Chasing The Muse
Since 1987

Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking

by David Bayles and Ted Orland

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Art and Fear

by David Bayles and Ted Orland

reviewed by Kristin LaTour

While its title may lend readers to think this book is only about visual art, this brief book brings all those who make 'art' to take their work seriously and reverently, be it painting, writing, sculpting or quilting. This book enabled me to call myself a poet first above my other titles like teacher, wife, sister.

Organized into two parts, the book first addresses the fear and uncertainty artists face. People don't see our work as worthwhile and wonder why we bother with it. Most of us will not make a living making our art. We wonder if what we create is any "good" if others don't appreciate it, leading us to doubt our own creative value. The second part moves into how the outside world affects our art. These include academia (as teachers and as students), the perception of art and craft in our culture, and how we can view ourselves against these backdrops.

With points that may seem obvious such as, "Making the work you want to make means finding nourishment within the work itself, " and, "In large measure, becoming an artist consists of learning to accept yourself, which makes your work personal, and in following your own voice, which makes your work distinctive," we hear what we need to be told. Our work is valuable for what it is, for the time and energy we take to make it, and for the mistakes we make and learn from.

If you're not already calling yourself a writer when people ask, "What do you do?" you need to read this book. If you know you're an artist, but you need some bucking up to help you get through the smirks you get when you tell people you are a writer, read this book again.

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Kristin LaTour has been a member of NWG since 2003 and recently finished an MFA in creative writing poetry. In addition to being a poet, she teaches English at Joliet Jr. College. Her writing philosophy is that one must practice writing just like a musical instrument. It takes time, patience, help, study and constant practice. And it also takes an appreciation for the craft. What musician doesn't listen to the music of others? What novelist doesn't like to read novels? Poets should be reading poetry by old masters and up-and-comers. Her poems have appeared in the journals Pearl, Rambunctious Review, and After Hours. Her chapbook, "Town Limits: Red Beaver Lake, Minnesota," is available from Pudding House Press with excerpts on her website.