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Sharon Louden

Living and Sustaining a Creative Life: Essays by 40 Working Artists Paperback – October 15, 2013

by Sharon Louden (Editor)

110 ratings

Part of: Living and Sustaining a Creative Life (2 books)

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In this day and age, when art has become more of a commodity and art school graduates are convinced that they can only make a living from their work by attaining gallery representation, it is more important than ever to show the reality of how a professional, contemporary artist sustains a creative practice over time. The forty essays collected in Living and Sustaining a Creative Life are written in the artists’ own voices and take the form of narratives, statements, and interviews. Each story is different and unique, but the common thread is an ongoing commitment to creativity, inside and outside the studio. Both day-to-day and big picture details are revealed, showing how it is possible to sustain a creative practice that contributes to the ongoing dialogue in contemporary art. These stories will inform and inspire any student, young artist, and art enthusiast and will help redefine what "success" means to a professional artist.

Print length

224 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Intellect Ltd
Publication date

October 15, 2013
Dimensions

7 x 0.6 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

9781783200122
ISBN-13

978-1783200122
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Extraordinary. . . . Louden has initiated a public discussion of how an artist can persist. It’s an essential question in a field that no one chooses for its assurance of financial rewards. In many ways, Louden’s book helps us to answer the question, ‘How does an artist make a living today?’ . . . Louden makes an important contribution to the discussion of how art is made now by the vast majority of artists at work. The book is a reality check prompting us to recall that invention doesn’t happen without determination. As these artists’ testimonies so vividly show, history, theory, and criticism are activities dependent ultimately on the hard-won production of art.”

― Art Journal

“Contributions range from predictable to shocking, in-control and overwhelmed. Some artists have full-time jobs; many are parents. . . .[Louden is] telling it like it is.”

― ARTnews

“A strikingly frank book that removes the veil of mysticism surrounding the artistic life.”

― Hyperallergic

"Consisting of 40 essays, this book presents the realities of the creative life over time, as reported by practicing artists. The stories take the form of interviews, narratives, and statements, and convey in frank, authentic form the joys and challenges of being an artist....Aspiring artists and students will be inspired by these essays, and professionals will see themselves in many of the stories being told. Anyone considering a career in art can profit from reading this book. It also provides insight into the world of art as a commodity, and the challenges of balancing business, relationships, and the creative life....Highly recommended."

― CHOICE

"Anyone serious about a career as an artist must read this book."

-- Adam Sheffer, partner, Cheim and Read Gallery

“Too often the story of how an artist makes art and a living is advertised as either a step into an abyss of debt and dementia or a glamorized Bohemia misunderstood by a general public. Yet what these artists demonstrate in this valuable book is that the common bond for us all who aspire to a well-lived life is blood, sweat, and tears. From artists living off sales of their work to those who teach and those who search for paychecks in odd jobs, the desire to create is never extinguished.”

-- Franklin Sirmans, Terri and Michael Smooke Curator, Los Angeles County Museum of Art

“From surprisingly frank sharings on the struggles of starting out as young artists to the challenges of making time and space for creation, the artists in Living and Sustaining a Creative Life share with candor and heart just what it takes to be an artist today."

-- Anne Pasternak, president and artistic director, Creative Time

“Sharon Louden has gathered together in this book an exceptionally diverse range of artists’ experiences in order to illustrate, in a manner otherwise inaccessible, the inherent tensions that artists face in constantly balancing their drive to devote core time and energy to creating new work and their wish to share that work with the world with the complexities, as well as the joys, of their personal and family lives.”

-- Michael Straus, chairman, Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts

“I applaud artist Sharon Louden for assembling this fascinating compilation of artist testimonies. It provides a refreshing, honest look at the myriad ways that artists shape and feed their lives and evolve authentic, generative practices in a society that does not always make it easy for artists to subsist and fully contribute. Living and Sustaining a Creative Life is thus an inspiring, unexpurgated resource for artists beginning their careers as well as any individual seeking to recalibrate his or her daily life to pursue a more purpose-filled existence.”

-- Olga Viso, executive director, Walker Art Center

"Louden’s collection offers valuable lessons on striking a balance between the need to make money and the need to make art; for if making art is the primary concern, making money becomes a means to an end―not the end itself. . . . Though written about the unique experience of fine artists, Living and Sustaining A Creative Life is worth the read by anyone seeking to build a life of artistic intention without ignoring the need for monetary sustenance."

― Courtney M. McSwain, writer and storytelling consultant

About the Author

Sharon Louden is a practicing, professional artist living and working in Brooklyn. Her work has been exhibited at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Birmingham Museum of Art, Neuberger Museum, and the Weisman Art Museum, among other venues, and it is held in the public collections of the Whitney Museum of American Art, Weatherspoon Art Museum, and National Gallery of Art.

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Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 178320012X
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Intellect Ltd; First edition (October 15, 2013)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781783200122
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1783200122
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.19 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.6 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #118,033 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #43 in Business of Art Reference
- #14,605 in Reference (Books)

Customer Reviews:
110 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		68%
4 star		15%
3 star		11%
2 star		4%
1 star		3%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Dori Decamillis

Enjoyed every essay and its presentation. Straightforward and honest.

Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2015

Verified Purchase

As a professional artist, I was very taken with this refreshing book of essays about the practical side of making a living as a visual artist. My path of making a living as an artist has been as unique and unexpected as many of the stories represented in Louden's book, and I found myself feeling validated and supported. As in my experience, the book shows how serendipity, hard work, luck, talent, and building relationships play a part in developing the careers of artists. There are quite a few essays included, and each path and perspective shared was interesting in its own way. The editor, Sharon Louden, presented the pieces in a straightforward manner, forgoing too much opinionated commentary that can take away from the clarity of the material. In fact, my favorite thing about the book was how each author stuck to the topic (making a continuous living as a visual artist) without intellectual discourse. The mystery of creativity is a powerful and wonderful part of being an artist, but the day to day workings and the meanderings of a career are a thing of fascination, too. This book celebrated the functional side of art, presented by professionals who can instruct by honest experience rather than didacticism. It was at times funny, surprising, and triumphant. I recommend it to artists at the dawn of their possible careers or artists who've been at it for a lifetime.

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

Lizelle H

A fantastic read but it does not stop there

Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2015

Verified Purchase

As a non-practicing artist, only at the moment, this book has inspired me to dust off my talents and polish them a little. A fantastic read but it does not stop there. These artist actually exist, they are not dead yet, they are still practicing artists. You can look them up on the internet and contact them. Just reading about them and researching their work encouraged me enough. It has caused me to pull out one of my husband's books on business planning and now I'm on my way. Keeping in contact with other artists I studied with, and others I've met over the years are also a great encouragement and of the utmost importance. This book invoked again that passion that started it all in the beginning. The best book for artists who want to make a living out of their passion for the creative things in life. Highly recommended. The only book of its kind so far.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

David A. Clark

This book is filled with insight that one only gets with experience.

Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2013

Verified Purchase

There are many wonderful things about this book. Each artists chapter reveals the layers of what it means to balance life as an artist. The term working artist can mean many, many things. Defining what is a "working artist" is indeed one of the great intangibles of learning what it is to be an artist. The bottom line is we all figure it out and define it in different ways. Sharon's book illuminates the various ways artists define what it is to be and do and function as a working artist. The essays, most narrative in form, peel back the layers of daily life and work. They reveal the sometimes precarious balance that artists walk with their daily practice, their business and their personal lives. I wish I'd had this book when I was at NYU. It would have demystified the artistic world I so desperately wanted to be a part of. Now many years later I have figured out the daily ins and outs of what it means to move through life as an artist. But back in school this book would have been an invaluable tool in putting a creative life together bit by bit as it works for the individual. I say it should be required reading for art students of all disciplines. It's filled with insight that one only gets from experience. Its a rare gift to get an inside view of the path to come. I loved every page. Wonderful book.

12 people found this helpful

Helpful

A. Carballo

A must read for any artist

Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2015

Verified Purchase

If you're an artist and expect to make a career out of it, you should read this book. You'll hear from 40 other artists how they balance business and art in order to sustain themselves and be happy. These essays paint a realistic panorama on what to expect while living as an artist and how to juggle it with the ever important mission of paying the bills and being able to continue making art.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Painter Judy

A book of mentors. How does it really work....

Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2015

Verified Purchase

This book tells real stories, in all their complexities, of how artists craft a life that leaves space and energy for their work, while still finding a way to make the financial aspects of it work. It is down to earth, pragmatic, and complex in the way real lives are. It makes it clear there is no simple formula. We all have to find our way, and a little luck along the way doesn't hurt, but may not happen. Well written, and an enjoyable read.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Nancy L

Book to help the creative person stay on track

Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2019

Verified Purchase

This was an uplifting book, overall. Of course, it's main theme is "You can do it, if you identify and stick to your goals." As an artist who wastes time, I need reminding.

Helpful

James

Must Read for Art Students or those considering art as a career

Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2014

Verified Purchase

I would deem this as a must-read for up and coming artists or anyone who is considering art as a career especially. This collection of 40 artists' perspectives delves into the challenges and situations that artists face as they enter the business world.Each artist has a different background story, but there are a few common ideas that are shared among them. Another thing I like about it is the humbleness of the artists, not every artist started out making money, some are still concerned about finances. It is possible, however, to be an artist without remaining in serious debt as long as the principles mentioned are followed. I also felt that the stereotype that artists are "loners" or "recluses" is discussed and defeated in this collection of essays. In order to sell their art, artists must be social and network. There was a lot that I learned and plenty more to talk about after reading the book.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Ben

Worthwhile, but needs editing down

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 21, 2018

Verified Purchase

Interesting to a point, but really needs editing down as it becomes quite repetitive as the same points are returned to again with similar answers. Good to read real world examples of how to survive and prosper, but the message is the same throughout - sell your work - sure, but you will rely on another source of income like teaching, curating etc etc.

One person found this helpful

Teresa

Must read for those considering "being and artist" or those "living the dream"

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2014

Verified Purchase

There is nothing more honest, myth busting, uplifting, then these essays. Helps one to recommit to self-belief, hard work, sacrifice and the fact that we all have self-doubt, are often frustrated, but, basically, wouldn't want to do anything else. Grayson Perry describes artists as ‘committed’ and as ‘doers’, he says that when you finally get to say ‘I’m an artist’, it’s a noble thing: “You are a pilgrim on the way to meaning.” Somehow this book makes you feel all of this.

4 people found this helpful

william w. linthicum

Worthwhile

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 16, 2015

Verified Purchase

As a working artist, I was eager to discover first hand, real life accounts from others who are farther down the path. The stories are wonderful. The writing of the artists, however, is mostly clumsy and sophomoric. Many have MFAs from very good schools. One wonders how these people actually earned bachelor's degrees without learning how to write well. Bravo to Sharon for the project. Editing would have helped!

One person found this helpful

Sarah Dixon

Interesting and rich

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 22, 2017

Verified Purchase

Brilliant insightful book about being a contemporary artist. Maybe the deomgraphic is a little narrow but so many fab artists to read about!

Carmen MARISCAL

great forgery artist to read and also for people that want to understand how artists live and sustain their work

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 1, 2014

Verified Purchase

Because it was a very thorough book, with 40 essays from different working artists and the reader can get a full perspective on how artists live and work.