I still need to remind myself to carve out the time to sit down with a book, rather than magnetically being pulled to my computer or phone.
Having the time to do this is a luxury, so maybe the key is to remember to treat it as such. Forget the high-end designer bag, think how utterly luxurious it is to have the space to sit and read, to write and ponder. Remember how nourishing it can be to have the time and the headspace to fully devote to oneself, creatively.
Here then, in time for the gift giving season, is a list of some of my favourite books for creative types. I’ve broken this up into different sections because I wanted to get part one published in time for December 1, official start of the silly season.
◦ Nick Neddo. The Organic Artist
I have recommended this book more times than I can remember. A great gift for anyone interested in a lateral thinking approach to making art. Imagine what a caveman might do for art supplies and you begin to get the picture. Rather appropriately, he’s also put out a kids version.
◦ Carolyn Ross. Found and Ground
An excellent, well rounded book for anyone interested in learning how to make watercolour paints or crayons from earth pigments. Plus a section on how to make tannin based inks, including an excellent oak gall ink recipe. Solid advice, easy to follow, you can’t go wrong here.
◦ Heidi Gustafson. The Book of Earth
A giant page-turner full of great, solid info. Yet it also leans towards a kind of… spiritual guide? Heady, esoteric stuff for a book about rocks, but I’m here for it.
◦ Jason Logan. Make Ink
I’ve called this book a manifesto—a call to rethink your art school ideas about colour, archival concerns, and maybe even capitalism altogether. A thick tomb filled with recipes, Logan’s poetic observations, and surprisingly end-capped by a Q&A interview with Canadian literati figure Michael Ondaatje. Why? Who knows, but it’s enjoyable.
◦ Joumana Medlej
Inks and Paints of the Middle East (A Handbook of Abbasid Art Technology)
Wild Inks and Paints (A Seasonal Palette)
Two fabulous, informative deep dives. Small, spiral bound workbooks chock full of recipes and alchemy insights from a refreshingly non-european perspective. Plus I discovered her right here on Substack.
Lastly, this one is not out yet, but I have pledged my support for Caitlin Ffrench’s upcoming book; Gathering Colour: Foraging Magic & Making Art.
If you have a favourite creativity themed book please feel free to add it in the comment—and we’ll all be the richer for it (phrase stolen from Guy Garvey, who I often listen to in the studio). Anything goes. If it inspired you to get to work, it counts.
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