Creative Authenticity: 16 Principles to Clarify and Deepen Your Artistic Vision

by Ian Roberts

Creative Authenticity[16 Principles to Clarify and Deepen Your Artistic Vision] [CREATIVE AUTHENTICITY] [Paperback]

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Reference

184 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Ian Roberts has been an artist all his life. But the story for A Land Apart has percolated inside him since he was a teenager canoeing in the woods of northern Ontario. He is the other of two other books, Creative Authenticity, 16 Principles to Clarify Your Artistic Vision and Mastering Composition, which has sold over 40,000 copies. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, the painter, Anne Ward.

Reviews

[Vanya Prodanova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Скъсах се да подчертавам думи, изречения и абзаци, което за мен винаги е индикация, че дадена книга ми е харесала. :)

Книгата е мъничка и се чете много бързо, но не само заради размерите й, но и защото те грабва и на мен лично ми беше много трудно да я оставя, когато се налагаше да правя нещо друго.

Като човек, който обича да твори и това е важна част от живота ми, такъв тип книги помагат да задълбаеш вътре в себе си и да помислиш какво е важно за теб, как да намериш фокус и въобще да си направиш една равносметка с какво да продължиш напред и какво е време да оставиш в миналото.

Книгата може да е насочена за хора, които се възприемат като артисти и искат да бъдат такива, но според мен е чудесна за всеки, който се опитва да подреди мислите и живота си, тъй като понякога имаме нужда да чуем познати принципи, но за сфера, която е тотално различна от тази, която е наш интерес, за да видим нещата по нов и свеж начин. Аз лично намирам много интересни неща да приложа в артистичния си живот като чета книги за спорт, независимо, че не е моето нещо. Така, че книгата е приложима за различни интереси, не само за изкуство.

Определено ще се връщам към книгата, когато чувствам, че отново е време за равносметка и разчистване на времето ми от ненужни навици, остарели ценности и неслужещи вече цели. :)

[Alison Lilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I added this book to my holiday wishlist almost on a whim, and so I was wonderfully surprised by how good it turned out to be! (Thanks, Auntie Mel!)

My bookshelves are full of this type of inspirational book about the creative life *for writers*, but so far I'd been disappointed with the books I'd found that focused on (or included) visual art and painting. They always seemed to fall into one of two types: either how-to books on technique (heavy on the "how," but light on the "which way" and "why"); or books about "overcoming your fear" to unlock your creative potential (heavy on the platitudes, light on... well, everything else).

What I really wanted was a well-written book that grappled with the questions and challenges that arise when you're already deep into the work of making art and making art meaningful. And that's exactly what this book does!

Roberts begins his introduction not pulling any punches -- this book is for "those who are actually doing it, one way or another," he writes, those who are actively engaged in the work of creative expression. "I'm not sure this book is for people who want to create, but don't," he says, and warns that it's not going to be filled with action steps at the end of each chapter or a quick call to arms.

So much the better! Instead, Roberts dives deeply into each subject, raising questions and opening up possibilities that spark the kind of curiosity and sense of exploration that feed an authentic creative life. In his first two chapters, "Searching For Beauty" and "Communication," he pushes back against the notion so widely held today that art is primarily about "shocking the burghers," and instead reasserts the importance of seeking beauty and striving for meaningful communication between artist and audience. He tackles both practical issues (for example, in chapters "Full-Time or Part-Time" and "Being Ready To Show") and deeper questions (e.g. "Your Craft and Your Voice" and "You Are More Than Creative Enough"), while also exploring the dynamic balance between them (e.g. "Showing Up," "Follow Something Along" and "Working Method," among many others). At times, he borders on sounding a bit curmudgeonly, but in a way that is more endearing and entertaining than off-putting.

I know this book will be one that I return to often over the years, finding new insights and deeper questions that will continue to challenge me as I follow my own creative path.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was alright. Perhaps my rating is too harsh. But it felt like a collection of half-started essays that desperately needed an editor. I really liked his focus on actually doing art being the only way that you can find your creative/artistic voice. Sometimes books on creativity sidetrack you by asking you to find your animal totem or create a mask of strength you can wear when facing your critics. So the idea of actually getting into the studio and doing the work seems revelatory.

But a lot of his principles seemed vague. And too many times he would state "I remember a story about _____, where I think ____ happened," but he never bothered to do the research to find out what really happened. Or he would say, "I read a book about _____, and I think there was this, but I don't really remember and it is beside the point anyway." After a couple instances of that I was ready to toss the book across the room! Don't be so lazy!

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plenty of food for thought as I prepare to realign my creative practice for 2020.

