A Beautiful Anarchy: When the Life Creative Becomes the Life Created

by David duChemin

A Beautiful Anarchy is a vulnerable, honest, and insightful book about the human longing to create, whether you're creating a family, a business, a book, or a photograph. Your greatest creation can be an intentional life lived on your own terms. What is our life but a chance to make the greatest art of all? If you already identify as a creative person, this book is an invitation to more intentionally explore your creative process. If you've ever said, "But I'm not really creative," it's a call to exhume a part of yourself that desperately needs to get out and breathe. This is an honest discussion about creativity and the obstacles that stand in your way on that journey. It's an invitation to consider the creative in all of us, and to recognize that your best work will always be done when you colour outside the lines and listen first to your own voice. Truly exceptional, authentic lives have never belonged to the talented or the fearless, but to those who find the courage to do their work, and to be themselves.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, Art, Business, Self Help

115 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 20, 2014

About the author

David duChemin is a world & humanitarian photographer, best-selling author, and international workshop leader.

Reviews

[Jon McCormack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a departure from David's usual books. Instead of a "how to" book, this is more of a "why should you" book. Let's face it, creating art is a lonely and frustrating experience. David argues that doing the work is both worthwhile and at some level, a reward in and of itself. The most meaningful quote for me was "The real failure is to rob this world of the contribution only you can make, and to fail to make work that truly gives you that 'this is what I was created to do' feeling that has no equal". It's a fantastic thing to keep in mind when my art gets hard.

[Paul Pichugin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite possibly my favourite book on the subject of creativity and living a creative life.

Get a copy and read it, it will help you immensely.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that gets to the heart and soul of creating a life that is artistic and bold. David is inspiring in his work. I felt compelled to create during and after reading this book. An excellent read for all creatives.

[Rajiv Chopra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book through in one sitting, and it is indeed a very good book. However, I would have preferred to have read this before I read "The Soul Of The Camera", which I will probably do so again.

There are some trains of thought that are repeated in the book, and this is okay. There is only so many ways that you can ask people to embrace the life creative.

I do believe that this is a book that should be read by business people and corporate executives as well. A corporate career can be a soul destroying experience - even though you are paid handsomely for it - and a book like this can help you become more centred.

One of my beliefs has always been that you need to keep learning, and I love that he brings in the word - "Shoshin", from Zen philosophy, which means the beginners mind. Others may call it cultivating a child like curiosity. It is indeed vital in todays world.

A book worth reading.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though David is a well-known photographer, there is not a single photo in this book. In the beginning I thought this was a little weird, but in the end came to appreciate that greatly, I was able to focus on the words without getting distracted by his amazing photography. I have so many highlighted sections in this book. It made me ask and answer the hard question - What do I want to do with my creative life? The answer surprised me, yet didn't surprise me.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear David,

I’ll make a T-shirt with your book.

What people don’t know is that they need to read and apply your book.

I know you’ll probably never see this, but I won’t let that stop me from asking you (especially after reading your book): How does it feel to know you’re changing numerous unknowns lives for the better?

Absorbing every single word of it.

Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.

[Gregory Byerline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book's biforkated pointer hit me between the eyes and right in the heart. A must-read for entrepreneurs, artists, and visionaries who want to locate the gas pedal and/or slam it to the floorboard.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's more about creativity than photography. He does mention photography, as he is a photographer and it seems to be aimed more at photographers and writers, but anyone could read it and apply it to their life. Nothing new but it's always nice to be reminded and to think about creativity and life.

[Chris Sunderland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have admired David's photographs for some time, through his publishing company Craft and Vision and downloading one of his e-books. This is the first book I've read and I was challenged by it. David is a giant advocate of vision and intentional photographs. Photographs should be taken on purpose, with a purpose and vision firmly in your mind. Otherwise, they are merely snapshots and the viewer will have virtually no idea what message you might be trying to convey to them. So, instead of just snapping away on the shutter, think about what you are seeing and trying to convey to your audience. How should that photo be framed? What should be included and excluded from the photo? And who is that audience anyway? If you don't know who you are trying to reach, how will you know if your photos had an chance of impacting them?

See why his words challenged me? Before I pick up my camera again, I will be thinking much more about who I am trying to reach, what I am trying to say. I will have a vision.

[Jen Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring Read

Good book for inspiring you to stick with your creative stuff. That the process is hard and messy for everyone. It doesn’t mean you aren’t good when it’s hard, it’s part of the process. It’s also a great confirmation that it’s more about living a creative life to enjoy making work during those those challenging frustrating times. It’s about how you live your whole life to enjoy your work as part of it.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I love about this book is the message that you can’t have it all, that you have to make hard choices and give up some things if you want to be an artist. That doesn’t sound like a message to love because you so often hear the opposite. But this is reality and a good dose of encouragement and thought about what making art actually does for a life.

[Rick Decorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book to be shelved after reading so you can come back to it again and again. Some chapters really resonated with me, whereas others didn't, but that's not the point. If you are a creative, you should read this book.

[Kristi Lambert deter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read

These wise words will float off the page and into your soul, to uplift, encourage, and inspire. It's a simple, practical, yet powerful message.

[Jaipal Hundal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting perspective to creativity.

This is the second book by David that I've read. This one encourages you to go and do it and get creative.

[Caristy Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives you so much to think about....it’s not a how to but it about why you go about doing stuff!

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possible the best book I've read. Certainly the best art and craft related book I've read.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of all the photographers I follow, David duChemin is who I look to when I need a good kick in the seat of my pants, or when I need to come back to center and find my balance. In a word: authentic. I wouldn't call myself an artist if it weren't for reading David's words, and I might not even feel brave enough to refer to myself as a photographer or a writer. All that is to say that I highly respect both his skills as a photographer, as well as all of the honest wisdom he shares through his writing.

This book was just that for me on both accounts--both centering as an artist and a good kick in the seat of the pants. My only (humbly offered) critique is that it might be a bit overpriced for its small size. That said, most of his other work has been focused on photography (Within the Frame is still my go-to favorite), and I love that this book opens up his writing to be shared with many other creative types. Whether you're a writer, a parent, a musician, a designer, or a teacher, I definitely recommend checking it out.

[Bruce · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are times that David DuChemin's writing moves me. This is not one of them. The themes are solid: life us short; live with purpose. But repetition of these grew weary very quickly. Maybe it is that I expected much more or that I am shallow. Maybe I'll pick this up another time and find something I missed this time. Maybe I'll finish the book next time.

[Liam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading this last night, then out my bookmark back at page 1 for the next time I read it. This will definitely be on a constant rotation in my library for a while yet. Very well written and some great advice and inspiration. I have a lot of things to think about how I see my 'art' and why I do it.

[Crystal Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy to read and entertaining look at the creative cycle blended with a nice balance of conviction and motivation. Anyone pursuing the creative driven life, or longing for something other than "the American Dream" can find something to relate to in this book.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read focusing on the creative life, a life lived loving life. It takes work and integrity; living the life you want does not just come to the lucky.

[Jim Lemanowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read that puts some difficult thinking in your lap. Loved it!

[Phila Madondo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very great and well written book about the life of the creative artists and how to pursue that inspiration within each one of us to create.

[Bret Legg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book will encourage you to pursue the life and work for which you dream and desire...no matter what that might be. It is especially good for those who think of themselves as creatives, but as the author points out...there is a creative touch to all we do.