Art of Getting Started

Some people keep a written journal. Others collect photographs or create scrapbooks. Many post memories and ideas and random thoughts online. However, the truly intrepid will “draw” their lives.

Drawing Your Life is a unique guided journal that encourages you to discover the meaning and joy in the mundane. By creating a record of your days—one object or event at a time—you gain insight into your own life and come to understand how the ordinary becomes the extraordinary.

Equally fascinating is how you will learn to appreciate the immeasurable value of doing small things often—an approach to life and art that will result in a remarkable body of work created one simple act at a time.

Whether youre a self-described artist or an inveterate doodler, or even if you find it a challenge to draw a credible stick figure, Michael Nobbs surprisingly intuitive prompts, suggestions, and encouragements—along with his own charming illustrations—will inspire you to take a journey of self-discovery as you “draw your life.”

 "No matter where you start or where you end, there's always something interesting to do...The book is an exploration into creativity."

"This book made me nervous when I first scanned through it because I knew it would work! This isn't a self-help book; it's more of a blue-collar, get-down-to-business friend with calloused hands who is ready to boogie when you are. This book is about action, but also acknowledgment. There are no platitudes and its author is no Pollyanna. It's an explicit map that leads to a place where you're going to feel measurably better, and better equipped to face life's vicissitudes."

— Rob Delaney, comedian

"This book does the work that I believe is most worthwhile - it does not hand you answers, it sets you up to find them yourself. One of the most accessible, relatable, unique and flawlessly crafted books that I have ever seen. A must have, a must read, a must do."

— Brianna Wiest, author of The Human Element

"Taking the small incremental steps toward conquering depression takes courage, and even then, it helps to have any compassionate guidance you can find. How To Be Happy (Or At Least Less Sad) comes from a knowing, forgiving place. Its intentions are sincere. When I first read it I thought: I could have used a book like this. And then I thought: I still can use a book like this."

— Jason Porter, author of Why Are You So Sad?

"This book (How To Be Happy) is the kind of friend I want around when I'm feeling sad. He lets me vent without judging me, gives me a little guidance, reminds me that I'm not alone, and lets me draw all over him with colored pencils."

— Lisa Currie, author of The Scribble Diary and Me, You, Us

“Whether you are just having a random sad day, or whether your bad days come a little bit more frequently than that, Lees book will help you shine a new light on your life. Filled with thoughtful, simple and heart-opening exercises, plus snippets and stories from the authors own struggles, this book will give you a new lens that will help you get through the rough patches, week-by-week, day-by-day or minute-by-minute if thats all you can handle. Fill out these pages. Youll laugh. Youll cry. And youll be blown away by what you discover about your own ability to feel happy. Or at least less sad.”

— Bernadette Noll, author of Slow Family Living

For anyone who's ever wished to, but had trouble starting, keeping, or finishing a journal or sketchbook comes Wreck This Journal, an illustrated book that features a subversive collection of prompts, asking readers to muster up their best mistake- and mess-making abilities to fill the pages of the book (and destroy them). Acclaimed illustrator Keri Smith encourages journalers to engage in "destructive" acts-poking holes through pages, adding photos and defacing them, painting with coffee, and more-in order to experience the true creative process. Readers discover a new way of art and journal making-and new ways to escape the fear of the blank page and fully engage in the creative process.

The international bestseller…

For anyone who's ever had trouble starting, keeping, or finishing a journal or sketchbook comes this expanded edition of Wreck This Journal, an illustrated book that features a subversive collection of prompts, asking readers to muster up their best mistake and mess-making abilities and to fill the pages of the book (or destroy them). Through a series of creatively and quirkily illustrated prompts, acclaimed artist Keri Smith encourages journalers to engage in "destructive" acts--poking holes through pages, adding photos and defacing them, painting pages with coffee, coloring outside the lines, and more--in order to experience the true creative process. With Smith's unique sensibility, readers are introduced to a new way of art and journal making, discovering novel ways to escape the fear of the blank page and fully engage in the creative process.

