[Jackiejdajda]

The Artist's Way.. Written by Julia Cameron

One of our members is starting the AW and I hope that others can join with us in working through the weeks of the AW..

This from the opening chapter.. page xiii

Through my own experience --- and that of countless others that I have shared --- I have come to believe that creativity is our true nature, that blocks are an unnatural thwarting of a process at once as normal and as miraculous as the blossoming of a flower at the end of a slender green stem. I have found this process of making spiritual contact to be both simple and straightforward..

I always thought of myself as an artist.. and I worked at this since I was a little girl.. But whose idea was it? I wonder..
My mom wanted me to be a commercial artist.. as she was one..
I did as I was told.. I would do a drawing and she would give me money..
Such a lesson.. such a bad bad lesson..

I, in turn, loved embroidery.. I can remember doing a tea towel in school.. I was very young..
It was a glass with a straw.. and I loved it.. and I got a prize for it..

So what Julia Cameron has a person do in the AW is find out where they are creative.. And in turn find out about themselves..

She has Basic Tools..

The Morning Pages..
Three every morning when you wake up.. writing down things that a person can hardly read.. but getting it out..

The Artist Date..
Once a week the person goes off by himself or herself and fills the well.. and the soul.
I took myself to Boston for an Artist Date.. I got on the bus and off I went.. And I know it helped me in my grief work around the relinquishment of my son.. I got pregnant in Boston..

She quotes amazing people in this book..

Page 19

The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play of instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.

C. G. Jung..

So ladies and gentlemen who wants to do The Artist Way with us?

Jackie

[RavenSong]

I'm good to go, Jackie! I haven't started reading The Artist's Way yet, but I shall tackle the first chapter today.

[quantum]

I have this book since back in college, but haven't re-read it. Perhaps I should? I actually have started a distance program based in London because I want to move my work into more personal/artistic realms... hmmmm

[RavenSong]

Yes, Quantum, yes!! Please join us in doing the Artist's Way!

[quantum]

How are we going to do it then? :-)

[RavenSong]

I don't know...Jackie is going to lead us thru it. This is all brand new to me.

[hollyhunter]

Sounds good to me too, hope we don't break nothin'

[quantum]

OK so of course, after 21 years since I last had a copy, can I find mine??? nope.
Can order from Amazon though, should I get the book or the workbook?

Edited to wonder if I ever had it since they also have a 10th anniversary edition.
My mind is MUSH!

[RavenSong]

Quantum, I asked Jackie about the workbook yesterday, and she replied that all we need is the actual book, itself, plus a good pen and plenty of paper.

I just got my copy from Amazon ~ it's the 10th Anniversary Edition.

[djvj]

i'm totally in...will go buy the book today and start reading

i worked in the music business for years and have met and known so many fantastic artists of all kinds, sooooo many have suggested this book to me, and now i can feel is the time to start...

i'm looking forward to doing this with you guys...

[quantum]

Cool!
Thanks for the quick response.

[quantum]

Ordered! Hopefully will get it next week. Very excited! :-)

[RavenSong]

Let's hold off on AW until everyone gets their copy from Amazon. I would imagine it won't be more than several days.

[hollyhunter]

Once more, what am I signing up for? Jump in, ask questions later, that me. Sounds interesting though. I got express mail so less than a week for me. So where are we meeting? are we meeting? Whose organizing this? can I write for more intruction?

[Janeytwo]

Hey Jackie,

I will get the book and jump in. (Though I can't even draw stick figures)! LOL!

But my words are my art so what the heck!!! Besides, I've had writers block from hell lately. I had been asking God to help me with that! Maybe this is his answer!!!

:-)

I'm going on vacation this week coming up but I'll order the book and then catch up and jump in with you guys.

Great suggestion!!

BTW - I really believe that art talent can be genetic like other things. Painting must be in your blood! :-)

I sure know it's in your soul!

Hugs to ya!

Janey