The Starving Artist's Way: Easy Projects for Low-Budget Living

I REALLY enjoyed this book. In fact, I initially checked it out of the library but liked it so much I bought it. What is surprising is that there are not a lot of pictures OR photos and I STILL liked this book. There are several diagrams so at least you get an idea of what how something is supposed to look. There was another book that had a similar feel, but this book is soooo much better. This is the book that , "Get Crafty: Hip Home Ec (see my review)"was trying to be. I like that the chapters are logical with an interesting layout that is easy to follow. The chapters include Food (my favorite subject), Home Decorating, Wearables, Potions (soaps, bath, cosmetics) and Special Events and Gifts. I think there is probably something in this book that would address anybody's taste. I'm planning on making the Avocado-Mushroom Risotto tonight. In addition to the great layout of the book, each project has an interesting tidbit about an artist, writer, painter or art concept and was quite educational and most interesting. Some of the projects include: * Clocks from old things * Diorama door table * Bread-n-jam mini layer cakes * Coin Necklace * Oatmeal and Almond scrub * Fortune Cookies * New Year's Trash Hat * Hanging Murphy Shelf I give this book a 4.5 star, because it lacks photos and could use more illustrations. If they revise this book, I would recommend taking out some of the tidbits and putting in more pictures to make this a full 5 star book. Even though this book is for the "starving artist", it could easily be used by the starving student, starving college graduate, starving actress OR for someone like me who likes to stoke their creative side and have some fun.

- just long enough to be able to buy this book! Even if it weren't jam packed, fuller than a sardine can, with fun & useful anecdotes, how-tos, ideas and projects, and with great detailed diagrams and instructions, it includes a mini course in art history, and is excellent reading material at the breakfast table or in the bathroom, even on a cross-country road trip. No kidding!

I *love* this book! Although most "starving artists" books are filled with garbage I wouldn't want in my basement, this one includes many innovative, attractive ideas that would enhance any setting. There are numerous economy projects that no one would dream of making, giving, or displaying unless truly desperate. But there at least as many (probably many more) that would enhance any setting, and be welcome gifts. This book has something for virtually everyone. I love it!

Best gift I have ever received! It is teeming with great ideas! For a hopelessly square, artistically challenged, straight arrow like me, this book is a godsend. Now, I can act out my fantasy of living the bohemian life, and I don't have to bother with smoking unfiltered cigarettes, wearing a black beret, growing a goatee, moving to Williamsburg (Brooklyn), and snapping my fingers at free-form poetry readings. I just have to do a few of these easy art projects, leave the results lying around my house, and voila! Instant Hip. And, of course, the best part of it all is that I don't have to spend a lot of money on art school in the process. My favorite ideas were the "bread-n-jam mini layer cakes" and the "brocolli stem pickles" - I have learned that the way to my inner "starving" artist is through my stomach.

This is an amazing peek into the creative life of starving artists. We all know one of these folks, who can make magic out of junk and leftover odds and ends, so that, even on the tightest of shoestrings, the starving artist lives with little luxuries, good food, in a groovy, and totally striking, home. The starving artist is the one whose outfits, accessories, pad and vibe elicit coos of "Where did you get that?" and sighs of envy when the artist declares "Oh this, I made it." This book shows you how to create beautiful furnishings, objects, wearables and meals out of, well, stuff that you can either just find or is totally inexpensive. I'm not very good at crafts, but always *want* to make things, so I got this book, which is really user-friendly, so I could make a modular lighting system, a "found object" bag, and At-Home Absinthe. I also got a couple of copies for my more crafty friends who I think will appreciate the new ideas and the sense of humor. Plus it's chock full of little sidebars about all the contemporary and historical artists and movements that provide inspiration to starving artists everywhere (Vanessa Beercroft! Walter de Maria! Fluxus! Gaudi! Matthew Barney!), written in a non-fussy, non-condescending tone.