The Artist's Life

The Heartbeat of the Creative Person

James C Kaufman author Beth Leibson author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:20th Nov '25

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

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The Artist's Life cover

Exploring the personal growth, career trajectory, and life decisions of creative artists - in their own words.

Featuring interviews with over 60 expert artists from varied fields, this book tells the story of the creative artistic life. It covers early influences, becoming a professional, addressing business realities, and considering legacy, it contributes to the growing field of creativity studies spanning psychology, education, humanities, and the arts.This book delves into the lives, growth, and inner workings of creative artists, sharing stories about the lives of those who have built their career in the arts. Drawing from interviews with more than 60 expert artists from varied domains - including Oscar, Grammy, Emmy, and Pulitzer Prize winners - these detailed, intimate, and surprising anecdotes shed light on creativity from both personal and professional perspectives. Chapters focus on the influences of family and school on creativity, through early discoveries and passions that led to growth and development. In their own words, interviewees describe the joys of 'making it' in the creative world alongside the realities of the business, from finances to relationships and possible legacies. Taking a narrative approach that reveals the hidden truths about being a creative artist, this book offers a unique window on creativity for researchers and artists alike.

'This book is a real gem! It was so much fun getting lost in reading about the rich and complicated lives of extraordinary artists. I feel transformed and uplifted just by this reading this work.' Scott Barry Kaufman, author of Transcend and Rise Above
'This brilliant book provides new and surprising insights into the creative processes of creators and performers in the arts and letters. It will be of interest not only to people in the arts and letters, but to creators and audiences in any field of endeavor. If you ever wanted to understand what sets creators and performers apart and how they think and feel – what makes them who they are – this book is the place you will find out!' Robert J. Sternberg, Professor of Psychology, Cornell University, and Honorary Professor of Psychology, University of Heidelberg

ISBN: 9781009625999

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 441g

198 pages