What do you think?
Rate this book
A Big Important Art Book (Now with Women): Profiles of Unstoppable Female Artists--and Projects to Help You Become One
Celebrate 45 women artists, and gain inspiration for your own practice, with this beautiful exploration of contemporary creators from the founder of The Jealous Curator.
Walk into any museum, or open any art book, and you'll probably be left where are all the women artists? A Big Important Art Book (Now with Women) offers an exciting alternative to this male-dominated art world, showcasing the work of dozens of contemporary women artists alongside creative prompts that will bring out the artist in anyone!
This beautiful book energizes and empowers women, both artists and amateurs alike, by providing them with projects and galvanizing stories to ignite their creative fires. Each chapter leads with an assignment that taps into the inner artist, pushing the reader to make exciting new work and blaze her own artistic trail. Interviews, images, and stories from contemporary women artists at the top of their game provide added inspiration, and historical spotlights on art "herstory" tie in the work of pioneering women from the past. With a stunning, gift-forward package and just the right amount of pop culture-infused feminism, this book is sure to capture the imaginations of aspiring women artists.
Walk into any museum, or open any art book, and you'll probably be left where are all the women artists? A Big Important Art Book (Now with Women) offers an exciting alternative to this male-dominated art world, showcasing the work of dozens of contemporary women artists alongside creative prompts that will bring out the artist in anyone!
This beautiful book energizes and empowers women, both artists and amateurs alike, by providing them with projects and galvanizing stories to ignite their creative fires. Each chapter leads with an assignment that taps into the inner artist, pushing the reader to make exciting new work and blaze her own artistic trail. Interviews, images, and stories from contemporary women artists at the top of their game provide added inspiration, and historical spotlights on art "herstory" tie in the work of pioneering women from the past. With a stunning, gift-forward package and just the right amount of pop culture-infused feminism, this book is sure to capture the imaginations of aspiring women artists.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published October 2, 2018
107 people are currently reading
696 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Krysa
14 books59 followers Danielle Krysa has a BFA in Visual Arts from the University of Victoria, and a post-grad in design from Sherian College. She began her career as a painter, but her love for graphic design quickly changed her interest from painting to mixed media - specifically collages filled with narratives, negative space, and pop cultural references. (Danielle Krysa is also is the writer behind the contemporary art site, The Jealous Curator, and the author of Creative Block, Collage and Your Inner Critic Is A Big Jerk.) Danielle lives and works in British Columbia, Canada.
Danielle has been making work for years, but she’s been focused on her current body of work since late 2015. Using found images, bright blooms/swashes of paint, and long funny titles, she is truly embracing her lifelong love of story telling.
Danielle has been making work for years, but she’s been focused on her current body of work since late 2015. Using found images, bright blooms/swashes of paint, and long funny titles, she is truly embracing her lifelong love of story telling.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 12, 2020
This is more like a 3.5. Usually I'd round up, but I felt there were a couple things that kept me from going to that "really liked" four stars. It is, however, fun and inspiring to read while doing this whole pandemic isolation oh-my-god-will-I-ever-get-to-a-museum-again thing.
Danielle Krysa has a degree in art and is an artist. She's also known by her blog title, The Jealous Curator. Great blog. This book is primarily from the blog, and so it is, well, bloggy. Great blogs don't make great books no matter what publishers want us to believe. They tend to make bloggy books: easy to put down and pick up, but relatively shallow on any given subject. That's the case here.
Krysa's concept for this book was a focus on women artists. I mean, surely there had to be some, right? You wouldn't know it if you've ever sat through a college art appreciation class. I think the one I took in college mentioned Judith Leyster, Mary Cassatt, Grandma Moses, and Georgia O'Keefe...barely. They skipped Frida Kahlo completely, an omission I wish I could chalk up to "just" sexism, but considering I don't recall a single artist of color being mentioned in the entire semester. Well, here's a whole book about women making a living as artists. Each entry gives a short bio of the artist with some quotes that appear to be taken from interviews, a brief description of their art method or style, and a few examples of their works. Interspersed among these are short bios of past (deceased and usually more well-known) artists. Only a few of these bios of the more famous contain examples of their art, which is disappointing. I don't know if pesky copyright issues limited showing the works or what, but that omission made the book feel incomplete to me.
