web02.fireside.fm Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:35:02 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) The Messy Studio with Rebecca Crowell - Episodes Tagged with “Books” https://messystudio.fireside.fm/tags/books Sat, 25 Jan 2020 14:00:00 -0600 Artist Rebecca Crowell shares experiences and thoughts from three decades of painting, teaching and traveling, as well as her conversations with other artists. She is joined by her co-host, producer, and son, Ross Ticknor, who brings an entrepreneurial Millennial perspective. The conversations are broad and eclectic, focused on ideas, information and anecdotes that other artists may find helpful in their work and careers. A new episode is uploaded every weekend! en-us episodic The podcast at the intersection of art, travel, business, philosophy, and life in general. Rebecca Crowell Artist Rebecca Crowell shares experiences and thoughts from three decades of painting, teaching and traveling, as well as her conversations with other artists. She is joined by her co-host, producer, and son, Ross Ticknor, who brings an entrepreneurial Millennial perspective. The conversations are broad and eclectic, focused on ideas, information and anecdotes that other artists may find helpful in their work and careers. A new episode is uploaded every weekend! no Rebecca Crowell rticknor.core@gmail.com Episode 108: Ideas For Your Bookshelf https://messystudio.fireside.fm/108 8f6391af-d6d2-498d-8186-c8bd309a8a8f Sat, 25 Jan 2020 14:00:00 -0600 Rebecca Crowell 108 Ideas For Your Bookshelf full Rebecca Crowell We talked last time about the role that art-related books play in the lives of artists, and the importance of continuing to educate ourselves in various ways. This week we turn our attention to the specific titles and authors recommended by Rebecca, as well as other artists who weighed in on our Facebook poll asking for input about significant art-related books. Many artists are very passionate about their books and recommendations, which were wide-ranging. 33:19 no We talked last time about the role that art-related books play in the lives of artists, and the importance of continuing to educate ourselves in various ways. This week we turn our attention to the specific titles and authors recommended by Rebecca, as well as other artists who weighed in on our Facebook poll asking for input about significant art-related books. Many artists are very passionate about their books and recommendations, which were wide-ranging. Here is the complete list of the titles discussed in the episode: Art History/Art Movement related Kiki’s Paris: Artists and Lovers by Billy Klüver Overlay by Lucy Lippard 3 books about abstraction: Pictures of Nothing (Kirk Varnedie) The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985 Kandinsky’s Concerning The Spiritual in Art Contemporary art: My Art World (John Seed) Discovering the LA Art World by John Marcella Grant About or By Specific Artist’s work Ninth Street Women (Mary Gabriel) Artist bios by Ross King and Irving Stone (Agony and the Ecstasy) fictionalized Sean Scully Inner: collected writings and interviews Agnes Martin: Pioneer, Painter, Icon by Henry Martin Several books about Lawrence Carroll who died in 2019, influential abstract sculptor Memoirs: Hold Still by Sally Mann My Life by Isadora Duncan Just Kids by Patti Smith Old in Art School: A Memoir of Starting Over by Nell Painter Daybook by Anne Truit Turn by Anne Truit Prospect by Anne Truit Inspirational Books about Creative Process/Creativity in General The Goldfinch by Donna Tart The Alexandra Quartet by Lawrence Durrell Bird By Bird by Anne Lamott A Gentle Plea for Chaos by Mirabel Osler Creative Habit by Twyla Tharpe Free Play by Steven Nachmanovitch Niamh O’Conner’s YouTube recommendations: -Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland -Letters to a Young Artist: Straight Up Advice for making a Life in the Arts by Anna Smith Deavere. (Also one with the same title by Julia Cameron.) -What Would You Be If by Patricia Fitzgerald. Others also, watch on YouTube. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMrBVakoJ6c&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1OgMc22idV-stdoY3kBvswJFCIxzbE8yLE2N6eFvrqK8kkaOvY4MXI1-w) World Enough and Time: On Creativity and Slowing Down by Christian McEwen Trust the Process by Shawn McNiff Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon Brave Intuitive Painting by Flora Bowley Expressive Drawing by Steven Aimone Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edward Other Inspirational Books on Art, Life Dancing With the Gods by Kent Nerbaum The Invisible Embrace of Beauty by John O’Donohue The Unknown Craftsman: A Japanese Insight into Beauty by Soetsu Yanagi Technical Info and Background— Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair A Natural History of the Palette by Victoria Finey Living Craft: A Painter’s Process by Tad Spurgeon How to Write About Contemporary Art by Gilda Williams Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts & Conversations by Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin This is just a random sample of artists who saw and responded to my Facebook post but hopefully we have given you some ideas for excellent new reading material. Art books especially heavily illustrated ones tend to be expensive, so it’s a good idea to check sources for used books including the used listings on Amazon and other online sources like Abe Books. And of course, it’s great to share your books but put your name inside and check up on the loan before too long—there are many tales of woe of books loaned to other artists that became buried in someone’s messy studio. Rebecca Crowell, Art, Books, Reading We talked last time about the role that art-related books play in the lives of artists, and the importance of continuing to educate ourselves in various ways. This week we turn our attention to the specific titles and authors recommended by Rebecca, as well as other artists who weighed in on our Facebook poll asking for input about significant art-related books. Many artists are very passionate about their books and recommendations, which were wide-ranging. Here is the complete list of the titles discussed in the episode:

