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Drawing On Anxiety: Finding calm through creativity
Drawing On Anxiety is a beautifully illustrated, interactive, timely and friendly art therapy journal to draw out, draw on and draw through in anxious times.
Part memoir, part self-help and self-care, this creative journal full of guided prompts and grounding affirmations is a mindful, positive tool for exploring your body’s natural response to stress .
Illustrator and author Kate Sutton draws on her own personal experiences of dealing with anxiety to create a warm and friendly journal that encourages you to be kind to yourself, take a moment and explore your feelings through the act of drawing.
Built on art therapy principles and filled with prompts to help you express yourself on the page, as well as affirmations which help remind us that it will all be okay , this diary will help give you the resilience and strength needed to make it through those difficult moments.
This book is part of the Drawing On... series, a collection of creative guided journals which help readers explore difficult topics including anxiety and grief. Also available is Drawing On Grief , which explores the delicate and difficult subject of loss, and how art therapy can help us navigate this painful time.
Part memoir, part self-help and self-care, this creative journal full of guided prompts and grounding affirmations is a mindful, positive tool for exploring your body’s natural response to stress .
Illustrator and author Kate Sutton draws on her own personal experiences of dealing with anxiety to create a warm and friendly journal that encourages you to be kind to yourself, take a moment and explore your feelings through the act of drawing.
Built on art therapy principles and filled with prompts to help you express yourself on the page, as well as affirmations which help remind us that it will all be okay , this diary will help give you the resilience and strength needed to make it through those difficult moments.
This book is part of the Drawing On... series, a collection of creative guided journals which help readers explore difficult topics including anxiety and grief. Also available is Drawing On Grief , which explores the delicate and difficult subject of loss, and how art therapy can help us navigate this painful time.
- GenresNonfictionArtSelf Help
160 pages, Paperback
Published January 17, 2023
3 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 17, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
Drawing On Anxiety is a beautiful journalling type book where the author encourages you to use your creativity in drawing (even if your not great at it) as therapy to help calm and ease your mind. The book is made up of the authors own journey and experiences with anxiety and has slotted a huge selection of prompts and creative pages for you to draw your own drawings as you make your way through the book. I'd have loved a physical copy of this book ad drawing in a bit of paper looking at the book on my phone wasn't the best experience and the physical book I'm sure will be 100% better.I liked how many pages there were I'm this book for you to create your own drawings and even write on in-between the authors thoughts and experiences. This book is very calming and soothing and will definitely be a book I will be looking to get in physical form in the future.
Drawing On Anxiety is a beautiful journalling type book where the author encourages you to use your creativity in drawing (even if your not great at it) as therapy to help calm and ease your mind. The book is made up of the authors own journey and experiences with anxiety and has slotted a huge selection of prompts and creative pages for you to draw your own drawings as you make your way through the book. I'd have loved a physical copy of this book ad drawing in a bit of paper looking at the book on my phone wasn't the best experience and the physical book I'm sure will be 100% better.I liked how many pages there were I'm this book for you to create your own drawings and even write on in-between the authors thoughts and experiences. This book is very calming and soothing and will definitely be a book I will be looking to get in physical form in the future.
January 28, 2023
This was a really useful book tome, I suffer from anxiety and depression, so I can judge this openly and honestly with first hand experience. What I liked was the informality, the hand-written appearance and simple illustrations. It’s really appealing and looks approachable (in a book way) The exercises are constructive, fun , but also link to your anxiety and how to deal with it. I also liked the information about anxiety that is very supportive and helpful to the reader. If your suffer anxiety I would definitely add this to your tool kit
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
January 15, 2023
I get to read a lot of books from Netgalley, and most of them are just fun to read, leaving me grateful to have been able to read (or listen to) them at no cost -- but some books just need to be purchased to be enjoyed, and this is one of those.
This sweet journal with its hand-written memoir, instructions, and ideas for journaling one's way through anxiety struck me as so delightful that I've ordered my own copy and am waiting for it to come in to my local bookstore (Odyssey Books). I don't actually suffer from anxiety, but I'm thinking I will give this as a gift. I understand this author previously created a book Drawing on Grief, which sounds like it would be an even better fit for me to keep for myself.
If you are interested in keeping an art journal or processing your anxiety through journaling, I'd highly recommend this book.
