Listen free for 30 days

  • Art & Fear

  • Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking
  • Written by: David Bayles, Ted Orland
  • Narrated by: Arthur Morey
  • Length: 3 hrs and 8 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (71 ratings)

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Art & Fear cover art

Art & Fear

Written by: David Bayles, Ted Orland
Narrated by: Arthur Morey
Try for $0.00

$14.95 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $13.35

Buy Now for $13.35

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

What is your art really about? Where is it going? What stands in the way of getting it there? These are questions that matter, questions that recur at each stage of artistic development - and they are the source for this volume of wonderfully incisive commentary.

Art & Fear explores the way art gets made, the reasons it often doesn't get made, and the nature of the difficulties that cause so many artists to give up along the way. This is a book about what it feels like to sit in your studio or classroom, at your wheel or keyboard, easel or camera, trying to do the work you need to do. It is about committing your future to your own hands, placing free will above predestination, choice above chance. It is about finding your own work.

©1993 David Bayles and Ted Orland (P)2012 Tantor

What listeners say about Art & Fear

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    53
  • 4 Stars
    13
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    38
  • 4 Stars
    13
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    39
  • 4 Stars
    13
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Essential for any working artist.

This is one that I could listen to over and over to really take in all of the lessons. It covers the philosophy of art making as well as many practical concerns. Some of the practical concerns are personal, and/or psychological. How the artist finds themselves in the community as well as the existential sense of what art is or is not. He also talks about art schools both from the student and the teaching standpoint.
I’m surprised that this book isn’t considered a classic, and read by everyone who has a desire to make art.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Afraid to write review

Ok now I'm no longer fearful to write a review. LOL Perfectionism is the enemy of creativity.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Easy to listen to

loved it
finished in 2 days and found it easy to relate to.
Thank You

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

a must read for any artist

loved the book and listened to it over 10 times now. it's like he knows me. 😀

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

To connect the dots….

… as an artist… most helpful and reassuring read. Fuel for fire. Thank you! A must read for any artist.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great read for Artists

Narrator had a good voice to listen too
Very insightful
Recommended for any Artist in any field

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Strikes to the heart

Illuminating in many different areas. Some concepts gave me a significant perspective shift. Narration was great as well.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
  • V
  • 2021-01-11

Addresses misconceptions & purpose of artmaking

Illuminating and somewhat comforting as this books clarifies the purpose of art, what is art, what is the cost of doing art ,etc. It is NOT a practical guide on overcoming fear but nonetheless useful in re-framing how one sees artistic endeavors.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A must read

I read this amazing book over and over.
I would encourage any creative to read this book.
I enjoy the process and journey of my art making now.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Very insightful.

Some very interesting insights into what it entails to be a true artist.
Commitment to art is not for the weak spirit.
It is hard and sometimes unfulfilling.
Do what is feared.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!