Living Color Cafe

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· 412 ratings · 44 reviews

Start your review of Living Color: Painting, Writing, and the Bones of Seeing

This is a terrific book. I attended Natalie Goldberg's workshop based on this book in Taos, New Mexico in 1997. We did some drawings in class as well as fast writing. Natalie's work is based on following the first thought "from the bottom of the mind." So even with our drawings, we were to look and see and draw continuous line drawings without thinking. Like the walking meditation we did to get to the fence-line or building we drew, just put the pencil or pen on paper and go. It was mind opening This is a terrific book. I attended Natalie Goldberg's workshop based on this book in Taos, New Mexico in 1997. We did some drawings in class as well as fast writing. Natalie's work is based on following the first thought "from the bottom of the mind." So even with our drawings, we were to look and see and draw continuous line drawings without thinking. Like the walking meditation we did to get to the fence-line or building we drew, just put the pencil or pen on paper and go. It was mind opening for me and one of the reasons I teach practice writing these days. For sure, buy this book and any of Natalie's books. I highly recommend all of them! ...more

Goldberg was my first introduction into the simplicity of writing every day. Now she is my first intro into painting every day.

She takes away our fear and fills us with courage and inspiration.

Let's go. Let's go paint.

Apr 17, 2020 Mary rated it really liked it

Interesting prompts for drawing and painting. Reminded me to be less dependent on depicting natural color and actual objects. I can go off the reservation with abandon according to Goldberg.

Books on art and painting are out of my usual literary comfort zone. I do not paint, my stick figures usually come out looking horrifically deformed, and I couldn't tell you the difference between an impressionist and a surrealist. It is for that reason I was excited to receive this book (which, I am legally obligated to report I won on Goodreads First Reads).

I expected the book to inspire creativity in my writing, while coaxing me out of my niche and into the world of painting. Even though the

I expected the book to inspire creativity in my writing, while coaxing me out of my niche and into the world of painting. Even though the book had less to do with writing than painting, I feel that the author gave me exactly what I was looking for.

This book is a collection of short essays that memorialize Ms. Goldberg's painting, her creative process, and the place art has within her life. The writing was passionate, but without the pretentiousness that would be expected from someone knowledgeable in art. Usually when an author discusses a medium so open to interpretation (painting, wine, music, film, etc), I am dismayed by over-complicated, self-congratulatory language that seems more concerned with impressing the audience than with conveying the simple pleasures of the moment. You'll get no such thing from this book.

That is not to say the writing was simple. There is a fully developed richness here that is difficult to quantify. As a non-artist, I could still appreciate the struggles that accompany the creative process. In fact, this book made me want to pick up a paint brush and learn to create for myself.

Ms. Goldberg addresses core issues for artist and non-artist alike. She touches upon our fear of failure and turns it into a strength. She also encourages the reader to retreat inside and acknowledge the pain, doubt, joy and contentment that exist within all of us. Though I haven't had the opportunity to attempt the lessons she has provided after each essay, I am eager to begin the journey.

Living Color has changed the way I look at the world around me. It was like an unexpected letter from an old friend, taking me back to when life was simple and free. I would encourage anyone who struggles with making time to enjoy the beauty in life to pick up this book and invest a couple of hours. It will be time well spent.

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Of all of Natalie Goldberg's books, this is my favorite. In it, she explores the creative process and living the creative life. She gives women, in particular, permission to take up space to do their art. They don't have to sit in the laundry room, under the staircase, or even at the dining room table to write, draw, imagine. The idea of studio becomes alive. The vibrant drawings that accompany the twelve chapters jump off the page as does the writing. Of all of Natalie Goldberg's books, this is my favorite. In it, she explores the creative process and living the creative life. She gives women, in particular, permission to take up space to do their art. They don't have to sit in the laundry room, under the staircase, or even at the dining room table to write, draw, imagine. The idea of studio becomes alive. The vibrant drawings that accompany the twelve chapters jump off the page as does the writing. ...more

one of my favorite authors and Buddhist friends writes about her life and illustrates it 'in living color'. It's subtitled A Writer Paints Her World.

here is a tiny excerpt to give the flavor "I noticed that the blue of my paints wasn't blue enough to get the intensity of that New Mexico sky. I painted the sky red instead."