This sweet journal with its hand-written memoir, instructions, and ideas for journaling one's way through anxiety struck me as so delightful that I've ordered my own copy and am waiting for it to come in to my local bookstore (Odyssey Books). I don't actually suffer from anxiety, but I'm thinking I will give this as a gift. I understand this author previously created a book Drawing on Grief, which sounds like it would be an even better fit for me to keep for myself.
If you are interested in keeping an art journal or processing your anxiety through journaling, I'd highly recommend this book.
November 29, 2022
I enjoyed the explanation of the differences between anxiety, fear, worry and stress in the beginning. When in the throes of anxiety it can be so difficult to identify where your feelings are coming from and this was a helpful, simple explanation to help with understanding those feelings.
I also really liked the tone of voice that this book was written in. The way Sutton writes is so calming and gentle. The book most definitely did its job at helping me feel relaxed! The interjections of little personal anecdotal stories and various quotes was a really nice addition as well. They added variety to balance out the drawing exercises and made the book feel more relatable which was really refreshing.
The exercises were different from those that I’ve seen in other “drawing challenge” books. I liked that they were unpredictable and they actually encouraged healthy introspection. I love a challenge that makes me think and helps me to work through my anxiety at the same time.
The illustrations were also very well done. They were simple, not too overwhelming and just very cute! I especially loved the one of the pond with the duck and plants surrounding it.
Lovely book! I can’t wait to get a print copy when it is released.
Thank you to NetGalley and Leaping Hare Press for offering this book in exchange for an honest review.
I also really liked the tone of voice that this book was written in. The way Sutton writes is so calming and gentle. The book most definitely did its job at helping me feel relaxed! The interjections of little personal anecdotal stories and various quotes was a really nice addition as well. They added variety to balance out the drawing exercises and made the book feel more relatable which was really refreshing.
The exercises were different from those that I’ve seen in other “drawing challenge” books. I liked that they were unpredictable and they actually encouraged healthy introspection. I love a challenge that makes me think and helps me to work through my anxiety at the same time.
The illustrations were also very well done. They were simple, not too overwhelming and just very cute! I especially loved the one of the pond with the duck and plants surrounding it.
Lovely book! I can’t wait to get a print copy when it is released.
Thank you to NetGalley and Leaping Hare Press for offering this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 29, 2022
This was an absolutely beautiful, soothing, lovely journal-type book that felt inspiring to me (even though I am not an artsy person).
The author candidly shares bits of her own struggle with anxiety, interspersed with pages and prompts for you to draw your own pictures as you follow the progress of the anxiety narrative. And then she moves to the things that have helped her--which are, of course, things that could help anyone! There's space to draw and write every couple of pages, which feels like it allows you to assimilate these helpful tips and make them your own. The tone is friendly and extremely relatable, like a chat with someone you know well.
Although, as I said, I am not a particularly creative person, I still found it calming just to page through this book, and I can imagine that a physical copy of it with pen or pencil in hand would be irresistible to just start doodling or jotting things down. Loved the style so much!
Thanks to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Leaping Hare for this digital review copy!
The author candidly shares bits of her own struggle with anxiety, interspersed with pages and prompts for you to draw your own pictures as you follow the progress of the anxiety narrative. And then she moves to the things that have helped her--which are, of course, things that could help anyone! There's space to draw and write every couple of pages, which feels like it allows you to assimilate these helpful tips and make them your own. The tone is friendly and extremely relatable, like a chat with someone you know well.
Although, as I said, I am not a particularly creative person, I still found it calming just to page through this book, and I can imagine that a physical copy of it with pen or pencil in hand would be irresistible to just start doodling or jotting things down. Loved the style so much!
Thanks to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Leaping Hare for this digital review copy!
February 15, 2023
Fun drawings paired with great advice and engaging activities—what’s not to love? As an artist as well as a reader it had exactly the right balance to keep you invested in yourself as well as the instructions guiding you along.
November 23, 2022
I've been waiting with anticipation for this book and am really excited to get the chance to review it. I'm a big fan of Kate's wonderful illustrations and have recently completed her excellent drawing class on Domestika. This book, 'Drawing on Anxiety', is jam packed full of exercises and prompts aimed at getting the creative juices flowing and getting the reader into the 'flow' state or being more in the present moment. I love the way Kate weaves her own experiences and thoughts on anxiety into the book which makes it feel more personal to the reader. Kate's section on health anxiety really struck a chord with me personally and I'm so pleased she included it. Some of my favourite exercises in the book are, 'What view can you imagine from this plane window?' Draw yourself a helpful morning routine', 'Seen on my walk' and 'Fill these pages with brightly coloured worry dolls.' I don't see myself as a particularly good illustrator but Kate makes me feel like I can give drawing a good try. I'm really looking forward to getting this book in print when it comes out in January and getting started on some of these lovely exercises. What a lovely book and I hope it does well.
