The Blank Canvas offers solid advice for everyone who struggles with artist's block or other problems of creative expression, including: drawing subject matter from unexpected sources, mining one's daily visual responses for images, overcoming self-doubt and criticism, making choices when torn between several ideas, and getting started on assignments.

When Marcy Gregg awoke from a coma, 13 years had vanished from her memory. She was 30 years old; she thought she was still 17. She didn’t recognize the man who introduced himself as her husband. She stared at pictures of the three children they said were hers, trying desperately to remember them, but her mind was blank. Terrified and confused, Marcy did the only thing she could think of: she faked it. She told the doctors she was starting to remember and bluffed her way through visits from friends and family. Against all odds, it worked: she was released to a home, family, and life she should have known intimately—but seemed to be a stranger’s. How was she going to pull off the biggest acting challenge imaginable—and would her memories ever return? Ghost Boy meets What Alice Forgot in this amazing true story of a woman who lost herself and tried to fight her way back on her own—but who found unexpected beauty in hope, faith, and second chances.

In 2012, Craig Stanland made a choice that would cost him everything. After he had exploited the warranty policy of one of the largest tech companies in the world for almost a year, the FBI finally knocked on his door. He was arrested and sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $834,307 in restitution. He lost his wife, his homes, his cars, his career, and even his identity. He wanted nothing more than to die. Blank Canvas is a meditation on our remarkable capacity to rebuild and reinvent our lives. Through powerful storytelling, Craig proves that our greatest adversities do not have to be the end. Sometimes, they can be our greatest beginning.

Renowned abstract artist, the curmudgeonly octogenarian Giles Paumen, is the head of a family of artists, each of whom he considers less talented than himself. His son Laurence is a conceptual artist and lecturer, code for the fact that, unlike his father, he cannot paint at all. However, granddaughter Sophie has inherited the genes and is making a name for herself as a painter of massive portraits, not that Giles would ever dream of expressing a positive word about her work. When a new national art prize is announced, each of the Paumen's secretly enters, the prize galvanizing them to embark in a new direction. Giles will complete a landscape honouring his wife who has recently died. Laurence heads to Uluru intending to capture the true spirit of Australia in this most iconic of outback locations. And Sophie decides to portray the malevolence lurking beneath the benign exterior of that most awful of men, the chauvinist. What none of them predicts is that they will all become embroiled in an art fraud which threatens to undermine their reputations and devastate their careers. Here, the truth of their narcissistic and insecure personalities is revealed as the underbelly of the art world is exposed in all its ugly, and hilarious, glory.

This gentle giant's scarred hands may be the warmest touch she'll ever know. ...if only life were a fairy tale where Beauty got to keep her Beast Ivan thought the world was through giving him second chances. Hell, who was he kidding—he wasn't good enough for them anyway. And he certainly wasn't good enough for her. But the moment Uma walked into his life, Ivan knew he had to put all that crap aside and do everything he could to help. She was like nothing he'd ever known. Beautiful, lost, alone, she had the kind of sad eyes that were just begging for someone to save her... ...and despite his rough exterior, despite the nasty rumors, despite all the bad decisions following him around like the strays he couldn't help but rescue, Ivan was nothing but willing to be the kind of man she needed. Yeah, he'd thought the world was through giving him second chances. Until she came into his life. Until she changed everything. Until he realized he would do anything, fight anyone, tear the world apart if it only meant saving her. Blank Canvas series: Under Her Skin (Book 1) By Her Touch (Book 2) In His Hands (Book 3) Praise for Under Her Skin: "A dark and emotional tale that will make your spine tingle as well as your heart."—SARINA BOWEN, USA Today bestselling author of Bittersweet "The perfect romance...a hint of danger, a whole lot of spice, and an HEA you believe in."—ANNE CALHOUN, award-winning author of Under the Surface

