The Artist's Way Support Group

[apoppy]

Welcome to the support group for those who are interested in following the exercises presented in The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, by Julia Cameron.

We are creative individuals who need a little encouragement in actually following through with this book. Have you owned a copy for years but have never used it? Have you always thought about it, but convinced yourself you were not a workbook type of person? Are you a veteran, but would like to follow the exercises again? Would you like to know what in the world I am talking about? (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0874776945/qid=1122591929/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-4955299-2787231?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) If so, please join us!

Please be ready to begin the book on Monday, August 1st. :)

************************************************** **************
Participants/Artist's Statements:

Name- Aletheia
Age- 28
Medium- Words (color and music are close seconds)
General Objective- Incorporating creativity into my daily life more regularly and not feeling guilty about it.
Specific Goal- (Other than making it through the book, of course) Jury is still out- I need a bit to think on this.
Artistic Inspiration- (I thought it might be fun everyone's one most favorite thing that helps them tap into a feeling of creative power, like a specific poem, painting, museum, place, etc.) The preface to Camus' collection of Lyrical Essays (where my current signature quote comes from.)

Name- apoppy
Age- 32
Medium - paper arts; writing; mixed-media collage (thinking about mosiac)
General Objective- developing the courage to allow creativity, and more importantly, creation back into my daily life
Specific Goal- being able to honestly think of myself as an artistic person (rather than someone who never actually does anything)
Artistic Inspiration- interesting question...I'm not sure if I know

Name- Kristin
Age- 25
Medium- MOSTLY OIL PAINT, drawing, collage (for fun), photography (sometimes), film/video, writing, guitar, violin
General Objective- Perhaps producing more art, and doing some more work on the 6'x6' canvas on my front porch. Also, getting ready for a show next Spring!
Specific Goal- (Other than making it through the book, of course) (NOTE: Not necessarily following the programming; have done it before, but definitely following the thread and that might get me to do the program again)
Artistic Inspiration- Lots of people and things! As for painters, I do enjoy Joan Mitchell. I also realized I like May Stevens a lot. Though, there are tons of artists I love. I also enjoy Bob Dylan!

Name- Rebekah
Age- 28
Medium- writing, design
General Objective- to become a better writer
Specific Goal- i would like to write a book
Artistic Inspiration- nature, the human experience, observing people

Name- Vanessa
Age- 27
Medium- Theatre (Singer/Actress) and Music (Voice/Piano/Guitar/
Composing) and dabbling in writing.
General Objective- More spontaneity and creative freedom in my work - less fear and second-guessing.
Specific Goal- Hmmmm... Last time I did the program, I ended up writing three songs around the middle of it. I'd like to compose a little just to feel like I'm CREATING something instead of just bringing other people's creations to life. Also, there is less pressure since I don't plan to try to make a living composing the way I do performing.
Artistic Inspiration- Animals, children, people on the street, nature, love, laughter, family, heartbreak, triumph: human experience.

Name - Christine
Age - 29
Medium - writing, music (vocal), acting, also the occasional home crafting project
General Objective - To eliminate fear and stimulate creativity. Bring back the inner artist who as a child would sew doll clothes, write poems, make up plays and songs at the drop of a hat but is now for various reasons in the witness protection program.
Specific Goal - To write my first novel. Hopefully within a year, but if I put a timescale on this, I might get too scared.
Artistic Inspiration - Lots of things. Nature, travel, other artists, people who love what they do, quirky humor and ironies that make life interesting.

[maxandmolly]

Woo hoo! Ready to get started here!
You know, as soon as I dust it off.

[scorpioanne]

Hi there -
I am a social worker/therapist who recommends it to most of my clients and I also teach a class for the faculty of social work on creativity as a healing tool and I recommend it there too. I think it is a wonderful book!

[Photobug]

I'd like to give it a try again. I always start out strong with the first few chapters and just sort of fizzle out. Maybe sharing the experience will help!

[xine]

Here I am. My copy of The Artist's Way has been successfully de-dusted.

Awaiting further instructions...

[Asha]

ohhh, i am excited. i have had this book for years and never used it. it was reccomended to me by my prof bc she said i should consider being an author.

[Aletheia]

Hi Ladies!

Tappa, good for you for getting this started. I don't have the book yet- I requested it from the library and it is on its way.

I am looking forward to this!

[Dunja]

Oh, looks strange! I'll defenelitely be checking out the book and watching you girls! :)

[apoppy]

Hello everyone.

Just a reminder that we are set to start tomorrow, Monday August 1st.

If you have the book already, please go ahead and read the introduction (and the first chapter if you feel like an overachiever ;) ).

The exercises are on a weekly schedule, so there is no pressure for us all to stay on the same timeline. Each week has ten exercises, in addition to a block of writing. It is not expected that we will all be doing the same exercises at the same time. Do what works best for you.

It is expected that we will all do as many of the exercises as possible, to the best of our individual abilites, with honesty and openess. Since this is a support thread, please feel free to comment on any aspect of the exercises that you would like---I did XX, I hated YY, I did XX, but I don't feel like telling you about it, etc.

Good Luck!

(I'm excited, are you excited?)

[xine]

Hey ladies -

Just wanted to wish everyone good luck and happy trails as we start our journey this morning.

I reread all the intro stuff (because I had first read it, y'know, a long-ass time ago and forgot it all) and will read through Week 1 tonight.

I also uncovered an unused notebook with Wonder Woman on the cover (woo!) and did my morning pages today. Now I have always wondered - is it 3 pages as in three sides of paper or three front-and-back sides of paper? I wimped out and did the three sides of paper - I figure if I get ambitious I can increase it later on, but I don't want sheer amount of paperage to intimidate me from doing this on a daily basis. Plus, I'm not used to writing that much anymore, and my hand was hurting after the second side anyway.