February 11, 2023
Drawing On Anxiety by Kate Sutton was an excellent book and I loved. Drawing On Anxiety was a beautifully written with colourful illustrations throughout that I found very friendly with a brilliant art therapy journal to draw out, draw on and draw through in anxious times.
This book was part memoir, self-help and self care journal that you create daily which was full of friendly great prompt and guidelines and a positive tool for exploring your body’s natural response to stress. and how to deal with these.
The illustrator and author Kate Sutton has done a great job with this book especially as this was written from the heart. her
own personal experiences of dealing with her anxiety. she created a warm and friendly journal that encourages you to be kind to yourself, take a moment and explore your feelings through the act of drawing.
I was so impressed I went and purchased this book for my beautiful niece who is suffering from anxiety etc on a daily basis. This has helped her talk about what she is going through, how she is feeling with me and her mum regularly - she used to bottle it up and also be withdraw with the world around her. So Big Thank you to You Kate.
I highly recommend this book. I can't thank you enough xxx
This book was part memoir, self-help and self care journal that you create daily which was full of friendly great prompt and guidelines and a positive tool for exploring your body’s natural response to stress. and how to deal with these.
The illustrator and author Kate Sutton has done a great job with this book especially as this was written from the heart. her
own personal experiences of dealing with her anxiety. she created a warm and friendly journal that encourages you to be kind to yourself, take a moment and explore your feelings through the act of drawing.
I was so impressed I went and purchased this book for my beautiful niece who is suffering from anxiety etc on a daily basis. This has helped her talk about what she is going through, how she is feeling with me and her mum regularly - she used to bottle it up and also be withdraw with the world around her. So Big Thank you to You Kate.
I highly recommend this book. I can't thank you enough xxx
February 19, 2023
A lovely and very creative workbook for anxiety, with prompts that are useful for everyday mindfulness. Thank you to Edelweiss and to Leaping Hare Press.
November 2, 2022
I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
This was a useful book. All of the exercises were easy and provoked thought.
I did feel that the organization was a little off. Some of the activities jumped back and forth. While there was some repetitiveness, that was to be expected and worked with anxiety work. The issue was jumping back and forth between similar or identical things.
This was a useful book. All of the exercises were easy and provoked thought.
I did feel that the organization was a little off. Some of the activities jumped back and forth. While there was some repetitiveness, that was to be expected and worked with anxiety work. The issue was jumping back and forth between similar or identical things.
February 27, 2023
What struck me immediately on opening the book was that the font used gave the impression that it is handwritten. This felt like a personal touch, almost as if Sutton is talking to me personally. I wasn’t sure if this was intended but it definitely warmed me to this book. It is part of the Drawing On... series, a collection of creative guided journals which help readers explore difficult topics including anxiety and grief. Also available is Drawing On Grief, which explores the delicate and difficult subject of loss, and how art therapy can help us navigate this painful time. Here, Sutton is exploring anxiety. Built on art therapy principles Sutton draws on her own personal experiences to create a part memoir and part self-help manual, advocating self-care when dealing with anxiety. This fusion results in a warm friendly journal. The journal encourages you to be kind to yourself, take a moment and explore your feelings through the act of drawing.
I particularly liked that this journal was interactive and it drew out my anxiety while also inviting me to draw on and through my anxious moments. The introduction explains the premise of the book and it certainly fulfils what it says. It employs art therapy principles in a soothing manner, a veritable salve to ones’ fraught state. Did I tell you that Sutton herself is an illustrator and author? I found she uses these principles efficaciously in art therapy. While she does not claim this is a cure all she has compiled a list of helpful resources at the end of the book.
The beauty of this book is that one can jump in anywhere depending on how one feels at that moment. Ad when one is finished it is always there as a handy reminder. One could do these exercises repeatedly in a blank sketchbook. Think of what you might come up with. Or simply buy another copy. Or keep the original for reference and use a blank sketchbook from the start. The possibilities are endless. I also discovered I could do these exercises with mates as in a book club. Only mine was on Zoom where each of us chose our own exercise. One shared or didn’t share it was left to the individual. Ones journey is after all private. Doing it online together did foster a sense of community and togetherness. These feelings maybe heightened if done in a physical meeting.