"Anders has created wonderful variations on the beauty and the beast theme and the damsel-in-distress trope, a greatly tormented hero, and a powerful mix of menace and romance." —Booklist Second in an exciting contemporary romance series, Undercover cop Clay Navarro moved to a small town to rid himself of the last reminders of his past, but the gentle touch of Georgette Hadley will leave new marks on his skin-and his heart. Clay left the Sultans biker gang a changed man. Its ringleaders may be awaiting trial, but he wears the memory of his time in that hell tattooed across his skin. He figures he doesn't have space in his messed-up life for anything gentle?not now, maybe not ever. Besides, what woman could possibly want the man he's become? Dr. Georgette Hadley is drawn to the damaged stranger's pain, intimidated but intrigued by the warmth that lies beneath Clay's frightening exterior. She thrills at the way he gentles at her touch...and under his rough hands, she burns with a passion she never thought she'd know. But when the Sultans return looking for revenge, Georgette finds herself drawn into the dirty underbelly of a life forged in violence...that not even her touch may be able to heal. Blank Canvas series: Under Her Skin (Book 1) By Her Touch (Book 2) In His Hands (Book 3) Praise for Blank Canvas: "A dark and emotional tale that will make your spine tingle as well as your heart."—SARINA BOWEN, USA Today bestselling author of Bittersweet for Under Her Skin "The perfect romance...a hint of danger, a whole lot of spice, and an HEA you believe in."—ANNE CALHOUN, award-winning author of Under the Surface for Under Her Skin "Emotionally riveting page-turner."—Publishers Weekly STARRED for Under Her Skin "Incredibly sexy, heartbreaking, and intense."—Kirkus STARRED for Under Her Skin "Gripping [and] emotionally satisfying."—Publishers Weekly STARRED for By Her Touch "Anders has created wonderful variations on the beauty and the beast theme [with] a greatly tormented hero, and a powerful mix of menace and romance."—Booklist for By Her Touch

When a car accident changed the trajectory of his life at fifteen, Sam Braga set out to find his own way in the world. It never occurred to him he'd find home in Fairfield, Colorado, working with a childhood friend at a tattoo shop, and the legal guardian of a gorgeous little girl who was abandoned by her mother at birth. Sam has his life organized exactly the way he needs it. Maisy, work, and his found-family. There isn't room for anything else. Especially when DCS gets involved and tells him that his disability might interfere with his petition to finally adopt the little girl he's been raising. Sam might be lonely, but he just doesn't have room for love.Niko Pagonis tells himself he's not using the small town of Fairfield as an escape, but who is he kidding. When his NHL career ends two minutes after it begins, Niko flees the East Coast in search of somewhere to settle. He finds home in the form of his accounting firm and his gym buddies who never abandon him on leg-day. Eventually, however, it's not enough. Niko craves connection, and above all, he wants to feel like he belongs. He stumbles onto the unlikely family at Irons and Works, and more than that, he finds himself in the path of the gorgeous single-dad who has made it clear he has no plans to fit Niko into his routine.But things aren't always that simple, even when both men try to make them that way. A misguided offer of friends with benefits turns into something else, and both Sam and Niko know they're flirting with disaster. Still, neither one of them can seem to stay away from the other. Will they find their way through the mess before someone gets hurt? Or will it all come crashing to the ground.Blank Canvas is the second book in the Irons and Works series. Each book contains an individual storyline with no cheating and HEA.

Life is a blank canvas that the deity has made. He is the architect of our existence. He did, however, leave the canvas blank in order to create the best picture of our lives. It must be performed entirely by us and not by anyone else. Allowing someone else to design it may result in dull colours on your painting. Experiment with new colours on your canvas to get the most out of it, as it is properly stated. You are a self-taught artist who creates your own life. No one can create a better canvas than you. Give it your all since an artist is only concerned with filling the canvas with authentic colours. “The Blank Canvas” consists of several co-authors from all over the globe who have dedicated their inked verses as a poem, quote, micro tale or a short story which revolves around the open theme. We are hoping for the great success of this book, a free anthology launched by The Little Booktique Hub Publication in which none of the co-authors are charged a single penny throughout the publishing process.

