Make Art Make Money

Lessons from Jim Henson on Fueling Your Creative Career

By: Elizabeth Hyde Stevens

Narrated by: Mary Robinette Kowal

Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

In our culture, artistic genius and poverty seem inevitably linked, but does it have to be that way? Jim Henson didn’t think so. An iconic creator and savvy businessman, Henson is a model for artists everywhere: Without sacrificing his creative vision, Henson built an empire of lovable Muppets that continues to educate and inspire - and a business that was worth $150 million at the time of his death. How did he ever pull it off? And how can other creators follow in his path? In Make Art Make Money: Lessons from Jim Henson on Fueling Your Creative Career, journalist and educator Elizabeth Hyde Stevens presents 10 principles of Henson’s art and business practices that will inspire artists everywhere. Part manifesto, part history, part cultural criticism, part self-help, Make Art Make Money is a new kind of business audiobook for creative professionals: A guide for creating and succeeding thanks to lessons from the Muppet Master himself.

©2013 Elizabeth Hyde Stevens (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Insight on the man, the myth, and the legacy.

Somewhere between a map and compass for artists trying to find their way in a world not built for them, and the canonical history of Jim Henson's incredible life story. The only real shortcoming to this book is that you have to be a devoted fan of the muppets and have an intense interest in the business of art to get through it. It is a behind the scenes look that seemingly few people would be interested in hearing about.

So happens, this book feels written just for me.

Motivational

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. It has definitely had an effect on the way I'll handle my art going forward!

Fun and informative

It is a great book. I enjoyed all of it, even though I found it to have a bit of repetition from time to time. It's also more of an in depth analysis of Jim Henson's career than a comparative and motivational book on how to incorporate these things into your artistic career. Very encouraging though and inspirational still. If you are a child of the 80's and grew up with a fondness for Henson's work, you'll most likely marvel at some of the aspects of his life and career. And, if you are an artist, you'll enjoy the sporadic comparisons of his career to yours. Giving you inspiration from time to time.
The narration was well done. The author is a practiced and pleasant narrator. I wish more narrators were this nice to listen to.

New insight on classic lessons

Much like Creativity Inc., you'll love the stories and learn along the way. Some of the lessons portray Jim as a hero but they're honest, and they don't hide his flaws.

This immediately became one of my new favorites and I highly recommend it.

Good listening material, a little repetitious

Would you listen to Make Art Make Money again? Why?

I would not listen to it again. Its so repetitious I feel like I already heard it three times.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Make Art Make Money?

Learning about Henson the ad man, I had always thought of him as a hippy who hated money.

What does Mary Robinette Kowal bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She is a good reader, I have failing eyesight, so I don't read books if I can avoid it. I like how she doesn't overly exaggerate male voices while reading. Some narrators do a horrific job trying to sound like the opposite sex.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed some

Any additional comments?

I think the author stretched the material a bit, but I am glad I listened to it.

iNSPIRATIONAL

Extremely great material for creatives in my perspective. Could relate with the messages and creative approaches from each mentioned figure in this text. Concepts that rose my eyebrow and things that I hadn't considered. Looking forward to apply new ideas soon to my works.

Loved it!

I grew up watching reruns of the Muppets and as an artist it was easy for me to stay engaged in this book. The author did a great job in her analysis of Jim Henson as an entrepreneur and a creative.

This is an incredible book!

Any additional comments?

Out of 82 audible books I have listen to, this is the only one I have felt compelled to review and score.
I listened to this book because I am a sculptor (and the title is inexplicably less than $5), not because I was interested in Jim Henson. The author's clear passion, however, is palpable and persuasive about the monumental genius of Henson. I think over the coming weeks I will have to re-look at his work, which I only have fuzzy memories of and was previously somewhat indifferent to, mainly because I was so young in his heyday.
The author also does a convincing job of laying out Henson as a model for small-time artists to emulate while trying to genuinely grow in their work and live on the proceeds.
In my mind she has laid to rest the conflict of "Selling-out VS Artistic Integrity"; again using Henson and how he navigated this perilous area as a model. This is all somewhat philosophical as this is not a "how-to" book per se.
I found myself exclaiming out-loud in my studio "oh, wow" several times and was compelled enough to finish this rather long book (by my standards) in two days.
If I am required to offer a critique it would be that I found it odd that the author used the same quotes in different parts of the book word-for-word. This was odd for me (besides the repetitive nature) because this book is so clearly and thoroughly researched I was certain she had other interview quotes she could have used.
Minor really when weighed against how informative, entertaining, and compelling this book really is!
I can't believe this was written by a first-time (non-fiction) author! I think Ms. Stevens might be a monumental talent in her own right.

I AM THIS.

This book is an exploration and DISCOVERY of what an artist is and what makes them tick. I look forward to buying multiple copies of this book as gifts for friends and family to help them better understand why I AM THIS.

From a Muppet/Henson Fan

Overall a very clever, insightful, and encouraging view of art and the freedoms and dangers in revenue and commercialization.

If you're a fan of Jim Henson and are a creative person yourself, you will enjoy and benefit from Steven's book.

Please remember the author released the book as a serial to Amazon (one chapter at a time). There are some repeated introductions to people, projects, and concepts that are not meant to be patronizing, but allow readers to appreciate isolated chapters.

Performance:
The narration was clear and (consistently) adopted cadence and tone of the people quoted. (Henson, Oz, Brillstein, etc.)