Read more
This book delves into the lives, growth, and inner workings of creative artists, sharing stories about the lives of those who have built their career in the arts. Drawing from interviews with more than 60 expert artists from varied domains - including Oscar, Grammy, Emmy, and Pulitzer Prize winners - these detailed, intimate, and surprising anecdotes shed light on creativity from both personal and professional perspectives. Chapters focus on the influences of family and school on creativity, through early discoveries and passions that led to growth and development. In their own words, interviewees describe the joys of 'making it' in the creative world alongside the realities of the business, from finances to relationships and possible legacies. Taking a narrative approach that reveals the hidden truths about being a creative artist, this book offers a unique window on creativity for researchers and artists alike.
List of contents
Introduction; Part I. Childhood: 1. Supportive parents: my parents had more faith in me than I did; 2. The extended family: we all ended up in the arts; 3. Parents who came around: once they saw I was serious; 4. School through an artist's eyes: you passed because you're just going to be an artist; 5. School struggles: some of my teachers were almost obstacles; Part II. Discovery: 6. Sudden insight: I knew this was my life; 7. Specific inspiration: I practiced what I heard on the radio; 8. The winding path: I was a Renaissance kid;9. Eventual serendipity: all these things just opened up; Part III. Career: 10. Finding their niche: I didn't realize there was a place for that; 11. Becoming a professional: that was where I honed my craft; 12. Making it big: sometimes you just get money ideas; Part IV. Realities: 13. Navigating personal relationships: art is a selfish activity ; 14. Making money: how are you going to eat your creative writing degree?; 15. Different creative areas: don't want to box myself in; 16. The artistic identity: a leap of faith; 17. The role of culture: so many rich untold stories; Part V. Reflections: 18. When artists fail: we're in the failure business; 19. Inspiring creativity in others: I want people to have the same joy I have; 20. Looking backward, looking forward: I've left enough of a thumbprint on the world.
About the author
Beth Leibson is a writer and editor for the Mount Sinai Health System. She is the author of three books: The Cancer Survivor Handbook (2014), Good Clean Food (2013), and I'm Too Young to Have Breast Cancer (2004), which received an award by the Susan G Komen foundation.James C. Kaufman is a Professor of Educational Psychology at the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut. He has written or edited more than 50 books, including The Creativity Advantage (Cambridge, 2023). He has won many awards from such places as APA, NAGC, and Mensa.
