How to Be an Artist
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How to Be an Artist Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Jerry Saltz (Author, Narrator), Penguin Audio (Publisher)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,393 ratings
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"Inspiration leaps off the pages from Jerry Saltz's new book on creativity.... This book is for the artist or non-artist, for the person who gets plain English, for the person who understands that practical talk can coax out the mystical messages that lie underneath." (Steve Martin)

Art has the power to change our lives. For many, becoming an artist is a lifelong dream. But how to make it happen? In How to Be an Artist, Jerry Saltz, one of the art world’s most celebrated and passionate voices, offers an indispensable handbook for creative people of all kinds.

From the first sparks of inspiration - and how to pursue them without giving in to self-doubt - Saltz offers invaluable insight into what really matters to emerging artists: originality, persistence, a balance between knowledge and intuition, and that most precious of qualities, self-belief. Brimming with rules, prompts, and practical tips, How to Be an Artist gives artists new ways to break through creative blocks, get the most from materials, navigate career challenges, and above all find joy in the work.

This useful audiobook will help artists of all kinds - painters, photographers, writers, performers - realize their dreams.

Previous page
  1. Listening Length
    2 hours and 20 minutes
  2. Author
    Jerry Saltz
  3. Narrator
    Jerry Saltz
  4. Audible release date
    March 17, 2020
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Penguin Audio
  7. ASIN
    B081HG1MDL
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 2 hours and 20 minutes
Author Jerry Saltz
Narrator Jerry Saltz
Audible.com Release Date March 17, 2020
Publisher Penguin Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B081HG1MDL
Best Sellers Rank #19,803 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#25 in Art (Audible Books & Originals)
#37 in Creativity (Audible Books & Originals)
#201 in Creativity (Books)

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
1,393 global ratings
Enjoyable and quick read. Inspirational.
5 Stars
Enjoyable and quick read. Inspirational.
I love this book. Jerry gives me hope as a struggling artist. I studied theatre in College with an emphasis on design working with a multitude of materials. I can sketch/draw, have been drawing from the age of nine, have taken long breaks from drawing, but my struggle as of a few years ago is painting. My aunt was an oil painting artist and she painted an array of subjects but the most interesting and beautiful were her ocean and water scenes, which I’d love to get good at although my work will never be as impressive as hers was. I also love abstract which is a task in Itself. Jerry’s book is a very quick read yet I found so much usefulness and inspiration in that little hardback book. I know that I will go back to read it again and again. At the end of Chapter 15, “get some perspective” Jerry suggests an exercise in the book which is very interesting. Can’t wait to tackle that. I recommend this book for anyone who has an interest in art, who is learning, struggling as myself, or who would like another viewpoint from another artist. In one of Jerry’s interviews with an artist on YouTube that I recently viewed, the young man asks Jerry, “what if I suck?”. Jerry replies, “we all suck.” That response resonated with me. He’s given me inspiration to go forth and not be afraid if I do in fact suck.
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Top reviews from the United States

