Books to Inspire and Inform

I love this book, and I love Philippa Stanton. The book is visually stunning and her prompts are simple. Whenever I need a little pick-me-up, I grab this and sink into her pages. 

A companion to Conscious Creativity, this book offers more prompts and exercises and give you space in the book to make it your own. 

Barry teaches, entertains, and inspires in her comic-like books. So pleasing to read and some terrific tips to get your creativity flowing. 

This is the mother of them all, the OG of creative growth. I first did this book in its entirety in 1997, and it truly altered the trajectory of my life. If you haven't read this one, what are you waiting for? 

I was hesitant to read this at first, because although I enjoyed Eat, Pray, Love, I wasn't bowled over. However, Big Magic is great. Fear is what gets in the way of so much of our creative confidence, and Gilbert's personal stories offer a number of "aha!" moments. And it's an easy read!

This book has changed how the world looks at creativity and the arts. The research presented here back up what so many of us have known forever: the arts heal. Magsamen and Ross are opening eyes, changing how research is conducted, and creating an inclusive arts community all around the world. (Check out the Neuroarts Resource Center!) 

I believe that creating a relationship with nature supports our creativity. Full stop. Spending time in a local park, going on a hike, listening to a burbling spring: these all takes us to our essence. Kimmerer's book taught me so much more about our natural world and how our disconnect from it hurts the earth, and us. I love this book so much. It is one I will return to over and over again. 

This is such a fun and inspirational book for adults and young people. Most of the activities combine creative action with reverence for nature. Highly recommend!

Tish is an expressive arts professional based in San Diego, and this is the result of a year-long, daily art practice. She provides tips, inspiration, and revelations she had along the way. It's a fun read and will encourage you to make some art!

Adding this to my list reminds me that I haven't spent time with this book in far too long. What a pleasure this is to read. You get practical exercises, examples of her own work, and so many words of wisdom. 

You don't have to be a writer to benefit from this wonderful book. Goldberg offers prompts and guidance to keep going - and that helps all of us who want a consistent creative practice. 

I believe we all have the resources within and around us to live meaningful and fulfilling life. Lloyd's book is a practical guide to helping you create that life, step by step. It helped me when I needed some guidance many moons ago. 

McNiff has written numerous books on creative process and the expressive arts. I love this one for its emphasis the connection between art and untangling our complicated lives. 

Full disclosure - my teacher wrote this! She has been teaching and practicing the Expressive Arts for decades, and was a student and friend of Paolo Knill, a founder of the field. I love this book - I think it fills a gap in the literature.