The 9 Best Books for Artistic Expression
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Here’s my curated list of the 9 best books for artistic expression, in no particular order.
- The Republic by Plato — The origination of political science and a brilliant critique of government that is still important today.
- Beyond Good & Evil: Prelude to a Philosophy of the Future by Friedrich Nietzsche — Probably Nietzsche’s most cogent statement of his views: that traditional morality is subjective and that people must evolve to a higher understanding of what’s valuable and what is not.
- The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron — A seminal book on unlocking creativity, offering a twelve-week course to help readers recover their creative self.
- Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon — A practical guide that encourages embracing influence and shows how creativity is more about remixing than originality.
- Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert — A refreshing take on the creative process that encourages readers to embrace their curiosity and let go of fear in pursuit of their passion.
- The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield — An insightful exploration of the challenges artists face and the importance of perseverance and discipline in creative pursuits.
- Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland — This book addresses the insecurities that artists confront and offers insights on the artistic process and community.
- Letters to a Young Artist by Anna Deavere Smith — A collection of letters encouraging young artists to embrace their individuality and the importance of their unique voice.
- Peak Life's Work: Find Your Gift and Give It Away by Said Hasyim — Encourages individuals to discover their personal gifts and apply them towards meaningful, sustainable contributions to society.
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