Editorial Reviews

"This is a book about making art. Ordinary art. Ordinary art means something like: all art not made by Mozart. After all, art is rarely made by Mozart-like people; essentially-statistically speaking-there aren't any people like that. Geniuses get made once-a-century or so, yet good art gets made all the time, so to equate the making of art with the workings of genius removes this intimately human activity to a strangely unreachable and unknowable place. For all practical purposes making art can be examined in great detail without ever getting entangled in the very remote problems of genius."
--from the Introduction

Art & Fear explores the way art gets made, the reasons it often doesn't get made, and the nature of the difficulties that cause so many artists to give up along the way. The book's co-authors, David Bayles and Ted Orland, are themselves both working artists, grappling daily with the problems of making art in the real world. Their insights and observations, drawn from personal experience, provide an incisive view into the world of art as it is expeienced by artmakers themselves.

This is not your typical self-help book. This is a book written by artists, for artists -- it's about what it feels like when artists sit down at their easel or keyboard, in their studio or performance space, trying to do the work they need to do. First published in 1994, Art & Fear quickly became an underground classic. Word-of-mouth response alone-now enhanced by internet posting-has placed it among the best-selling books on artmaking and creativity nationally.

Art & Fear has attracted a remarkably diverse audience, ranging from beginning to accomplished artists in every medium, and including an exceptional concentration among students and teachers. The original Capra Press edition of Art & Fear sold 80,000 copies.

An excerpt:

Today, more than it was however many years ago, art is hard because you have to keep after it so consistently. On so many different fronts. For so little external reward. Artists become veteran artists only by making peace not just with themselves, but with a huge range of issues. You have to find your work...

Customer Reviews

One I turn to over and over again, 2008-10-07
by Christine Mason Miller (Santa Monica, CA)

I am reading this book now for the third time and have purchased many copies for friends - a must for the bookshelf of anyone on a creative journey.

Art & Fear - a must read for any artist serious about their work, 2008-09-24
by William L. Stephenson

Art & Fear was first published about 15 years ago. Since then it has become a classic and is a must read for any artist serious about their work. There is a chapter that will speak directly to you as an artist, regardless of your current circumstance.

The topics are written for any artist regardless of medium or area of artistic interest. Whether you are a beginning artist or an old hand, this book is for you.

Great for struggling artists and interested "lay people", 2008-06-20
by Frank W. Barham (Greenbank, WA USA)

(This is Frank's wife writing.)
My daughter who is a struggling artists recommended this book to us. It's short, but packed with good thoughts about making art and coping with one's fears about the process. It's not only helpful for artists in dealing with their thoughts about why they make art, but also to their friends and relatives. The explanation of the essence art vs. craft (a topic that has long interested me) is excellent. The writing is clear and accessible. There are examples of how real artists in various genres have dealt with the basic problems of making art. The book works for both the professional artist as well as the amateur, regardless of medium.

Taking the fear out of art, 2008-05-27
by Jennifer R. Manuel (Kernersville, NC)

By naming the fears that artist experience, and giving simple and direct answers to those fears; David and Ted have given artists a tool to name their own fears and overcome them. The book had a profound impact on me and how I approach my work as a potter. I owe a lot to having read this book, in the confidence I gained, and the risks I am willing to take becasue of their writing. I have already recommended it to friends, and have it on display in my gallery. It is the best book on Fear that I have read, outside of the Bible.

Highly recommended book for designer and illustrator., 2008-05-05
by Lavi Liao (Vancouver, BC. Canada)

I just graduated from art school, major in design & illustration. I've found this book amazingly helpful. I'm not that kind of person who like to read self help book...but this book is just wonderful. Things i've learn from this book: the right attitude of making art, determination over talent, the importance of communication between you and your art, small goals get you going, making art will expose your inner self...etc.

Highly recommended book for designer and illustrator.