I have been following Amie for a few years now, and have appreciated her speaking on the unpopular viewpoint on being a creative (or artist if you prefer). She hooked me with the title as soon as she announced the book - it’s catchy and I knew I needed it. I decided to listen to the audiobook (read by the author) to get the extra oomph of motivation, but highly recommend ordering a physical copy!
Book Summary:
In We Need Your Art, Amie McNee calls artists and aspiring artists of all kinds to do the work they’re meant to create.
Using her own experiences and the inspiration she’s shared with her legions of followers on Instagram, Amie guides you on why we need your art and how you can make it happen—starting with a two-week reset plan to help you kick-start your creative habit. This isn’t about writing your great novel in a month or painting a masterpiece in a flurry of inspiration. Rather, this process is about practicing small, sustainable creative steps every day over time—five hundred words of writing each day, a pencil sketch every evening—so that you avoid burnout, produce consistent, reliable content on your own terms, and begin to see yourself as an artist.
With frank and empowering conversations on the many issues creatives face, including impostor syndrome, perfectionism, procrastination, and the inner critic, as well as invitations to coronate yourself and celebrate your ambition, Amie provides the framework and encouragement you need to begin to take your art seriously. Each chapter also includes journal prompts that help you apply what you have learned to your new life.
We Need Your Art is a revolutionary reprogramming of everything we have been taught and told about being a creative, removing the shame and fear we may feel at dubbing ourselves artists and inviting us to create proudly, with celebration. This book is a warm hug, a pep talk, the wise teacher you always wanted, the loving parent you needed, and the fire in your belly that you need to get roaring.
Considered Reads Summary:
It’s quite simple once you take away all the negative self-talk: create a plan, show up, do the necessary work, keep consistencies, repeat affirmations, and be realistic avoiding burnout to create purposeful art the world needs. We Need Your Art is not only highly supportive, but also has yielded scientific evidence woven in, that creativity positively impacts lives and holds meaning. The author also provides some insight into psychological aspects and behaviors which are influenced and generously provides a plethora of journal prompts for the necessary internal work needed to overcome road blocks.
McNee assertively and motivationally paints the full picture for us, the reader, to understand the reasons why we may be stuck, why the matter is serious, and generously provides a comprehensive list of steps to immediately start to incorporate into every day life.
Audience Match: Creatives that need a boost of inspiration or guided reflection.
Quiet Question: What internal dialogue do you have with yourself that is hindering your potential as a creative? What can you do to shift your mindset, habits, and time to make improvements?
Mood: Unapologetically encouraging.
Pacing: Medium (due to the nature of asking for your reflection.)
Our Rating: 5.0 - The book was like a friend I didn’t realize I needed.
Favorite Quote:
“Society needs more art. It needs to be bursting at the seams with art. Art is one of the most important tools we have for self development.”
Comparable Titles:
The Creative Act - Rick Rubin
Show Your Work! - Austin Kleon
Big Magic - Elizabeth Gilbert