[apoppy]

I read it to be three sheets of paper, one side only.

I am exceedingly jealous of the Wonder Woman notebook by the way.

[maxandmolly]

I hate writing by hand- how much do you suppose that would translate to, typed?

[apoppy]

It depends on font size and margins, but usually writing by hand is roughly double the length of something typed. So, that would be one and a half typed pages.

[xine]

"Wonder Womaaan! Wonder Womaaan!"

The notebook was a birthday gift from several years ago, but I stuck it on a bookshelf because I didn't want to use it as some everyday journal. Wonder Woman's powers are to be used for good, and I figured that "The Artist's Way" is as good a venture as any. Especially since I'm not (currently) out saving the world from evil Nazis or whatever the bad guys in the tv show were.

I also wanted to add that there is something about the actual physical act of writing by hand that is beneficial to the thinking and creative process. I wish I could articulate it better, but I do recall a writing exercise where you write something with your non-dominant hand in order to stimulate the other side of your brain. Or something like that.

Still, if you have carpal tunnel or your hands hurt or you just plain hate it, stick to the typing. It's better to type it and do the exercise than to put it off or skip it because you are less comfortable writing by hand.

[Aletheia]

Oooo I'm so jealous of all you ladies! I need to call the library tomorrow and tell them to hurry my book on up. I'm eager to be artsy fartsy with y'all. Is there any chance that the 3 pages of writing has a simple direction, so that I can start on that without having the book?

Aletheia, green with envy.

[Katy]

I think I'm going to have to track down the book and join you all on this journey. I can't remember if I had it at one time (back when I was a teacher and the Artist Way classes were *all the rage*) or if I just keep looking at it in stores. I just might have to hit my used store and see if they have it. And if not, there's always Borders, right?!?!

[xine]

Aletheia - morning pages are pretty much wake up and do three pages of brain dump. Write anything and everything that comes to your mind. It doesn't have to be pretty, it doesn't have to be intelligible - just let loose whatever is in your head. Don't edit yourself, and don't give into the temptation of reading over what you've written for awhile. And if you can't think of anything, you can probably write "I can't think of anything" over and over until something comes.

And I think as apoppy said - everyone is welcome to take things at their own pace, so don't worry about keeping up if your book comes in late.

Katy - just want to say thank you and that I think you are fabulous!

[Katy]

xine, shucks :o that's so sweet. I've never had someone call me fabulous before (well, hubby's said a few other words, but you know, that's a tad different) ;) I think everyone of our members is an absolultely wonderful woman.

I say it all the time, but honestly, I never thought this would turn into community it has. I'm amazed each and every day, so thank YOU all!

[Katy]

Just wanted to pop in and say that I picked up the book today and plan on getting started tonight.

As a side note, has anyone considered "advertising" this group over in ChitChat and Emotional Support? Feel free to do so, just post here so folks know not to post it twice.

Katy

[xine]

So how is everyone doing this week? I'm having some trouble thinking up of a good activity for the "Artist Date". I mean, I suppose I can go to a museum in town or the local hobby store, but I was hoping for something more unique and profound to "draw the creative forces to me". Any ideas?

It's also ridiculously hot outside, which is why I've been reluctant to do anything like take myself on a nice walk. I'd probably be complaining the whole time about how my brain cells were frying instead of pondering artisty things.

[apoppy]

I'm having the same problem with the artist's date. Perhaps we are just over-thinking it.

My almost-friend E, who turned me onto TAW, told me that she had an interesting artist's date recently. She started out with the intention of going to a local amusement park, but then got a little lost and ended up at a nature preserve.

Perhaps keeping in mind the possibility of the happy accident will help us to relieve the burden of coming up with a great date idea.

[bijouparvin]

Hi, guys! I've done *most* of the program before (about 7 years ago) and I just found this thread today - can I join in, pretty pretty please?

A pre-emptive question for those who have an opinion: I am a professional performer and so I end up going on auditions and taking coaching sessions/classes, etc. on a regular basis. Those don't count as artist dates, right? Or do they? I try to keep a tally of "what I've done for my artistic life" every day but sometimes it's something as simple as practicing a new song or something. Thoughts?

Ironically, I picked up a journal last night around midnight b/c I couldn't sleep and wrote exactly three pages, just emptying out my brain. I probably hadn't written a journal entry on paper for myself in about two years. Coincidence? I think not!

[apoppy]

Welcome!

In my opinion, going to auditions or taking lessons probably wouldn't count as an artist's date, as that is something that you would do anyway in pursuit of your art. I think the point is to open yourself up to an entirely new experience, or a new way of experiencing something mundane.

But, that is just my opinion. Since this is an exercise to benefit the creative soul within you---you make the call. ;)

[bijouparvin]

apoppy - Yeah, yeah, you're right. I needed to hear it from someone else. Well, living in NYC I guess I've got no excuses about finding something new and interesting to do.

Thanks for the warm welcome. I'm getting the book off the shelf before bed tonight...

:)

[apoppy]

Okay people, help me out.

I am not making time for these exercises. Please force me to do them.

[Katy]

I"m doing them, but sadly, not as a first thing in the morning kind of way. I'll do my stuff, run errands if I need to (gotta beat the heat out here) and then sit down to do them. I don't think I'll have an artist date until next week though and I've not jumped ahead to chapter one yet, just the intro. Wish I could offer up some advice (or motivation) otherwise, I have to say JUST DO IT!

[artist]

Hey, what a cool thread idea! I don't know if I have the energy to join you all in this journey as I've sort of done it before, but I have of course done the "morning pages", the "artist dates", etc. Heck, maybe I should do it again though. Very strange, because before this thread was started I actually picked up my copy and looked through it and recommended it to someone!

