Make Your Art No Matter What: Moving Beyond Creative Hurdles

 

Make Your Art No Matter What is a well written practical guide full of anecdotes and advice by art advocate Beth Pickens. Due out 6th April 2021 from Chronicle Books, it's 208 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. 

It's not much of an overstatement to say that everyone I know has had their lives impacted in major and minor ways because of the pandemic and the societal shifts which have occurred to a greater degree the last year (and a little bit). There have been upheavals in travel, culture, performance art, museums, studios, makers' groups, libraries, concerts, everywhere, top to bottom. Additionally, humans are social creatures, we create because we *need to*... and those psychological and creative outlets have been severely curtailed or cut off altogether. 

This is a timely look at how to continue to make art practice and creativity a non-negotiable part of our existence. These are concrete suggestions from an experienced advocate, applicable for all ages. When I read the author's words about social justice and advocacy work they resonated so deeply. I have the same cares, the same feelings (justice, equity, reproductive health advocacy for women no matter where they live, disability action and access, LGBTQIA+ rights, education access, freedoms, safety, etc etc).. and have also *needed* art, music, expression, to gather and maintain some sort of positive energy in my own life surrounded by desperate inequality, unfairness, danger, and the general seemingly unrelenting sh*tstorm that is much of world existence these days. I'm a healthcare professional, I've dedicated my life and my intellect to improving the lives of my fellow humans, but I get overwhelmed and burnt out. I have needed art to survive (and thrive).

This is a valuable resource for artists, with concrete advice and guidance. It's also conversely a good read for audiences and patrons of the arts. I would recommend this as a meaningful selection for library acquisition as well as for students and admirers of the arts.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.