Make Your Art No Matter What

Moving Beyond Creative Hurdles

By: Beth Pickens

Narrated by: Beth Pickens

Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

The Artist's Way for the 21st century-from esteemed creative counselor Beth Pickens.

If you are an artist, you need to make your art. That's not an overstatement - it's a fact; if you stop doing your creative work, your quality of life is diminished. But what do you do when life gets in the way? In this down-to-earth handbook, experienced artist coach Beth Pickens offers practical advice for developing a lasting and meaningful artistic practice in the face of life's inevitable obstacles and distractions. This thoughtful volume suggests creative ways to address the challenges all artists must overcome - from making decisions about time, money, and education, to grappling with isolation, fear, and anxiety. No matter where you are in your art-making journey, this book will motivate and inspire you. Because not only do you need your art - the world needs it, too.

Expert Advice: Beth Pickens is an experienced and passionate arts advocate with extensive insight into working through creative obstacles. She has spent the last decade advising artists on everything from financial strategy to coping with grief.

Practical and Positive: This book is both a love letter to art and artists and a hands-on guide to approaching the thorniest problems those artists might face. Pickens offers a warm reminder that you are not alone, that what you do matters, and that someone out there wants you to succeed.

Timeless Topic: Like a trusted advisor, this book is an invaluable resource jam-packed with strategies for building a successful creative practice. From mixing business and friendship to marketing yourself on social media, this book can help. And it will - again and again.

Perfect for:

• Visual artists and makers
• Writers, musicians, filmmakers, and other creatives
• Art and design school graduates and grad-gift givers

©2021 Beth Pickens (P)2021 Chronicle Books

Excellent Book for all us questioning our desire to create

Once in a while we happen upon a book that applies to us and impacts our lives at the deepest level, thank you Beth Pickens

This was very helpful

This book was really good I had some issues with my audible app/ phone that had nothing to do with the book. I got some valuable advice thanks

absolutely a must-listen

I was captivated by this audiobook. Don't miss out on this one! The author has included some wonderful content and reads beautifully. If you want to explore your mindset surrounding your art practice and are open to hearing suggestions (many of which I found beneficial) definitely give this a listen.

Great audiobook

This is a worthwhile book for those in the arts industry, and everyone who creates stuff. I'd recommend it to anyone in leadership

Sounds like your smart bff talking to you through your art struggles

I love this book for its insightful and thoughtful way to keep motivation to making art. Hearing the different topics out loud makes the negative thoughts feel more common. I like how the book sounds like a friend talking to you, that believes in your body of work. I think this will be a book I’ll come back to, when I’m feeling negative about my work.

Still Pretty Good

Its fine. Think of it as hearing a conversation with some advice. Take what you want from it. So many cry babies in the comments mad about her talking about herself and beliefs. Gawd damn shut up.

Broad life skills

The book offers valuable insights but primarily focuses on self-help and fostering a positive mindset in life, rather than centering on art-related topics. Its principles are so universal that the book could be equally aimed at cyclists or construction workers.

Pleasantly surprised

I wasn’t sure I would finish this book as it started a bit slow, but I’m so glad I did. Every person (artist or not) should read / listen to this book.

Relevant and helpful

I found Beth Pickens’ insights helpful and refreshing. I’m a practicing artist whose
practice accelerated during the Pandemic.
My feelings about marketing my work and why I make my work have changed and Pickens’ concepts helped me be in touch with
my goals. Although I’m straight, cis gender, I appreciated her perspective as a queer woman and how much I learned about non binary artists. Beth Pickens is the same generation as my children and that also taught me so much. There’s a lot to consider here: mental health practices, spiritual practices and how they fortify our creative lives. I recommend a listen.

Excellent!!

I'm so grateful to have stumbled upon such a modern, no-nonsense, inclusive manual for being a 21st century artist.