THE CREATIVE ACT: A WAY OF BEING
By Rick Rubin
A valuable resource for anyone who wants to be more creative. Rubin believes creativity is not an accident and that anyone can tap into their own artistic expressions. This book is to be read and revisited, but not necessarily in any particular order. Instead of chapters, there are 78 areas of thought about creativity. It’s not about being a step-by-step guide but rather opening up to a different way of being
LIFE WITH PICASSO
By Françoise Gilot & Carlton Lake
A fascinating memoir by artist Françoise Gilot. It is an intimate portrait of her relationship with Pablo Picasso. The book provides absorbing insights into Picasso’s artistic process and the ways in which his personality impacted those around him. For me, though, the insight into Gilot’s own growth and strength as an artist truly shines.
DARK THINGS I ADORE
By Katie Lattari
A gripping and twisted psychological thriller that explores the dark side of art, ambition, and obsession. The novel alternates between two timelines: 1988, when a group of young painters at a summer camp are haunted by secrets and lies, and 2018, when one of them, Audra, lures her former mentor, Max, into a trap of her own making. Lattari skillfully weaves a complex and suspenseful plot that kept me turning pages.
THE GOLDFINCH
By Donna Tartt
This novel tells the story of Theo, a young boy whose life is turned upside down after a bombing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As he navigates the aftermath of the tragedy, he becomes obsessed with a painting of a goldfinch that he stole from the museum. Tartt covers so much emotional territory in this book and does so with a cast of unforgettable characters.
ALL THE BEAUTY IN THE WORLD
By Patrick Bringley
Bringley is a former New Yorker staffer who spent years as a museum guard at the Met. This memoir captures his account of how he found inspiration and solace in the museum halls after his brother died of cancer. Bringley takes us on a behind-the-scenes tour as he reveals the challenges and joys of being a museum guard, from dealing with unruly visitors to forming friendships with artists and curators.
THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY
By Irving Stone
This historical novel tells the story of Italian artist Michelangelo, from his early days as a sculptor to his later work on the Sistine Chapel. The book is beautifully written and vividly portrays the artistic genius of one of the Renaissance’s greatest figures.
THE BLAZING WORLD
By Siri Hustvedt
This is a uniquely structured novel that reads like a work of nonfiction. It tells the story of Harriet Burden, a sculptor struggling to succeed in the art world. Burden decides to create a series of sculptures based on her own body, but she soon finds herself caught up in a web of controversy. An engaging exploration of the themes of art, gender, and identity.
PORTRAIT OF AN UNKNOWN LADY
By Maria Gainza
This beautifully written novel explores the complex relationship between art and reality. An art critic becomes obsessed with finding the legendary art forger, Renee - who specializes in creating counterfeits of the work of Mariette Lydis. Soon, the unnamed narrator is drawn into a web of deception and art. It is a story about art’s power to deceive, inspire, and change our lives.
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