Regardless, I do still do certain things and tell myself, "This shall be my artist date."

I guess "artist dates" can be anything really.

-browsing a used bookstore
-picking out a funky outfit at the thrift store
-going to look at fruit at the farmer's market
-checking out a gallery
-a walk
-making a silly collage with loud fun music playing
-going to the Humane Society to look at animals
-riding a bike
-checking out a sunset
-feeding the ducks
-strolling through a cemetary
-getting a massage or facial
-going to an art supply store
-a poetry reading
-listening to live jazz music
-doing yoga or meditation
-playing a musical intrument

(just a few ideas to get you started)

[artist]

Oh, does Gayle know about this thread? I could see her enjoying it!

[Katy]

Just wanted everyone to know that I posted this group and link over in chitchat. I think if more people knew about it, they'd be interested in joining up.

[Katy]

Artist, I have a question about the "dates" you posted. If I do those pretty regularly, does it still count as a date? For example, I hit the Farmer's Market yesterday, I had a massage today, I did a focused/guided meditation Tuesday, browsed the craft/sewing store yesterday, etc,. Or should I be focusing on going outside my comfort zone (although doing things alone has been a stretch for me anyway, but since I work from home, and most of my friends don't, I tend to do most of my day-to-day stuff by myself).

[artist]

Artist, I have a question about the "dates" you posted. If I do those pretty regularly, does it still count as a date? For example, I hit the Farmer's Market yesterday, I had a massage today, I did a focused/guided meditation Tuesday, browsed the craft/sewing store yesterday, etc,. Or should I be focusing on going outside my comfort zone (although doing things alone has been a stretch for me anyway, but since I work from home, and most of my friends don't, I tend to do most of my day-to-day stuff by myself).

I don't know! I would guess either could count, but I'd encourage you to go out of your comfort zone if possible. I think more then anything the point is to give yourself that time of solitude...no kids, friends, husbands/boyfriends, etc. So many people don't do that. I am sure it's harder for people with children. I don't find it too hard to give myself an hour (or more) a week of solitude, but so many people struggle with this.

[artist]

Speaking of art, anyone know where Gayle's art thread went? I found my art thread, but now can't find hers, and I'd love to know where it is! If anyone is able to bump that one, I'd be so happy!

[Katy]

try going into Gayle's profile and doing a search on all posts STARTED/CREATED (whatever it says) and you should be able to find it.

And thanks for the above input. I'm not going to stress so much about my artist dates then, just kind of think about my week and go with the flow (but try to do something new and different every couple weeks or so)

[gayle]

Cool, I have to subscribe here, I have all Julia's books, they are awesome :)

[xine]

Hi ladies -

I'm so glad to see a lot of movement on this thread. I've been keeping up with the morning pages, but I do need to start banging out some of those exercises. Thank you, artist for your "date" suggestions - I've been wanting to check out our local farmer's market for some time and have just been too lazy to get up and do it in the mornings. But I think it's a great idea, and I'll give it a try tomorrow!

[Katy]

...I've been wanting to check out our local farmer's market for some time and have just been too lazy to get up and do it in the mornings. But I think it's a great idea, and I'll give it a try tomorrow!

We only shop (for hte most part) at the farmer's markets now. You'll find that 1) things taste 1000x better and 2) they're so much more affordable. I think you'll be happy. If the AM markets are too early for you (I can SO relate) just do a Google search for markets in your county - you might find an evening market the next town over. :)

[Katy]

Oh man :o I haven't done my pages since Thursday. I've got to get on that. I guess (not that it would be the same), but I guess that I could double up and write longer to "make up" for it.

Sheesh...I'm gonna get busy (later - sadly, yes, I said later *sigh*)

:o

[bijouparvin]

Eek! I feel behind! I did pages every morning except this morning (since yesterday was our anniversary and we stayed at a hotel :p ) but I have only gotten through the intro of the book and haven't done a date yet. I'm loving doing pages again and I'm hoping to get a date in on Tuesday. I might be able to squeeze one in tomorrow - maybe I'll bring a sketchbook to Central Park and draw something (since visual art isn't my medium, that would count for me, right?).

If we all end up a few days behind, maybe we could shift the day we begin each week...?

I'm just sayin'... :)

[xine]

Hello fellow artistes -

I've managed to keep up with my morning pages, but an engagement I had Saturday morning went overtime, and I missed the farmer's market open hours. I'll have to think of something else to do for my artist date this week. Maybe I'll hit up a vintage store or something tomorrow.

I finally got around to doing some of the week 1 tasks today. They were challenging for me emotionally. I broke down during one of the "Time Travel" questions and had to go cry in a corner for a few minutes. I think I've been pretty on-edge this week anyway as I've been doing a lot of soul-searching around a possible career change along with "The Artist's Way" stuff - I think I'm overtaxing myself mentally, but at the same time I'm really energized to be doing all of this reflecting. I've been in denial about my dissatisfaction (see, I can't even call it "sadness" or "unhappiness") with how my life has stalled these last few years.

[bijouparvin]

xine - I can't remember if you said you've done TAW before, but I remember having a sort of growing pains time as I released all those pent up frustrations and excuses. But it was definitely followed by a great Renaissance. It's okay to feel overwhelmed and scared and all those things. Remember, Cameron (I was going to call her JC, but that seemed a little weird) talks about your artist as a child. Children express everything they're feeling pretty much right when they feel it. Sounds like you're just doing exactly what the program recommends.

Sorry if that sounded preachy - I just wanted to give you a thumbs up even if you're feeling a little down.