Thanks to Hidaka-sensei's intensive training, Akiko manages to get through her art school exams. She's one step closer to seeing her dreams come true...or so she thinks!

Laura Magee is spending the summer in an art gallery in the southern New Jersey shore town of Safe Harbor. When a dispute over a painting by a man named Rafferty leads to the murder of one of her customers and puts Laura herself in danger, she must discover the identity of the killers and find out what makes a painting valuable enough to kill for. Then the FBI becomes involved, and Laura realizes that this crime has more layers than she ever imagined. On top of all this, Laura must deal with an insecure artist who only paints sea birds, a friend who has a track record of dating the wrong men, the amorous attentions of a handsome vacationer, and her old college boyfriend, who shows up on her doorstep suffering from PTSD and just happens to save her life. This fast-paced mystery has a strong sense of humor, particularly with regard to contemporary art, and a surprising conclusion. You may never look at an art gallery the same way again.

High schooler Akiko has big plans to become a popular mangaka before she even graduates, but she needs to get much better at drawing if she ever wants to reach her goal. Looking for an easy fix, she signs up for an art class, thinking all her problems will soon be solved. She''s in for a surprise: her new instructor is a bamboo sword-wielding taskmaster who doesn''t care about manga one bit. But maybe this unconventional art teacher is just what she needs to realize her dreams!

Akiko has finally achieved her dream of becoming a manga artist! She's almost ready to fully immerse herself in the wonderful world of shoujo when Hidaka-sensei approaches her. Just what does he want?

Hopeless romantic Isla has had a crush on brooding artist Josh since their first year at the School of America in Paris. And, after a chance encounter in Manhattan over the summer break, romance might be closer than Isla imagined. But as they begin their senior year back in France, Isla and Josh are forced to face uncertainty about their futures, and the very real possibility of being apart. Set against the stunning backdrops of New York, Paris and Barcelona, this is a gorgeous, heart-wrenching and irresistible story of true love, and the perfect conclusion to Stephanie Perkins's beloved series. "Stephanie Perkins's characters fall in love the way we all want to, in real time and for good." - Rainbow Rowell, author of Eleanor & Park and Fangirl

The rules are simple: Never speak to outsiders. Never yearn for something more. And never, ever seek the pleasure of a stolen kiss...or a whispered promise that with him, she can finally be free. Abby Merkley has been a member of the Church of the Apocalyptic Faith since she was a child, and there's no way out...until her darkly handsome, brooding neighbor defies the rules and takes her into the safety of his arms. He should frighten her, but everything inside Abby thrills at Luc Stanek's rough manners and shockingly gentle touch. He excites her, ignites her, leaves her shaken and wanting more. But evil men follow in her footsteps, and it may take more than one fierce beauty to defend her loving beast. Blank Canvas series: Under Her Skin (Book 1) By Her Touch (Book 2) In His Hands (Book 3) Praise for Blank Canvas: "A dark and emotional tale that will make your spine tingle as well as your heart."-SARINA BOWEN, USA Today bestselling author of Bittersweet for Under Her Skin "The perfect romance...a hint of danger, a whole lot of spice, and an HEA you believe in."-ANNE CALHOUN, award-winning author of Under the Surface for Under Her Skin "Emotionally riveting page-turner."-Publishers Weekly STARRED for Under Her Skin "Incredibly sexy, heartbreaking, and intense."-Kirkus for Under Her Skin "Gripping [and] emotionally satisfying."-Publishers Weekly STARRED for By Her Touch "Anders has created wonderful variations on the beauty and the beast theme [with] a greatly tormented hero, and a powerful mix of menace and romance."-Booklist for By Her Touch

LIFE LESSONS Akiko’s school days are long over and her work as a manga artist is keeping her very busy. Yet when Hidaka-sensei declares that he has four months left to live, it turns out he’s got one final lesson to teach her. The emotional finale of mangaka Akiko Higashimura’s dramatic memoir!

