I don’t even know what to write… this has been hush-hush for so long… but finally, I can tell you all of the ins & outs of my book that has just been released by Chronicle Books {available in stores all over the world?!!} Let’s start with the title. It’s called CREATIVE BLOCK, and here’s what it looks like (an instagram taken with my very old phone, but you get the idea):
*The cover was designed by Dinah Fried at Chronicle, and then painted by Toronto based artist Amanda Happé. I love it so much and am proud to have had such talented people working on this project.
SO, WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT:
I came up with the idea for CREATIVE BLOCK for myself, just as much as for all of you. I wanted to make something beautiful – a contemporary art book filled not only with inspiring images, but also inspiring words, advice, and tips to help amateurs and professionals alike, find their way through those days when the ideas just won’t come. Because everyone who dabbles in something creative feels that way at some point – right? Right. I wanted to write this book to show you that if you’re feeling this way you’re not alone either. I’ve written hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of posts about successful, working artists who seem to have this whole “creative thing” figured out. But surely they have blocks from time to time? How do they get through them? Where do they find fresh inspiration? How do they handle negative feedback? Does it stop them in their tracks? Now, these full time artists don’t have the luxury of not finishing, or giving up on a project – not when they’ve got a gallery or art buyer waiting on them! So how do they push themselves through those moments when the ideas just aren’t there? Or when the ideas are there, but their hands or materials will not cooperate.
THE ARTISTS:
Finally! I’m thrilled to reveal the list of 50 amazingly open, honest, witty, thoughtful, funny, talented artists that allowed me to interview them about their own creative blocks, insecurities, and inner-critics. Not only did they give us a candid view into their creative process, but each of them wrote a “creative unblock exercise” to help shake us out of our own blocks. Amazing? YES!
Gah! Almost 300 pages of stunning contemporary artwork, insightful advice, and creative-unblocking tips. It’s soooo good, all thanks to that amazing list of people who have been such a huge inspiration to me. I’ll hope, actually I know, they’ll inspire you too!
WHEN & WHERE:
The book is now on shelves, all over the world, as of March 2014, and online via GREAT.LY, Chronicle Books, and all of the other usual suspects. Check the side bar for upcoming book signing events! See you there!
ps. Thank you so much to Jerry Saltz, Brené Brown, and Faythe Levine for writing endorsements that will appear on the back cover – I love that you love it!
Fantastic! Can’t wait to see it.
Happy for you!! Looks great!!
WOO!! Congratulations, Danielle. This is going to be one of the best art books of the year (says your proud editor, with obvious bias but complete conviction and sincerity…)
This is so exciting! February feels so far away!
Lisa Congdon! <3 I knew her on this page and now im her fan! this book will be sooo amazing! Congratulations!!!
Cant wait to read it!!!
Cool! Congratulations.
Congratulations Danielle!! You did it, I can’t wait to hold it in my hands!!
So well deserved! And filling a HUGE need. I can’t wait to read it and even better, to USE it in my day to day work.
Massive congrats!
Pre-order SUBMITTED. Can’t wait.
Brilliant! Am thrilled to read this. Congratulations – this is a book I cannot wait to read and I am sure lots of others feel likewise. Enjoy your well deserved success.
ack! just realized the entire artist list did not load in!!! everyone is there now though! (and thanks everyone – i’m sooooo excited!)
Wow. So, happy for you… and us. I can’t wait to read all of the exercises. Honored and humbled. Now I’M jealous…
This looks AMAZING!!! I can’t wait for this to come out! Would you be interested in giving away a copy on my blog? Or doing a quick interview? I’d sure love to have you as a guest and promote your new book! 🙂 specsandwings@gmail.com
sure! thanks molly… i’ll give you a shout!
Enjoy the book and all the moments with it!! That´s so great your blog lead to such a book! Looking for inspiration found inside of it:). And as the fellow ,,commenter” mentioned – oh, yes, I am a bit jealous, too (as I always wanted to publish a book!) 😉 Greetings from Europe
thank you so much alexa! i really will savor every single second : )
Brava! My compliments
woo, i just preordered! i’m soooo excited!! i’ll definitely do a write up on my blog when it’s in my hands too 🙂
I’m super freaking broke but this is the first thing on my Christmas list! Hooray!
ha! well hopefully santa will bring it then! : )
It looks so good! I can’t wait to get it! So much talent in there. Congratulations, Danielle!!
What a kickass topic! I could not be more excited to read your book Danielle! You’re an inspiration in so many ways, and I appreciate so much how you’ve channeled your personal artistic challenges into something others can benefit from. Hooray and congratulations!
