How to Spot an Artist
by Danielle Krysa
4 out of 5 stars

This book encourages children (and adults) to keep creating, keep making things, and be on the lookout for other artists. You have to watch out for art bullies, whether it’s someone else or your own inner critic who wants to squash your creativity and freedom. Don’t let any criticism stop you from being an artist!

I loved the silly art style in this book. The blob creatures are made from yarn, paint, dots, squares, rainbows, string, glitter, and something that looks like shiny gold foil. They all have stick arms and little dot eyes and big smiles. So cute!

There are so many positive messages in this book! It’s a fresh look at the “Believe in Yourself!” message, and it got me really inspired.

I really appreciated that this book acknowledges that not all artists are alike. They can be introverts or extroverts. They can be young or old. Some will be tidy and clean, and others are messy. And all of that is okay and acceptable and good.

I remember being told as a kid, “Just get messy! Just throw the glue and glitter around. That’s how you make art!” Um, no. That’s not how I make art. I like to be clean and neat. Messy is how YOU make art. Maybe that’s why I never became a painter, and I turned to the piano for my creative outlet instead. At the piano, everything is neat and clean. No glitter or glue allowed. We musicians make ‘glitter’ with our elaborate harmonies and ornamental melodies, and we leave the messiness to the painters.

Maybe if I had read this book as a kid, I would have realized that I don’t have to do art the way other people do it. I can do it my own tidy way, and make it my own thing.

As a musician, I was a little disappointed that this book doesn’t include musicians, dancers, writers, or architects, etc… as artists. “The Arts” includes a lot of areas of creativity, but I guess they had to limit the scope of the topic or it would be too much for one little picture book. (Maybe there will be future books titled, “How to Spot a Musician”??? I would love that so much!)

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts and are not influenced by anyone.