One also learns the difference between anxiety, stress, worry and fear. While explaining how to use the book Sutton adjures us that there is only self-discovery and play. I’m delighted she has used the word play. To play is exciting, negating the mundane or boring. The whole exercise is much more promising. True the prompts and affirmations have a purpose, a playful purpose. I hunkered down to play. It could be a rainy, cloudy, cold or a bracing day. I could take my playbook and go play out my anxiety, stress, worry or fear.
The book heavily features Nature. This delighted the gardener in me. Sutton imaginatively asks her readers through prompts, affirmations, mindful drawing, to offload their anxiety to enable them to lead a fuller life. It spans all age groups from the very young to Seniors.
Bravo Sutton, job well done!
I particularly liked that this journal was interactive and it drew out my anxiety while also inviting me to draw on and through my anxious moments. The introduction explains the premise of the book and it certainly fulfils what it says. It employs art therapy principles in a soothing manner, a veritable salve to ones’ fraught state. Did I tell you that Sutton herself is an illustrator and author? I found she uses these principles efficaciously in art therapy. While she does not claim this is a cure all she has compiled a list of helpful resources at the end of the book.
The beauty of this book is that one can jump in anywhere depending on how one feels at that moment. Ad when one is finished it is always there as a handy reminder. One could do these exercises repeatedly in a blank sketchbook. Think of what you might come up with. Or simply buy another copy. Or keep the original for reference and use a blank sketchbook from the start. The possibilities are endless. I also discovered I could do these exercises with mates as in a book club. Only mine was on Zoom where each of us chose our own exercise. One shared or didn’t share it was left to the individual. Ones journey is after all private. Doing it online together did foster a sense of community and togetherness. These feelings maybe heightened if done in a physical meeting.
One also learns the difference between anxiety, stress, worry and fear. While explaining how to use the book Sutton adjures us that there is only self-discovery and play. I’m delighted she has used the word play. To play is exciting, negating the mundane or boring. The whole exercise is much more promising. True the prompts and affirmations have a purpose, a playful purpose. I hunkered down to play. It could be a rainy, cloudy, cold or a bracing day. I could take my playbook and go play out my anxiety, stress, worry or fear.
The book heavily features Nature. This delighted the gardener in me. Sutton imaginatively asks her readers through prompts, affirmations, mindful drawing, to offload their anxiety to enable them to lead a fuller life. It spans all age groups from the very young to Seniors.
Bravo Sutton, job well done!
February 13, 2023
Thank you to both NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group –Leaping Hare, Leaping Hare Press for a free e-ARC of this work.
This is the second work by Sutton that I have had the pleasure to read. In my opinion Sutton manages to write a self- help book that avoided being preachy simply by being honest about her own experiences, in a way that is not patronizing.
Sutton uses art to have the reader do mindfulness and other CBT (cognitive Behavioral Therapy) tasks. These feel far from work, dare I even say they are fun.
Some get the reader to look deep into what triggers their anxiety and others are just small fun tasks. It also helps that the book is not text heavy. (And I say that as someone who paid good money for a 300 page self help book that is currently gathering dust.)
I loved that Sutton admitted that she too found it hard to do the things she was advising readers to do. This took that perfectionist presser off. Sutton tells her readers from the start that there are days they will not get up out of bed. Even more importantly she does not guilt the reader for this instead she validates them.
This book does not ask the reader fear failure, instead it asks the reader to try. To do what the reader can at that moment.
The author speaks plain English, there are no fancy terms or lingo, there is no mental health shaming and at the end of it you might just want to do it all over again. At only around 162 pages it is short enough to keep anyone interested but long enough to teach the reader good habits.
Even with 160 ish pages this book is not too text heavy, which is good if like me you find it hard to get through a lot of text when you are trying to learn something. In fact I'm sure if I had the book in physical form I would have finished it in about a week.
If you like,
Lists
Breathing exercises
Walks
Animals
Drawing
Meditation
Quotes
Tips
Dream records
Self-care
Motivation
Brain dumping
Even if you don't that might change if you read this book.. Honestly the only thing I disliked about my e-ARC is that I couldn't hold the book, fill it in by hand. or keep it when I was done.
Definitely something I will treat myself to in future.
This is the second work by Sutton that I have had the pleasure to read. In my opinion Sutton manages to write a self- help book that avoided being preachy simply by being honest about her own experiences, in a way that is not patronizing.
