Hello Deers! Here at DEER ME! Face & Body Art we are unabashed avid bookworms with an insatiable appetite for learning new ways of encouraging our most authentic creative selves to come to light. So we thought we might share some of our absolute favourite reads that have profoundly affected our lives as face painters and visual artists.
Where possible, we have included a link where you can purchase your own copy direct from the author... because it's always nice to be able to support these incredible people directly.
Without further ado, and in no particular order, please enjoy our list of 7 Must-Read Books For Creative Living...
1. THE FIRE STARTER SESSIONS by Danielle LaPorte
"A guide to creating success on your own terms, The Fire Starter Sessions reframes popular self-help and success concepts to cut through dull thinking and fear, and get straight to one’s core desires, pragmatism, and courage — and burn some illusions to a crisp."
Danielle's straight shooting and down-to-earth relatability, will have you gob-smacked with ah-ha moments. Learn what other readers have shared or purchase your own copy from Danielle's website here.
*We recommend bundle purchasing or multi purchasing with friends to share the shipping costs (which can be a bit ouchie, but there is a little love note from Danielle about the cost of shipping).
2. THE DESIRE MAP by Danielle LaPorte
"The Desire Map is a holistic approach to life planning that uses your core desired feelings as the guidance system for your goal setting. Over 125,000 copies sold and print in multiple languages."
In this followup from The Fire Starter Sessions, Danielle expands on the revolutionary concept of Desire Mapping - creating goals with soul to create a life that's an authentic expression of you. Read on or purchase your own copy from Danielle's website here.
*We recommend bundle purchasing or multi purchasing with friends to share the shipping costs (which can be a bit ouchie, but there is a little love note from Danielle about the cost of shipping).
3. THE ARTIST'S WAY by Julia Cameron
"The Artist's Way provides a twelve-week course that guides you through the process of recovering your creative self. It aims to dispel the 'I'm not talented enough' conditioning that holds many people back and helps you to unleash your own inner artist. Its step-by-step approach enables you to transform your life, overcome any artistic blocks you may suffer from, including limiting beliefs, fear, sabotage, jealousy and guilt, and replace them with self-confidence and productivity. The Artist's Way will demystify the creative process by making it a part of your daily life."
An international bestseller, a special 25th Anniversary Edition is now available for purchase.
4. THE CREATIVE HABIT by Twyla Tharp
"Creativity is not a gift from the gods, says Twyla Tharp, bestowed by some divine and mystical spark. It is the product of preparation and effort, and it's within reach of everyone who wants to achieve it. All it takes is the willingness to make creativity a habit, an integral part of your life: In order to be creative, you have to know how to prepare to be creative. In The Creative Habit, Tharp takes the lessons she has learned in her remarkable thirty-five-year career and shares them with you, whatever creative impulses you follow -- whether you are a painter, composer, writer, director, choreographer, or, for that matter, a businessperson working on a deal, a chef developing a new dish, a mother wanting her child to see the world anew."
Learn more about choreographer Twyla Tharp or dive in and purchase your own copy.
5. BIG MAGIC by Elizabeth Gilbert
"From the worldwide bestselling author of Eat Pray Love: the path to the vibrant, fulfilling life you’ve dreamed of. With profound empathy and radiant generosity, she offers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration. She asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. She discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives. Balancing between soulful spirituality and cheerful pragmatism, Gilbert encourages us to uncover the “strange jewels” that are hidden within each of us. Whether we are looking to write a book, make art, find new ways to address challenges in our work, embark on a dream long deferred, or simply infuse our everyday lives with more mindfulness and passion, Big Magic cracks open a world of wonder and joy."
Get cracking and grab your copy of this instant #1 NEW YORK TIMES Bestseller.
6. THE EXQUISITE RISK by Mark Nepo
"In these fast-paced times, the exquisite risk facing each of us every day is to slow down and “still our own house” so that we may experience life rather than simply manage it. In The Exquisite Risk, poet and teacher Mark Nepo encourages readers to become quiet enough and open enough to listen to what truly matters—our own hearts, our loved ones, the wonders of nature—in order to live a life with nothing held back. Along the way, Nepo shares his own spiritual path, including a battle with illness that helped him understand how only by daring to embrace all that life has to offer can we come to a deeper appreciation of its meaning and beauty."
As creatives, we are continually peeling back the layers to express ourselves through our work, Mark's poetic insights help us to dare to live our lives authentically and purposefully.
Learn more about Mark Nepo or purchase your own copy here.
7. THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE by Stephen R. Covey
"In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, author Stephen R. Covey presents a holistic, integrated, principle-centered approach for solving personal and professional problems. With penetrating insights and pointed anecdotes, Covey reveals a step-by-step pathway for living with fairness, integrity, honesty, and human dignity -- principles that give us the security to adapt to change and the wisdom and power to take advantage of the opportunities that change creates."
Often as creatives we can find ourselves stuck in unproductive habits or even "fail-to-start-mode"... this classic read will teach you to be proactive in transforming your creative life.
Learn more about Stephen R. Covey or purchase your own special 25th Anniversary Edition.
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How did you enjoy our list? Is there a book you've read and loved that we didn't put on the list? Please comment below with you thoughts and recommendations, we love to hear them... and don't forget to share our 7 Must-Read Books For Creative Living with your bookworm friends!
xx Bodhi xx