Spring is finally here to boost our energy, enthusiasm for life and to inspire us to do things that we actually really like doing, to remind us that we have no excuses to postpone that process. If for some reason, you are struggling with how to get your creative side back; you are not sure how to make a first step towards the decision that can change your life for so much better; you are in between jobs or you are just trying to find a new creative routine, I decided to share with you a selection of books that may have positive impact on your current situation or point of view pain free.
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| Akademie X - Lessons in Life + Art |
I think that higher education as it was formally invented seems so dated now. We can seek and find education everywhere at a very low cost or absolutely for free thanks to the Internet. The positive side effect of that development is that it becomes so much easier to find a perfect mentor in any creative niche. Therefore, when I found the book Akademie X, I was more than happy to discover the one of a kind text book on the subject of art as a profession and a lifestyle. Packed with personal anecdotes, photos, artwork, interviews, unique art processes and techniques, this book is a perfect choice for an "art student" at any age. I do not want to reveal too much, but one of the many mentors featured in the book is Marina Abramovic.
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| Nasty Galaxy by Sophia Amoruso |
I like Sophia Amoruso, the founder of Nasty Gal, for so many reasons: she is one of the most successful female fashion entrepreneurship of the last decade, one of a very few with no formal business or fashion education. She learned everything from scratch, and it is very hard to believe now that her fashion career started with opening an Ebay account and selling vintage clothing. Moreover, I love her podcast, especially the beginning of every show, when she has a very informal conversation with her friend about life as it is with its highlights and dark moments as well as all the best #girlboss moments of the week. There are so many contrary opinions on Nasty Gal clothing, but one thing is sure, Sophia is a phenomenon on her own. I am looking forward to reading about her inspirations, quirks, personal life stories and music choices, as I will always support true Girl-Bosses!
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| Design the Life You Love by Ayse Birsel |
For all those who express themselves better with art, this is a perfect little book written by the Ayse Birsel, who among many others is a designer and a creative director living in between Istanbul and NYC. Every page allows you to explore and analyze your life with doodles, lists, ideas in the most creative way and during the process you decide what works best for you. Ayse gives a lot of examples, which are extremely helpful. Not only does that book show you how to find the path to your most beautiful life design but also it makes you experience so much joy and fun during the process that it really does not feel as hard work.
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| The Inspired Life by Susyn Reeve and Joan Breiner |
I am a big fan of this book because it offers a healthy dose of self-help on the go. You do not really have to focus all of your attention on it. The chapters are concise enough for anybody to read them in 10 minutes. (I very often read it during my morning work commute.) It is a great reminder of what being inspired means. It is an aspiration to stay genuine, honest, motivated and full of enthusiasm for life as it is. This book will encourage you to seek and find your own ways to rediscover joy if you feel you sometimes cannot find it on the everyday basis.
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| Putman Style by Stephane Gerschel |
Last but not least, everyone who follows this blog knows that I love writing about creative women. Therefore, Andree Putman, French interior and product designer, is one of my favorite muses discovered in 2016. I found this book completely by accident in some used bookstore in NYC. What convinced me to buy it was a short introduction listing her idealistic childhood overshadowed by the Second World War and the bold move to switch from promising music career to fashion and finally to interior design. She was working with Peter Greenaway on his movie sets; her Gauloises-infused voice was a part of a jazz project; she was quintessentially Parisian and most of the fashion designers of her time wanted her to design their boutiques. I can go on, and on but you should check this inspiring book out!
Let me know what your favorite books to navigate out of creative rut or any dead-end in your professional or personal life are! I hope my recommendation will inspire you to try something new! Courage!
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