Sutton uses art to have the reader do mindfulness and other CBT (cognitive Behavioral Therapy) tasks. These feel far from work, dare I even say they are fun.
Some get the reader to look deep into what triggers their anxiety and others are just small fun tasks. It also helps that the book is not text heavy. (And I say that as someone who paid good money for a 300 page self help book that is currently gathering dust.)
I loved that Sutton admitted that she too found it hard to do the things she was advising readers to do. This took that perfectionist presser off. Sutton tells her readers from the start that there are days they will not get up out of bed. Even more importantly she does not guilt the reader for this instead she validates them.
This book does not ask the reader fear failure, instead it asks the reader to try. To do what the reader can at that moment.
The author speaks plain English, there are no fancy terms or lingo, there is no mental health shaming and at the end of it you might just want to do it all over again. At only around 162 pages it is short enough to keep anyone interested but long enough to teach the reader good habits.
Even with 160 ish pages this book is not too text heavy, which is good if like me you find it hard to get through a lot of text when you are trying to learn something. In fact I'm sure if I had the book in physical form I would have finished it in about a week.
If you like,
Lists
Breathing exercises
Walks
Animals
Drawing
Meditation
Quotes
Tips
Dream records
Self-care
Motivation
Brain dumping
Even if you don't that might change if you read this book.. Honestly the only thing I disliked about my e-ARC is that I couldn't hold the book, fill it in by hand. or keep it when I was done.
Definitely something I will treat myself to in future.
December 20, 2022
Gracias Quarto Publishing Group –Leaping Hare, Kate Sutton y NetGalley por el ejemplar digital a cambio de una reseña honesta.
Necesito que este libro este en español y disponible para comprar. Me gustaría poder regalárselo a varias personas que conozco que le ayudaría un montón tenerlo en sus manos.
Nunca fui muy fanática de escribir o dibujar los libros. Ese tipo de libro de "destruye este diario" o cosas así nunca me gustaron (aunque algunas personas hacen un arte tremendo) y siempre lo juzgue bastante. Pero creo que ahora podría entenderlo un poco más y siento que este libro es perfecto.
Cada vez hay mas personas con ansiedad, nos guste o no la sociedad nos lleva a eso y poco podemos hacer a veces. Y que un libro intente centrarnos, calmarnos e invitarnos a centrarnos en lo que dibujamos y en las consignas. Es precioso, es reconfortante y a la vez me aterra que CONOZCO muchas personas que podrían utilizarlo.
¿Qué nos esta sucediendo?
Más allá de esta reflexión, me encantó el tipo de arte, las consignas que presenta, cómo cada uno puede darle su estilo y su color ya que las consignas son tan generales y amplias que cada uno elige que hacer, cómo hacerlo y cuál hacer.
Este tipo de libros invita a que no nos sintamos solos en este inmenso planeta.
Gracias por este libro, por la dedicación. Espero que pueda llegar a muchas más personas.
Necesito que este libro este en español y disponible para comprar. Me gustaría poder regalárselo a varias personas que conozco que le ayudaría un montón tenerlo en sus manos.
Nunca fui muy fanática de escribir o dibujar los libros. Ese tipo de libro de "destruye este diario" o cosas así nunca me gustaron (aunque algunas personas hacen un arte tremendo) y siempre lo juzgue bastante. Pero creo que ahora podría entenderlo un poco más y siento que este libro es perfecto.
Cada vez hay mas personas con ansiedad, nos guste o no la sociedad nos lleva a eso y poco podemos hacer a veces. Y que un libro intente centrarnos, calmarnos e invitarnos a centrarnos en lo que dibujamos y en las consignas. Es precioso, es reconfortante y a la vez me aterra que CONOZCO muchas personas que podrían utilizarlo.
¿Qué nos esta sucediendo?
Más allá de esta reflexión, me encantó el tipo de arte, las consignas que presenta, cómo cada uno puede darle su estilo y su color ya que las consignas son tan generales y amplias que cada uno elige que hacer, cómo hacerlo y cuál hacer.
Este tipo de libros invita a que no nos sintamos solos en este inmenso planeta.
Gracias por este libro, por la dedicación. Espero que pueda llegar a muchas más personas.
December 4, 2022
Drawing on Anxiety by Kate Sutton is a lovely book. Equal parts self-help, journal, self-care, and meditative anxiety releaser, it will surely be helpful to a wide variety of people.
