Art and Hobbies books

An Indie Band’s Record-Breaking Music Tour: A Graphic Novel

“As a touring musician, I absolutely adored this heartfelt, honest, and beautifully illustrated account of the unique pitfalls and victories of DIY touring.” ―Tommy Siegel, cartoonist and guitarist/singer in Jukebox the Ghost

#1 New Release in Biographies and History Graphic Novels

From the indie band Pocket Vinyl and the artists behind the documentary Drive. Play. Sleep. and the popular webcomic The Touring Test, this hilarious artists’ graphic novel memoir chronicles a couple’s road trip across the USA as they break a world record.

A world record smashing music tour through 50 States in 45 Days. Together, Eric Stevenson and Elizabeth Jancewicz perform as the band Pocket Vinyl, where Eric slams on the piano and sings while Elizabeth creates a large oil painting on stage. In these artists’ graphic novel, watch as they take on their biggest challenge yet: to tour the whole nation in just 45 days, breaking the record for the fastest time a band has played in all 50 U.S. states.

A wild road trip of performance highs, self-doubt lows, and determination. As co-author Elizabeth Janceqicz says, “I knew that embarking on such a monstrous adventure would provide me with stories to tell, but I hadn't realized how much those stories would change me... In retrospect, we learned so much: about how our art helps people, how interconnected we all are, and how easily our minds can descend into mental illness without us even realizing it’s happening.”

Inside find:

• A breakneck road trip through the local music scenes across America 
• An unforgettable story of what life is like behind the scenes on an indie band’s record-breaking tour
• A graphic novel on mental health, humor, the love of music and art, and the gifts of human kindness

If you liked It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth, Marbles, or Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant? you'll love How to Completely Lose Your Mind. 

Divine Diary DIYs for the Innovative Crafter

#1 Best Seller in Book Making & Binding and Scrapbooking

With journal making projects, book binding techniques, and journal prompts, this Treasure Book Making guide has everything you need. Get ready to create personal journals by hand easily—without any extra book-binding tools!

An affordable craft. Hobbies tend to require a big investment, but Author Natasa Marinkovic, creator of popular YouTube channel Treasure Books, focuses on upcycling the available materials around us. Learn how to make beautiful journals—without purchasing book-binding tools, use what you have! With the things you have at home, create projects that are both useful and beautiful. 

Fall into the world of book binding. This junk-journaling-how-to gives readers all of the details on how to make a book through step-by-step creative projects that will save you space and get rid of house clutter. This diary DIY is the ultimate space for your creativity to bloom and grow! 

Inside, you'll find:

• Illustrations and tips to jumpstart your creativity on DIY books 
• Easy-to-follow instructions to structure and make a book for journaling and scrap keeping 
• Lists of accessible materials to use—such as cereal boxes, scraps of paper, and everyday items like buttons and more

If you enjoyed learning how to craft a book in Making Handmade Books, Hand Bookbinding, or journaling books like My Soul Pages, you’ll love Treasure Book Making.

A Fresh Twist on Vintage Flower Meanings & Arrangements

"This book is enchanting to the eyes, inspiring for the mind, and refreshing for the soul.” —Maggie Hyde, Petal Back Farm

#1 New Release in Flower Arranging, Plant & Animal Photography, Photograpy Equipment & Techniques, Nature Literary Criticism, Victorian Literary Criticism, and Botany of Flowers

This floriography guide is a gorgeous and inspired combination of vintage Victorian flower meanings, quotes, and lore perfectly entwined with a contemporary toolbox for creating stunning flower arrangements and bouquets.

For those who want to create beautiful bouquets and flower arrangements with history. Blooming with inspirational lifestyle photography by Jess Buttermore of Cedar House Living, The Love Language of Flowers will blow you away with an intriguing history of flowers alongside step-by-step instructions for creating 25 tasteful, meaningful arrangements.

Express yourself and show others you care. With stunning photographs of different types of flowers, a detailed list of  floral arranging tools and supplies, and fascinating Victorian flower meanings, The Love Language of Flowers provides you with an elegant way to express your feelings or bring your self-care to the next level.

Inside The Love Language of Flowers, find:

• A visual glossary of flowers and their Victorian meanings
• Simple step-by-step instructions for creating twenty-five gorgeous floral arrangements
• Suggestions for introducing contemporary plants and other interesting elements to bring a fresh look to classic bouquets

If you like botanical books illustrated with stunning photography and floral design, such as Floriography, The Complete Language of Flowers, or Growing Flowers, you’ll love The Love Language of Flowers.