I also wish the pictures had been bigger, although in Kindle format, it's possible to zoom with a few more taps.
Many of the artists stories fall into two basic scenarios: either they grew up surrounded by art and making art from a very early age, or they weren't particularly artsy as kids and had an "art epiphany" as an adult and discovered their amazing hidden talent, etc. Read a lot of the bios in rapid succession, and they start to sound repetitive and a little sugar-coated. Also, in a majority of the bios, there is some variation of "Oh, and while doing ALL THAT, she became a MOM, so that's MORE CREATIVITY!" OK, so I exaggerate, but only a little. Can we please have one book about women doing something that doesn't make it sound like having kids is still the ultimate goal of anyone with ovaries? You don't read bios of male artists that gush about how creative it was for them to become fathers. In general, the bios certainly focus more on personality than techniques and materials, so don't expect to geek out over brush techniques or learn any secrets to glazing porcelain. These are fairly light, fairly shallow profiles, basically what you might find in the artists' marketing brochures. Or in blogs. Which, more and more, are the same thing.
Many, many different art styles and methods are represented in the book: paint, sculpture, collage, textiles, ceramics, etc. Like any collection, not everything is going to appeal to everyone. For example, I'm not really a fan of collage work, of which there is a lot in this book -- probably because the author does collage. Different strokes and all that. But it's worth looking at all the entries because there are some fascinating surprises to discover, such as beautiful portraits made with pearl buttons or sculptures of dried flowers or intricate "lace" pictures made from delicately cut newsprint.
Danielle Krysa has a degree in art and is an artist. She's also known by her blog title, The Jealous Curator. Great blog. This book is primarily from the blog, and so it is, well, bloggy. Great blogs don't make great books no matter what publishers want us to believe. They tend to make bloggy books: easy to put down and pick up, but relatively shallow on any given subject. That's the case here.
Krysa's concept for this book was a focus on women artists. I mean, surely there had to be some, right? You wouldn't know it if you've ever sat through a college art appreciation class. I think the one I took in college mentioned Judith Leyster, Mary Cassatt, Grandma Moses, and Georgia O'Keefe...barely. They skipped Frida Kahlo completely, an omission I wish I could chalk up to "just" sexism, but considering I don't recall a single artist of color being mentioned in the entire semester. Well, here's a whole book about women making a living as artists. Each entry gives a short bio of the artist with some quotes that appear to be taken from interviews, a brief description of their art method or style, and a few examples of their works. Interspersed among these are short bios of past (deceased and usually more well-known) artists. Only a few of these bios of the more famous contain examples of their art, which is disappointing. I don't know if pesky copyright issues limited showing the works or what, but that omission made the book feel incomplete to me.
I also wish the pictures had been bigger, although in Kindle format, it's possible to zoom with a few more taps.
Many of the artists stories fall into two basic scenarios: either they grew up surrounded by art and making art from a very early age, or they weren't particularly artsy as kids and had an "art epiphany" as an adult and discovered their amazing hidden talent, etc. Read a lot of the bios in rapid succession, and they start to sound repetitive and a little sugar-coated. Also, in a majority of the bios, there is some variation of "Oh, and while doing ALL THAT, she became a MOM, so that's MORE CREATIVITY!" OK, so I exaggerate, but only a little. Can we please have one book about women doing something that doesn't make it sound like having kids is still the ultimate goal of anyone with ovaries? You don't read bios of male artists that gush about how creative it was for them to become fathers. In general, the bios certainly focus more on personality than techniques and materials, so don't expect to geek out over brush techniques or learn any secrets to glazing porcelain. These are fairly light, fairly shallow profiles, basically what you might find in the artists' marketing brochures. Or in blogs. Which, more and more, are the same thing.
Many, many different art styles and methods are represented in the book: paint, sculpture, collage, textiles, ceramics, etc. Like any collection, not everything is going to appeal to everyone. For example, I'm not really a fan of collage work, of which there is a lot in this book -- probably because the author does collage. Different strokes and all that. But it's worth looking at all the entries because there are some fascinating surprises to discover, such as beautiful portraits made with pearl buttons or sculptures of dried flowers or intricate "lace" pictures made from delicately cut newsprint.
