Customer Reviews

The Confident Creative: Drawing to Free the Hand and Mind

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2 star:		(1)
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This book is a masterpiece. It's fearless, beautifully written, and accessible to all artists and writers. Filled with creative ideas and passion, this book is the best of its kind. Through insight and fun exercises, Cat Bennett, replaces the fear of "I can't DRAW" with, "I can and I will." If you "show up" something will happen. Her humor, in combination with profound insight make this book a MUST HAVE!!!! Her art is magical and it's a page turner. Close your eyes and draw. It's fun.

I was more than pleasantly surprised by the simple honesty and kindness of this book, and of how it reminded me so eloquently of things I already knew to be true. For example, that creativity need not be about an end product. Or that we all have something beautiful within us waiting for expression. The simplicity of its message connected me to times in my life when I regularly got together with a friend, put on some music, and just began drawing. Or other times when I needed to withdraw for a period from the day to day race and just be with a pen and paper. There is something profound that happens in this space, and "The Creative Confident" captures this important process lovingly and respectfully. The creative process encouraged by this book is taken to another level by its apt comparisons to real life, and how we move forward in our lives because we dare to experiment and take chances. For me it was like a prayer book, affirming all that is good about being alive and confident.

If you want to grow your creative self, and with it your confidence, your sense of purpose and your spirit, then this book is a must-have. Even if you don't draw (perhaps especially if you don't draw) this book will get you thinking more creatively than you'd have thought possible.

These are large claims, but I make them because I know the miraculous nature of these exercises and meditative insights into the way we work. Cat Bennett has been a working artist for over thirty years, with drawings in Time Magazine and other places of note, and there's not a lot she doesn't know about what drawing can do for us. Fortunately she's also an inspiring writer.

[...]

The Confident Creative is a wonderfully inspiring book. To begin with the book is filled with gorgeous artwork. Then there is Cat Bennett's persuasive writing which will have even the most reluctant artitst picking up a pencil. If like me, you're someone who hasn't picked up a pencil to draw since grade school, you'll be surprised what you learn about yourself. I'm not an artist in the traditional sense, but I do work in a creative field and I found trying the exercises in this book, especialy simply making marks on a page, truly got me back to my 'right brain' and out of my 'worrying,planning,regretting,what if ing, I'm not good enough' mind! What a relief and what a suprise! The confidence comes through doing ... and Cat Bennett is someone who knows that secret and how to share it brilliantly.

To be upfront, I need to point out that my work is included in one spread of this book, so I suppose you can say I come to write my review with slanted pen. But, I want to make a couple of points. I have never lacked inspiration or ideas, and read few books of this nature. But I did read all of this beautifully written, and printed book. The book reminded me of the power of simple wisdoms and exercises that Cat writes about. The printing and design of the book are soothing, simple and beautiful [which is not always the case with many books in this genre]. I really suggest this book to all levels of artists - to either be reminded of their inner strengths or skills. But also, it is a wonderful read for people who don't think of themselves as artists - the book can inspire them to try, simply, to draw something, and see what comes of it.

This book was just what I needed just when I needed it. It cut to the heart of the matter of many of the creative crises I face. I will probably make a practice of re-reading portions of it regularly. Thank you for writing such a generous and honest book, Ms. Bennett.

There's plenty of real wisdom based on a working artist and teacher's real experience in The Confident Creative. This is the perfect book for anyone wanting to get back to their "right brain," to their lost child through visual art. No matter what one's level of art training or experience, this book also has value in the ideas it contains for further exploration and expansion provided by the wonderful color illustrations. Cat Bennett truly addresses the barrier so many wannabe artists struggle to overcome: am I good enough, is this good enough, who really cares? That is, confidence. Thank you, Cat!

Great book....very good for me to focus on reclaiming that part of my soul that is both creative and an artist. Great material. Now I have to make some time to stop and enjoy it...always a challenge.

This book teaches in the best way - by giving you methods of exploring the unknown: the visual unknown, the physical unknown and the emotional unknown. It is full of ways to experiment, have fun, and gain skill all at the same time. I want to give it to many of my friends. It is truely a thrill to play with and to go deep with.

Loved this book and its' real and profound approach to moving beyond the self doubt and self critics that take such a heavy toll
on young artists and more mature artists as well. It is a fun and nurturing book, I am sharing with friends and family, and recommending
to any aspiring creative.