Customer Reviews

The Starving Artist's Way: Easy Projects for Low-Budget Living

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I *love* this book! Although most "starving artists" books are filled with garbage I wouldn't want in my basement, this one includes many innovative, attractive ideas that would enhance any setting.

There are numerous economy projects that no one would dream of making, giving, or displaying unless truly desperate. But there at least as many (probably many more) that would enhance any setting, and be welcome gifts.

This book has something for virtually everyone. I love it!

This is an amazing peek into the creative life of starving artists. We all know one of these folks, who can make magic out of junk and leftover odds and ends, so that, even on the tightest of shoestrings, the starving artist lives with little luxuries, good food, in a groovy, and totally striking, home.

The starving artist is the one whose outfits, accessories, pad and vibe elicit coos of "Where did you get that?" and sighs of envy when the artist declares "Oh this, I made it." This book shows you how to create beautiful furnishings, objects, wearables and meals out of, well, stuff that you can either just find or is totally inexpensive.

I'm not very good at crafts, but always *want* to make things, so I got this book, which is really user-friendly, so I could make a modular lighting system, a "found object" bag, and At-Home Absinthe. I also got a couple of copies for my more crafty friends who I think will appreciate the new ideas and the sense of humor.

Plus it's chock full of little sidebars about all the contemporary and historical artists and movements that provide inspiration to starving artists everywhere (Vanessa Beercroft! Walter de Maria! Fluxus! Gaudi! Matthew Barney!), written in a non-fussy, non-condescending tone.

I REALLY enjoyed this book. In fact, I initially checked it out of the library but liked it so much I bought it. What is surprising is that there are not a lot of pictures OR photos and I STILL liked this book. There are several diagrams so at least you get an idea of what how something is supposed to look. There was another book that had a similar feel, but this book is soooo much better. This is the book that , "Get Crafty: Hip Home Ec (see my review)"was trying to be. I like that the chapters are logical with an interesting layout that is easy to follow.

The chapters include Food (my favorite subject), Home Decorating, Wearables, Potions (soaps, bath, cosmetics) and Special Events and Gifts. I think there is probably something in this book that would address anybody's taste. I'm planning on making the Avocado-Mushroom Risotto tonight.

In addition to the great layout of the book, each project has an interesting tidbit about an artist, writer, painter or art concept and was quite educational and most interesting. Some of the projects include:

* Clocks from old things
* Diorama door table
* Bread-n-jam mini layer cakes
* Coin Necklace
* Oatmeal and Almond scrub
* Fortune Cookies
* New Year's Trash Hat
* Hanging Murphy Shelf

I give this book a 4.5 star, because it lacks photos and could use more illustrations. If they revise this book, I would recommend taking out some of the tidbits and putting in more pictures to make this a full 5 star book. Even though this book is for the "starving artist", it could easily be used by the starving student, starving college graduate, starving actress OR for someone like me who likes to stoke their creative side and have some fun.

Best gift I have ever received! It is teeming with great ideas!

For a hopelessly square, artistically challenged, straight arrow like me, this book is a godsend. Now, I can act out my fantasy of living the bohemian life, and I don't have to bother with smoking unfiltered cigarettes, wearing a black beret, growing a goatee, moving to Williamsburg (Brooklyn), and snapping my fingers at free-form poetry readings. I just have to do a few of these easy art projects, leave the results lying around my house, and voila! Instant Hip.

And, of course, the best part of it all is that I don't have to spend a lot of money on art school in the process.

My favorite ideas were the "bread-n-jam mini layer cakes" and the "brocolli stem pickles" - I have learned that the way to my inner "starving" artist is through my stomach.

- just long enough to be able to buy this book! Even if it weren't jam packed, fuller than a sardine can, with fun & useful anecdotes, how-tos, ideas and projects, and with great detailed diagrams and instructions, it includes a mini course in art history, and is excellent reading material at the breakfast table or in the bathroom, even on a cross-country road trip. No kidding!

This book coulda' tossed in a few pictures of completed projects. This book didn't have a single photo to inspire or guide. Sometimes you just need to see it done to know it's possible!

But - that aside, I like the ideas inside. Gonna pick one out & start soon...

This book is not bad. It has alot of references to many artists over the past few centuries and it was interesting to learn about some of the newer ones. This book also contains alot of clever ideas for inexpensive projects. My only complaints are: there aren't any colour photos, or real pictures of what any of the projects will look like - only drawings. And the way the author writes is extremely informal and the book is just one big joke. Also, the way the author relates certain artists to projects seems forced. It seems like she just looks for ANYTHING that could be sort of related or not at all to try to mention an artist at certain points in the book. It's sort of a waste of writing when she does this.
Overall, it's an okay book. It has some good projects and some interesting facts about some artists, which you don't usually find in a DIY book.

I love this book! The projects range from goofy, weird to downright practical. The sidebars about the artists and art movements are actually educational without being dry and boring. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to make things rather than buy, entertain on the cheap, or just create art for art's sake.

I think the ideas are great, but I feel like I will go through twice the materials they suggest using because I will mess up the first time due to lack of instruction. This book would be better with photos or at least a sketch of what the project might look like.

One of the coolest and most interesting "how-to" reads anywhere. Home-made Absinthe! Wow! Easy to read--easy to follow--easy to do! I just loved it and refer back to it whenever I need some creative inspiration or am just in a "projecty" mood (my made-up word, not the author's). When's book two coming out? Bravo.