Tender stories of family and friends ... the paint of her father is extraordinary

one of my favorite authors and Buddhist friends writes about her life and illustrates it 'in living color'. It's subtitled A Writer Paints Her World.

here is a tiny excerpt to give the flavor "I noticed that the blue of my paints wasn't blue enough to get the intensity of that New Mexico sky. I painted the sky red instead."

Tender stories of family and friends ... the paint of her father is extraordinary

...more

Debated between 3-4 stars. I love her voice and enjoy reading her work. I find myself laughing and relating - and highlighting passages where she describes things so eloquently.

That said, I am not a fan of autobiographies in general...

When I picked up this book, the work I was trying to create was stuck. The direction came to me after three hours of reading and I was inspired to pick up needle and thread again. Thank you Natalie.

Making the experiences of life into a visual journey.

Great chance to see Natalie's paintings and to get her larger thoughts on art outside of the focus of writing. Great chance to see Natalie's paintings and to get her larger thoughts on art outside of the focus of writing. ...more

Oct 18, 2017 Aileen rated it really liked it

I randomly grabbed this off the shelf at the library, my new browsing style with a two year old in tow. I started reading it the same evening but almost immediately quit because the beginning was so happy and gushy - the one thing I can't abide in books on creativity! After a few days I picked it back up and found I missed the intro/forward and that was pleasant enough that I decided to try the rest of it but I skipped past the unpleasant part I'd already encountered. The rest of the book was mu I randomly grabbed this off the shelf at the library, my new browsing style with a two year old in tow. I started reading it the same evening but almost immediately quit because the beginning was so happy and gushy - the one thing I can't abide in books on creativity! After a few days I picked it back up and found I missed the intro/forward and that was pleasant enough that I decided to try the rest of it but I skipped past the unpleasant part I'd already encountered. The rest of the book was much better, much more palatable. I enjoyed her family stories and following along on her journey of discovering how art fed her and how she pushed through her discomforts to find freedom in her art. I put down some notes so that I can try some of her lessons later. I even started one piece based on her exercises. All in all, a great book but only if you can tolerate the hippy-zen-boomer perspective and a dash of too much positivity (that's a challenge for us cuspers!) ...more

Dec 27, 2017 Joey rated it it was ok

I'm not sure I can consider this as having been "read" because I mainly skimmed the chapters and looked at the paintings. Nonetheless, it was interesting learning about Ms. Goldberg's process and how she got started painting when she was more interested in making it as a writer. Glad she managed to do both. The world is a more colorful place with her artwork being a part of it. I enjoyed reading the stories about the origins of her paintings. If you're a writer or an artist, it's worth a look. Y I'm not sure I can consider this as having been "read" because I mainly skimmed the chapters and looked at the paintings. Nonetheless, it was interesting learning about Ms. Goldberg's process and how she got started painting when she was more interested in making it as a writer. Glad she managed to do both. The world is a more colorful place with her artwork being a part of it. I enjoyed reading the stories about the origins of her paintings. If you're a writer or an artist, it's worth a look. You'll enjoy it. ...more

Mar 18, 2018 Sandra Scott rated it really liked it

I thoroughly enjoyed viewing her art work and her own life experiences with painting. Even though I was not interesting in doing the exercises, I read them and considered the in other areas of my life. For an artist I would think they would be fun to work with. As with all of her books, I recommend them highly.

Feb 14, 2021 Kelly D. rated it it was amazing

I'm not a painter, and I still loved this book. Slowly making my way through Natalie Goldberg's work and falling more in love with her with each one. I'm not a painter, and I still loved this book. Slowly making my way through Natalie Goldberg's work and falling more in love with her with each one. ...more

as always a terrific read

Effectively twines writing, painting, and drawing together.

Jan 19, 2019 Jan Morrison rated it really liked it

Excellent and inspiring! Had it on retreat and it provided much encouragement for the art I was creating.

Nov 21, 2019 Chris rated it really liked it

3.5 stars. What it says on the tin. This took me a while to get into, but I ended up quite liking it.

A few interesting thoughts about how this author approached her colorful paintings. Overall a self indulgence, new age book I purchased years ago and can finally mark as read.

