It seemed that it was written to help folks that have a hard time getting started, and those who are paralyzed by fear of mediocrity. I’ve had my fair share of that feeling, so I thought I’d give this book a go. In short, this book was not written for me. I think it would be helpful for folks that don’t let themselves make the work they want to make, or find excuses to put their artistic practice in a box under their bed, to be released at a mysterious later date. I’m a professional artist that studied film in school at an accredited university, that has come into difficulty finding work in my chosen field, so I’ve spiraled into an unwelcome period of my life where I’m struggling to determine if I should keep the course, and wait out the troubled water, or use the struggles as a sign to get out while I still can, and find a better, more stable way to make money and live my life as someone who enjoys making things. There was little in this book to help with my current mindset, and instead, it actually hit my brain in such a way that made me separate myself from the text further than probably necessary. Something about the way the advice is worded here felt so saccharine and hand-holding that I felt infantilized by most of what was said in here. I kept stopping mid-chapter to say to myself, “Aren’t we all adults here? Do we really need to talk to each other like this? Can we grow up? Why does this feel so masturbatory?” I’d imagine the author would suggest that my knee-jerk response implies that I actually am in need of this type of advice more than others, because I have such a tough-love mentality with my art and life in general, which is eliminating opportunity for emotional growth, and making me a more miserable person. Additionally, it makes it harder to make art, because the art-making process is a struggle to be good enough, instead of a pursuit for joy. I think this reading on my response is probably pretty accurate, but no matter what, this book was not made for me in mind, or to solve the problems in my art life that I’m currently experiencing. I think I’m currently too jaded and bitter to absorb such kind-hearted advice with an open mind. And, frankly, if I had to read that my art is holy one more time, I was going to throw my phone out of the window. Maybe if my art was so holy, I wouldn’t be unemployed.

This book is definitely for someone and I think it will hit someone right where they need it in a time that is just right. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one section of the book that actually worked for me, which described the fear of making bad art, and why you should grant yourself permission to make shitty art, and to even make it on purpose. There’s slight mention of giving yourself assignments to make art with bad materials, for example, or purposeful handicaps to make things sloppily on purpose to get yourself warmed up and to get the fear of making something bad out of your way when trying to make something more serious and professional. I think I may actually grab a sketchbook specifically meant for “shitty art” warmups so that I don’t have to be so worried about my first lines of a drawing, for example, being perfect.

Though quite different in tone, I have to say Amie McNee’s We Need Your Art left me with a similar feeling as Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art. This is a book about embracing your love of creativity—no matter what form it takes: writing, music, painting, etc.—and pushing through the resistance. Why? Because it’s important…to you and to society as a whole. McNee is by no means saying any and everyone will see success or ever earn a dime in their area of passion but rather how and why the very act of being a creative is important and helpful, both personally and to society in general. And in that sense I found it quite inspiring. I’d like to thank PENGUIN GROUP Viking Penguin | Penguin Life, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of We Need Your Art: Stop Messing Around and Make Something.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R32KQ84QS9NZQQ/ref=pe_123899240_1043597390_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

This kind of book is a bit difficult to review/describe. With a title like We Need your Art, you might think Amie McNee’s book might be some kind of how to manual on drawing or painting. You’d be mistaken. And the ‘art’ in the title actually refers to almost any creative endeavor. However if you are a creative, you’ll likely find yourself quite inspired as McNee stresses how important your work is no matter how you view it: good or bad. It’s the acts of creativity that are vital and deserving of your time and respect. No matter what your creative outlet, start believing in yourself and treating yourself like the artist you are! Thank so much to the publisher for allowing me access to an ARC of We Need Your Art.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/we-need-your-art-amie-mcnee/1145986850?ean=9780593833001&bvnotificationId=8eb74fcb-fead-11ef-b0b7-12a919b2f5cd&bvmessageType=REVIEW_APPROVED&bvrecipientDomain=gmail.com#review/339961889

I am still working on claiming the title of artist for myself as it's something I enjoyed in high school, put aside for 20 years, and have just started returning to in the past couple years. So there were pieces of this book that I didn't feel applied to my current level of engagement. However, many many sections really did speak to me around the fears and hesitations and resistance. I was highlighting sections. Reading this book helped me pick up my watercolor painting for the first time in several months - something I had been eyeing but was avoiding. I think that reading this book helping me return to an almost-daily art practice is about the highest praise I can give. Thank you Amie.

This book is brilliant. If you've ever thought about making art in any shape or form, do yourself and the world a favor and get it; it could change your life. I'm confident it's changing mine and I'm only halfway through.

Amie's voice is so compassionate and understanding yet also sensible and urgent. Her writing is this rare combination of someone cheering you on and equipping you with tangible practices. Each chapter so far offers journaling prompts to explore your own narratives around making art and your identity as an artist and invites you to consider how you might want to change those moving forward. Her journaling prompts are so powerful, and I've found engaging with them to be deeply healing. For the first time in years, I'm enjoying making art, something I had stopped believing was even possible for me. I'm so, so grateful for this book.

To the skeptics: This book is not merely motivational, it's not your run-of-the-mill advice repackaged. There's something really special here. You'll see what I mean as soon as you crack it open. From the introduction:

If you follow me to the end of this journey, my hope is that you will never doubt your creative calling again.


And I really do think that's on the menu here. One other thing, if you don't like journaling prompts, if this all sounds a bit heavy, you're in luck: reading this feels light, feels like freedom. If you're still reading this and you're not sure if this book's for you, it's for you. Don't disqualify yourself. Read it.

Engaging, accessible, and timely. A recommended purchase where art and writing craft titles are popular.