to rock painting. Following an overview of how to gather and prepare your rocks, as well as a basic review of the tools and materials necessary for each project, three talented rock-painting artists demonstrate a range of contemporary designs featuring patterns, animals, mandalas, and more.”

 

Cut and Create Paper Mosaics: Craft Mosaic-by-Number Artworks with Paper Tiles, Scissors, and Glue by Chiharu Rosenberg

Boo thinks this book is a little overwhelming but I love the paper and mosaic maps included with it. I was thinking of using it beyond the book and on other surfaces.  

“Simply cut, and assemble your mosaics following the templates and instructions in the book. The five included projects begin with simple mosaic scenes with large pieces and gradually move to more complex works of art with smaller, more detailed pieces. Featuring ten stunning mosaics and all the paper you need to cut and create each, this is the perfect, relaxing, all-in-one project for those interested in creating their own masterful mosaics.”

 

Girl Plus Pen:Doodle, Draw, Color, and Express Your Individual Style by Stephanie Corfee

Stephanie’s books are always a big hit. We love her bohemian style and how easy her drawing style is to adopt for kids, tweens and adults!

“Doodle everything from simple swirls, swooshes, and scallops to intricate and detailed designs that you can give as gifts or hang on your wall. Work on lettering and word art, plus decorative doodles perfect for prettifying just about anything. Be inspired to use your doodling skills on everything from paper and pebbles to scarves and snapshots.”

 

 

Drawing Calm: Relax, refresh, refocus with 20 drawing, painting, and collage workshops inspired by Klimt, Klee, Monet, and more by Susan Evenson

The best part about this book is all the techniques it has for branching out in other artistic styles. 

“In Drawing Calm, artist Susan Evenson, shows readers how to do the same. It’s a book for everyone—non-artists as well as those with plenty of experience in a studio. Using restful, but dynamic works of art as a starting point, Susan Evenson teaches how to capture the light and peace of the master painting.”

 

Duct Tape Bags: 40 Projects for Totes, Clutches, Messenger Bags, and Bowlers by Richela Fabian Morgan

This is one of Boo’s favorite books. We have a huge collection of duct tape built up and she repeatedly goes back to this book for ideas and techniques on making her duct tape fashions better and better. It has detailed step-by-step instructions and all kinds of things to make from bags to wallets to luggage tags. 

“A mix of pop art and urban style photos of each project and a cool vibe throughout will make you want to immediately roll up your sleeves and begin making duct tape bags.”

 

Perfectly Mindful Origami – The Origami Garden by Mark Bolitho

The origami in this book is incredible. I love that an entire garden can be made just from paper. Origami is an underrated art in my book. My interest was re-peaked after watching House of Cards and watching Claire Underwood trying to make her own origami.  The papers included are gorgeous to look through too. 

“Origami expert Mark Bolitho explains how to make perfectly formed origami objects that are pleasing to fold and make. As digital downtime becomes a constant quest in our fast-paced lives, the idea of contemplative, sloothing arts and crafts is undergoing a serious revival.”

 

How to Be an Explorer of the World: Portable Life Museum by Keri Smith

This is a long-time favorite book of ours. I’ve bought it repeatedly as a gift for other people too. It never gets old. It’s pretty much my life manual. 

“Artists and scientists analyze the world around them in surprisingly similar ways, by observing, collecting, documenting, analyzing, and comparing. In this captivating guided journal, readers are encouraged to explore their world as both artists and scientists. The mission Smith proposes? To document and observe the world around you as if you’ve never seen it before. Take notes. Collect things you find on your travels. Document findings. Notice patterns. Copy. Trace. Focus on one thing at a time. Record what you are drawn to.”

 

Magical Miniature Gardens & Homes: Create Tiny Worlds of Fairy Magic & Delight with Natural, Handmade Décor by Donni Webber

We love fairy gardens and this book has such cute ideas. It’s helped us come up with lots of ideas for our own fairy garden! 

“Create Whimsical, Miniature Gardens with Handmade Fairy Furnishings. From low-maintenance desert fairy gardens to tin towns for town-loving fairies, adults and kids alike will enjoy creating their very own miniature worlds. Complete with handmade décor like spool chimneys, magical signposts, goldfish and water lily ponds, birch and pine-thatch houses and more, your gardens will transport you into your own fairytale.”

 

Mess: The Manual of Accidents and Mistakes by Keri Smith

Another Keri Smith favorite! It focuses on throwing yourself off balance…going outside of the box. My favorite: Bury this book. Dig it up in three days. 

“Your whole life, you’ve been taught to avoid making a mess: try to keep everything under control, color inside the lines, make it perfect, and at all costs, avoid contact with things that stain. This book asks you to do the opposite of what you have been taught. Think of it as your own personal rumpus room. A place to let loose, to trash, to spew, to do the things you are not allowed to do in the ‘real world.'”

 

 

 

This Is Not A Book by Keri Smith

Yes. We are Keri Smith fans. We have every single one of her books….in multiple copies. 

“In this uniquely skewed look at the purpose and function of a “book”, Keri Smith offers an illustrated guide that challenges readers to creatively examine all the different ways This Is Not a Book can be used. With intriguing prompts, readers will discover that the book can be: A secret message—tear out a page, write a note on it for a stranger, and leave it in a public place. A recording device—have everyone you contact today write their name in the book. An instrument—create as many sounds as you can using the book, like flipping the pages fast or slapping the cover. This Is Not a Book forces you to ask, “If it’s not a book, what is it then?”—with a kaleidoscope of possible answers.”

 

Living Out Loud by Keri Smith

This is spiral bound book…a little different from the others I’ve listed by Keri Smith. It has postcards, stickers and other fun things to tear out. 

“Remember those childhood days spent running in your bare feet, playing make-believe, and most of all, living life with wonderment? That youthful enthusiasm and playfulness are key to discovering who you are and what you love to do. Living Out Loud is the perfect prescription for a creative jump start to your life. Included are games, projects, activities, crafts, postcards, and playful ideas that will send you off on an exciting adventure, where you’ll discover inspiration around and within you.”
 

 

You can find other book roundups and reviews by clicking here!