Life After Art by Matt Appling – Book Review
I believe you are creative – whether or not you have an artistic bone in your body. I believe you have the potential to do great things. I believe that when you use your creativity, you reflect the image of God, the Creator.
The question is, do you believe these things?
If so, you will love Matt Appling’s first book, Life After Art. If not, you need to read it!
Life After Art is about creativity – life – faith – and a whole lot more. It’s about losing and rediscovering ourselves. It’s about what happens when we move from the kindergarten art room – where we blossom as creative risk takers who revel in art and play – to elementary and high school – where we become self-conscious slackers, driven by peer pressure, content to do just enough to get by – to adulthood, where our dreams and passions slowly become buried under the grind and pressures of daily living.
Life After Art describes what happens when we grow up – then guides us back to the kindergarten art room, where we can rekindle our passions and revive our souls. It teaches us how to relearn all of the important lessons that we have forgotten and so desperately need to remember. It shows us how to create beauty in a world filled with ugliness. It implores us to stop being satisfied with the status quo and to start aiming for something extraordinary!
Life After Art embodies all of the life lessons that Matt Appling wants his art students to remember long after they leave his classroom – and imparts wisdom we need to remember, too!
Matt challenges us with the really important questions we need to ask ourselves about our lives – and in the process, inspires us with stories of some of the best creative minds who have influenced our generation.
- What kind of legacy are you building?
- What would you like your life to mean when it is over?
- Are you creating with intentionality?
Sometimes, you come across a book you wish that everyone could read. Life After Art is one of those books. I thoroughly enjoyed Life After Art – and look forward to more books from this author!
Additional Resources
If you purchase Life After Art, e-mail your receipt to the following e-mail address to receive three additional free resources from Matt and Moody Publishers (the deluxe e-book with bonus chapter, the Life After Art Field Guide, and the Art of Storytelling): lifeafterartbook@gmail.com
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Moody Publishers for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review, nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Life After Art – Book Trailer
If you cannot see this video, click Life After Art – Book Trailer.
About Matt Appling
Matt Appling, the man behind Life After Art, wears many hats!
By day, he is a Pre-K through Grade 6 Elementary Art Teacher and High School Art History teacher. When school is out, this seminary-educated pastor leads a house church, blogs at The Church Of No People, and contributes to Prodigal Magazine.
For More Information:
- Visit Matt Appling’s Website
- Visit Matt’s Blog – The Church Of No People
- Connect With Matt On Twitter
Life After Art by Matt Appling – Giveaway
Would you like the chance to win a copy of Life After Art by Matt Appling? I would be delighted to award a copy to one lucky Create With Joy reader!
To enter, complete the Required Entry and then any Bonus Entries you desire. Please leave a SEPARATE COMMENT on this blog post for each entry you submit. Include your Name, E-Mail and any requested data so that I can verify your entries and contact you in the event that you win!
1. Required Entry: Follow Create With Joy by E-Mail, Google Plus, Facebook, Twitter, Blog Lovin or Pinterest, then leave a comment letting me know the method/name you are following under and what interests you most about this book!
2. Bonus Entry(s): Share this giveaway on your blog and/or favorite social media platforms. Receive 1 bonus entry with each verifiable link you submit.
Please spread the word on Twitter – you can tweet three times a day and receive 1 entry per verified tweet!
Please Copy & Paste The Following Tweet For Your Entries
Enter to win Life After Art at http://create-with-joy.com/laa thru 4/12 @MattTCoNP @moodybooks @CreateWithJoy1 #Books #LifeAfterArt
Additional Information
This giveaway closes on Friday, April 12, 2013 at Midnight EST. The winner will be chosen using a random number generator. The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. If the winning entry does not comply with all conditions set forth in the entry, another entry will be drawn. The winner will be contacted via e-mail and have 24 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.
This giveaway is open to all Create With Joy followers, ages 18 and over. No purchase is necessary. Void where prohibited by law. All decisions by Create With Joy are final. By submitting an entry, you are indicating that you have read and agree to these Official Rules.
This would be an awesome book to read, i am just rediscovering that early artist -. This would be a wonderful read.
I am following you on linky followers and email.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks Bev for entering the giveaway – I know you will enjoy the book – best of luck to you! 🙂
Twitter: Patsypat
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This seems like a book I’d like to read ! A book I would have liked to have written!!! I follow you on Google+ and other things like bloglovin. Thank youuuu! Patsy from HeARTworks
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
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This book is awesome Patsy – you will love it! Thanks for entering the giveaway – best of luck to you!
(You can tweet and share for extra entries!)
Twitter: rethatweet
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This sounds like a great book to read.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
It’s awesome! Thanks for entering the giveaway Retha – I saw your tweet as well! 🙂
What a great book! I have just rediscovered my arty side and I was just telling my sister who has tremdous faith that this would be great for her and her daughter that is going through some tough times. I told them that art journaling would be a good form of art therapy and from the sounds of this book a very good christian form of art therapy. I think that we all need some faith and art in our lives.