The special limited edition duct-tape cover of the international bestseller…

For anyone who's ever had trouble starting, keeping, or finishing a journal or sketchbook comes this expanded edition of Wreck This Journal, an illustrated book that features a subversive collection of prompts, asking readers to muster up their best mistake and mess-making abilities and to fill the pages of the book (or destroy them). Through a series of creatively and quirkily illustrated prompts, acclaimed artist Keri Smith encourages journalers to engage in "destructive" acts--poking holes through pages, adding photos and defacing them, painting pages with coffee, coloring outside the lines, and more--in order to experience the true creative process. With Smith's unique sensibility, readers are introduced to a new way of art and journal making, discovering novel ways to escape the fear of the blank page and fully engage in the creative process.

The special limited edition paper bag cover of the international bestseller…

For anyone who's ever had trouble starting, keeping, or finishing a journal or sketchbook comes this expanded edition of Wreck This Journal, an illustrated book that features a subversive collection of prompts, asking readers to muster up their best mistake and mess-making abilities and to fill the pages of the book (or destroy them). Through a series of creatively and quirkily illustrated prompts, acclaimed artist Keri Smith encourages journalers to engage in "destructive" acts--poking holes through pages, adding photos and defacing them, painting pages with coffee, coloring outside the lines, and more--in order to experience the true creative process. With Smith's unique sensibility, readers are introduced to a new way of art and journal making, discovering novel ways to escape the fear of the blank page and fully engage in the creative process.

The special limited edition red mesh cover of the international bestseller…

For anyone who's ever had trouble starting, keeping, or finishing a journal or sketchbook comes this expanded edition of Wreck This Journal, an illustrated book that features a subversive collection of prompts, asking readers to muster up their best mistake and mess-making abilities and to fill the pages of the book (or destroy them). Through a series of creatively and quirkily illustrated prompts, acclaimed artist Keri Smith encourages journalers to engage in "destructive" acts--poking holes through pages, adding photos and defacing them, painting pages with coffee, coloring outside the lines, and more--in order to experience the true creative process. With Smith's unique sensibility, readers are introduced to a new way of art and journal making, discovering novel ways to escape the fear of the blank page and fully engage in the creative process.

Popular illustrator Lee Crutchley is no stranger to creative blocks. Whether he's working for a corporate client or creating his own art, Crutchley has faced that blank page (and tablet screen) more times than he can count -- and through trial and error and sheer force of will, he's come up with a range of lively prompts, activities, and challenges that help to shift the perspective and get those creative juices flowing again in new and surprising ways.

This upbeat, interactive, and very cool book will be any creative person's best friend -- filled with inspiration, humor, wisdom, commiseration, and help whenever the reader needs it most.

 

Author and illustrator Lee Crutchley brings his lively interactive approach to a little-discussed but very common issue: the struggle with depression and anxiety.

 

Through a series of supportive, surprising, and engaging prompts, HOW TO BE HAPPY (OR AT LEAST LESS SAD) helps readers see things in a new light, and rediscover simple pleasures and everyday joy…or at least feel a little less sad. By turns a workbook, trusted friend, creative outlet, security blanket, and secret diary, the pages of this book will offer solace, distraction, engagement, a fresh perspective, and hopeful new beginnings—for readers of all ages and walks of life.

Michael Nobbs is an artist and creator of the popular blog Sustainably Creative. Based on his philosophy of “doing little but often," he has written and illustrated several eBooks and downloadable pamphlets, including Start to Draw Your Life, 72 Ways to Draw More, Sustainable Creativity, and Getting Your Important Work Done. He also publishes the personal, hand-drawn journal The Beany. A graduate of the School of Art, Aberystwyth University (Wales), he conducts an online course, Get Sustainably Creative. He was a contributor to the Worlds Biggest Summit, an online health/wellness/creativity workshop alongside such luminaries as Julia Cameron and Patti (Life is a Verb) Digh. He lives in Wales.