The Art of the Line in Drawing: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Simple, Expressive Drawings by Frédéric Forest
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Here’s another really unusual book if you’re working on sketching like I am. Unlike many books that focus on how to get every line right and how to create clear and well done sketches, this book focuses on how to create drawings that invoke meaning and a story with the most minimalist lines possible.
It’s a super interesting way to approach sketching and I really loved the authors multiple interpretations of the same scene. He’s clearly an amazing artist and at the same time he was able to make this book really accessible and feel doable for a beginner like me.
Super interesting.
with gratitude to Quarry Books and edelweiss for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
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Learn to Draw in 5 Weeks: A Beginner’s Workbook for All Ages by Kritzelpixel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book starts out very simple with introductory exercises to warm up and loosen your hands with doodling and mark making and then it expands from there all the way to multiple different perspective exercises. Some are really easy and some are really sophisticated. It’s not “fun” but it’s serious and a great look at not just drawing techniques but how to get into the right mindset and how to hold the pen and move your arms etc. A very different and interesting guide. I’ve been really enjoying working my way through it.
with gratitude to Zeitgeist and netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
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Watch Us Shine by Marisa de los Santos
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
los Santos never disappoints. Her stories are always full of heart and soul and memorable characters and this one is no exception. I loved loved loved it.
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Art for Self-Care: Create Powerful, Healing Art by Listening to Your Inner Voice by Jessica Swift
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I had read Jessica Swift’s story before but I didn’t remember it until I saw it again it this book. What a terrible tragedy she’s had to survive and what a wonderfully inspiring book this is. This is not a step by step book. It won’t teach you how to draw or paint. Instead if will teach you how to go within and access that part of you that can then create beautiful, amazing, meaningful art.
The book is also full of Jessica’s inspiring, colorful and beautiful art. It will make your fingers itch to create as you read it.
with gratitude to Quarry Books and edelweiss for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
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You Always Feel Better When…: Five-Minute Reset Exercises to Change the Day by M.H. Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
this small but mighty book has lot of small exercises and ways to resent when you’re needing or wanting to take a moment to shift the way your day is going. Almost all of them are super easy and doable and really do shift your day when you take the moment to do them.
with gratitude to Compendium and edelweiss for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
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A Love Letter to Whiskey by Kandi Steiner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
this was a fast read of a whirlwind romance that takes place over many many years. It seems to have a huge following. I read it and loved it and already forgot it.
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Creative Wanderlust: Unlock Your Artistic Potential Through Mixed-Media Art Journaling Techniques by Kasia Avery
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Even though I’ve never taken the Wanderlust course, I’ve loved Kasia’s work and I love all the art in this book. The projects are inspiring, broken down simply and totally accessible. Kasia’s voice in the book is that of an encouraging teacher that inspires you to sit down and create alongside her.
with gratitude to Quarry Books and edelweiss for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
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Gender Is Really Strange by Teddy G. Goetz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Gender Is Really Strange is a simple, high level and accessible introduction to how sex and gender differ and it also covers the history of different cultures and history of how we saw gender over the history. It also defines some of the categories including trans, intersex, non-binary, agender and several others (there was a mistake in this book conflating gender fluid and gender flux which are not the same thing but this book says they are.)
The book also talks about white supremacy and its impact on the gender definition and norms. There are several other related topics around science, physical activities, etc. It’s comprehensive and interesting and absolutely a great introduction in an easily consumable format.
With gratitude to netgalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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Beverly Bonnefinche Is Dead by Kristen Seeley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the story of how Beverly’s story starts changing when Henry comes into her life. At its heart it’s a simple story but it’s full of pain, sadness and loss. It is also about love, resilience and how one person and their dedication to you and their believing in you can change the trajectory and story of your life. It’s a beautiful story that’s full of heart.
It’s also very tough to read with a lot of trigger warnings. Please read them before you pickup this book. I am glad I read it.
with gratitude to Rising Action Publishing Co and netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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The Last Ranger by Peter Heller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love Peter Heller’s books. I haven’t read a book by him that I didn’t love and The Last Ranger was no exception. His characters are always wonderful, memorable people. And I especially loved every single one in this story.
His settings are vivid, lush and transformative. Yellowstone is a wonderful place to set a novel and even though I knew about the story around reintroducing wolves into the park, I loved loved loved reading about it.
My favorite character was the wolf specialist and she will stay with me a long, long time. These literary novels with a bit of a mystery and incredible character and setting are his specialty and why I keep looking forward to a new Heller book every single time.
with gratitude to netgalley and Knopf for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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The Marriage Act by John Marrs
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Meh even though I was super excited to read it and the premise seemed interesting, I could never get into this book. I do like how Marrs links to his other other books inside his stories and his books are fast paced, but at this point they sort of feel gimmick-y to me.
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The Passengers by John Marrs
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
3.5 stars.
Fast paced mystery with some interesting twists. A bit more lecture-y than I would have liked and likely a tiny bit too long. but it was good to read when i am stuck.
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projects for twenty twenty-four
projects for twenty twenty-three
projects for twenty twenty-two
projects for twenty twenty-one
projects for twenty nineteen
projects for twenty eighteen
projects from twenty seventeen
monthly projects from previous years
some of my previous projects
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