May 17, 2023
Прекрасна книга, яка дарує безліч емоцій. Читаючи її ти ніби пізнаєш саме натхнення, оскільки дивуєшся, розглядаєш, досліджуєш, дізнаєшся деталі, зберігаєш та фотографуєш. Дуже сподобалась, було цінно познайомитись з нею в рамках поповнення свого ресурсу. А ще, така радість від того, що дізналась про неймовірну творчу силу жінки. Стільки прекрасних жінок-мисткинь в цьому світі ♥️
Read
November 17, 2023Дуже крута книга як подарунок мисткиням. 15 розділів про різні мистецькі техніки або тематики, перед кожним "завдання" які спонукають надихнути на власну творчість. Потім біографії та роботи жінок, що працювали в цих техніках або тематиках, по кілька на розділ.
December 12, 2018
This wonderful book has 2 things the traditional art history books (ie Jansens) were missing: readability and WOMEN ARTISTS. Interesting and varied bios, plus statements from the living, working contemporary artists themselves. Krysa also included mini bios of some worthy women who are no longer living, but should have been in our art history survey classes. As the artists are grouped themetically, she also included a project idea or creativity booster for each chapter. For me personally I have too many ideas already, but I love this resource for my students who are stuck or not sure where to start.
But the most important thing I can say is that these artists are amazing! There are so many wow moments looking at their work and reading about their process. Inspiring. I think even the non-artists out there will enjoy this. Can't wait for volume II.
But the most important thing I can say is that these artists are amazing! There are so many wow moments looking at their work and reading about their process. Inspiring. I think even the non-artists out there will enjoy this. Can't wait for volume II.
May 22, 2019
Danielle does a fantastic job of highlighting new-to-you artists in her Jealous Curator project, and this book is a well executed natural extension of that. It retains the fresh perspective and recency that we are accustomed to on internet based platforms, but also uses the book format to dig a little deeper. I love how she ties each artist's work back to a previous accomplished artist, all also women, but doesn't make a Big Academic Thing about it. There is certainly a time for that, but it's refreshing to see something so accessible and inspiring and fun to read that also contains the tons of info an academic publication would. I'm already looking forward to the next book.
February 28, 2019
It’s never a bad idea to learn about more women artists in the world! Danielle Krysa knocks it out of the park again with another beautiful, eye-opening book about women all over the world who raise their voices in their own way. I like her informal way of writing too—she couldn’t be more different than the standard academic art history textbook, haha!
August 4, 2019
Finally took the time to finish this inspiring book. It took so long because I wanted to research nearly every artist highlighted in the book. That takes some TIME. Worth it! So many inspiring women artists! 🙌🏼
April 20, 2021
I liked this book, but I do think it could be a little better. Many current artists have a few pages that explain their background and display their work. There are smaller blurbs about past artists that relate to each current artist in some way. The look, flow, and organization of this book is really great! However, I wish that the blurbs about past artists also included an example of the artists' work. I'm happy I have internet access so I could look up the artists and actually see their artwork. Also, the text often referred to works made by the current artists that weren't featured in the book. I'd understand this if the book had run out of room, but there were often pictures in the book that were never discussed in the text. Lastly, I enjoyed the modern, abstract, and illustration art, but I wish there had been more artists who focused more in realism included in this book too.
April 12, 2025
Якщо ви давно читаєте мої відгуки на книги, то знаєте про мою велику любов до видавництва "ArtHuss". Особливо я обожнюю все, що у них виходить про мистецтво, тому що ці книги – то моя велика любов! Саме такою стала і «Велика важлива книга про мистецтво (тепер і про жінок)», яку написала Даніелле Криза🤍
Авторка розповідає про жінок-мисткинь, які працювала в різний час, але чия творчість заслуговує на визнання. На жаль, не всі про них знають, тому Даніелле за допомогою даної книги хоче познайомити нас з ними та надихнути інших жінок не приховувати свій талант, а намагатися розвивати його щодня, і що важливо – не здаватися, коли на шляху будуть виникати перешкоди (а вони обов'язково будуть).
У книзі цікаво переплітаються поради самої авторки, фото та приклади робіт художниць, інтерв'ю із ними, а також коротка інформація про інших мисткинь, які, на жаль, вже померли.
Ось одна з порад від Даніелле:
• Використайте буденність життя та перетворіть банальність на щось, від чого перехоплюватиме подих.
