An Artist's Guide to Becoming More Creative ― How to Build, Honor and Support a Creative Life

Maybe you’ve seen a picture on Pinterest or a print in a book, a photograph in a gallery, or a painting in a museum and you think to yourself you’d like to do something similar. Maybe you just finished reading an inspiring novel, were moved to tears by a powerful play, or attended a performance that left you exhilarated, then thought, I want to do something like that. The arts provide culture—and a means to express and enrich our humanity. Whatever your desire—to write poetry or put lyrics to music, paint or craft two-dimensional work, sculpt, throw a pot, act, sing, or perform—there is a need to share your story with others and communicate thoughts and feelings through an art form. Maybe you dream about having the time or money to take a drawing class or do some creative writing. Whatever the dream, or wish or fleeting fantasy, recognize the desire to make something personal and unique. This book will get you started on your creative journey. You will become familiar with the creative process; learn how to face your gremlins; side step procrastination and find the support you need to become creative and stay creative. An easy to read guide, this book is full of ideas that inspire and motivate. Whether you are a seasoned artist who needs to rekindle their creativity or a blossoming artist who needs direction, there is information here that will help you identify your creative voice.

Pam Fingado is an artist, creativity coach and Primordial Sound Meditation teacher. She is a native Californian born in San Francisco and living in the East Bay. She attended local schools, studying at the California College of Arts in Oakland and earning a BA in Studio Art at California State University East Bay. She has exhibited for thirty years extensively in the San Francisco Bay Area, and also in Texas, Washington, New York and Florence, Italy. She taught art as a California credentialed teacher in public and private schools. Today she continues to teach workshops in marketing and creativity providing resources and guidance to artists. While teaching art she took an interest in the decorative craft of paper cutting. Today she integrates paper cutting techniques, painting, oil pastel and folk craft in her work. Her meditation practice informs her current art and can be viewed at http://www.pamfingado.com.