JayeGee
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable and quick read. Inspirational.
Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2022
Verified Purchase
I love this book. Jerry gives me hope as a struggling artist. I studied theatre in College with an emphasis on design working with a multitude of materials. I can sketch/draw, have been drawing from the age of nine, have taken long breaks from drawing, but my struggle as of a few years ago is painting. My aunt was an oil painting artist and she painted an array of subjects but the most interesting and beautiful were her ocean and water scenes, which I’d love to get good at although my work will never be as impressive as hers was. I also love abstract which is a task in Itself. Jerry’s book is a very quick read yet I found so much usefulness and inspiration in that little hardback book. I know that I will go back to read it again and again. At the end of Chapter 15, “get some perspective” Jerry suggests an exercise in the book which is very interesting. Can’t wait to tackle that. I recommend this book for anyone who has an interest in art, who is learning, struggling as myself, or who would like another viewpoint from another artist. In one of Jerry’s interviews with an artist on YouTube that I recently viewed, the young man asks Jerry, “what if I suck?”. Jerry replies, “we all suck.” That response resonated with me. He’s given me inspiration to go forth and not be afraid if I do in fact suck.
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JayeGee
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable and quick read. Inspirational.
Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2022
I love this book. Jerry gives me hope as a struggling artist. I studied theatre in College with an emphasis on design working with a multitude of materials. I can sketch/draw, have been drawing from the age of nine, have taken long breaks from drawing, but my struggle as of a few years ago is painting. My aunt was an oil painting artist and she painted an array of subjects but the most interesting and beautiful were her ocean and water scenes, which I’d love to get good at although my work will never be as impressive as hers was. I also love abstract which is a task in Itself. Jerry’s book is a very quick read yet I found so much usefulness and inspiration in that little hardback book. I know that I will go back to read it again and again. At the end of Chapter 15, “get some perspective” Jerry suggests an exercise in the book which is very interesting. Can’t wait to tackle that. I recommend this book for anyone who has an interest in art, who is learning, struggling as myself, or who would like another viewpoint from another artist. In one of Jerry’s interviews with an artist on YouTube that I recently viewed, the young man asks Jerry, “what if I suck?”. Jerry replies, “we all suck.” That response resonated with me. He’s given me inspiration to go forth and not be afraid if I do in fact suck.
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16 people found this helpful
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Saul Lopez Silva
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book to read over and over again. Jerry Saltz is a great human being.
Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2023
Verified Purchase
Insightful, easy to read, useful, inspirational. Does not dissappoints at all. Jerry Saltz is himself a work of art with his life and sharing it. We're so lucky to have him on planet earth.
2 people found this helpful
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Willie jimenez
4.0 out of 5 stars great book entertaining read
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2022
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I read this book on a plane. And it was a really entertaining book. Even though it was written by guy who is more of a critic and not a professional artist. It was very insightful and accurate. There are a number of gems in this book. As an artist my self I can't say I found anything ground breaking. But I do have to say I wish this book came out a few years ago when I was younger trying to figure things out.

Theres a lot that goes into being an artist. and I like the way it tackled the question from different angles. it broke things down into different sections. you can tell even thought the writer is better know for critiquing and writing about art. he's lives and breaths this stuff. he has a great love and appreciation for the arts. And not just on the surface. He's an artist himself. And he isn't the cliche of wanna be artist who mad because he stuck critiquing either.

it took me a few plan rides to read this. it not a very long book. But it gives you a lot to thing about. And I got more out of my plan ride than if I were to watch a movie. I have since become a fan of jerry and have seen a few of his lectures online. He is a really great guy.
6 people found this helpful
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Enriquillo Amiama
5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific book for any creative mind!
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2020
Verified Purchase
I've bought this book eight times. The first one for me and the others to some important people as our President Luis Abinader, our Culture Minister Carmen Heredia, and some artists as well.

How to Be an Artist by Pulitzer Prize, art critic Jerry Saltz has more than 60 valuable tips along with practical exercises to develop our talents and abilities.

Amazon is my favorite online buying place since 2001. I hope that it will also be available in Spanish soon, with an audience of more than 400 million people. Apart from the content, I'm fascinated by the design of the book, its size, illustrations, and colors. A work of art in itself!

Thanks, Jerry, and your wife Roberta whom I know was an especially important part so that you could offer us this delicious dish.

Xoxo
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Enriquillo Amiama
5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific book for any creative mind!
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2020
I've bought this book eight times. The first one for me and the others to some important people as our President Luis Abinader, our Culture Minister Carmen Heredia, and some artists as well.

How to Be an Artist by Pulitzer Prize, art critic Jerry Saltz has more than 60 valuable tips along with practical exercises to develop our talents and abilities.

Amazon is my favorite online buying place since 2001. I hope that it will also be available in Spanish soon, with an audience of more than 400 million people. Apart from the content, I'm fascinated by the design of the book, its size, illustrations, and colors. A work of art in itself!

Thanks, Jerry, and your wife Roberta whom I know was an especially important part so that you could offer us this delicious dish.