Art History/Art Movement related

Kiki’s Paris: Artists and Lovers by Billy Klüver

Overlay by Lucy Lippard

3 books about abstraction:

Pictures of Nothing (Kirk Varnedie)

The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985

Kandinsky’s Concerning The Spiritual in Art

Contemporary art: My Art World (John Seed)

Discovering the LA Art World by John Marcella Grant

About or By Specific Artist’s work

Ninth Street Women (Mary Gabriel)

Artist bios by Ross King and Irving Stone (Agony and the Ecstasy) fictionalized

Sean Scully Inner: collected writings and interviews

Agnes Martin: Pioneer, Painter, Icon by Henry Martin

Several books about Lawrence Carroll who died in 2019, influential abstract sculptor

Memoirs:

Hold Still by Sally Mann

My Life by Isadora Duncan

Just Kids by Patti Smith

Old in Art School: A Memoir of Starting Over by Nell Painter

Daybook by Anne Truit

Turn by Anne Truit

Prospect by Anne Truit

Inspirational Books about Creative Process/Creativity in General

The Goldfinch by Donna Tart

The Alexandra Quartet by Lawrence Durrell

Bird By Bird by Anne Lamott

A Gentle Plea for Chaos by Mirabel Osler

Creative Habit by Twyla Tharpe

Free Play by Steven Nachmanovitch

Niamh O’Conner’s YouTube recommendations: 

    -Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland

    -Letters to a Young Artist: Straight Up Advice for making a Life in the Arts by Anna Smith Deavere. (Also one with the same title by Julia Cameron.)

    -What Would You Be If by Patricia Fitzgerald.

Others also, watch on YouTube.

World Enough and Time: On Creativity and Slowing Down by Christian McEwen

Trust the Process by Shawn McNiff

Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon

Brave Intuitive Painting by Flora Bowley

Expressive Drawing by Steven Aimone

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edward

Other Inspirational Books on Art, Life

Dancing With the Gods by Kent Nerbaum

The Invisible Embrace of Beauty by John O’Donohue

The Unknown Craftsman: A Japanese Insight into Beauty by Soetsu Yanagi

Technical Info and Background—

Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair

A Natural History of the Palette by Victoria Finey

Living Craft: A Painter’s Process by Tad Spurgeon

How to Write About Contemporary Art by Gilda Williams

Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts & Conversations by Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin

This is just a random sample of artists who saw and responded to my Facebook post but hopefully we have given you some ideas for excellent new reading material. Art books especially heavily illustrated ones tend to be expensive, so it’s a good idea to check sources for used books including the used listings on Amazon and other online sources like Abe Books. And of course, it’s great to share your books but put your name inside and check up on the loan before too long—there are many tales of woe of books loaned to other artists that became buried in someone’s messy studio.