This is going to be so awesome.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have such an amazing blog! Can’t wait to see it. Best to you, Sondra
Preordered!!! Can’t wait!!
Love Alyson Fox!!!! (And you too, Danielle!)
How exciting – and many congrats!
I never leave comments but OMG I am so excited for your book! Your blog really is amazing and inspiring!
Danielle,
Congratulations on your upcoming book. I can’t wait to get my copy!
If it’s as good as your blog, it’ll become one of my favorites “goto”s for inspiration!
Rose
I NEE-EED this, ASAP! ;D Congratulations!
thank you so much everyone!!! i can’t wait to hold it in my hot little hands! 🙂
[…] 2014, Creative Block was conceived and created by the admirable Jealous Curator. Check out her post about it for more information and all 50 artists featured. I am quite pleased that my work is […]
Can’t wait to get my hands on this gem!
Congrats on a lovely accomplishment
Arielle
thank you! : )
Sounds like a interesting book, congratulations.
But why Amazon! Support all creative outlets including struggling bookshops
Chris.
hi chris, yes the book will be available in all sorts of bookshops, big and small. it’s just pre-released on amazon (through chronicle).
Pre-ordering seems like a very small payment (and great reward) for what always pays off as an important, relevant, and valuable resource. Thanks! Always jealous of the Jealous Curator.
Its such as you learn my thoughts! You seem to know so
much approximately this, such as you wrote the
e-book in it or something. I think that you just could do with some % to pressure the message home a bit, but other than that, this is great blog. An excellent read. I’ll definitely be back. tarot reading
congratulations! i’ll hop over to amazon now. it must feel so wonderful to have created something beautiful and useful. might need to review it! a very happy new year to you! n
thanks so much noreen! and yes, it feels fantastic – a dream come true really : )
congrats! i was surprised at the price of the book – i’m definitely per-ordering!
oh, thanks so much stef! : )
[…] in 2012, all across the USA. It was also the idea behind my very first book {what?!}, titled CREATIVE BLOCK, that is being released by Chronicle Books in early […]
I have a copy of the book sitting beside me as I write this. It arrived yesterday. It’s a FABULOUS book!!! I’m so very, very impressed! Way to go, Danielle! Well done!!!!! I would encourage everyone, artistic souls or not, to purchase a copy. You will be glad you did!!!
oh! how exciting!!! thank you so much shirley… i’m nervous to hear what people are going to think of it! [ i, of course, am soooo proud of it… i hope everyone loves it as much as i do ; ) ] thank you for the very kind feedback xo
[…] The results, compiled into a beautiful collection of interviews and selected artworks called “Creative Block“, form a Bible for the artistically-inclined, chock full of advice and inspiration for […]
[…] The results, compiled into a beautiful collection of interviews and selected artworks called “Creative Block“, form a Bible for the artistically-inclined, chock full of advice and inspiration for […]
[…] The results, compiled into a beautiful collection of interviews and selected artworks called “Creative Block“, form a Bible for the artistically-inclined, chock full of advice and inspiration for […]
[…] The results, compiled into a beautiful collection of interviews and selected artworks called “Creative Block“, form a Bible for the artistically-inclined, chock full of advice and inspiration for […]
[…] The results, compiled into a beautiful collection of interviews and selected artworks called “Creative Block“, form a Bible for the artistically-inclined, chock full of advice and inspiration for […]
[…] The results, compiled into a beautiful collection of interviews and selected artworks called “Creative Block“, form a Bible for the artistically-inclined, chock full of advice and inspiration for […]
Saw it in San Fran’s MoMA store looking colorful, strong and smart – very happy for you! xoxo
[…] La escritora Danielle Krysa, ha compilado una colección de entrevista a todo tipo de artistas y como resultado ha publicado el libro “Creative Block“. […]
[…] La escritora Danielle Krysa, ha compilado una colección de entrevista a todo tipo de artistas y como resultado ha publicado el libro “Creative Block“. […]
Can’t wait to lay hands on a copy!!
thanks andrew! : )
[…] thejealouscurator.com Creative Block book […]
[…] of the incredible and inspiring arts blog The Jealous Curator, published her first book in 2014. Creative Block is all about unleashing your personal artistic powers through discovering and being inspired by the […]
[…] with diverse and interesting designers and artists. I have loved her other two books, Collage and Creative Block, and I am already loving this new one. It’s out in […]
[…] The results, compiled into a beautiful collection of interviews and selected artworks called “Creative Block“, form a Bible for the artistically-inclined, chock full of advice and inspiration for writers, […]