[apoppy]

Hello everyone and welcome to new visitors and lurkers alike :)

According to our schedule, we should now be starting week two. Again, please don't worry if you haven't started yet, or if you feel like you still want to spend some time with week one. The important thing is that you are giving yourself some time each week (and with any lucky each day) in pursuit of your own creativity.

~~~~~
On a personal note:

Thank you to Katy for mentioning this group in ChitChat; I couldn't seem to get up the energy to do that. ;)

I haven't been keeping up with my morning pages, as I have been out of town and now have a visitor at my house. My lack of follow-through is truely stunning, but I have great hopes for week two.

[Photobug]

I haven't been keeping up with the morning pages, but I'm going to do them starting this week!!!

Artist date: I went to a reenacted military encampment this weekend. There was a mock civil war battle (with cannon and all) and civilian tents with surgeons, ladies demonstrating handcrafts, etc. It was fun. Not exactly quiet or reflective, but definitely different!!!

[bijouparvin]

Would it be kosher to make a list of all the gals that are doing our TAW program here, what their artistic medium is and what their goals are? It might be a nice way for us to support one another even more, if we knew what each person was hoping to accomplish with the program.

Thoughts?

[maxandmolly]

Yes, great idea! Anything to kick my ass into gear on this.

[apoppy]

That sounds fine to me. If you would like to be listed, please post your information, or send me a PM, and I will make a little list on the first page.

[Aletheia]

Hi artistes! I'm thrilled- I got the book from el biblioteque last night, and this morning I read the intros and the basic info chapter. I am, as they say "on the street," stoked (or, a big nerd for using quotes around "on the street." damn, i did it again.)

I'm very excited. I only hope it will last. (Up like a rocket, down like a stick.)

bijou- Great idea. I'll kick off the membership roster of sorts:

Name- Aletheia
Age- 28
Medium- Words (color and music are close seconds)
General Objective- Incorporating creativity into my daily life more regularly and not feeling guilty about it.
Specific Goal- (Other than making it through the book, of course) Jury is still out- I need a bit to think on this.
Artistic Inspiration- (I thought it might be fun everyone's one most favorite thing that helps them tap into a feeling of creative power, like a specific poem, painting, museum, place, etc.) The preface to Camus' collection of Lyrical Essays (where my current signature quote comes from.)

[apoppy]

Welcome Aletheia! Thank you for getting the ball rolling on the introductions/artist statements.

********

If anyone else would like to participate in the listing, please let me know. You can use the list that Aletheia came up, or you can list anything that you would like us to know. Please do include your medium and/or your goal so that we may better understand your experience. Thanks!

[artist]

Name- Kristin
Age- 25
Medium- MOSTLY OIL PAINT, drawing, collage (for fun), photography (sometimes), film/video, writing, guitar, violin
General Objective- Perhaps producing more art, and doing some more work on the 6'x6' canvas on my front porch. Also, getting ready for a show next Spring!
Specific Goal- (Other than making it through the book, of course) (NOTE: Not necessarily following the programming; have done it before, but definitely following the thread and that might get me to do the program again)
Artistic Inspiration- I thought it might be fun everyone's one most favorite thing that helps them tap into a feeling of creative power, like a specific poem, painting, museum, place, etc.) Lots of people and things! As for painters, I do enjoy Joan Mitchell. I also realized I like May Stevens a lot. Though, there are tone’s of artists I love. I also enjoy Bob Dylan!



NOTE:
For those who want an alternative, you may also want to check out The Artist’s Way At Work if you are feeling rather frustrated with your job/career. (I own both books.)

[Asha]

sorry i am joining late after showing so much enthusiasm earlier. i now can start bc i finally found my misplaced book after having done a thorough cleaning of our office. my dh actually got excited about me writing. he said what's this book? i said it helps me become more creative. he said why? i said that i want to become a better writer. his eyes popped, and said he wanted me to pursue it more.

Name- Rebekah

Age- 28

Medium- writing, design

General Objective- to become a better writer

Specific Goal- i would like to write a book

Artistic Inspiration- nature, the human experience, observing people,

[bijouparvin]

Name- Vanessa
Age- 27

Medium- Theatre (Singer/Actress) and Music (Voice/Piano/Guitar/Composing) and dabbling in writing.

General Objective- More spontaneity and creative freedom in my work - less fear and second-guessing.

Specific Goal- Hmmmm... Last time I did the program, I ended up writing three songs around the middle of it. I'd like to compose a little just to feel like I'm CREATING something instead of just bringing other people's creations to life. Also, there is less pressure since I don't plan to try to make a living composing the way I do performing.

Artistic Inspiration- Animals, children, people on the street, nature, love, laughter, family, heartbreak, triumph: human experience.

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My in-laws are visiting so I'm having trouble getting to the pages but I've been pretty good except for yesterday and today. Maybe there's still hope for today. The pages don't feel like a big deal for me, maybe because I'm used to them and maybe because I'm not writing enough. I'm doing three pages, but my journal is not 8.5x11, it's only about 5x7. Maybe I'll try four pages and see if anything else shows up that's able to stay hidden in three pages.

Haven't done my artist date yet, but I'm not discouraged. Once the folks leave, I will have a little free time next week to plan something fun. I'm currently doing a reading of a musical where I play a WWII British War Bride. In the end, she finally makes it to America to meet up with her husband and there's a beautiful scene where the brides finally see New York after a long journey across the Atlantic. I was riding the Staten Island Ferry with my in-laws yesterday, and I felt a wave of what that girl must have felt, seeing downtown come into view. I think I'd like to plan an Artist Date from that perspective, going into Manhattan and seeing things as if for the first time, as if this is Mecca at the end of a long journey.

Sorry if that sounds a little odd, I just wanted to share some of my musings here.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

[xine]