Anxiety is my unfortunate go-to, and I haven’t yet found a way to meditate that doesn’t add more frustration (I’m so bored! Am I doing it right?? Failing at this is making me feel more anxious!) I have found greater success in choosing mindful activities that keep me in the moment and allow me to process my feelings: Drawing being a perfect example.
I am NOT an artist, yet as I followed the prompts from these pages I let that go and just had fun. I found myself loving these activities, and my only complaint is that I
wish the book were longer. I’ll surely buy this more than once, and/or constantly refer back to its prompts to use on a blank pad (as I did this time since my ARC copy was digital).
Extra bonus points for the inclusion of some excellent resource pages!
Wholehearted thanks to Kate Sutton for creating this book, and to both NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group-Leaping Hare for access to this digital ARC.
Anxiety is my unfortunate go-to, and I haven’t yet found a way to meditate that doesn’t add more frustration (I’m so bored! Am I doing it right?? Failing at this is making me feel more anxious!) I have found greater success in choosing mindful activities that keep me in the moment and allow me to process my feelings: Drawing being a perfect example.
I am NOT an artist, yet as I followed the prompts from these pages I let that go and just had fun. I found myself loving these activities, and my only complaint is that I
wish the book were longer. I’ll surely buy this more than once, and/or constantly refer back to its prompts to use on a blank pad (as I did this time since my ARC copy was digital).
Extra bonus points for the inclusion of some excellent resource pages!
Wholehearted thanks to Kate Sutton for creating this book, and to both NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group-Leaping Hare for access to this digital ARC.
November 30, 2022
I received a digital copy of this book through NetGalley.
Drawing on Anxiety is a guided journal. There are adorable illustrations with props and examples to help you explore your creativity. At first, my perfectionist side of my anxiety felt it was a bit chaotic, and almost fueled my anxiety more. But I quickly realized…that’s the point!
I was drawn to this book because I’ve recently been exercising my own creativity through drawing and hand lettering. The thing is, I’m not very good 😂 but this book helped me realize it’s not about perfection. The process of drawing and exploring your thoughts and ideas to help with anxiety is just about getting it out on the paper. Some people do that through words and journaling, but this hits my creative side and feels more fulfilling to me at times.
I would highly recommend this book as a great starting point to someone dealing with anxiety, and looking for a practice to help them explore mindfulness and creativity. Even if you feel like you don’t have time, just a few minutes can help.
Drawing on Anxiety is a guided journal. There are adorable illustrations with props and examples to help you explore your creativity. At first, my perfectionist side of my anxiety felt it was a bit chaotic, and almost fueled my anxiety more. But I quickly realized…that’s the point!
I was drawn to this book because I’ve recently been exercising my own creativity through drawing and hand lettering. The thing is, I’m not very good 😂 but this book helped me realize it’s not about perfection. The process of drawing and exploring your thoughts and ideas to help with anxiety is just about getting it out on the paper. Some people do that through words and journaling, but this hits my creative side and feels more fulfilling to me at times.
I would highly recommend this book as a great starting point to someone dealing with anxiety, and looking for a practice to help them explore mindfulness and creativity. Even if you feel like you don’t have time, just a few minutes can help.
February 28, 2023
This is a really beautiful, accessible book for those looking to explore and soothe their anxiety through art. With the amazing talent of Kate Sutton as author and illustrator, someone whose work I've admired for some time, it's a book that is part memoir, part self-help, part interactive art guide.
The handwritten style that Sutton is known for, alongside the warm, recognisable illustrations, gives the whole book a unique and welcoming feel. I would absolutely love a hard copy of this to work through and will be looking out for it in local shops. It gives such a friendly feel, even when dealing with something that can be so hard to work through.
The layout and the formatting of the book are really interesting and encourage you to add your own drawings and therefore experiences to the mix, which gives the reading experience another dimension. A lovely idea and one I look forward to seeing more of in the Drawing On... series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Leaping Hare for this ARC - as ever, my opinions are my own, honest, and freely given.
The handwritten style that Sutton is known for, alongside the warm, recognisable illustrations, gives the whole book a unique and welcoming feel. I would absolutely love a hard copy of this to work through and will be looking out for it in local shops. It gives such a friendly feel, even when dealing with something that can be so hard to work through.