Mar 20, 2014 Chi rated it it was amazing

Thank you goodreads for giving me a chance to read this book. It's very inspiring especially to me because I'm starting to take the artistry path,thanks to my father for letting me follow my dreams. At a very young age I was already painting but of course I wasn't that good enough though it didn't stop me. Back then I don't mind how straight a line is and how round a circle is but now I notice everything, constant erasing of the wrong strokes, tearing and throwing wasted paper. This book made me Thank you goodreads for giving me a chance to read this book. It's very inspiring especially to me because I'm starting to take the artistry path,thanks to my father for letting me follow my dreams. At a very young age I was already painting but of course I wasn't that good enough though it didn't stop me. Back then I don't mind how straight a line is and how round a circle is but now I notice everything, constant erasing of the wrong strokes, tearing and throwing wasted paper. This book made me go back on seeing a drawing and painting with no hint of perfection.

FF CONTAINS LINES FROM THE BOOK!!
-Writing is a visual art.
-Writing and drawing are natural human endeavors.
-We have a need to express ourselves in this transient world. To stop time for a moment. To show how we see and feel before we are gone.
-Writing,painting, and drawing are linked.
-Believe you are capable of expression in only one form.
-"A promise can be broken, but be careful of making vows. A vow canmot be turned from so easily, no matter how hard we try."
-Abstraction allows man to see with his mind what he cannot see physically with his eyes...Abstract art enables the artist to perceive beyond the tangible, to extract the infinite out of the finite. It is the emancipation of the mind. It is an exploration into unknown areas.
-Life is fluid, we can change, we can fail, we can move on.

"DON'T THINK. JUST DO IT."

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An inspiring book about drawing and painting being similar methods of recording 'being' in the world as is the act of writing. Natalie Goldberg, also a writer, includes wonderful stories about her drawing and painting experiences and she generously shares information: such as how drawings, paintings and writings can pass information to the subconscious. She reminds us always to shut our 'monkey' mind up and our 'inner critic' and just let creativity take over. Logic and control can get in the wa An inspiring book about drawing and painting being similar methods of recording 'being' in the world as is the act of writing. Natalie Goldberg, also a writer, includes wonderful stories about her drawing and painting experiences and she generously shares information: such as how drawings, paintings and writings can pass information to the subconscious. She reminds us always to shut our 'monkey' mind up and our 'inner critic' and just let creativity take over. Logic and control can get in the way of a drawing being completed. She gives lots of drawing exercises to do and points out that many writers also draw, to keep a 'balance' The act of drawing can root the mind and keep it grounded and observant and watchful and mindful. Her paintings are also wonderful and this book was a very inspiring read. Like her book 'Wild Mind' which was also a great read, I felt very grateful be given her valuable insights. ...more

Love, love, love this book. I think it is the second best book I have ever read about painting. And I'm not even a painter. It was completely engrossing to read because it is so rare to find an individual who is both so talented at painting and at writing about it.
It's hard to describe what it's about, and it rambles and wanders around from her early childhood to her life in New Mexico, to trips to Europe, to her study of meditation.... but what weaves all this together is her passion for writin Love, love, love this book. I think it is the second best book I have ever read about painting. And I'm not even a painter. It was completely engrossing to read because it is so rare to find an individual who is both so talented at painting and at writing about it.
It's hard to describe what it's about, and it rambles and wanders around from her early childhood to her life in New Mexico, to trips to Europe, to her study of meditation.... but what weaves all this together is her passion for writing and painting.
As a former dilettante, I found myself saying "Yeah!" and pumping my fist when she talks about her long struggle with the concept that she had to chose painting or writing, and her final realization that one feeds the other, and that it is not only not a bad thing, but actually a really good thing to do both. ...more

Dec 13, 2015 jimtown rated it liked it

As I first started this book, I thought, wow, I really like this author! As it progressed, I lost interest because so much of it centered on her trips to France and other locales that are hard for me to relate to. It became like a travelogue of her vacations. There were good parts tho. I especially enjoyed her family memories and the lessons. Also it was fun to see her artwork throughout the book and her thought process as to how she came to draw certain things. I like her childlike use of color As I first started this book, I thought, wow, I really like this author! As it progressed, I lost interest because so much of it centered on her trips to France and other locales that are hard for me to relate to. It became like a travelogue of her vacations. There were good parts tho. I especially enjoyed her family memories and the lessons. Also it was fun to see her artwork throughout the book and her thought process as to how she came to draw certain things. I like her childlike use of color. Very cheerful. ...more