Sorry for being so out of touch lately! I'm still doing the program - just missed one day of morning pages this week (slept in and was running late) and haven't done this week's artist date yet. (I did end up hitting up some thrift and vintage stores for my previous artist date. Gave myself $20 to score an outfit and walked away with capri pants, a skirt, and some surfer-girl shorts - not quite an outfit because I couldn't find a top I liked, but I filled all the gaps in my wardrobe for an upcoming trip to Hawaii.)

By the way, bijouparvin - thanks for the encouraging words to my mini-cry-fest last week. I haven't really gone through the program before, so it helps to hear how effective it's been for you.

Name - Christine
Age - 29

Medium - writing, music (vocal), acting, also the occasional home crafting project

General Objective - To eliminate fear and stimulate creativity. Bring back the inner artist who as a child would sew doll clothes, write poems, make up plays and songs at the drop of a hat but is now for various reasons in the witness protection program.

Specific Goal - To write my first novel. Hopefully within a year, but if I put a timescale on this, I might get too scared.

Artistic Inspiration - Lots of things. Nature, travel, other artists, people who love what they do, quirky humor and ironies that make life interesting.

[scorpioanne]

I am going to confess that I have not been following along with you as we have been up to our ears in kitchen renos and there has been no time to spend writing. I do intend to start at some point, it is great to know that you will all be there when I do.

[bijouparvin]

It seems like a lot of us are taking it in our own time and I, for one, think that's okay. The important part is to do it when it's right for you. I know a lot of people that have kept the book on their shelf for years and then all of a sudden were inspired because the time was right.

I've been doing pages and I've read the first chapter but I haven't taken a date or done any of the exercises yet, so I'm not promoting myself to the second week until I've actually done those things.

Good news: I've bumped my pages up to four instead of three (since my journal is little) and it was just as easy - yay!

Are people doing their tasks IN their journals? I know it's separate from morning pages but do you keep your journal JUST for morning pages and do tasks in a different journal or something? Just wondering...

[apoppy]

Hello all. Officially we are beginning week three of The Artist's Way.

Again, we are all at different points, so please go along at the pace you feel most comfortable.

I know that some people are writing about their exeperience's in their CC journals. That is terrific! If you feel so inclined, please think about making a note here too; others may find encouragement in your experiences.

[Aletheia]

Hiya tappa et.al.:

I am one such folk who posted about my artistic way in my journal, but am happy to post my hither-and-yon reflections well, hither-and-yon, here being yon which I guess would make it hither...

So, from last Friday:
I just now got back from my first artist's date as directed by The Artist's Way workbook (for which we have a CC group -- check it out!) I want to report back.

Activity: I went to the local art museum. However, I didn't go to get into the museum! I went to stroll through the sculpture garden and then spend an hour in the gift shop. Art museum gift shops have the cutest, sassiest, most interesting merchandse. Since most of it is:

1. too expensive for my budget and
2. deals with or demonstrates artistic prowess

I leave thinking "I could make one of those by being a bit inventive with the materials and by cutting these corners all for a lot less..." I never (okay, rarely) buy anything but come away feeling inspired and colorful. Today I bought birthday and hostess presents that I'll need this month.

Plus, I wore my big brown sun hat, since I walked in this 95 degree humid weather. I wore turquoise flip flops, a hot pink striped skirt, and a navy tee shirt with bleach stains on it. I picked what I wore because I like each of the pieces, and decided that the way they looked together could go in the "who gives a flying poopie" category. I felt sassy and intentional in my mis-matchedness, and as I was leaving the sculpture garden an older gentleman (of sorts) walked by and under his breath said "sexy" in a completely non-threatening, complimentary way (is that possible, or was my hat too tight?)

I had such fun! And when I came home to eat lunch I didn't make the usual pb and j sandwich (divine powers responsible for giving humans peanust butter, please note well: I am not taking your goodness lightly by saying so!) but instead am enjoying a glass of ice tea with a cucumber, tomato, cream cheese, sweet onion, raspberry chipotle sandwich and a spicey bean salad. Oh, and roasted cashews and olives on the side. And I'm using one of our cloth napkins, complete with napkin ring.

I feel fancy! So on the whole, I think it was a success. The real event I'm waiting for, though, is to see whether it will help with my paper-writing energy this afternoon.

Tomorrow morning I'm going to get on a plane and go to NM to visit my familia. So my artist's date this week will involve sitting on the plane or in the Houston airport with my journal for 2 hours, looking at people, and making up stories about them. I know this isn't strictly a "taking it in" activity, but people-watching is for me so much fun and so interesting! I've just never written anything down.

I just hope I'm not nabbed by security for looking suspicious, since I've decided that dressing strangely helps me look at the world in its strangeliness much better. I'm wearing a mustard yellow and olive green be-ribboned hat after Blossom's own heart, and other items that I have yet to determine. I will report back here in due course.

:cool:

[artist]

What sculpture garden? Sounds fun!

Maybe I'm crazy, but when I do the whole people watching with a notebook thing (gee, thought I was the only one who did that), I will sometimes write down what the people are actually saying. Sometimes what you end up with looks like a beatnik poem!

[apoppy]

I do that too! You can get some great ideas from the conversations of strangers.

[artist]

Oh wow! I thought I was the only one who did that!

(Wanna ride a grayhound bus together sometime? Now THAT'S where the odd conversations happen!)

[Katy]

I have to say, I've kinda dropped the ball here (but I keep lurking). The past two weeks have just been *insane* so I've not had much time to myself to do much, let alone write 2 pages in the AM. I am hoping to start back up again because I think I'm going to need the outlet as a way to cope without having to bring it to my husband (he'll have his own stuff to process).

So keep posting, I'm enjoying reading about other's experiences and processes.

