Creative Authenticity
16 Principles to Clarify and Deepen Your Artistic Vision

I added this book to my holiday wishlist almost on a whim, and so I was wonderfully surprised by how good it turned out to be! (Thanks, Auntie Mel!) My bookshelves are full of this type of inspirational book about the creative life *for writers*, but so far I'd been disappointed with the books I'd fo......more

This book was alright. Perhaps my rating is too harsh. But it felt like a collection of half-started essays that desperately needed an editor. I really liked his focus on actually doing art being the only way that you can find your creative/artistic voice. Sometimes books on creativity sidetrack you......more

One of the problems I have had as an artist is the realization that art is a form of communication, but then wondering what it is I should say. This book helps you find your voice. It doesn't have you do little projects or cookie-cutter crafts. Instead, it presents 16 principles that, if followed, w......more

The biggest takeaway I get from Creative Authenticity is about engaging your own, authentic and personal, ideas in art. The artistic life is a process of putting your vision and expression into the world. Your problems. Your solutions. Your opinions. By engaging in art you’re in constant conversatio......more

This is the absolute best book I’ve read on artistic creativity. I loved Ian’s no nonsense approach to the subject, and his own authentic vision and voice was obvious to see. He walks the talk. I bought this book, opened to have a little look at it and didn’t stop reading until it was finished. I ha......more