The layout and the formatting of the book are really interesting and encourage you to add your own drawings and therefore experiences to the mix, which gives the reading experience another dimension. A lovely idea and one I look forward to seeing more of in the Drawing On... series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Leaping Hare for this ARC - as ever, my opinions are my own, honest, and freely given.
February 7, 2023
I really should stop reading these books by people who think you can get better because they did. And, the only way you can get better is to read about her life and struggles and try and do the things that helped her. She even includes resources that may supposed to help because she uses them. She includes books without mentioning any possible triggers that could cause the reader to become more anxious. These types of book are almost always written for certain groups of people and for certain types of anxiety as well. I'm not one of those people and the majority of the ideas wouldn't help my anxiety at all and some would actually make my anxiety worse. Biggest example is the drawing what you see from the window of an airplane. Now I'm freaking out thinking of airplane crashes and drawing wreckage, fire, and dead bodies and having an anxiety attack. Just writing that has me all jittery and anxious so point proven.
December 9, 2022
Drawing on Axiety helps readers deal with anxiety in an easy, thoughtful and playful way. It explains the difference between anxiety, fear, worry, and stress and then begins to show us ways to ease our minds.
It provides helpful tips, journal prompts, encourages mindfulness and naming our emotions, supports acceptance of our feelings, and promotes creativity as a vaiid way to express and handle our anxiety.
This is a fun, no pressure book that offers helpful information, and gently guides readers back to feelings of peacefulness and calm. This book will be helpful for a wide range of ages and people. Very well done!
My thanks to Leaping Hare Press for permitting me to read an ARC of the book via NetGalley. It is scheduled for publication 1/17/23. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.
It provides helpful tips, journal prompts, encourages mindfulness and naming our emotions, supports acceptance of our feelings, and promotes creativity as a vaiid way to express and handle our anxiety.
This is a fun, no pressure book that offers helpful information, and gently guides readers back to feelings of peacefulness and calm. This book will be helpful for a wide range of ages and people. Very well done!
My thanks to Leaping Hare Press for permitting me to read an ARC of the book via NetGalley. It is scheduled for publication 1/17/23. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.
December 11, 2022
This title is a self-help book that is based upon art therapy principles and practices. It is well put together and I think will be welcomed by those who struggle with anxiety. It is beautifully illustrated with spaces for the book’s owner to draw as well.
The book begins with information about the role that anxiety may play in a person’s life and the ways in which this is similar or different to other emotions like worry or stress. There is then some discussion of mindfulness. There are also quotes and thoughts from the author throughout this title.
The pages for drawing have good prompts. Book purchasers can go in order or flit to whatever appeals.
I very much like this book. I think that I will buy the hard copy when it is released.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
The book begins with information about the role that anxiety may play in a person’s life and the ways in which this is similar or different to other emotions like worry or stress. There is then some discussion of mindfulness. There are also quotes and thoughts from the author throughout this title.
The pages for drawing have good prompts. Book purchasers can go in order or flit to whatever appeals.
I very much like this book. I think that I will buy the hard copy when it is released.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
January 6, 2023
I received and advanced digital copy of this book through NetGalley.
I am not an artist. The idea of a self help drawing journal was new to me, and I had my reservations at first, but I was so pleased to find that the flow of this book and the freedom in the prompts actually gave me confidence in my artistic abilities. Sutton's words of encouragement and ability to relate to the struggles that come with daily anxiety were so calming, and quite charming at some points, that I was able to let go of my unease and draw until my anxiety faded away. I can see myself coming back to this book until the pages are too full to draw anymore. I look forward to purchasing a physical copy for my similarly anxious friends, artists and non-artists alike.
I am not an artist. The idea of a self help drawing journal was new to me, and I had my reservations at first, but I was so pleased to find that the flow of this book and the freedom in the prompts actually gave me confidence in my artistic abilities. Sutton's words of encouragement and ability to relate to the struggles that come with daily anxiety were so calming, and quite charming at some points, that I was able to let go of my unease and draw until my anxiety faded away. I can see myself coming back to this book until the pages are too full to draw anymore. I look forward to purchasing a physical copy for my similarly anxious friends, artists and non-artists alike.
January 10, 2023
This book is not completely original...a guided journal focusing on drawing, but it is marvelous. The format is informal, with hand-written text (or a font that looks like it) and simple illustrations. Even the semi-blank pages for actual artwork are nicely framed with simple designs. There is good current information about anxiety that is very constructive in helping readers view their anxiety from new angles.. The exercises recommended in the book are constructive, sometimes fun, and very much linked with the sources of the reader's anxiety and ways to deal with it effectively. This book would absolutely be useful and appealing for an older child or certainly an adolescent in addition to adults.
