301 Things to Draw by Editors of Chartwell Books

 

★★★★★ The publisher provided a copy for review 

Ok, this one is pure fun! and it proves that simplify can be the most powerful. Pages and pages of prompts - the interior is as plain as the exterior, waiting for your creativity. I can't resist showing you one of its 200 pages. Some prompts have a single page, while others share a page.

This book makes me want to pull out all my art supplies and have a great time playing.

You don't have to do these in order. Skip around and see what inspires you. However, in a year's time, if you use one prompt each weekday and skip weekends, you'll have a notebook of inspiration and doodles and painting and drawing and .... well, creativity. 

You could also use these prompts for writing a paragraph, sending a postcard to someone, etc. Use them as food for your creative brain. Highly recommended for those who want to journal something each day.  Buy a copy as a birthday present to yourself or an artsy friend.

Make Your Art No Matter What by Beth Pickens

 

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review

All those excuses for not making art? Pickens wants them to go away.

Whether it's money, education, relationships, emotions - you name it ... pick up a copy and keep it on hand when you know you should but just can't bring yourself to make something.

The chapters are filled with suggestions, questions, categories of resistance and help, and other fine resources that will get you moving again. 

Get your art supplies out. Then make sure you have a copy on your workspace. GO!

The Art of Tablescaping by Bugsy Drake

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review

Are you pretty serious about hospitality - or do you just want to enjoy the fun of setting a table? This book is loaded with ideas. It's like stepping into a Southern belle's brain. How do you theme a party? What resources and help do you need to pull it off?

I'm more of a general idea person so was boggled with the level of detail - from concept to text to photos. If you're a perfectionist, you're gonna LOVE it. Buy it to kick off your own creativity, too.

Block Print for Beginners by Elise Young

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review

If you've ever wondered about making your own stamps or blocks, want to put color on fabric or paper, or just want to explore a new craft, you'll enjoy this beginner manual. Young makes it simple with clear instructions, options to customize your work, and drawings. 

Have fun! This is definitely one for my artsy friends to try.