Some books just call out to you from the shelf as you pass them by. If you don’t pick them up and take them home in that moment, their title will come up in conversation time and time again. Then, you will happen upon that book on another shelf in a different bookstore, this time even more compelled to read it. This happens to me often. I wonder if it happens to other people.
I purchased Rick Rubin’s book, The Creative Act, at the end of November 2023. For months, I’d heard people in my creative circles bring up the name of the book, discuss its themes, and quote passages from it. I first saw it on a shelf around the middle of 2023 and it had instant appeal. I was drawn to it, and now after reading it, I understand why.
The first page in the book holds a quote by Robert Henri which reads “the object isn’t to make art, it’s to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable.”
This immediately spoke to me.
The pages that followed presented a list Rubin referred to as ‘78 Areas of Thought’ as opposed to more conventional chapters. Some of these thoughts are as short as thirteen lines across two pages with the longest being around seven pages. It has high readability and is a thought-provoking, philosophical book. You’d be forgiven for thinking it is a difficult read being a thick text at 405 pages, however, it was quite the page turner and easily digestible.
Rubin writes in a conversational tone that is both warm and wise. Reading The Creative Act is like having access to a mentor with a profound view of the world garnered from his experience as one of the most accomplished record producers in popular music. His career as a legendary producer afforded him first-hand insight into the creative processes of some of the world’s best artists, and his book offers a refreshing and almost spiritual account of art and its creation.
Some of the themes covered by Rubin include: the source of creativity; practice; nature as teacher; subconscious; self-doubt; intention; crafting; success; self-awareness; and why make art?
Some of my favourite passages from The Creative Act are:
“To live as an artist is a way of being in the world. A way of perceiving. A practice of paying attention.”
“The ability to look deeply is the root of creativity. To see past the ordinary and mundane and get to what might otherwise be invisible.”
“There’s a reason we are drawn to gazing at the ocean. It is said the ocean provides a closer reflection of who we are than any mirror.”
“Patience is required for the nuanced development of your craft. Patience is required for taking in information in the most faithful way possible. Patience is required for crafting a work that resonates and contains all that we have to offer.”
I highly recommend reading this book if you are a creative person seeking to make meaningful art. First published in 2023 with the old-world charm of a blue-grey hard cover, it’s a must-read and great addition to any artist’s bookshelf. It’s an added bonus that I picked up a signed copy making me feel more connected to its creator.
Part personal development toolkit, part poetry compilation, The Creative Act is completely necessary reading during any artist’s life.
Artist Life 