[Asha]

i need to write down my observations like y'all. i just watch. my dh thinks i am crazy since i am such a people watcher. it's so fun on the subway bc you can see people from all walks of life.

[Asha]

artist - oh boy, don't get me started about greyhound buses!!! :D i am sure you could develop interesting and unique characters from greyhound inspiration!!

[apoppy]

It is hard to believe, but today is the beginning of the fourth week of The Artist's Way.

*****************************

I have the impression that many of us (including me) have let this slide a bit as other things in our respective lives have taken precedence. Maybe we should all try to get back on track this week. Good luck!

[apoppy]

Okay ladies, have we all just given up? If anyone has an insights on their journey, please do share. We need some encouragement and excitement in here!


Tomorrow begins week 5.

[Katy]

Well, I had to give up a couple weeks back when we first starting dealing my FIL's illness. So I'm probably out of the loop for quite a while, but I still pop in to read eveyone's updates.

[bijouparvin]

I don't know what happened! :( I was doing pages and then I got deep into rehearsals for a reading I was doing and missed pages for a few days and sort of "fell off the wagon" with AW. My journal remains right next to the bed and I remain optimistic that I will fall into a groove with it but it's not happening yet. What's wrong with me?

[Aletheia]

I totally understand about falling off the wagon, bijou! I'm apparently made of rubber since I fall off and bounce back on, only to bounce back off.

But there's been enough consistency in my morning pages and artist's date to contribute a little testimony to this thread, and while it feels self-centred and vain to say "hey it's working for me!" maybe if we all do that when it is we'll have something to turn to when we fall off the wagon and fail to bounce. We'll pool our successes so we can spread them out like jam over the thin spots in our futures.

Anyway, I have spent a couple (okay, quite a few) sentences in my (often trailing into illegible exercises in sleep-writing) morning pages saying "why the hell am I doing this? I could be asleep! I don't even know what I'm supposed to be writing about! How can I justify this time?" I'm still a little unclear about what it is that I actually write down. Other than whining, that is. That I like to whine at 6 a.m. is very, very clear.

And yet, yesterday was my first day in a stressful environment (my school away from home) away from my husband, and in doing my am pages today I realized that its because I've been doing them for the past few weeks that I feel confident about being here again. That's a huge, huge accomplishment that happened when I wasn't even looking. So are the morning pages worth it to me? "Hell yeah"! :cool:

Here's why, from most general to most specific.

I am now the type of person who gets up many (though admittedly not all) mornings to devote time to my artistic life. I may not be sure what or how I'm doing that, but I can at least say "oh yeah, i'm working through "The Artist's Way" and people's gazes back at me are the mirror that says, "that's right, Aletheia is an ARTISTE who is willing to get up at the plumber's butt crack of dawn to devote herself to ... something artistic!" They don't know that I don't know what i'm doing. So at the very least, it's helping to readjust how I see myself through other's eyes.

More specifically, I now have the space reserved to think specifically about the fact that I am an artist. My frustrations with "what the hell is this for" have me thinking everytime I do my pages about why doing and believing in this workshop is important to me; even if I don't specifically write about that (which I usu. don't) I still am "holding my feet to the fire", acting in a way that makes me continue to think about why I'm acting that way. Devoting that 30 minutes is like carving out the space so that if there ever is a seed of a thought that needs some place to bloom I'll have a) well turned soil b) a hole to put the seed in and c) knowledge of the weather and climate that thought will be blooming into. So it's like digging a hole. Unless you are a backpacker. In that case, the metaphor clearly does not work.

And most specifically (get ready for a true testimonial, here, folks)- I realized in reading about my inner critic and voices that have suppressed my creative modus operandi that, shockingly, my loving husband is one such voice in my head. He is the hardest nose-to-the-grindstone worker I've ever seen. If he has stuff to do, he just does it. He doesn't worry "do I have the energy for this" or "is now the right time." He just does it. Although he sometimes implies that I should be more like that, I've largely seen and wondered at his efficiency and beat myself over the head with the Stick of Woeful Inadequacy-- that is, I've internalized his behavior as a yardstick against which to measure my own. Why can't I just sit down and crank out a philosophy paper when it needs to be done, damnit? Why can't I just practice my cello or violin for hours on end, damnitevenmore? Why can't I just take care of my to-do list of brain-sucking trivial crap, damnittohellandbackagain? And here we have it, my friends.
WHAT MY MORNING PAGES HAVE TAUGHT ME:

I am NOT a nose-to-the-grindstone style worker. I am a nose-in-the-flowers kind of worker. If there isn't inspirational input coming in, there ain't anything worth reading coming out.
I am not a "bloom where you are planted" kind of worker. I am a "tend the soil first or you are going to only grow scraggly weeds" kind of worker. I do my best work when my attitude is sunny, and this is dependent on exercising, sleeping, and having a clean house. I feel better about pursuing those things now that I don't have to call them "procrastination."


So when I arrived here in Stressful University again yesterday after a blissful, full-of-posting summer, I realized I had left the grindstone at home and felt confident that I know better how to be productive. That's good, because this semester has the potential to deliver the biggest grindstone a nose has ever seen, and were I to set about grinding it I would not only be noseless but altogether faceless by December. Thank god, you see, for my morning pages. ;) (Look! He doesn't have a nose, poor guy!)

[apoppy]

Damn girl! I would say that that counts as an inspirational message!

Bravo for you! :)

You have inspired me to roll out my best superball imitation and get back into this thing again.

[Katy]

Wow, that was very impressive Aletheia. Thanks SO much for posting it. I have to say, I love your style of writing. So much so that I subscribed to your journal (of course, I haven't yet sat down to read it all straight through, but I will).

Thanks again for your inspiring words.

