“When the artist is alive in any person, whatever his kind of work may be, he becomes an inventive, searching, daring, self-expressive creature. He becomes interesting to other people. He disturbs, upsets, enlightens and opens ways for a better understanding.”
Robert Henri, from The Art Spirit

Finally! Create Anyway - The Book

As you read this, my book, CREATE ANYWAY: Become an Empowered Artist and Create with Confidence, has been printed and is on its way. It is now available for pre-order and will be shipped starting Monday, December 7th.

I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you.

This book was born from my 30+ years teaching hundreds, if not thousands, of amazing students. However, about 10 years ago, my style of teaching began to change, as I responded to the changing needs and interests of my students.

I noticed that, in addition to teaching fundamentals such as line quality, value, composition and color, I began helping students deal with fear, self-doubt and perfectionism (just to name a few).

This got me thinking.

I decided to get some training in coaching and mentoring artists. And, I am glad I did, because this training helped me be a better overall teacher as well. And, as a result of this training, I became very interested in “artist's mind management”.

Then, about 7 years ago, armed with a huge stack of 3”x 5” cards, I sat in my studio and started organizing my thoughts about this topic, with the idea of perhaps, writing a book some day.

My years of teaching experience, coupled with the countless hours spent alone in my studio, struggling with my own thoughts and mind management, provided me with much food for thought. My stack of 3”x 5” cards, with all of my thoughts, grew and grew.

One day, I decided to pin these cards on my studio wall and organize them into categories. What started as 4 or 5 categories quickly grew to 15. And, that is when I thought, “Hey, I think I may have an outline and the makings of a book in here somewhere!”

So I began to write.

Many stops and starts, a move from Los Angeles to the central coast of California, the deaths of my parents and a health issue with another family member, provided many challenges along the way.

Then, about a year ago, at the urging of some very good friends and, also my life partner Jordan, I began to really get serious and write this book in earnest.

What lit my fire was that I knew that I had a lot of really good things to say to artists, that I felt would really help them become the best, most productive artists that they could be.

But, I needed help. I had never written a book before.

Thankfully, and luckily for me, Jordan, (who just happens to be a Certified Master Life Coach and a great writer), jumped in and became a collaborator in this project. And, this is when the book really began to take shape and finally become what it was always meant to be. I could not have written and finished this book without her.

I am really, really proud of this book. Not only will it help creative types of all sorts, it is also a fun read, and it is beautifully designed, and spectacular to look at.

I am so excited for you to read it. And, I am eager to see and hear how it helps you take control of your thoughts, and allows you to make the art that you are meant to create.

Or design a better product. Or create a better business. Or write your own book.

Click here to pre-order your copy of CREATE ANYWAY or buy a gift for a fellow artist. Your book(s) will ship Monday, December 7th. (Books can be inscribed, and gift wrapping is available.)

I sincerely hope that you enjoy CREATE ANYWAY. It was written for you.

Best,

David