Summer is the perfect time for teachers to catch up on hobbies and interests. For art teachers, it\u2019s a wonderful opportunity to get back into making personal art. Whether it\u2019s the stress of a long school year or maybe just a simple case of artist\u2019s block, a quick art teacher book can provide inspiration and relaxation.<\/p>\n
Here are four enjoyable art teacher books to boost your creativity over summer break.<\/h2>\n
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1. Steal Like An Artist<\/a><\/em> by Austin Kleon<\/a><\/h3>\nWe often think artists need to have a steady flow of mindblowing, completely original, and innovative ideas. Steal Like An Artist<\/a><\/em> is a timeless book that breaks down what creativity really is (the hint is in the title!) and offers tips to overcome artist\u2019s block. The format of the book even embodies creativity with non-traditional chapters. Each \u201cchapter\u201d explores a different facet of what makes an artist and where creativity comes from. Grab this short read to get your ideas flowing!<\/p>\n![\"steal](\"https:\/\/theartofeducation.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_5713-1024x768.jpeg\")
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Art Room Application<\/strong><\/p>\nBring this text into your classroom (without breaking the budget) with a free PDF download<\/a>. Project a page to generate a discussion as a bellringer. This book also makes a great read for advanced art students to challenge their ideation process.<\/p>\n![\"steal](\"https:\/\/theartofeducation.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_5715-1024x768.jpeg\")
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2. Big Magic<\/em><\/a> by Elizabeth Gilbert<\/h3>\nIf you enjoyed Eat, Pray, Love<\/a>, you won\u2019t want to put down Elizabeth Gilbert\u2019s Big Magic<\/em><\/a>. It\u2019s attracted a lot of attention and garnered great reviews (1<\/a>, 2<\/a>) for a reason! If you struggle with perfectionism as an artist, this book will be the breath of fresh air you didn\u2019t know you needed. With incredibly down-to-earth language, it feels like you\u2019re interacting with a dear friend. Conquer self-doubt and re-prioritize to reach your full creative potential with this read and its corresponding podcast, Magic Lessons<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"big](\"https:\/\/theartofeducation.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_5719-1024x768.jpeg\")
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Art Room Application<\/strong><\/p>\nThe book covers three key factors that contribute to being successful in an artistic field: talent, hard work, and luck. Segue into a class discussion debating whether art is a talent or a learned skill<\/a>. This is a great conversation to have at the start of a new school year or semester to prompt a growth mindset<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"big](\"https:\/\/theartofeducation.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_5720-1024x768.jpeg\")
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3. Fake Like Me <\/em><\/a>by Barbara Bourland<\/a><\/h3>\nIf you\u2019re looking to get lost in the world of fiction, add Fake Like Me<\/em><\/a> to your summer reading list. An artist experienced a major setback when a fire destroyed her art studio. Follow as she recreates her large-scale paintings and tries to work through impostor syndrome in the world of fine art. This book will leave you reflecting on who you are as an artist and what your goals are.<\/p>\n![\"fake](\"https:\/\/theartofeducation.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_5718-1024x768.jpeg\")
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Art Room Application<\/strong><\/p>\nThe art studio can be an intimidating place for some of our students. Consider how you can make your art room welcoming for all students<\/a> this fall. Then, incorporate art activities like blind contour drawing<\/a>, neurographic art<\/a>, and other non-objective artmaking to get students hands-on without the pressure of creating realistic masterpieces. Bonus points if you make art alongside your students so they can see that imperfections are human!<\/p>\n4. We are Artists<\/em><\/a> by Kari Herbert<\/a><\/h3>\nIf you\u2019re an on-the-go summer art teacher<\/a> and don\u2019t have a ton of time to sit down to read, this one is a great choice for you! This book is a series of 15 short biographies of influential and diverse female artists<\/a>. Each biography highlights how the artist overcame a setback, along with fun facts about their life and artwork. It\u2019s also beautifully illustrated with helpful photos.<\/p>\n![\"we](\"https:\/\/theartofeducation.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_5716-1024x768.jpeg\")