Jul 06, 2015 Andrea Baron rated it really liked it

I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, this is a wonderful book by a beloved author. On the other hand, its a reprint of a book I already have with the same title but a different subtitle. Nowhere on the jacket does it say that, so I paid full price ($25) for a book I already own. Granted, the new version has updated artwork and lesson suggestions at the end of every chapter, but I wouldn't pay full price for this. How disappointing that the new publisher didn't note it was a reprint. I feel du I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, this is a wonderful book by a beloved author. On the other hand, its a reprint of a book I already have with the same title but a different subtitle. Nowhere on the jacket does it say that, so I paid full price ($25) for a book I already own. Granted, the new version has updated artwork and lesson suggestions at the end of every chapter, but I wouldn't pay full price for this. How disappointing that the new publisher didn't note it was a reprint. I feel duped. ...more

Jun 28, 2015 Rebecca rated it really liked it

This is a very inspiring book for anyone who fancies picking up a brush. She captures her passion and transition from quirky Matisse style painting to abstraction. I like her links and comparisons between art and writing. I enjoyed Goldberg's painting style, especially the way she captures the spirit of a place or object. The lessons are great suggestions for any novice or artist wanting to break out of their own style. The connection between abstraction and death was intriguing. I would recomme This is a very inspiring book for anyone who fancies picking up a brush. She captures her passion and transition from quirky Matisse style painting to abstraction. I like her links and comparisons between art and writing. I enjoyed Goldberg's painting style, especially the way she captures the spirit of a place or object. The lessons are great suggestions for any novice or artist wanting to break out of their own style. The connection between abstraction and death was intriguing. I would recommend to any creative soul. ...more

Natalie Goldberg lived in Brooklyn until she was six, when her family moved out to Farmingdale, Long Island, where her father owned the bar the Aero Tavern. From a young age, Goldberg was mad for books and reading, and especially loved Carson McCullers's The Ballad of the Sad Cafe , which she read in ninth grade. She thinks that single book led her eventually to put pen to paper when she was twe Natalie Goldberg lived in Brooklyn until she was six, when her family moved out to Farmingdale, Long Island, where her father owned the bar the Aero Tavern. From a young age, Goldberg was mad for books and reading, and especially loved Carson McCullers's The Ballad of the Sad Cafe , which she read in ninth grade. She thinks that single book led her eventually to put pen to paper when she was twenty-four years old. She received a BA in English literature from George Washington University and an MA in humanities from St. John's University.

Goldberg has painted for as long as she has written, and her paintings can be seen in Living Color: A Writer Paints Her World and Top of My Lungs: Poems and Paintings. They can also be viewed at the Ernesto Mayans Gallery on Canyon Road in Sante Fe.

A dedicated teacher, Goldberg has taught writing and literature for the last thirty-five years. She also leads national workshops and retreats, and her schedule can be accessed via her website: nataliegoldberg.com

In 2006, she completed with the filmmaker Mary Feidt a one-hour documentary, Tangled Up in Bob, about Bob Dylan's childhood on the Iron Range in Northern Minnesota. The film can be obtained on Amazon or the website tangledupinbob.com.

Goldberg has been a serious Zen practitioner since 1974 and studied with Katagiri Roshi from 1978 to 1984.

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This June, as we observe LGBTQ Pride—the annual celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning communities—we...

"...we live on the edge of the abstract all the time. Look at something solid in the known world: an automobile. Separate the fender, the hood, the roof, lie them on the garage floor, walk around them. Let go of the urge to reassemble the care or to pronounce fender, hood, roof. Look at them as curve, line, form. Relax the mind. Don't immediately try to make meaning or be practical. Truthfully, how practical is life anyway? All our work, and death is the final result? So let's enjoy the unfolding shape, the elemental, organic delight and agony of it all." — 4 likes

"When you draw and pay attention to what is, it's a form of being present. This inspires the mind, makes it happy, and the heart wants to express more." — 1 likes

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Living Color Cafe

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18405513-living-color

Minggu, 05 Desember 2021

Living Color Cafe