[bijouparvin]

Wow, Aletheia! That was exactly the inspiring, kick-in-the-pants sort of message I needed to read today. In so many areas of my life, I find myself dragging my feet for hours, days, weeks on end, making excuses for why I can't/don't want to do <insert project here> right now. Then, when I finally do it, I feel GREAT! I have seen this happen in cycles in my life with eating habits, working out, practicing voice, dance classes, auditioning, morning pages (or just writing in general!), and it's always the same: JUST DO IT AND YOU'LL FEEL GREAT.

Thanks for the reminder.

[artist]

I am NOT a nose-to-the-grindstone style worker. I am a nose-in-the-flowers kind of worker. If there isn't inspirational input coming in, there ain't anything worth reading coming out.
I am not a "bloom where you are planted" kind of worker. I am a "tend the soil first or you are going to only grow scraggly weeds" kind of worker. I do my best work when my attitude is sunny, and this is dependent on exercising, sleeping, and having a clean house. I feel better about pursuing those things now that I don't have to call them "procrastination."
[/list]


I can relate!

Thanks for sharing all of this!

[apoppy]

Week 6!

[apoppy]

Week 7!

*************************
Please note the discouraging lack of posts in the last week. Aletheia kindly posted an inspriational message for us a few weeks ago about how The Artist's Way is working for her. Would anyone like to share their thoughts about why it is or is not working for them?

[bijouparvin]

It's weird. Even though I'm not following the program, I feel like I'm going through some sort of artistic metamorphosis. I definitely feel proud of myself over the last few weeks (even though I've been slacking in terms of AW) for following through on some career goals. I've been going to auditions (not just writing them in my planner and copping out at the last minute). I actually booked a gig on Saturday that could bring me some nice house $$ over the holidays. I finished a four-week audition technique workshop last week, which sent me into an insecurity spin that I was able to dig myself out of in order to book the gig. Really, though, the most creative thing I've done in the last little while is discuss writing a two-woman show with a friend. I really like her idea for a premise and it might work with some thoughts I've been tossing around for a show of my own. If I had a writing partner, it could really propel me toward actually DOING it and not just musing about it.

So there's my status report. AW: inactive. Creative Me: gaining momentum.

And you, ladies?

[Aletheia]

Hi ladies!

All I've been doing is my morning pages- I can't seem to stop them, but I'm still on Week Two (I think) in the work book. I never really got the hang of how to incorporate her tasks with the morning pages, or if you aren't supposed to do that, or when and how you are supposed to do them. I guess I need it spelled out for me.

Truth is, I probably wouldn't do it right now anyway as I am up to my hairy armpits (pokey hairy... how does that happen so quickly?) in COMMITTMENTS right now.

But the morning pages, I likes them.

But I came here to specifically report that I for the first time today was introduced as a "poet" by a professor to some other students. Now, I'm not a poet. But I write philosophically about poetry as a phenomenon, and I've done that in her class quite a bit. But here was the thing:

I felt a light come on in the little house in my soul when she introduced me that way. Ding!

:eek:

I am now (don't tell my ever-suffering husband) entertaining some thoughts around the little table lit by that light- maybe after this degree (philosophy) I'll take out MORE LOANS to do a creative writing MFA!

Thus,
Ding! = $$ Chaching!

We'll see. But I'm not sure I would even be open to that if I weren't thinking to myself every morning, I AM ARTISTIC.

This was not intended as an inspirational message. Don't go get all inspired. But tell me I should think about the Ding=Chaching theory more and pursue it if you'd like. That will make the light glow a little brighter, and heck, I'm all for that!

Good luck to you Errant Artists.

Aletheia

[Darlene&Scott]

I'll be buying the book next week - I was not aware that it existed until recently.

Name - Darlene

Age - 26

Medium - Inspirational writing, music (vocal), acting, Sculpture, and drawing

General Objective - To eliminate fear and stimulate creativity in my adult life. I was sensational as a teenager. I would create doll horse tack out of old socks, shoestings, and toothpics, wrote phenominal speeches that won me several debate and forensic awards, sung before 500 people at carnegie hall and national choral conventions. Write poems to avenge my broken heart, express my devotion to a love...all to fade once my practical parents said 'artists don't make a stable living'.

Specific Goal - To finish my studio arts degree and begin my online art studio business. I plan to find a fellowship under Maureen Carlson, along with artists that work with meduims to create realistic looking people only scaled down to cake topper size. Their attire/flowers will be done in polymer clay. I want to make the most realistic custom cake topper size scultures in the world.
Artistic Inspiration - Nature, other artists work, people who love what they do, people who manage the impossible set by society. Human emotion. Well written works.

[apoppy]

Welcome Darlene! We look forward to hearing about your journey as an artist, so please feel free to share.

Good Luck! :)

[Aletheia]

Yes, welcome Darlene! I'm glad you found us. :)

[apoppy]

Week 8!

[apoppy]

Came across a pasage I thought I'd share:

Another issue around giftedness is creativity, of course, and I think part of the problem with that is that creativity does not have to be an opus: it does not have to end up in a book or a play or a new objective creation. One of the greatest opuses or opi or whatever it is, is to recreate oneself, one's essential self.

-from an interview with Jean Houston, found here (http://talentdevelop.com/jhouston.html)

The website where I found this, www.talentdevelop.com, has a number of interesting quotes and resources, including a lot about creativity and women. It is a pretty big website, perhaps this section about the Inner Artist (http://talentdevelop.com/innerartist.html) , might be most helpful or interesting.

[Aletheia]

Tappa- thanks for the site. I spent some time on it today and wow; there's a lot there.

I am so not on the week plan, you guys. I don't know if everyone else has dropped out altogether, but consider picking it up and just reading a bit here and there. A bit is better than nothing!

I've been doing this since a week after we started, and am only in the middle of the chapter on week 3! But I continue to do my morning pages and I've been on an artist's date maybe every other week...