A Watercolour How-To Book for the Whimsical Creative

"I am brand new to watercolor and this book is exactly what I needed. Highly recommended." —Amazon review

#1 Bestseller in Watercolor Painting, Plants & Animals, Mixed Media & Decorating

Take a walk down the path of translucent pastels and delicate wet washes with Watercolour Lessons. Filled with engaging exercises, this vibrant guide contains step-by-step instructions on how to paint with watercolours. For beginners and those looking to improve their technique, Watercolour Lessons brings artistic inspiration to any home.

A watercolour guide book that is uniquely you. Follow author and artist Emma Lefebvre as she teaches the fundamentals of this simple-to-use painting medium. With an emphasis on developing skills and style, Watercolour Lessons offers the necessary tools to produce paintings anyone would be proud to display, gift, or to keep for themselves.

Learn how to paint with watercolours. For beginners and mavens alike, Watercolour Lessons offers straight-forward lessons to help anyone develop their craft and unique artistic style. From color theory to tool sets, it explores watercolour basics while helping painters—old and new—gain confidence in themselves and their work.

Inside, you’ll find:

• A list of essential watercolour tools and how to use them
• An easy-to-understand explanation of watercolour techniques and theories
• Charmingly simple watercolor painting projects with step-by-step instructions
• Notes on common mistakes and how to fix them

If you’re looking for creative art therapy exercises, want to learn how to paint with watercolors for beginners or intermediate artists, or enjoy books such as Watercolor the Easy Way Flowers, Watercolor Workbook, Watercolor With Me in the Forest, or Everyday Watercolor, you’ll love Watercolour Lessons.

Lined Paper and Cute, Colorable Doodles from TheLatestKate

#1 New Release in Anxieties & Phobias

Have you ever started journal writing, only to find that you’ve spiraled into depression or anxiety? What if your lined notebook came with affirmations, gratitude, doodles, and encouraging pictures to remind you that you matter—and that everything will be okay?

A Cute, Encouraging Journal for Adults. Kate Allan, artist and author behind You Can Do All Things and the Thera-Pets Card Deck, is back again with exactly what you need to get through the day. This lined paperback notebook comes with small affirmations and cute animal drawings in the corners that will remind you that you really can get through this day.

Imagination, Positive Affirmations, and Cute Animal Drawings. What do you need space for in your life? Do you need space to practice manifestation or mindfulness? A diary for your 2am thoughts? To build up your self-esteem or work on your mental health? Use the Thera-Pets Notebook for what you need, knowing that Kate Allan’s cute doodles are there to support you on every page.

Inside the Thera-Pets Notebook, find:

• Cute, colorable animals that will help you relax and stay calm
• Doodle art for anxiety, depression, and encouragement
• Lined pages to fill with anything that’s on your mind

If you can’t get enough art from TheLatestKate—or you like cute doodle journals for adults or helpful notebooks like Hey You're So Great; Self-Care Check-In; or Present, Not Perfect—you need the Thera-Pets Notebook.

Aesthetic Arrangements for the Artsy Minimalist

#1 New Release in Folkcrafts, Japanese Gardens, Botany of Flowers, and Architectural Photography

Discover modern Ikebana, the Japanese art of floral design, to form and cultivate internal peace and creativity. You can create minimalist decor with Ikebana, otherwise known as Kado, a disciplined art form that brings together nature and the inner self through flower arrangement.

Delight in the intentionally minimalist floral designs. Perfect for anyone interested in historic culture, flower arranging, Japanese art, or minimalist decorating. This beautifully-photographed instructional guide is a modern take on a centuries-old art. It's filled with simple-to-follow, step-by-step instructions that allow you to create stunning decor and learn how to make floral arrangements in various Ikebana styles using both fresh and dried flowers.

The history of Kado, reimagined. Ikebana is a long-practiced, much respected artform with an intriguing history, and author Naoko Zaima is excited to share the story with you in this lovely Japanese art book and floral design book.

Inside, you’ll find:

• Alluring simplistic design inspirations and pictures of Ikebana
• Stories featuring the history of Ikebana and its impact on floral design through history
• How to make everything Kado—from floral bouquets to wreaths and more—accompanied by suggestions of the best flower arrangement tools to use for each project

If you liked elevated arrangement books like Floret Farm's A Year in Flowers, Marie Kondo's Kurashi at Home, or Inspired by Nature, you’ll love Inspired Ikebana.