As an author, therapist and artist, Isa L Levy, shares an honest, detailed and thought provoking self-assessment of her life journey. The book is reflective in so many ways which invite the reader to engage more consciously with their own personal journey. Using clear and apt word painting, the words are poetic in that they evoke a reaction of all our senses. The book includes vibrant colour images of Isa's paintings as she comes into her own light, transforming the grey inner world of entrapment into colour. We hear the music Isa has created, we feel the gentle opening up within the lover's garden, and we can even taste the mother's force feeding! This is a remarkable achievement which leads us to a deeper level of engagement with the text..., says a previewer of the book, Frances Sutherland.Isa wants to reveal how in identifying with the inner world of our critical, harsh and judgemental voices, our soul "dies but not quite". She unravels in this creative memoir the evolution of the lost soul, restored back to life. She takes us through her many evolutions of change and transformation: from actor, to artist then onto arts psychotherapist, while facing her own negative demons and feelings of unworthiness. In doing so she retrieves her "lost soul" and polishes the jewel in her crown, which lay hidden in the unplumbed depths of low self-confidence and poor self-esteem, submerged beneath a world of depression and anxiety.

This book stitches together a complete design journey from beginning to end in a way that you’ve likely never seen before, guiding readers (you) step-by-step in a practical way from the initial spark of an idea all the way to scaling it into a better business. Design a Better Business includes a comprehensive set of tools (over 20 total!) and skills that will help you harness opportunity from uncertainty by building the right team(s) and balancing your point of view against new findings from the outside world. This book also features over 50 case studies and real life examples from large corporations such as ING Bank, Audi, Autodesk, and Toyota Financial Services, to small startups, incubators, and social impact organizations, providing a behind the scenes look at the best practices and pitfalls to avoid. Also included are personal insights from thought leaders such as Steve Blank on innovation, Alex Osterwalder on business models, Nancy Duarte on storytelling, and Rob Fitzpatrick on questioning, among others.

Art school Britain in the 1960s and 1970s – a hotbed of experimental DIY creativity blurring the lines between art and music. In Blank Canvas, multi-genre musician turned university lecturer Simon Strange paints a picture of the diverse range of people who broke down the barriers between art, life and the creative self. Tracing lines from the Bauhaus 'blank slate' through the white heat of the Velvet Underground and the cutting edge of the Slits, Blank Canvas draws on interviews with giants of the genre across music, gender and race spectrums, from Brian Eno to Pauline Black, Cabaret Voltaire to Gaye Advert. Illustrated is a picture of two decades erupting in a devastatingly diverse flow of outspoken originality as an eclectic range of musical styles and cultures fused. Does modern day music education suffocate the soul and inhibit the impact of the bohemian artist? This book asks questions of today's artists, musicians, and educators, looking for the essence of creativity and suggests how lessons learnt in and around art school education show a path for the cultural evolution of both musicians and artists hoping to create the future. Audience will include university students at all levels in popular music, popular culture and creative arts education. Academics, educators and researchers working in popular culture and creativity. May also appeal to a more general reader interested in popular culture and creativity. With a Blank Canvas, anything is possible...

I want her more than my next breath, but she can never be mine. A year ago, I met her the first time. The fair-haired beauty at the flower shop. The mysterious woman that watched me from the window and sparked my artistic muse. I didn’t learn her name then, but she was always there. In the periphery. Until I had to say goodbye. Out with a friend a year later, I spot her in the crowd and can’t take my eyes off her. Though I should stay away from her, I find every possible way to see her. To spend time with her. I shouldn’t want Shelly Reed. Shouldn’t lead her to believe we will ever be more than friends. The more I push her away, the more she lures me in. With her radiant smile and affectionate heart, Shelly gives me new life, purpose, and captures my soul. I should let her go, but am too selfish to do so. I need her. More than my next breath.