Discuss: Recommend a summer reading list for artists.

bsherwin: I noticed several new additions to the art section -- mostly art marketing books -- at the local Barnes & Noble. Most of them were written by artists I've never heard of... all claiming to have the secret to art marketing success. Needless to say, my summer reading list did not expand that day. Perhaps YOU can help my library to expand? I want your endorsement... is there a specific book about art -- be it about art marketing or a specific artist -- that you simply can't put down? List them.

Feel free to offer a summer reading list involving art-related books. You don't have to focus on art marketing books... BUT those suggestions may help artists who stumble on to this forum entry.

	Gayle Faucette Wisbon via faso.com	10 months ago
	I just started reading Barney Davey's "How to Profit from the Art Print Market". Enjoying it very much and wish I had bought it sooner. I shared this discussion on Twitter and some tweets I received mentioned "One Simple Idea" and "The Artist's Business and Marketing Toolbox".

	Ann Hardy via faso.com	10 months ago
	Read Parkhurst's book on painting with oils. He says it very succinctly.

	denise brown via faso.com	10 months ago
	If you love horse art and a great horse story, you'll love my new book, "Wind, Wild Horse Rescue". It has over 100 of my horse sketches throughout the book. Great gift for the horse lover and part of the proceeds go to equine rescue organizations. To see inside the book, visit http://www.windwildhorse.com

	Meredith Kuntzsch via faso.com	10 months ago
	1. ART AND FEAR: Obervations On the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking -by David Bayles and Ted Orland This is a must read for every artist, it is often required/suggested reading for art students. Small book full of philosophical insight about facing up to that empty canvas syndrome. 2. SEVEN DAYS IN THE ART WORLD -by Sarah Thornton Sarah Thornton writes about the art world and art market for many publications, including Artforum.com and The Art Newspaper. This book is told "story style" but gives a really good fly-on-the wall account of the sophisticated subcultures that make, trade, curate, collect, and promote contemporary art. 3. THE SOUL'S PALETTE: Drawing on Art's Transformative Powers - by Cathy A. Malchiodi Cathy Malchiodi is like the pre-eminent leader in the arena of art and healing. I am in full agreement in how tapping into human creativity can heal emotional wounds and in turn, oftentimes physical manifestations of these. Have you seen the art therapy programs popping up around the country to help wounded soldiers process their PTSD? Same with kids in cancer wards, survivors in Haiti, and our own neighbors in the aftermath of Katrina. I helps children with autism learn to communicate. It gives the homeless a sense of worth and empowerment. Yes, I realize I'm on my own soapbox at the moment, but as artists we have SO MUCH to GIVE to others simply by being lucky enough to possess our own gift - our ability to make a life as an artist. 4. TRUST THE PROCESS: An Artist's Guide to Letting Go -by Shaun McNiff Shaun is also a biggie in the art therapy world, but this book focuses the mirror back on ourselves so that when we feel blocked we can let go of the ego, make creative use of our mistakes and failure, and even wind up at a destination we never would have imagined. Disclaimer: I haven't read this yet, but have other books by Shaun. This one is on my Amazon Wish List. 5. INSIDE THE PAINTER'S STUDIO -by Joe Fig This has a five star rating on Amazon - the best it gets. It full of really interesting photos that make you feel like the luckiest voyeur ever. Amazon says, "Inside an art gallery, it is easy to forget that the paintings there are the end products of a process involving not only creative inspiration, but also plenty of physical and logistical details. It is these "cruder," more mundane aspects of a painter's daily routine that motivated Brooklyn artist Joe Fig to embark almost ten years ago on a highly unorthodox, multilayered exploration of the working life of the professional artist." I could go on and on. I read as much and study as much as I can. Every insight garnered adds to the process. Enjoy!

	Brian Sherwin via faso.com	10 months ago
	There is a book by gallery owner Edward Winkleman. It focuses on how to start a gallery. It is a good read for artists because it offers some insight into the problems gallery owners face.