Everything you need to be an artist (or any kind of idea-driven creator) is already inside of you if you know where to look. The secret? Understanding and exploring ourselves as a means to uncover our best work. In this brilliantly condensed manual, author, artist, and former art professor Jack Michael shares 26 secrets that will feed the mind and spirit of anyone who feels the call to make creative work. Whether art is your hobby, profession, side hustle, or just a class you're in this semester, the easy-to-follow secrets and exercises in this book will put you on the path to your best and most confident creative work. Delivered with plain English, humor, empathy, and a little tough love, this handbook is a potent salve for creative growing pains. With a particular eye toward supporting young and emerging artists as they find their voice and enter the art world, this book is laced with actionable exercises and no-fail, no-bull$h!t methods to start improving your art (and your life) TODAY.