November 30, 2022
I love this book! It is a great tool to use to understand, manage, and make friends with one’s anxiety. The author utilizes the techniques of mindfulness, visualization, free writing and others that have a DBT or CBT basis while using expressive art. I can see how this would be helpful to a person learning to better navigate anxiety through multiple modalities that ties into artistic creativity. I will be recommending it!
I received an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I received an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
December 5, 2022
Drawing on Anxiety is a charming and welcoming book with illustrations and prompts to get what’s on your mind out and onto the page. There is something laid back and comfortable about this book, almost whimsical despite covering some (maybe) difficult topics. Perhaps it is the loopy lettering, that makes it look hand-written. And I love that there is no wrong way to do this. I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet and inviting book/journal.
Thanks to Kate Sutton, Quarto Publishing Group-Leaping Hare, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this work.
Thanks to Kate Sutton, Quarto Publishing Group-Leaping Hare, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this work.
December 17, 2022
I previewed this book on Netgalley and found it a wonderful resource. Anxiety can keep us in so wound up in our heads and this book gives wonderful suggestions and demonstrations of ways to refocus our thoughts on the present by using drawing and encouraging suggestions to bring us into the moment and de-escalate. By giving an example and then providing space to explore the exercise within the workbook it makes it easy to pick up the book and hep yourself by turning to a page and shifting the anxiety by drawing.
December 18, 2022
Drawing On Anxiety
4.5 Stars
I absolutely loved this book! Art has always been an anxiety reducer for me. I enjoyed the first few educational chapters. The writing prompt removes the stress of staring at a blank page. No, you do not need to be a great artist to benefit from Drawing On Anxiety. I liked the casual teaching style.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, and look forward to getting a copy for my teenage daughter. Thank you, NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group, for providing me with a digital ARC for an honest review.
4.5 Stars
I absolutely loved this book! Art has always been an anxiety reducer for me. I enjoyed the first few educational chapters. The writing prompt removes the stress of staring at a blank page. No, you do not need to be a great artist to benefit from Drawing On Anxiety. I liked the casual teaching style.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, and look forward to getting a copy for my teenage daughter. Thank you, NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group, for providing me with a digital ARC for an honest review.
January 1, 2023
This is a beautifully executed combination of artistic exploration paired with social and emotional learning, teaching self awareness and mindfulness practices through art in a heartfelt way. I like the structure of the book which gives personal reflections from the author before each artistic activity. It's designed so that the reader can engage in a non-linear way and even come back to some exercises repeatedly. It's a lovely way to encourage introspection and self analysis with open ended questions.
January 6, 2023
This book gets it. The "After hanging out with a friend" part is all too real.
I'm kind of blown away by the effort and creativity put into this book. All the different doodles, advice and activities - I absolutely love it.
I think this book would be a great gift for anyone, not just those who suffer from anxiety. But for those who do, this book understands and provides different coping mechanisms which you may find useful.
*Free e-copy received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I'm kind of blown away by the effort and creativity put into this book. All the different doodles, advice and activities - I absolutely love it.
I think this book would be a great gift for anyone, not just those who suffer from anxiety. But for those who do, this book understands and provides different coping mechanisms which you may find useful.
*Free e-copy received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2023
This is a very cute book. And I'm sure this will be very effective in helping with anxiety, over-thinking et cetera. But I don't see this book working in ebook version at all. I can review this book but I can't really use it either. Sure, I can grab another drawing book but that defeats the whle purpose of this book. So physical version, absolutely 4 stars. Ebook version? 2 stars. Thanks to netgalley for providing me with this ARC though.
January 7, 2023
This is a lovely book of prompts to help the reader/user explore the nature of their anxiety and perhaps ease it. The author's personal reflections before each activity are non-judgmental and not at all preachy -- and the art is designed to be non-intimidating, inviting participation. It's an appealing resource that encourages introspection. I received an ebook copy via Netgalley (thank you!) and simply used a paper book in parallel -- if that wouldn't work for you, buy the paper vetsion!
December 9, 2022
this is such a great book to read if you’re dealing with bad anxiety. as someone with anxiety, this book touches on a parts of anxiety. I think we all deal with at some time or another. The prompts are wonderful and really get you thinking and the art in this book is super cute and lighthearted.
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