Learn How to Create Calligraphy Letters—Easily

#1 New Release in Mixed Media, Stenciling, and Handwriting

Learn the art of beautiful calligraphy writing from an Italian master in this jam-packed workbook and guide to the art of calligraphy.

Hand lettering for beginners or experienced writers. Each page has a step-by-step guide showing you how to easily perfect your lettering, calligraphy writing, or cursive handwriting skills. Practice and find your own unique modern calligraphy writing style.

Calligraphy practice and fun for all levels. Enjoy creating beautiful and calming designs. Delight in forming cute letters. Find peace as you go at your own pace of learning. Craft your own beautiful personalized cards, placeholders, agendas, notes, and other works of art.

Inside, you’ll find:

• Pages full of step-by-step instructions on how to do calligraphy
• An assortment of calligraphy letter designs 
• Tips for quickly building your calligraphy and cursive handwriting skills

If you liked creative lettering and enjoyed calligraphy books such as The Ultimate Guide to Modern Calligraphy & Hand Lettering, The Lost Art of Handwriting Workbook, or Modern Lettering, you’ll love Laura Toffaletti’s The Art of Calligraphy Letters.

An Adult Coloring Book for Amateur Artists and Art History Enthusiasts 

World renowned artist David “Lebo” Le Batard combines the authentic energy of Miami street art with the visual storytelling of art history in this unique adult coloring book.

The ultimate guide to coloring for adults. Lebo’s style is inspired by masterpieces in the history of art, the graffiti and architecture of Miami, and reflective self-discovery. Characterized by a combination of cartoon imagery, richly saturated balances of color, and unique linear composition, this contemporary Latino artist crafts a unique coloring book beaming with animal symbolism and mandala spirituality. By coloring and drawing some of his famous pieces, you’ll transport through time, travel around the world, and create masterpieces of your own. 

Learn to handle your stress with this adult coloring book. Master colors, techniques, and your own artistic spirit as you see the world like never before. In Coloring the Universe, mythology, history, metaphysics, and illustration all join seamlessly. 

Unlike typical animal and mandala coloring books for adults, this unconventional art history book combines:

• Fine art
• Indigenous art
• Mythical creatures
• American cartooning
• Egyptian hieroglyphics
• Caribbean image-ry

If you’re looking for a graffiti adult coloring book, mandala and animal coloring book, or art history book for adults—and enjoyed books like Graffiti Art Coloring Book, Color the Classics, or Adult Coloring Book: Stress Relieving Designs—then Lebo's Coloring the Universe will awaken your inner artist!

Women in Filmmaking and Their Struggle Against Bias

"After all, Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels" –Ann Richards

#1 Bestseller in Acting & Auditioning, Performing Arts, and Guides & Reviews

Women in filmmaking since the beginning. Women have been instrumental in the success of American cinema since its very beginning. One of the first people to ever pick up a motion picture camera was a woman; as was the first screenwriter to win two Academy Awards, the inventor of the boom microphone, and the first person to be credited with the title Film Editor. Throughout the history of Hollywood, women have been revolutionizing, innovating, and shaping filmmaking. Yet their stories are rarely shared. This is what film reporter Alicia Malone wants to change. 

The first female directors. Backwards & In Heels tells the history of women in film in a different way, with stories about incredible women who made their mark in each Hollywood era. Every story is inspiring, detailing the accomplishments of extraordinary women and the obstacles they faced. Backwards & In Heels combines research and exclusive interviews with influential women and men working in Hollywood today, including Geena Davis, J.J. Abrams, Ava DuVernay, Octavia Spencer, America Ferrera, Paul Feig, and many more; as well as film professors, historians and experts.

Time to level the playing field. Think of Backwards & In Heels as a guidebook, your entry into the complex world of women in film. Join Alicia Malone as she champions Hollywood women of the past and present and looks to the future.

Learn little known facts about:

• The first females in film direction
• Iconic movie stars
• Present day activists

If you enjoyed books such as Renegade Women in Film and TV or The Purple Diaries, you’ll love Alicia Malone’s Backwards & In Heels. Also, don’t miss Alicia’s #1 Bestseller in Movies & Video Guides & Reviews, The Female Gaze: Essential Movies Made by Women.