]]> We talked last time about the role that art-related books play in the lives of artists, and the importance of continuing to educate ourselves in various ways. This week we turn our attention to the specific titles and authors recommended by Rebecca, as well as other artists who weighed in on our Facebook poll asking for input about significant art-related books. Many artists are very passionate about their books and recommendations, which were wide-ranging. Here is the complete list of the titles discussed in the episode:

Art History/Art Movement related

Kiki’s Paris: Artists and Lovers by Billy Klüver

Overlay by Lucy Lippard

3 books about abstraction:

Pictures of Nothing (Kirk Varnedie)

The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890-1985

Kandinsky’s Concerning The Spiritual in Art

Contemporary art: My Art World (John Seed)

Discovering the LA Art World by John Marcella Grant

About or By Specific Artist’s work

Ninth Street Women (Mary Gabriel)

Artist bios by Ross King and Irving Stone (Agony and the Ecstasy) fictionalized

Sean Scully Inner: collected writings and interviews

Agnes Martin: Pioneer, Painter, Icon by Henry Martin

Several books about Lawrence Carroll who died in 2019, influential abstract sculptor

Memoirs:

Hold Still by Sally Mann

My Life by Isadora Duncan

Just Kids by Patti Smith

Old in Art School: A Memoir of Starting Over by Nell Painter

Daybook by Anne Truit

Turn by Anne Truit

Prospect by Anne Truit

Inspirational Books about Creative Process/Creativity in General

The Goldfinch by Donna Tart

The Alexandra Quartet by Lawrence Durrell

Bird By Bird by Anne Lamott

A Gentle Plea for Chaos by Mirabel Osler

Creative Habit by Twyla Tharpe

Free Play by Steven Nachmanovitch

Niamh O’Conner’s YouTube recommendations: 

    -Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland

    -Letters to a Young Artist: Straight Up Advice for making a Life in the Arts by Anna Smith Deavere. (Also one with the same title by Julia Cameron.)

    -What Would You Be If by Patricia Fitzgerald.

Others also, watch on YouTube.

World Enough and Time: On Creativity and Slowing Down by Christian McEwen

Trust the Process by Shawn McNiff

Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon

Brave Intuitive Painting by Flora Bowley

Expressive Drawing by Steven Aimone

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edward

Other Inspirational Books on Art, Life

Dancing With the Gods by Kent Nerbaum

The Invisible Embrace of Beauty by John O’Donohue

The Unknown Craftsman: A Japanese Insight into Beauty by Soetsu Yanagi

Technical Info and Background—

Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair

A Natural History of the Palette by Victoria Finey

Living Craft: A Painter’s Process by Tad Spurgeon

How to Write About Contemporary Art by Gilda Williams

Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts & Conversations by Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin

This is just a random sample of artists who saw and responded to my Facebook post but hopefully we have given you some ideas for excellent new reading material. Art books especially heavily illustrated ones tend to be expensive, so it’s a good idea to check sources for used books including the used listings on Amazon and other online sources like Abe Books. And of course, it’s great to share your books but put your name inside and check up on the loan before too long—there are many tales of woe of books loaned to other artists that became buried in someone’s messy studio.

