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Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking
By David Bayles and Ted Orland
2012 – 125 pages
Read by Arthur Morrey 3h 8m
Rating 3 – nonfiction
(both read and listened) 
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I don’t think I’d have looked twice at this book had I seen it on a library or a bookstore shelf but it was nominated and selected by the All-nonfiction reading group so I picked up both an Audible and a Kindle copy.  They were relatively short and cheap. 

The narrative is divided into two Part I concerns being an artist and the fears involved.  Many of the reviewers on Amazon said it was a comfort. Well,  I’m really glad for them.  I’m not an artist although I create stuff sometimes and that feels good. It’s pointed out that the word “create/creative” is not used in the book for some reason.  Yes, everyone is creative – being creative does not make one an artist. Letting go of them and “finding your work” does.  

Part II is about the rest of the world as it concerns artists and it’s rather interesting, more theoretical.  This is the reason I gave the book a 3.  

This book is written for artists who are, perhaps, finding themselves in that endeavor.  I wish them all well.