Rice Freeman-Zachery

How DO they do it? If you could ask your favorite artist or crafter only one question, chances are you'd ask about creativity: Where do your ideas come from? How did you get started? What are your tricks for overcoming blocks? In Living the Creative Life, author Ricë Freeman-Zachery has compiled answers to these questions and more from 15 successful artists in a variety of mediums—from assemblage to fiber arts, beading to mixed-media collage. Creativity is different for everyone, and these artists share their insights on the muse (if you believe in her), keeping a sketchbook (or not), and prioritizing your art, whether you aspire to create solely for your own pleasure or to become a full-time artist. Try your hand at creative jumpstarts straight from the pros. Glimpse the artists' innermost thoughts and works in progress as you peruse pages from their journals and notebooks. Share textile artist Sas Colby's triumph over creative block during an exotic art retreat. Learn how internationally acclaimed artist James Michael Starr uses experience from his former "day job" to fuel his creation today. Explore the work of Michael deMeng, Claudine Hellmuth, Melissa Zink and the other artists right alongside their insights. No crafter or artist should live the creative life without Living the Creative Life! The inspiration is contagious.

Ideas and Inspirations from Working Artists

Living the Creative Life

How do you make room for making art? Do you long to uncover secrets to sneaking more creative time into your day, or to making your studio the perfect place to unleash your artistic potential? Have you often wondered how successful creative types seem to manage both with ease? In her inspiring follow-up to Living the Creative Life, author Rice Freeman-Zachery has gathered together a talented new group of artists to share their time-finding tricks and studio-savvy tips, to help you find your own Creative Time and Space. Whether you're looking to clear more space in your head for creative thinking, or to make the most of the time you do manage to sneak into your studio, the help you need is all right here. Discover ways to keep the creative part of your brain engaged even during activities such as shopping or doing "business work" on the computer. Learn how to budget your time by spending less of it surfing the internet and more time sketching out your next creative project. Pull yourself out of a creative rut with ideas from reorganizing your studio to remembering that mistakes can be fun to forcing yourself to try a new color palette. Obtain an insider look into the studios of several successful artists and get a glimpse of where they get to go to work every day and the rituals they use to get the juices flowing. Try out jump-starting exercises for your brain and unleash an entirely new creative direction. Creative Time and Space is just the friendly push you need to work more of what you love (making art) into your life and to love whatever space you create it in.

Making Room for Making Art

Creative Time and Space

Experience art retreats without leaving your home! There's a community of passionate, creative souls looking to connect, and the art retreat is where is happens. In Destination Creativity, Ricë Freeman-Zachery brings the life-altering journey of the art retreat from venues all across the country straight into your hands and the comfort of your favorite chair. Maybe you've heard about the many different places you can go to take art workshops from a variety of talented artistic instructors, but you haven't been sure which retreat experience is right for you. Ricë has done your homework! From Port Townsend, Washington's Artfest to Hampton, Virginia's Art & Soul, from rural Wisconsin to the strip of Las Vegas, from beads to quilts to painting with your hands, she has the inside scoop for you in Destination Creativity and a first-hand account of nine inspiring art retreats. Take five workshops right alongside Ricë with step-by-step instruction and a glimpse into the actual classroom experience. Hear from a variety of attendees—creative types just like you—what it is that drew them to attend their chosen event and be inspired by their life-changing stories. See what the retreats actually look like with plenty of atmospheric photos taken by Ricë's favorite sidekick, Earl Zachery. Discover ideas for hosting creative get-togethers in your own hometown including naming your retreat, picking a venue and planning meals. Destination Creativity is your chance to see what all of the buzz is about. Pull up a chair and take the journey.

Rice Freeman-Zachery

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