The Inspired Heart: An Artist's Journey of Transformation

Rating:
Summary: Not Just Theory!
Review: "The Inspired Heart; An Artist's Journey of Transformation" by Jerry Wennstrom is an unexpected gift and complete experience to read. There are many books written about the artist's spiritual/creative/intellectual journey. This book IS the journey! Selene


Rating:
Summary: Trusting the Deep Intelligence of the Universe
Review: Artist Jerry Wennstrom shocked the New York art community in 1979 when he destroyed his paintings at the pinnacle of his illustrious career. Guided by an inner passion to connect directly to divine consciousness, Wennstrom gave away his possessions and began a journey based on complete surrender to life experience. THE INSPIRED HEART shares Wennstrom's personal journal of how he lived for years in a state of grace and faith, discovering divine intelligence and inspiration in a wide breadth of experiences. Wennstrom at various times fasted, experienced the sublime joys of sharing special moments with neighborhood children, and faced potential muggers with loving kindness... to receive loving kindness in return. THE INSPIRED HEART shows us how, "Enlightenment is not a grand finale that leaves us blissfully risen, Buddha-like, above the suffering of the world. It is a deep and unconditional surrender to what already exists and total trust in the larger inherent intelligence, which is willing to lead the way."

I love the color pictures of Wennstrom's art in the middle of this book, and the way Wennstrom's autobiographical short stories weave themselves in dreamy fashion through the places and times of his fascinating life. THE INSPIRED HEART shares the raw and simple beauty of one man's pure heart as it shows us how miraculous, magnificent and rich our lives can be when we let go of everything and allow ourselves to be fully present in this moment, now.

-- Cynthia Sue Larson
author of "AURA ADVANTAGE: How the Colors in Your Aura Can Help You Attain What You Desire and Attract Success"

Rating:
Summary: The story of an artist's journey in search of truth
Review: Autobiographically written by Jerry Wennstrom, The Inspired Heart: An Artist's Journey Of Transformation is the story of an artist's journey in search of truth. In 1979, New York artist Jerry Wennstrom destroyed his own paintings, gave away his money and possessions, and sought to purge his personal identity, and in the process, open himself to wonder. This remarkable artist's memoir is enhanced with black-and-white photographs and a 16-page inset section of full-color plates showcasing a series of magnificent interactive box art. The Inspired Heart is a unique and quite remarkable contribution to 20th Century Art History reading lists.

Rating:
Summary: The Inspired Heart -inspiring!
Review: Jerry Wennstrom has written something universal and transformational. I could not put his book down. It is a quiet book with a powerful message.

Rating:
Summary: Art is in the word Heart
Review: The realness of Jerry's journey touches my life. Each story teaches me something about myself and I am always in need of just what is being said. Sometimes I don't know I have that need inside but by the end of each story I am comforted and challenged to come to a more honest place about where I create from, live from, love from and am reminded of how unique each person's journey is and how universal. I respond to the book as an art person, a person seeing how God is in simple clear acts and consequences and how the world will survive it's constant greed and destructive enterprises. I have seen Jerry work and his studio and he makes what he does out of junk, simple things and cast offs. I think of the beauty in those bits and how he can see their possibility. He sees that in people and does not write them off as criminal or junkie or even great artist. He finds what they are about by their nature and his own. I think this book is invaluble for teachers, artists, seekers and cynics..It is beautiful as well as intelligent and heartfelt.