The Reluctant Artist: Navigating and Sustaining a Creative Path

by Karen Kinney

Karen Kinney has taken insights, observations, and learning gleaned from over ten years working as a professional artist and compiled it into a book meant to inspire and encourage all who are on a creative path. Both for those firmly established in a career and those just starting out, she reminds us of the value of creative expression and provides important keys to aid in its development.

Addressing aspects of the creative life not frequently acknowledged, The Reluctant Artist reminds us that creativity thrives best in an outside-of-the-box environment and that value for what we do as artists must be intrinsic, first and foremost. Experiencing reluctance at points along the way merely acknowledges that challenges are par for the course when pursuing a dream of any kind. True success in the arts could be summed up by a simple refusal to give up - our part is to be faithful, to return and try again.

Whether you are an artist yourself, or have creative inklings somewhere inside that have yet to be expressed, The Reluctant Artist offers guidance and inspiration that will leave you feeling empowered and freshly motivated to release your creativity into the world.

Genres: Nonfiction

126 pages, Paperback

Published June 22, 2017

About the author

Karen Kinney is an award-winning writer, visual artist, and teacher. At her core, she is a mystic and guide, channeling wisdom through her creative work. For over 20 years, she has practiced and studied contemplative spirituality and this is the basis from which her creativity is birthed.

Her first book, The Reluctant Artist: Navigating and Sustaining a Creative Path, is a guide to fully owning and nurturing your creative passions. Her second book, Doorways
to Transformation: Everyday Wisdom for the Creative Soul, is a manual for everyday spiritual and creative growth.

She has pursued a multifaceted art career, exhibiting work nationally and internationally. Her art resides in numerous private collections, including those of Stanford University, actor Bob Odenkirk, and NPR's Guy Raz, and was purchased for the Lionsgate film The Lincoln Lawyer. She has designed installation work for the Los Angeles International Airport and painted murals in LA and Mexico.

Karen has taught about nurturing creative freedom and inner transformation at the University of Hong Kong, the San Miguel de Allende International Writers' Conference in Mexico, and at workshops for artists and writers in the States.

Currently living in Mexico, you can find her latest writings on her blog: karenkinney.com/blog. Or, follow @karen_e_kinney on Twitter and Instagram.

Reviews

[Lee Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and even-handed guide to becoming more creative in life as well as work. Filled with simple and easy-to-follow advice, whether you are just starting your creative path or accomplished. Recommended!

[Lainey Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

It can be hard to stay creative and maintain motivation as an artist or writer, but this book has so much inspiration on how to keep your creative engine running for the long term. If you're a fan of books like The Artist’s Way or The War of Art, this is similar in that it delves into what fuels our creativity and how do you nurture and keep that spark alive?

One of the author’s main points is that you "cannot thrive in the outer arena of creative life without a vibrant inner center". She talks about how creative work (whether it’s art or writing or other creative endeavors) is unlike regular work, where you can force yourself to sit down and have good ideas. Sometimes what your creativity needs to thrive is actually a pause, a step back.

I particularly appreciated her line that “It is a myth to think life is only going well when we're constantly using our gifts and accomplishing things". The author compellingly makes a point that the in-between times are just as valuable a part of creative life. It's those "dormant times", that "allow space and re-calibration for the next chapter" of creativity.

She poses insightful questions like, Are we judging our value only by our productivity in this exact moment? Or by the commercial value of our art only? If so, her point is that may not be our best path to inspire and source long term creativity.

Thoroughly recommended, thoughtful and insightful. This book join the shelf of timeless books, like The Artists Way, that delve successfully into the inner core of what nourishes the creative soul.

[Marianne Goodrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an artist and as a person always intent on living my best life, I was delighted to discover this inspiring book! So much of what Ms. Kinney wrote in The Reluctant Artist resonated with me - it was almost as if I had written it myself, as our experiences paralleled in so many ways. This book is the voice of an encouraging and wise friend, reassuring and informing, valuing and validating. I have purchased an extra copy to give as a gift. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to let others know how much I cherish this beautifully written book.

[Lena Bartula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Kinney has laid it out here, for anyone interested in pursuing their inner artist. As a longtime artist myself, I saw many relevant suggestions, teachings, experiences that I either recognized and remembered, or that I would love to have know years ago. Bravo, Karen, for sharing your knowledge and creativity with this book.

[Antonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspirational, I guess. Nothing new here. Not much substance.

[Clarissa Lynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a painful, slow read. I much prefer Art and Fear or the Artist Way.

[Deb]

Good vibes. Opening up ideas of what it means to be an artists and what it means to be successful.