Making Room for Making Art: A Thoughtful and Practical Guide to Bringing the Pleasure of Artistic Expression Back into Your Life

by Sally Warner

This book offers constructive advice for artists who are becoming discouraged or feel stalled and those who yearn to rekindle their passion for making art. Several life-long artists in mediums as diverse as drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, and sculpture share philosophies and outline strategies for remaining an artist despite chronic challenges such as financial worries, social pressures, family obligations, “day jobs,” and self-doubt. From setting up a studio and establishing a realistic work schedule to finding the right subject matter and reconsidering every option, Making Room for Making Art discusses important changes in attitude and offers practical suggestions on how artists can rediscover the pleasure of making art.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Reference

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Sally Warner is a writer of fiction for children and young adults and of books on creativity. She made the Lily series and Emma series for children's books. Sally Warner was born in New York City and grew up in Connecticut and California, where her family moved when she was eight years old.

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not at all the book I expected. I expected a book for busy grown-ups who still have a passion for creating art or perhaps still entertain pretensions of becoming accomplished artists. I know how to make art but can't seem to clear away all the distractions, balance my work priorities with my home life and find enough time left over to make it. I was hoping for some constructive advice that would help me to take up my passion again without sacrificing my career, my "bread and butter" and family time. What I felt I got was a basic orientation to art-making overstuffed with various quotes from unknown artists who do not seem to struggle with these same challenges.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was life changing for me. It helped me to understand my own thoughts with clarity. It finally clicked that my identity is my art, not the thing I do to earn a paycheck. It is a book that told me that it was ok to be who I am.

[Debbie Hoskins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this while my son was taking swim lessons. It kept me wanting to create and being creative about how I fit time in to create.

[LemontreeLime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Can i say that again? This is excellent. I'm going to have to read it a second time.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed to read this book. I have been searching for a way to make art part of my life. This book provided some useful guidance.