]]> Episode 107: The Importance Of Art Books https://messystudio.fireside.fm/107 fa84c8fb-7f71-4764-a291-570e33c7b351 Sat, 18 Jan 2020 14:45:00 -0600 Rebecca Crowell 107 The Importance Of Art Books full Rebecca Crowell Art related books play an important part in our lives, and many artists have enormous collections. These collections are an investment in the growth of an artist’s creativity and career. They demonstrate curiosity and a desire for deeper understanding. Some artists joke that collecting books is a bit of an addiction. Even a small collection of relevant books can have a profound impact on your thoughts and intentions, and can help us understand our own work, as well as other’s work better. 32:07 no In December of 2019, Rebecca posed a question on Facebook for the artists who follow her page. She asked, “I’d love to hear about art books you recommend -- those you keep close at hand, have helped you in some way, broaden your perspective, and/or just make a good read or a visual feast. I would define “art books” as anything related to art forms, artists, art movements, creativity, or anything that has inspired your work.” There were dozens of replies, covering a broad range of topics, which was somewhat unexpected. Rebecca had assumed that there would be a handful of repeated titles mentioned--well known, familiar, and often referenced books that could be considered a canon from which artists could draw knowledge and inspiration. But clearly, those who responded were inspired and intrigued by a wide variety of topics and genres, and are probably representative of artists in general. Rebecca decided the best way to talk about artists' love of books was to organize the titles that were mentioned into broad categories. The specific titles are also important, and we will discuss those in our next podcast. For now, however, our focus will be the roles these books play in creative life. Many artists have enormous collections of art-related books. These collections are an investment in the growth of an artist’s creativity and career. They demonstrate curiosity and a desire for deeper understanding. Some artists joke that collecting books is a bit of an addiction. Even a small collection of relevant books can have a profound impact on your thoughts and intentions, and can help us understand our own work, as well as other’s work better. www.messystudiopodcast.com www.rebeccacrowell.com www.squeegeepress.com www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast Rebecca Crowell, Art, Books, Reading In December of 2019, Rebecca posed a question on Facebook for the artists who follow her page. She asked, “I’d love to hear about art books you recommend -- those you keep close at hand, have helped you in some way, broaden your perspective, and/or just make a good read or a visual feast. I would define “art books” as anything related to art forms, artists, art movements, creativity, or anything that has inspired your work.”

There were dozens of replies, covering a broad range of topics, which was somewhat unexpected. Rebecca had assumed that there would be a handful of repeated titles mentioned--well known, familiar, and often referenced books that could be considered a canon from which artists could draw knowledge and inspiration. But clearly, those who responded were inspired and intrigued by a wide variety of topics and genres, and are probably representative of artists in general. Rebecca decided the best way to talk about artists' love of books was to organize the titles that were mentioned into broad categories. The specific titles are also important, and we will discuss those in our next podcast. For now, however, our focus will be the roles these books play in creative life.

Many artists have enormous collections of art-related books. These collections are an investment in the growth of an artist’s creativity and career. They demonstrate curiosity and a desire for deeper understanding. Some artists joke that collecting books is a bit of an addiction. Even a small collection of relevant books can have a profound impact on your thoughts and intentions, and can help us understand our own work, as well as other’s work better.

www.messystudiopodcast.com
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.squeegeepress.com
www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast

]]> In December of 2019, Rebecca posed a question on Facebook for the artists who follow her page. She asked, “I’d love to hear about art books you recommend -- those you keep close at hand, have helped you in some way, broaden your perspective, and/or just make a good read or a visual feast. I would define “art books” as anything related to art forms, artists, art movements, creativity, or anything that has inspired your work.”

There were dozens of replies, covering a broad range of topics, which was somewhat unexpected. Rebecca had assumed that there would be a handful of repeated titles mentioned--well known, familiar, and often referenced books that could be considered a canon from which artists could draw knowledge and inspiration. But clearly, those who responded were inspired and intrigued by a wide variety of topics and genres, and are probably representative of artists in general. Rebecca decided the best way to talk about artists' love of books was to organize the titles that were mentioned into broad categories. The specific titles are also important, and we will discuss those in our next podcast. For now, however, our focus will be the roles these books play in creative life.

Many artists have enormous collections of art-related books. These collections are an investment in the growth of an artist’s creativity and career. They demonstrate curiosity and a desire for deeper understanding. Some artists joke that collecting books is a bit of an addiction. Even a small collection of relevant books can have a profound impact on your thoughts and intentions, and can help us understand our own work, as well as other’s work better.

www.messystudiopodcast.com
www.rebeccacrowell.com
www.squeegeepress.com
www.facebook.com/messystudiopodcast

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