А нижче поділюся ще декількома цитатами від мисткинь:
• Щодня робіть трохи більше. В якийсь момент я бачу потенціал картини, над якою працюю, і тоді сама картина починає вказувати мені, що робити. – Філліс Бремсон
• У природі можна знайти стільки всього з погляду дизайну, палітри кольорів, візерунків і складних форм, що я не припиняю цьому дивуватися. – Сюзанна Бауер
• – Що б ти порадила собі у дитинстві?
– Те ж, що і своїй дочці: відчувай пристрасть до того, що робиш! (Кароліна Антіч)
• Показуйте й працюйте далі. Іноді роботи отримують відгук миттєво, а іноді на це потрібно більше часу. Та попри все, вірте в себе й продовжуйте працювати! – Гаґар Вардімон
Видавництво: ArtHuss
Більше відгуків на книги за тегом #ВіраЧитає ❤️
Авторка розповідає про жінок-мисткинь, які працювала в різний час, але чия творчість заслуговує на визнання. На жаль, не всі про них знають, тому Даніелле за допомогою даної книги хоче познайомити нас з ними та надихнути інших жінок не приховувати свій талант, а намагатися розвивати його щодня, і що важливо – не здаватися, коли на шляху будуть виникати перешкоди (а вони обов'язково будуть).
У книзі цікаво переплітаються поради самої авторки, фото та приклади робіт художниць, інтерв'ю із ними, а також коротка інформація про інших мисткинь, які, на жаль, вже померли.
Ось одна з порад від Даніелле:
• Використайте буденність життя та перетворіть банальність на щось, від чого перехоплюватиме подих.
А нижче поділюся ще декількома цитатами від мисткинь:
• Щодня робіть трохи більше. В якийсь момент я бачу потенціал картини, над якою працюю, і тоді сама картина починає вказувати мені, що робити. – Філліс Бремсон
• У природі можна знайти стільки всього з погляду дизайну, палітри кольорів, візерунків і складних форм, що я не припиняю цьому дивуватися. – Сюзанна Бауер
• – Що б ти порадила собі у дитинстві?
– Те ж, що і своїй дочці: відчувай пристрасть до того, що робиш! (Кароліна Антіч)
• Показуйте й працюйте далі. Іноді роботи отримують відгук миттєво, а іноді на це потрібно більше часу. Та попри все, вірте в себе й продовжуйте працювати! – Гаґар Вардімон
Видавництво: ArtHuss
Більше відгуків на книги за тегом #ВіраЧитає ❤️
January 23, 2021
The overall energy and encouragment to women artists was great! I appreciated the balance of mediums and the suggested art projects. The layout was beautiful, consistent, and fluid.
Reading about contemporary female artists was fascinating but I also don't buy into the agenda of "unfair representation of women", especially in the past. The ratio of men to women artists would logically procure more notable men. It could be argued also that the women artists of the same era were not profound or impactful. But this would make the women recorded in the history books worth knowing. This book sets out to highlight women artists but to the subjection of the author and not to public/world/popular opinion.
The biographies are written as factual yet laced with unnecessary shallow commentary. This mocks the female audience it was intended for in that we would only be interested in reading the book if it were written like a magazine article. The title also comes off as sarcastic and petty.
My final critique of the book would be that it should include at least one image of work for the deceased artists represented. While several of them I knew, it would be more convenient to have an image within the pages to enjoy rather than setting the book down and looking it up myself.
Reading about contemporary female artists was fascinating but I also don't buy into the agenda of "unfair representation of women", especially in the past. The ratio of men to women artists would logically procure more notable men. It could be argued also that the women artists of the same era were not profound or impactful. But this would make the women recorded in the history books worth knowing. This book sets out to highlight women artists but to the subjection of the author and not to public/world/popular opinion.
The biographies are written as factual yet laced with unnecessary shallow commentary. This mocks the female audience it was intended for in that we would only be interested in reading the book if it were written like a magazine article. The title also comes off as sarcastic and petty.
My final critique of the book would be that it should include at least one image of work for the deceased artists represented. While several of them I knew, it would be more convenient to have an image within the pages to enjoy rather than setting the book down and looking it up myself.
