What great books have you read that have inspired you as an artist? Here are a couple favorites of mine:

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Permalink Reply by Dale R. Johnson on February 26, 2009 at 1:33pm

Marcia:
Thank you for these two books. I have not read either of them, I will read them and write back.
Dale Johnson

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Permalink Reply by Renee on February 26, 2009 at 2:37pm

Thanks for sharing your nuggets, I'll have to ck them out.
Lately I've been reading Joey O'Conners book "the Longing" (.58 cents on Amazon.com) and it has been really, really encouraging for me.
Also "davidcostello.com" features paintings/writing that have inspired me.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Nielsen on March 2, 2009 at 8:21am

Art and the Bible by Schaeffer
Art Needs No Justification by Rookmaaker
Heaven by Randy Alcorn

are probably in the top five.

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Permalink Reply by Marcia Escobosa on March 18, 2009 at 1:46pm

Hey, I've got another great book I'm reading that I really love... it is called "The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles". Wow, what an inspiring and butt-kicking book for artists of all kinds. If you are struggling with motivation, internal resistance, or just feeling held back by 'something' this is for you. It's a good read regardless, as we will fall into a rut sooner or later and it really prepares you to deal with it and stay on track with the right perspective. In essence, what it means to grab your gifts and run with them while kicking resistance aside.

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Permalink Reply by Alex Radin on August 8, 2009 at 11:12pm

A recent book that I have read that has inspired me as an artist is "The Seven Mountain Prophecy" by Johnny Enlow which talks about 7 areas that influence our culture that need to be taken for God's glory in order for us to fulfill our call to disciple the Nations. This book is all about transforming our culture and the seven areas or mountains that Johnny talks about in detail are Media, Government, Education, Economy, Religion, Celebration (Arts & Entertainment), and Family.

It is so important for us as Christians to be involved and leading in every sector of our society and as artists the world should be looking to us in the area of Arts & Entertainment since we are tapped into The Creator and should be producing the most creative and anointed work out there.

I found reading about every area exciting but this book will be of particular interest to artists with a call to intersect culture with their work for God's glory. It also mentions some of the struggles artists encounter when dealing with the enemy and offers some strategies for how to overcome these struggles.

You can order it from this link http://www.daystaratlanta.org/resources which is the church that the author of this book pastors, or probably from amazon or a host of other places.

I also recommend "It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God"

Ned Bustard was the editor I believe. The writers for this book are Ned Bustard, Bill Edgar, Mako Fujimura, David Giardinere, Tim Keller, Edward Knippers, Charlie Peacock-Ashworth, Ted Prescott, Krystyna Sanderson, Steve Scott, and Gaylen Stewart.

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Permalink Reply by Edward van Vliet on October 25, 2009 at 8:11pm

my personal 3 fave art inspiration books are:

art & soul: signposts for christians in the arts by hilary brand and adrienne chaplin

the prophetic imagination by walter brueggemann

the creative imagination by leland ryken

i also recommend any number of books by francis schaeffer, hans rookmaaker, gene edward veith, jr. and calvin seerveld.

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