Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking, by David Bayles & Ted Orland

The Courage to Create, by Rollo May

The Creative Habit, by Twyla Tharp

Dear Theo: The Autobiography of Vincent Van Gogh, edited by Irving Stone

The Gift: Creativity and the Artist in the Modern World, by Lewis Hyde

The Letters of Vincent Van Gogh, selected & edited by Ronald de Leeuw

The Paper Garden: An Artist (Begins Her Life’s Work) at 72, by Molly Peacock  A beautiful book with reproductions of Mary Delany’s paper flower mosaics. Delany was an 18th century socialite and artist. Poet Molly Peacock combines memoir and biography in this meditation on the creative life. It’s never too late.

Rumors of Water: Thoughts on Creativity & Writing, by L.L. Barkat

Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance, by Jonathan Fields

Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosphers, by Leonard Koren

The Zen of Creativity, by John Daido Loori  A Zen Buddhist roshi, founder of Zen Mountain Monastery in New York, and photographer, Loori passed away a few years ago. He was a prolific writer, and I’m looking forward to reading more of his books.

JULIA CAMERON

The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity

The Sound of Paper

The Vein of Gold: A Journey to Your Creative Heart

Walking in This World: The Practical Art of Creativity

ERIC MAISEL

A prolific writer on the creative life, I believe he is saying important new things. Maisel understands what it is to be a creative in the 21st century. Compassionate, realistic, he’s lived what he writes about. If your creative journey is central to your life, but it’s sometimes a hard road, take a look at one of Maisel’s books.

Coaching the Artist Within

Fearless Creating

The Van Gogh Blues

STEVEN PRESSFIELD

Don’t underestimate the power of Resistance to keep you from your creative work. Pressfield teaches you to recognize the insidious nature of Resistance and to recognize just what’s going on when you don’t write, paint, compose, or take the next step in your creative life. I like his tough, assertive, no-nonsense approach.

The War of Art

Do the Work

Turning Pro

Inspiration: Creativity & Artist’s Websites

Brain Pickings

Fiona Robertson, textile artist