Twitter: KentuckyGal
says:
I already follow you most places, but added you on Bloglovin’. :O)
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
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Thanks LuAnn – you rock! 🙂
Twitter: KentuckyGal
says:
https://twitter.com/KentuckyGal/status/319287289232633857
I agree with the philosophy that the socialization of children to the expectations of society tends to blunt a child’s creativity and beliefs about one’s self. That is just…sad.
Twitter: KentuckyGal
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https://www.facebook.com/kentuckygal/posts/494867180580785
Twitter: KentuckyGal
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http://backporchervations.blogspot.com/2013/04/ww-life-after-art-giveaway.html
I will do the whole sharing thing with the book later today after finishing WOYWW.
Enjoy your WOYWW sunny day today
Ria #33
Sounds like it would be a good read
Jackie 8
I would like a chance 🙂 What most interests me, is how to create a life full of art. Even as an art student, I don’t think I spend enough time creating, so I am always open to more inspiration 🙂 I follow through Bloglovin.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks for entering – you will find this book SO inspirational! Best of luck to you in the giveaway! 🙂
Create With Joy indeed!! LIFE AFTER ART sounds like such a fantastic read thank you.
Email Subscriber:
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
So glad you entered Mary – you will love this book!
Best of luck to you in this giveaway! 🙂
This sounds like it would be a wonderful book to read. I follow you via email.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
So glad you’ve entered Marie – this is such a wonderful book!
Thanks for being one of my cherished email followers! 🙂
Twitter: LevineSusie
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What a great concept! I would love to get back into art (I did it all the way through school then stopped when I hit college). Thanks for the review and the offer!
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
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Hope you have a chance to read the book and get back into art Susie – you will find both inspiring!
Twitter: MusingsMonroes
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I am a follower already on Facebook, Google+ and RSS feed. This book sounds wonderful. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity! I am rediscovering my artistic self and it is a great experience. A friend started an Art Journaling as Prayer course at a local church, and I’m enjoying a new way to worship God. This book sounds delightful!
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
That course sounds awesome Tracey!
So glad you’ve entered the giveaway! You will love this book! Best of luck to you!
Anything with a paint brush on the cover has to be fabulous! ((Lyn))
Wow – this book sounds amazing!! Just the kind of book that I need to add to my library.
I already follow your blog and follow you on pinterest. Also “liked” you on FB. Don’t tweet….
Thanks for the chance to win!!!
Happy WOYWW
Kay (12)
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
So glad you entered Kay – this book is as amazing as it sounds!
Thanks for following – best of luck to you in the giveaway!
Twitter: breathoffaith
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How did I miss this? Thanks for telling me! I thought I entered but I think I read your post and must have gotten sidetracked…
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
I was surprised when you didn’t jump right on it – this book is right up your alley!
Best of luck to you in the giveaway!
Twitter: breathoffaith
says:
I think I follow you everywhere! Except not Bloglovin’- not there yet. Mercy. I get the e-mails and follow all the rest. Checking on Pinterest just in case. dawn.paoletta@gmail.com
um…what else, tweeted, etc. One entry is good. Appreciate the chance but more so YOU! 😉
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
So glad you entered Dawn – best of luck to you!
I’m sure you’re aware that Feedburner RSS from Google is going away. That’s why Bloglovin is rocking right now!
Hope you’ll check it out (there are other options but so far, it seems to be leading the pack!)
Looks great! I’m already following on google reader!
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Aweseome Tereasa!
(In case you haven’t heard, Google Reader will be going away in the next few months, so be sure to follow me through another method when you have a chance, just so we don’t lose touch!)
Love the review of the book.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks Sally! You will love this book. Best of luck to you!
I also follow you by email, facebook, twitter and currently google friends.
posted on twitter @sally912
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks Sally – just retweeted you!
I posted on facebook, but don’t know how to show that I did. I’m facebook and twitter challenged, as you well know.
Posted your give away in my right side bar of my blog http://sallyscreativecorner.blogspot.com
Twitter: _eHope
says:
Fabulous offer!
Definitely into reading this one – inspiriting me just reading your review, Ramona!
Loving the idea of the creation revealing the creator – hmmm – intriguing…
TY for offering to host this worthwhile giveaway!
def follow you here, by email, fb Faith Hope Cherrytea, twitter as @_eHope,
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks for entering the giveaway – best of luck to you! 🙂
Twitter: goaskkatie
says:
Love this giveaway! Yes I follow, Yes I added it to my win it page, Yes please count me in! Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Hop, your participation makes the hop extra special.Big Hugs! P.S. my new giveaway posted yesterday come on over 🙂
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
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Thanks so much Katie – best of luck to you!
this looks like my kind of book and i would love to win it! i follow you in google+
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Best of luck to you Peggy – you will love this book!
i tweeted https://twitter.com/peggyapl/status/321256000176939009