Recommended for experienced artists.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the problems I have had as an artist is the realization that art is a form of communication, but then wondering what it is I should say. This book helps you find your voice. It doesn't have you do little projects or cookie-cutter crafts. Instead, it presents 16 principles that, if followed, will help you find your voice. When that happens, the ideas and insights just come flooding in.

[Rainbow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought-provoking and at times some quotes made me laugh out loud. Not so much a guide, but moreso a series of passages on things to consider as an artist that can lead to an internal paradigm shift should one be open to it. I've had this book for YEARS, and only recently felt ready to digest the content within. A necessary read for any artist, especially one feeling lost on their path.

[Vincent Jacobs · Rating 3 out of 5]

The biggest takeaway I get from Creative Authenticity is about engaging your own, authentic and personal, ideas in art.

The artistic life is a process of putting your vision and expression into the world. Your problems. Your solutions. Your opinions. By engaging in art you’re in constant conversation with the source of creativity, trying to uncover the purest form of what only you can create. The problems that are unique to you and the unique ways you come up with solutions is what makes your artistic voice truthful and worth listening to.

The writing was a bit disorganized and unfocussed. At times even crude. I nevertheless really enjoyed reading the book. The personal anecdotes of growth or examples from teaching class were the highlights for me. I’m sure any artist will resonate with their own topics and find inspiration in it.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the absolute best book I’ve read on artistic creativity. I loved Ian’s no nonsense approach to the subject, and his own authentic vision and voice was obvious to see. He walks the talk. I bought this book, opened to have a little look at it and didn’t stop reading until it was finished. I haven’t done that in a long time. I truly encourage all artists, experienced or someone with just the tiniest beginning flickering desire to read this wonderful book.

[Nancy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been taking his on-line mini classes on "Mastering Composition" for the past 6 months. Amazing painter, more amazing as a teacher. This is one of his two published books. A masterpiece in brevity, cogent advice, examples, a touch of the divine and inspiration to return to time after time. Ten fingers UP. N

[John Teske · Rating 3 out of 5]

A meditative book, lovingly written.

Perhaps the central message for me: each of your paintings should speak some how, communicate something. This perhaps explains some of my paintings, both abstract and representational, that I have considered marginal or "failed".

In any case, it is a new way to assess paintings.

[Ludmila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book!

So many important insights to explore further! You can see that those bits of knowledge are chiseled out of the author’s personal experience. Wonderful book. Will definitely come back to it many more times. Very grateful to the author.

[Betsy Shutts · Rating 5 out of 5]

helps to see your own obstacles more clearly when you realize that others have the same issues

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent advice for artists who are confused about their direction.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

worth a second read, a lot of material to digest. Read for a month long book club.

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give this book more stars. It’s incredible.

[Brigitte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent nuggets of wisdom here.

[Maki · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most inspiring book that focuses on creativity and art with intelligence, practice, and preparation.

[August Schau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book digs deep into the forces that drive an artist and produce art with heart.

[Kay Schrock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book to inspire painting or writing.

[ChrissieP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though this book is a fast read, it it full of gems that remind and reinforce concepts that support creative pursuits for the artist.

[Queenie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guides for sharpening artistic vision

These 16 principles help orient art creation, clarify the purpose of making art internally and avoid wasting your creative energy when preparing and making art.

[Atul Sabnis · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you were a stickler for categorisation of books, you may put this under self-help or guides. The back of the book claims it belongs to ART/Creativity - but to my mind, this is misleading - to an extent.

Yes, the book has been written for "in-service artists" (painters and writers, the author says), though I found the matter in the book quite relevant. The problem there is not about whether one is creative (as the author describes towards the end of the book), but, probably about who is an artist?

Visual and performance arts have always been considered the domains where creativity abounds. To my mind it flows in every aspect of our life. And if there are sixteen principles to help define the authenticity of your creativity, I think they might be well useful for all of us.

Ian Roberts writes, in very plain and straightforward manner, "16 Principles to Clarify and Deepen your Artistic Vision." And he does a fantastic job of that. Even if you are way ahead in having formed your opinions about creativity and believe that these have matured like dried acrylic on canvas, it would do you well to read Creative Authenticity: 16 Principles to Clarify and Deepen Your Artistic Vision

There is a lot you may be able to add to your perception of art, creativity and your belief.

[VeeDawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of short essays to encourage artists to focus on their own development and find inspiration to work through self-doubt.
I loved the chapter titled "You are more than creative enough" He said, "you are a creative being by nature. The question is not whether you are creative "enough" but whether you will free yourself to express the creativity that is uniquely yours.
I loved the whole book.

[Marcia Furman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great. A quick read... Full of inspiring thoughts to get your creative juices going. Will rob ably read this again sometime when I'm in a rut.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing.