Magical Secrets About Thinking Creatively: The Art of Etching and the Truth of Life

by Kathan Brown

Cultural Writing. Art. Essays. MAGICAL SECRETS ABOUT THINKING CREATIVELY: THE ART OF ETCHING AND THE TRUTH OF LIFE by Kathan Brown is a new volume in the Magical Secrets series published by Crown Point Press in San Francisco. What are Magical Secrets? They are ways of setting yourself up for thinking creatively, for a sudden understanding, something like a miracle. Kathan Brown learned the Magical Secrets in this book by helping artists of extraordinary acclaim make etchings. She founded Crown Point Press, now probably the world's most influential etching publisher, in 1962. In this book, you'll meet sixteen artists who will be remembered by future generations. Kathan Brown knows them well, and with pictures and graceful, inviting prose she shares with you their ways of working, thinking, and being.

Genres: Art

121 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2006

Reviews

[Samantha Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book, excellent resource for both inspiration and general technique.

[Krista Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice outline of the creative process through the lens of an etching studio.

[Carol Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An lovely read for the aspiring print maker - but could also be of interest to other creative people who need to be re-inspired. Indeed, as the title suggests, it could also be a metaphor for living a successful and joyful life.

it consists of 13 chapters - each one related to a 'magical secret' which the author picked up through her collaborations with other artists over the years. The artists have multicultural backgrounds which lends an extra something to the ideas expressed.

I'd say the secrets are nothing miraculous - and possibly not that secret (!) but the book does have a sense of the magical about it.
And the story of the author's discovery of print making, and establishment of her collaborative studio, is very inspirational.

I think this is a book I will keep coming back to, for the upbeat stories, the beautiful and imaginative prints, and the reminder that if you want to be creative there are some bits of magic that can help loosen you up.

[Rebecca Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful introduction to the world of printmaking by Bay Area Print Master Kathan Brown. The book and video pair together to form a warm, welcoming description of the various forms of printmaking and her amazing studio Crown Point Press.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring, good insight into the mind of working artists who collaborated with printers at Crown Point Press.

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

perfectly inspiring, informative and easily read