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Art Room Application<\/strong><\/p>\nIt\u2019s always good to bring in some fresh new artists<\/a> to share with your students! Post your favorites in a rotating artist display<\/a>. Then, keep the dive into the fascinating lives of artists going with FLEX Curriculum\u2019s<\/a> artist bios<\/a>. There are ready-made resources for hundreds of artists, and many have two reading level options. Each artist bio has a graphic of the artist or their artwork, short facts, a quote, and more!<\/p>\n![\"we](\"https:\/\/theartofeducation.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_5717-1024x768.jpeg\")
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The school year is full of cutting paper, building skills, fostering critical thinking, and making amazing artwork. It\u2019s easy to get caught up in the busyness of art teacher life! This summer, take a deep breath and slow down. Grab one of these art teacher books to kick off break with a creativity refuel! Explore where creativity comes from and who you are as an artist\u2014you\u2019ll be ready to get back into your own art, and you\u2019ll overflow with ideas to bring to your students in the fall.<\/p>\n
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Art Room Application<\/strong><\/p>\n Bring this text into your classroom (without breaking the budget) with a free PDF download<\/a>. Project a page to generate a discussion as a bellringer. This book also makes a great read for advanced art students to challenge their ideation process.<\/p>\n If you enjoyed Eat, Pray, Love<\/a>, you won\u2019t want to put down Elizabeth Gilbert\u2019s Big Magic<\/em><\/a>. It\u2019s attracted a lot of attention and garnered great reviews (1<\/a>, 2<\/a>) for a reason! If you struggle with perfectionism as an artist, this book will be the breath of fresh air you didn\u2019t know you needed. With incredibly down-to-earth language, it feels like you\u2019re interacting with a dear friend. Conquer self-doubt and re-prioritize to reach your full creative potential with this read and its corresponding podcast, Magic Lessons<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n Art Room Application<\/strong><\/p>\n The book covers three key factors that contribute to being successful in an artistic field: talent, hard work, and luck. Segue into a class discussion debating whether art is a talent or a learned skill<\/a>. This is a great conversation to have at the start of a new school year or semester to prompt a growth mindset<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking to get lost in the world of fiction, add Fake Like Me<\/em><\/a> to your summer reading list. An artist experienced a major setback when a fire destroyed her art studio. Follow as she recreates her large-scale paintings and tries to work through impostor syndrome in the world of fine art. This book will leave you reflecting on who you are as an artist and what your goals are.<\/p>\n Art Room Application<\/strong><\/p>\n The art studio can be an intimidating place for some of our students. Consider how you can make your art room welcoming for all students<\/a> this fall. Then, incorporate art activities like blind contour drawing<\/a>, neurographic art<\/a>, and other non-objective artmaking to get students hands-on without the pressure of creating realistic masterpieces. Bonus points if you make art alongside your students so they can see that imperfections are human!<\/p>\n If you\u2019re an on-the-go summer art teacher<\/a> and don\u2019t have a ton of time to sit down to read, this one is a great choice for you! This book is a series of 15 short biographies of influential and diverse female artists<\/a>. Each biography highlights how the artist overcame a setback, along with fun facts about their life and artwork. It\u2019s also beautifully illustrated with helpful photos.<\/p>\n Art Room Application<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s always good to bring in some fresh new artists<\/a> to share with your students! Post your favorites in a rotating artist display<\/a>. Then, keep the dive into the fascinating lives of artists going with FLEX Curriculum\u2019s<\/a> artist bios<\/a>. There are ready-made resources for hundreds of artists, and many have two reading level options. Each artist bio has a graphic of the artist or their artwork, short facts, a quote, and more!<\/p>\n The school year is full of cutting paper, building skills, fostering critical thinking, and making amazing artwork. It\u2019s easy to get caught up in the busyness of art teacher life! This summer, take a deep breath and slow down. Grab one of these art teacher books to kick off break with a creativity refuel! Explore where creativity comes from and who you are as an artist\u2014you\u2019ll be ready to get back into your own art, and you\u2019ll overflow with ideas to bring to your students in the fall.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n2. Big Magic<\/em><\/a> by Elizabeth Gilbert<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n3. Fake Like Me <\/em><\/a>by Barbara Bourland<\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n4. We are Artists<\/em><\/a> by Kari Herbert<\/a><\/h3>\n
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