The Blank Canvas: Inviting the Muse

by Anna Held Audette

The Blank Canvas offers solid advice for everyone who struggles with artist's block or other problems of creative expression, including: drawing subject matter from unexpected sources, mining one's daily visual responses for images, overcoming self-doubt and criticism, making choices when torn between several ideas, and getting started on assignments.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Reference

120 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 1993

Reviews

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was recommended this book some years ago by a professor of an art college I was thinking of attending as a writer. I think he recommended it as a spring board for all introductory students. I’m just now getting around to it 13 years later. Even though it’s predominantly for visual artists, the author (whose name is a very short love story) included many writers, and her examples inadvertently agree with my personal belief that at the end of the day we’re all the same. This book’s length is appropriate for its subject and ultimate mission of supplying a path forward into what I might call writer’s block. Thankfully, I’ve been in the profession for a number of years now and so I don’t suffer from the dreaded disease, but found this small book enjoyable and supportive to read, as well as inspiring, the foray into visual art a welcome perspective.

[Road · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book stuck in the same pile with a high school yearbook. I have no idea what it was doing there, but I had noticed it around before. Published 1993, I had never read it. Why would I? I didn't start painting until 2020. Curiously, there's a receipt for the book inside, dated 11-14-98, $14.00, the price on the back cover, and .70 tax, or 5%. Where I reside, the sales tax is 6%, and I've never been to Massachussetts where the book was published. The tax is 5% there, I think. So, it's a mystery why I have this book, just as the act of creation is also a mystery. Maybe if you have writer's or artist's block, this little book will pop up on your bookshelf to offer helpful advice.

[Sean Bourque · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy book to read with useful tips for artists who are looking for inspiration. Simple and elegant, yet not too complicated for beginners, but a little basic for more advanced artists (nothing wrong with that). I enjoyed reading this and would recommend it to my students.

[Kaeden · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 | Was forced to read this against my will.
Would’ve loved some more personality. Disagreed with many of the takes. Wasn’t able to leave with anything helpful, as this is targeted primarily at 2D artists.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely inspirational book. I would recommend it as a prescription to anyone stuck without direction in their art making practices. I found it informative even though I have many current projects and ideas. I believe all artists have experienced these lulls and it is a constant question in the art community how to treat them. A good dose of this wonderfully brief, though highly informative and surprisingly uplifting book should shock and comfort the system to move onward.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little piece of inspiration. Audette puts the reader at ease, explaining what everyone always hears but which nonetheless is of great value in its repetition: being creative is difficult and if you wait around for inspiration to strike, you're not going to get very far. When it comes down to it, making art is far more about working hard than it is about sheer talent, so get to work and continue working. If you do that, the ideas will come. Momentum is key.

[Edi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its short, sweet, and frank... but not worth the full price. Nor am i sure entirely necessary? In time all of this information should become self evident to the 'beginning' artist. Its comparable to works like "Art and Fear" which i'd much more recommend. This had some insights to though, its charming, but could be more.

[Monalisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for every struggling artist... I haven't read it in a while but I plan on reading it again soon. The great thing about this book is how you can read it over again and still learn new things and come to new realizations.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gem! Inspiring little booklet that was required course material for Color Theory class.

[Pareesa]

self-help book

[Barbara Osterdock]

I own this Book.

[Tesia Blackburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about making authentic art. Highly recommended.

[Ginger Bensman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dose of pure inspiration for artists and writers alike. Just what I needed to get "unstuck." Brief, cogent and wise.