Xoxo
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11 people found this helpful
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S. Wozniak
5.0 out of 5 stars Jerry Saltz is the best - funny, incisive and right on the art of art-making.
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2021
Verified Purchase
What can I say? Jerry nails it and invites creative efforts from all levels of artists in this slim volume of great advice. And easy-breezy read with a lot of encouragement and insight from a top art scribe who knows, lives and breathes art.
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M
5.0 out of 5 stars Love This Book!
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2021
Verified Purchase
Jerry Saltz has a talent for connecting with his readers and making concepts accessible. I really loved this book. As an artist, I needed to read "get off your a** and make art" in order to get off my a** and make art. I cried during parts of it. I don't know, am I going through menopause? I'm a biological man, so is that possible? Just get the book.
2 people found this helpful
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Customer and Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Sometimes it's a struggle, but it's all art. My art.
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2021
Verified Purchase
I read this book because some days I struggle doing and physically creating my art, even though I think about it at all times. Sometimes, I take pictures of something on the tv or elsewhere, because I've never looked at it this way before. This is an incredible book at pointing out the processes we go through or CAN go through as an artist.
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linda plizga
3.0 out of 5 stars the dust jacket is all messed up
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2020
Verified Purchase
I paid for a new hardcover copy of this book and upon receipt it looks like it's been dragged on the floor with a line of gum-tar vertically along the front of the dust jacket. Not cool. At least the inside is the same. But if I wanted a used one with wear all over the front of the dust jacket, I would have ordered one. LP
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Flavia
5.0 out of 5 stars Gostei muito!
Reviewed in Brazil on February 18, 2024
Verified Purchase
É um livro bacana para quem está com dificuldade de produzir arte. Ele sugere exercícios para estimular a criatividade!
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Katherine Butler Major
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
Reviewed in Canada on July 6, 2022
Verified Purchase
A fantastic book! Jerry's the best!
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Alfonso C. Alarcon
5.0 out of 5 stars Este es mi 2do libro *INDISPENSABLE* para cualquier artista y/o creativo.
Reviewed in Mexico on October 6, 2021
Verified Purchase
Hay un libro que vengo recomendando a mis alumnos de todos mis cursos desde hace casi 10 años: Steal Like an Artist, de Austin Kleon. Bueno, ahora este de Jerry Saltz se suma a la lista de *indispensables* para darle un buena refrescada al cerebro. 100% recomendable.
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Alfonso C. Alarcon
5.0 out of 5 stars Este es mi 2do libro *INDISPENSABLE* para cualquier artista y/o creativo.
Reviewed in Mexico on October 6, 2021
Hay un libro que vengo recomendando a mis alumnos de todos mis cursos desde hace casi 10 años: Steal Like an Artist, de Austin Kleon. Bueno, ahora este de Jerry Saltz se suma a la lista de *indispensables* para darle un buena refrescada al cerebro. 100% recomendable.
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One person found this helpful
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LUXSTAR
5.0 out of 5 stars JERRY ROCKS.... HE IS BEING NEW YORK TIMES ART CRITIC....KNOWS WHATS GOING ON....
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 4, 2023
Verified Purchase
I am dyslexic artist, it takes me time to read....But this nice and small book under£10 is a great value.....it is just as good as the coffee table art book......matter of fact...it's better and you can cross refrence with those books you already have ......he also give you exercises in some chapter......and quite funny at times.....its like once there.....he says you must learn to paint the hands again again......its very true....... then he also says learn to prune the tree.....its an art if you cut it too much you will lose the plant.....I have done with anthuriums....what else....he is really motivating you.....be an artist stay on the crease if you are a cricketer and bat steady.....it's a long innings...... its 5 day test match or a 26 miles marathon.....jUst stay there.... I recommend the book.....ver good.....
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DIA
5.0 out of 5 stars Super schnelle Lieferung Artikel einwandfrei
Reviewed in Germany on January 25, 2023
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Bin komplett zufrieden
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