It's a bit frustrating to read, the section on art and science was a disaster, perhaps demonstrating the authors complete lack of understanding of science. It starts out strong, very strong, and then falls apart in a semantic entanglement of mixed metaphors and pseudo philosophy that spends a lot of words saying very little. Both are like caffeine to energize your artistic career, and which you choose is really a matter of taste. If The Artist's Way is like a super deluxe 64 ounce mocha with flavored syrup, whipped cream, and a dusting of cinnamon and nutmeg on top, Art and Fear is like a shot of espresso. The risk is fearsome: in making your real work you hand the audience the power to deny the understanding you seek you hand them the power to say, 'you're not like us you're weird you're crazy.' Tolerance for uncertainty is the prerequisite to succeeding. What separates artists from ex-artists is that those who challenge their fears, continue those who don't, quit.

If ninety-eight percent of our medical students were no longer practicing medicine five years after graduation, there would be a Senate investigation, yet that proportion of art majors are routinely consigned to an early professional death.

In large measure becoming an artist consists of learning to accept yourself, which makes your work personal, and in following your own voice, which makes your work distinctive. Here are some of my favorite quotes from it: It addresses issues like perfectionism, creative blocks, and motivation. If you are in need of some motivation and don't have time to read The Artist's Way series (which, by the way, I also recommend), it's perfect for you. Carry it in your backpack, put it in your purse, or on the back of your toilet. It's an easy read, barely over a hundred pages. You could cross out the title word Art and write LOVE & Fear, and the same concepts apply. Earn it.Įverything I read in this book could also apply to the art of relationship. Stop coveting other peoples talent, skills, lessons. In talking about other's 'magic' in their work the authors write: 'Their magic is theirs. The writers explore the human need for acceptance, fear of failure, communication sensibilities between your work and yourself versus your work and the outside world. Specifically, it uses art and fear to talk about how our choice to have courage or not drives the degree of light you will manifest in your own life. What I love about this book is that it uses art to talk about life. I reread the margin notes that I've written at various times. I have picked it up and opened a random page to read on dozens of occasions. I've read this book cover to cover four or five times.

Art & fear by david bayles