October 23, 2023
Flipping eggsellent
I began dutifully reading about each artist. Oh, but I have always been repulsed by exercises, and soon delighted in flipping past those. I didn't come to the book for advice on how to get inspired. I came to discover these beautiful, demented souls who had to manifest something. I've been isolated, as an artist, for several years. I say this because it gives basis for the discovery, for the preciousness of moments and rarity of adventure to read the words of other women at work., breaking eggs and frying them up to feed a starving world. I recommend this book to women, to artists, to men, art lovers. This book will expose the
reader to art, part in participle.
I began dutifully reading about each artist. Oh, but I have always been repulsed by exercises, and soon delighted in flipping past those. I didn't come to the book for advice on how to get inspired. I came to discover these beautiful, demented souls who had to manifest something. I've been isolated, as an artist, for several years. I say this because it gives basis for the discovery, for the preciousness of moments and rarity of adventure to read the words of other women at work., breaking eggs and frying them up to feed a starving world. I recommend this book to women, to artists, to men, art lovers. This book will expose the
reader to art, part in participle.
February 22, 2022
I have mixed feelings about this one - on one hand, I love the premise. On the other hand, the author's taste in art is very different from my own, so some of the featured artists were harder for me to appreciate. Krysa loves obsessive artists, the type of intense craftswomen who figure out how to do something very specific and precise, and then repeat that beautifully. I prefer more mess in my artwork, and this is all about precision. Not necessarily a bad thing, just depends what you're looking for and which type of art you feel most inspired by.
Regardless, it's great to see contemporary featured artists each pursuing their own unique styles and ambitions.
Regardless, it's great to see contemporary featured artists each pursuing their own unique styles and ambitions.
March 7, 2022
In each of the 15 chapters, Danielle Krysa provides an art project such as “Self-Portraiture” (by making a collage from ten, ripped photos of yourself) and “Bringing the Outside In” (by photographing, listening to the environment, and bringing an object home). After giving readers their assignments, Krysa then highlights remarkable female artists who have created extraordinary art in the chapter’s subject matter. Included are scores of color images of the artists’ works. Part how-to textbook, part coffee table book, but entirely glorifying the female eye, A Big Important Art Book is a fine addition to the library of any student of the craft regardless of their sex.
March 11, 2019
I learned a lot about a number of contemporary woman artists that I was unaware of. I also like how the author interspersed small blurbs about past women artists. I wish the book and photos of the artwork were larger.
August 29, 2021
Quite an inspiring read about contemporary women artists who encompass every medium and type of subject matter. Their personal stories of how they began the creative process from children into adulthood plus pictures of their work made their art come alive. Time to start creating!
November 13, 2018
Amazing selection of artists, nicely written. I thought it was a shame that many images of arr works were so small and there were not 3-5 full page photos of work accompanying every artist.
January 25, 2019
Every women artist in my life will be getting this book from me!
April 16, 2019
A good look at the new contemporary women artists in the world. Also has some suggestions for projects if your stuck.
May 21, 2019
A well-organized and informative book about female artists past and present, with some fun ways to explore their forms of expression.
July 5, 2019
yeah, this was an okey book
July 21, 2019
I really enjoyed the project ideas/lists and the art work and profiles of such talented, living women artists.
September 3, 2019
enjoyed the stories of upcoming women artists as well as the suggestions for incorporating their styles into your own art, with 12 projects.
March 22, 2020
This is one of my true favorites! Wonderful combination of artist profiles and inspirational art activities based on different styles. LOVE THIS!!!
December 13, 2022
I loved the the variety in art pieces and installations. Enjoyedthe perspectives of each artist, and what their pieces meant to them. I loved this book.
March 15, 2023
Best art book ever. It's unpretentious and inspiring.
April 18, 2023
Amazing book!
April 21, 2023
мій шлях до розуміння сучасного мистецтва складний та сповнений розчарувань, але це справді чудова, цікава та гарно оформлена книга, яку можна сміливо дарувати та рекомендувати.
July 16, 2023
An important book.
Warning: it's big and it contains multitudes. Of art and women.
Warning: it's big and it contains multitudes. Of art and women.
September 8, 2023
BEAUTIFUL!!! Everything about this book is gorgeous! I love how the author describes the artists and their stories!! I'm obsessed, can't wait to read this again, highly recommend for anyone interested in important and historical women figures, or anyone who loves the arts. This is a must have.
November 21, 2023
An interesting anthology of contemporary female artists. Nice illustrations and some interesting historical references as well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews