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Cat Bennett
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Making Art a Practice: How to Be the Artist You Are Paperback – June 12, 2013

by Cat Bennett (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 45 ratings
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Helping artists catapult into further action, this guide is a treasury of insight and inspiration. Rather than focus on art techniques that build skills or overcome creative blocks through playful activities or writing, this guide walks the artist through exercises designed to develop the personal qualities critical to being an artist in the world, such as courage, the ability to look and see, and connection to the true creative self. This is a hands-on, experiential action book designed to get the reader creating art and exploring a variety of possibilities for being an artist. According to the teachings of this handbook, engagement with art is less about end results or products and more about the self-awareness and competence that frees the artist to seek out and create work that is vital. This is a rigorous programme that allows artists of any skill level to deepen their creative habits and be the best artists possible.
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  1. Print length
    128 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Findhorn Press
  4. Publication date
    June 12, 2013
  5. Dimensions
    6.25 x 0.6 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1844096076
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1844096077
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This inspirational book encourages artists to view art as worthy of the effort required to master it. Early chapters of Making Art a Practice: 30 Ways to Paint a Pipe, by Cat Bennett, include essays about the artistic process and how to unleash creativity, followed by thirty themed practice sessions, for which Bennett uses Magritte’s 'Ceci n’est pas une pipe' ('This is not a pipe') painting as a metaphor and the basis for her words of inspiration for artists of all skill levels. The practice sessions are not instructional but offer words of encouragement and inspiration. For example, in one practice Bennett discusses the benefit of establishing rituals, in another she urges artists to enjoy the creative process by viewing artistic expression as a journey rather than a destination. There are many additional exercises in the appendix, and they are more specific than the thirty previous practices. They include sketching exercises, such as going to a café and sketching people, or making a collage of images that represent some aspect of your life. Yet, they are still general enough that they can be adapted to many different types of artists, and they can also be repeated often, resulting in different results each time. As a result, the book will appeal to a wide range of artists, and can be useful as an activity workbook, as well. Other appendices include a supply list and a description of how to start an art club. Bennett uses a positive and reassuring tone to motivate readers, advising them not to talk themselves out of their artistic endeavors before they even get started. Primarily, she suggests readers view art as a worthy pursuit, and her philosophy is that art is most rewarding when artists are authentically expressing who they are through their work. Bennett assures artists that perseverance through rejection and disappointment pays off. As a fellow artist, Bennett, an illustrator for more than twenty-five years, working with clients such as The Wall Street Journal, Time, and The Boston Globe, shares some of her own experiences, which establishes her credibility and forms a rapport with readers. A unique aspect of Bennett’s approach is her reliance on yoga concepts to encourage artists to nurture a creative mindset, specifically by having a one-pointed focus, using meditation, and being nonjudgmental of one’s own work, particularly during the early stages of the creative process. She says, “In starting something new or in the midst of a project, we can put assessment aside and just notice what shows up. If we don’t act on inspiration immediately, it can vanish in an instant. It can become hard to get it back then. Don’t argue or fuss, just jump on board. ' This inspirational book will appeal to anyone with a creative and artistic spirit.'" ― Maria Siano, Foreword Magazine

About the Author

Cat Bennett is the author of The Confident Creative. She is an artist and professional illustrator whose work has appeared in such publications as the Atlantic, the Boston Globe, the New York Times, and Time magazine. She teaches the Saturday Morning Drawing Club at the Arsenal Center for the Arts in Boston. She lives in Watertown, Massachusetts.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Findhorn Press (June 12, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1844096076
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1844096077
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 0.6 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 45 ratings

About the author

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Cat Bennett

Cat Bennett

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Hi! I'm Cat Bennett, artist, author and teacher of drawing. I live outside Boston, MA.

My three books are on drawing and creative flow: The Confident Creative/Drawing to Free the Hand and Mind; Making Art a Practice, and The Drawing Club of Improbable Dreams, first published by Findhorn Press and now by Inner Traditions. The Confident Creative was a 2011 gold medal winner of The Nautilus Book Awards for life-changing books.

I was as an illustrator for over 25 years with clients such as The Boston Globe, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine and many others. I've also done illustrations for kids' educational books for Harcourt Brace, Houghton Mifflin, Scholastic, and others. In addition, I made short animated spots for CBC Sesame Street, Nickelodeon-TV, WGBH and various nonprofits. My current art practice includes drawing, painting and designing posters. I'm the founder of The Art of Change, a coaching program in which we use drawing to connect with our true creative selves.

My essays have appeared in The Huffington Post, The Los Angeles Times, The American, Yoga Magazine LA, Yoga UK, Integral Yoga Magazine, Red and others.

If interested, please inquire on my website about upcoming online drawing classes.

Thanks for visiting!

~Cat

www.catbennett.net

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
45 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Jackie
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2023
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This is a great read. If you pick up a pencil and doodle your an artist...read this book. If you are an accomplished artist...read this book!
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melanie adams
5.0 out of 5 stars really helpful!
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2014
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i repeatedly checked this book out from the library, so i decided to just buy my own copy! this book is great for beginning artists, especially those of you who think you can't be an artist. i always thought that because i couldn't draw well, i couldn't create art, but that's soooo not true and this book really follows that idea. it shows you how many different ways you can be an artist, while finding your own voice, no matter what kind of art you create. sometimes i just flip through this book to get an idea for one of my pieces of art. you'll find this book very helpful..
14 people found this helpful
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AC
4.0 out of 5 stars Pep talk for creatives
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2016
Cat Bennett has an understanding of how to nudge and encourage the creative spirit, particularly the visual artist. Especially now with the surge of atelier trained artists churning out realism, Cat nurtures the free spirit and suggests deviating from what is expected. It makes one want to try.
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Jazzbrat
5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful for Seasoned Artists, Too!
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2014
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I am not a beginning artist. But I found this book to be so helpful in remembering why I make art. I loved the tips on how to push through the blocks and times of doubt. The exercises have been helpful and the comparison to yoga made the book even more meaningful to me. The ideas have been flowing a lot more easily since reading this little gem. It was just the confirmation I needed to recommit to my work.
I highly recommend this to anyone who needs a push, whether you're new to art making as an adult or a (jaded) pro like me.
9 people found this helpful
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Wendy Gibson
5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful encouragement and "how to" advice for people who want ...
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2014
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wonderful encouragement and "how to" advice for people who want to be creative -- and ways to stay with it. Talks about the importance of working with others and how to go about doing that. Includes inspirational art from artists all over the world. Also loved her book "The Confident Creative"......I have underlined nearly every line in the book! Just read a few pages and you will be inspired.
4 people found this helpful
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i hate vacuuming
1.0 out of 5 stars For Aspiring Non Artists
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2022
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Are you someone who aspires to be an artist, but has never made time to do any art in your life, and now you want to learn to draw? Then this book may be for you! Extremely BASIC. Enjoy.
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stacy vosberg
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2019
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Excellent book! As an artist of over 50 years, this book will motivate you to dig deeper into your artist soul. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it for all artists.
One person found this helpful
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Denise Linet
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2015
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Wonderful book to inspire you to be a better artist and to trust your own path.
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Top reviews from other countries

optimistic watercolourist
5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely Worth Reading
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 1, 2015
Verified Purchase
Definitely worth reading - probably lots you already know but need to be reminded of but also lots of other helpful suggestions. As artists we tend to be very hard on ourselves Cat Bennett suggests ways of being more positive.
2 people found this helpful
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AWinMac
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic and Inspiring
Reviewed in Canada on September 22, 2013
Verified Purchase
Having read and loved Cat Bennett's previous book The Confident Creative, I was really looking forward to her latest effort and it did not disappoint.
After 4+ years of Art School and a BFA I can say with certainty that I have learned more about art making and the creative process from Cat Bennett's two books than from all of my institution based schooling combined.
If you have ever wanted to make art, or had a dream to draw or felt like you had some talent but shot yourself down thinking you couldn't possibly be good enough, this is the book for you. READ IT NOW!
3 people found this helpful
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Chantal
4.0 out of 5 stars It pushes you to act!
Reviewed in Canada on February 16, 2020
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I loved this little book. Very inspiring and filled with ideas to get you started or simply to continue moving forward. It's a 'hands on' tool for anyone interested in discovering & developing their "hidden" artistic talent! Easy read, and you may go back to it regularly (like a mini manuel). Enjoy!
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Crazy Crocodile
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting inspiring book about art.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 11, 2019
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Very interesting and inspiring book. Hopefully gets one out of an occasional artist's dip.
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Scoodthedude
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent in that it really encourages you to see things ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 4, 2015
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Excellent in that it really encourages you to see things from all perspectives with loads of ideas on making your perception more creative. This is the second book I have got by this author.
One person found this helpful
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