Art Work

On the Creative Life

By: Sally Mann

Narrated by: Sally Mann

The much-anticipated new book by artist and New York Times bestselling author Sally Mann about the challenges and transcendent pleasures of the creative process

“Erudite, frank, and funny.”—Amor Towles, bestselling author of A Gentleman in Moscow and The Lincoln Highway

Art Work, by photographer and writer Sally Mann, offers a spellbinding mix of wild and illuminating stories, practical (and some impractical) advice, and life lessons.

Written in the same direct, fearless, and occasionally outrageous tone of her bestselling memoir, Hold Still, this new book reaffirms Mann as a unique and resonant voice for our times and is destined to become a classic.

With immediacy and poignancy to the narrative, Art Work is full of thought-provoking insights about the hazards of early promise; the unpredictable role of luck; the value of work, work, work, and more hard work; the challenges of rejection and distraction; the importance of risk-taking; and the rewards of knowing why and when you say yes.

In sparkling prose, Art Work is a generous, provocative, and compulsively enjoyable exploration of creativity by one of our most original thinkers.

This audiobook contains a supplemental PDF.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2025 Sally Mann (P)2025 Recorded Books

Great photographer, great stories

I adore sally manns photography and really enjoy this book. Especially that she read it. Often an author reading a book is not the best, but this was great. I love the stories and insight behind things and how things came together in her life and the way she talks about it. I think sometimes she goes to very long stories to make a point, but that is just what life is like. While I meant to inspire young artists, it seems more of like a good companion to those of us who could've been at it for a while.

Loved Hold Still & loved this. ❤️

It was a very interesting window into her approach to making art. I loved the international story!

Outstanding Openness from a True Artist

A wonderful listen, read with a real sense of generosity. It helped me see my work and motivations more clearly.

Excellent Advice, Great Stories

There are not enough stars for this book - Ms Mann is honest, thorough and a breath of fresh air.

Beyond the mundane

As in her photographs, this book and especially the gift of the audio version read by Mann herself, offer a poetic glimpse at the quotidian. While the book is addressed to young artists, Mann invites all readers into of her life and her life as an artist. Beautifully written with humor and grace, I am eager to read/listen again.