Artist's Way

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Summary: Beautiful, healing, affirming, authentic, triumphant
Review: Since when is the last time you were inspired in your life by the REVIEWS of a book? Ha! This book is a treasure that goes deeper and beyond most if not all of the new thinker's books written in the past several years (if not decades) in the areas of spirituality, psychology and creativity. While so many wax poetically (or try to) on the religious and social constructs that have been at the foundation of everyone's life, happiness and problems, Julia Cameron speaks from the point of view of the creative force, beuatiful in its unknowability (it must be embraced and experienced, not known in our intellectual sense)that is at the center of it all- all of our world, all of our art, all of our lives. What this book can do for artists and writers surpasses even that which Nietzsche made possible with his aphorisms in Human, All Too Human on "The Soul of Artists and Writers." To put all the pain of an artist- in fact, of human existence in total really- in terms of being blocked creatively, is in and of itself remarkable, when looked at from the context of the advice given for removing the blocks and being truly creative and alive. As a multi-talented artist, this book, I can tell you, returns the poetry to the Bible, to religion, to honesty and intimacy, to love, and to creativity in general by supplying you with a how-to manual for putting it back into your life. She speaks from the place our ideas of God and Art- and Love- come from, making them all clearly synonymous and embraceable again, on many levels.

As I am primarily a musician, I would like to see more musical examples and metaphors in the book, but even that is an almost childish request in light of what she achieved. The Miles Davis quote is worth the price of the book all by itself: "Do not fear mistakes. There are none."

I would suggest two books as the perfect compliment to this: Marianne Williamson's RETURN TO LOVE, and Irving Stone's biographical novel of Van Gogh, LUST FOR LIFE. These three books- and of course, Corinthians(regardless of your religious inclinations), will have you know the creative spirit- yourself- like never before- and love what you know.

Rating:
Summary: A "spiritual" classic of the 20th century
Review: I simply cannot recommend this book highly enough. This writer has a depth of vision and insight that, in my opinion, is rare indeed in today's world. I intend using this book for some work I am about to do.

It manages to be both deeply spiritual without pushing god at you (I am an agnostic), and yet is practical. It is not a trite self-help book --- it knows what creative people in all walks of life are up against. It is realistic.

I work in a university and I have read many, many, books. This is one of the very best.

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Summary: This book connected your spiritual soul with your eye
Review: This book was wonderful. It brought together spiritualism and art in a full circle, suggesting a way to live life to it's fullest.

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Summary: Long-lasting power
Review: This is a terrific book with such an impact on most who read it that I'm using it in a class I teach on developing creativity. Not just for artists or writers, not at all about religion, the book is a basis for stimulating the intuition and power of mind which most of us tend to ignore or fear.

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Summary: Totally Changed My Creative Life!!!
Review: There are not enough words in the English or Spanish language to describe the freedom and happiness I have derived from following this book and the "Vein of Gold". I had stopped singing for about 20 years of my life when I discovered that it was the only thing I needed to be doing...I learned about 10 beautiful love songs the first year while reading the book, then recently performed them perfectly without hesitation! During the second year while working through The "Vein of Gold" I have opened an art school for underprivileged children in Austin, Texas. I have served over 1,000 kids teaching them from the Artist's Way....they love it and you should see what they have done!! It's miracles and love....joy and beauty....You can do anything you dream up, and it soooo much fun!!! I especially enjoy crushing creative monsters....enjoy your path....sincerely, Deedee. You may e-mail me at [e-mail] if you ever are in the Austin area and want to see the kids perform....they are now doing art, music, dance, and drama....and they are great! P.S. I also made a few trips to Taos to see just what inspires Julia. I found the mountains to be just the thing to create bliss...the art comes naturally...

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Summary: Please don't be put off by "god" references!
Review: If you do, you'll miss a book that just might change your life. This is *not* a religious book, and I was sorry to see that some reviewers couldn't see past that. Cameron herself, early in the book, says "god" can represent whatever you choose it to represent. It certainly doesn't have to be a Christian god, a Supreme Being, etc.

For me, god was the creative spirit. This book utterly changed the way I work and think. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

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Summary: Kudos to Cameron
Review: A challenging, but ultimately very rewarding exploration of one's creativity. I cannot recommend this book enough.

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Summary: Next piece in life's puzzle
Review: This book appeared to me as a result of a "random" act of kindness in a part of a man I never knew before and to my regret still don't know him nor his family. Reading this book, revealed not as many new concepts or ideas but rather it was the next puzzle in my life. The missing piece in my blocked life journey. Now I hope to find people (kindred spirits)who also found this book helpful. This book makes an excellent present to people we care about and others.

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Summary: It gives hope to artists who don't know they are.
Review: A reference book for artists to remind them that they are artists. A book to bring out creativity. Builds self-esteem as it knocks down our excuses for not trying. A book for ALL artists, writers, painters, etc. It is a book that can be used in a group, or it can be studied on your own.

Rating:
Summary: Life altering!!!
Review: It has been several years since I completed The Artist Way. No other book I have ever participated in had such an impact on me. My entire life changed during the course of working with this book. I took much longer than the 12 week program, slowly and carefully unlocking the doors to my most inner self. I am grateful to Julia Cameron for writing this fabulous book, and grateful that I continued with this manuscript, inspite of the incredible, sometimes terrifying changes, that it initiated in my life. Some 5 years later, I still faithfully write my morning pages and no longer cringe when someone introduces me as "an artist". My only dis-satification is that the morning page journal has gone out of print. It was the best journal...easy to write in, lined pages and large format.

Enjoy!!!!