[Darlene&Scott]

does anyone have that date book? I couldn't find it :confused:

Or could someone post ideas? I'm in chapter one since i just got the book. :D

[apoppy]

Week 9!

****************
Darlene:
Here's a link (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0874776538/qid=1127746596/sr=8-10/ref=pd_bbs_10/002-2108708-6308813?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)to the date book on Amazon.

[Aletheia]

darlene-
what date book? :)

[Aletheia]

Where Is Everyone? Am I All Alone?

Hellooooooooooooooooooooooo?

[Darlene&Scott]

I wonder if we should post our weekly exercise thingies? I'm on week two myself - and still at a loss for art dates, since Amazon will not deliver to St.Maarten, er, they will, for over $150 for one $10.00 book *Harumph!*

How many creative blocker people do you have in life? I have had many, including art teachers (of all people) my parents, well meaning family, and FH - although he tries not to be, but he's a science lad, not art interested in the slightest.

I got past that by setting an eventual goal - get some art classes to make more realistic looking work (my goal) rather than my cartoony looking stuff.

What have you all done to get past those posion playmates?

[apoppy]

Week 10!

****************************************

I have completely fallen off the wagon. I'm trying to be more mindful in general, but I haven't been doing the exercises.

[apoppy]

It is hard to believe ladies, but we are at week 11!

If you have been faithfully following the exercises in The Artist's Way, you are in your last week.

[Aletheia]

HAHAHAHAHA! Week 11! Hahahahaha!

I'm still in week 3, I think, but have been picking up the pace with my Artist's Dates and still, for the most part, maintaining my morning pages. Am I all alone? :confused:

[apoppy]

I'm bumping this up to possibly encourage anyone who is interested in following the exercises in The Artist's Way to give it a shot in the new year.

Please feel free to post about your experiences with the book, tips, or anything else you feel moved to talk about. Old hands or newcomers, everyone is welcome. :)

Here's to a year full of creativity!

[artist]

I wonder if we should post our weekly exercise thingies? I'm on week two myself - and still at a loss for art dates, since Amazon will not deliver to St.Maarten, er, they will, for over $150 for one $10.00 book *Harumph!*

How many creative blocker people do you have in life? I have had many, including art teachers (of all people) my parents, well meaning family, and FH - although he tries not to be, but he's a science lad, not art interested in the slightest.

I got past that by setting an eventual goal - get some art classes to make more realistic looking work (my goal) rather than my cartoony looking stuff.
What have you all done to get past those posion playmates?


I think my last job was a big creative blocker. Besides feeling really unhappy about it, they also had me doing graphic design work from time to time. Initially, I think this made me more creative, but in some ways, it was hindering my personal art. Maybe I was using too much of my creative energy on that so that I had not much energy left?

So, with leaving that job, I certainly feel a lot happier in general!

Also, seeing my DH doing all this welding and carving and stuff is inspiring. If he can do it, so can I, right?

It's hard with no studio though. I can't do my oils really. I have all the stuff on the porch, but it's winter and I live in MN. Our basement is so creepy and awful too. No ventillation really either. Despite that, I've thought maybe just painting the walls would help and then actually putting some stuff down there including I suppose a boom box might make me paint down there even though it's not really an adequate space?

Either way, eventually I have an art show coming up. I need to contact the gallery owner and figure out the details! I know I have this show, but it makes me nervous that I still don't know WHEN!

I have some paintings on cosignment at a different space. So really, all of that ought to get me working. I need to kick myself in the butt and produce something.

Here is my idea...

Get DH to cut down some small pieces of masonite board for me. Then I will gesso those and do a ton of small oil paintings to put in my show alongside my other work. (I have all these tiny frames, so the board needs to be cut to that size.) It shouldn't take too long to paint them, but I want to price them real low so that people will hopefully buy them and then I can meet my selling quota. (For those who don't know, a lot of galleries not only take a huge chunk of your sale for commission, but they also will often require you either pay a certain amount for being in their gallery or they take the entire amount of any sales until that amount of money is met!) Crappy of course, but that's the way the art world and galleries operate in most cases. Sure, I could just hang the stuff in some coffee shop, but I am kind of beyond that point in my life now. I need to be in real galleries, and unfortunately since I am a young "rookie", that means I lose a lot of money at first. (I say "rookie" because although I've been doing art forever and have even shown it places, I am recently out of school and have had little to no experience showing just MY work, not a group show, but MY show in a real and genuine gallery. Not a student gallery, but an actual gallery. Not that a student one is not "real", but it's not the same thing.)

Why do I have to show the stuff in galleries even though I may lose money potentially?

Well, if I ever want a shot at ever getting any grants or if I ever want to go to grad school, I need to prove myself.

Also, if I am to be a "real" artist and not simply have art as a "hobby", I need to take some risks and go for it. I need to go for it even if I get rejected. I need to try to sell my work. I can't sell anything if it's just sitting there in my own house. And I may not sell a thing. But at least I will have a wider audience of people observing the work. That's important too.

So, I don't know where all of the rest of you are. Maybe there are others of you who are in (or have been in) a similar boat as me. That is, an artist trying to "make it". Yes, I still have to work. I am not doing only art all day. That's life. But I am also serious about art. It is not just some hobby to me. It's my life. It's my passion. And really, anyone who is actually in the arts only does it because it's a madness. I don't exactly recommend it to people unless they're that damn passionate about it that they can't stand not to do it! Well sure, you can sit around and whip out a watercolor for the hell of it I guess because it's "fun", bit I am talking about those of us who are just plain obessed with it. You know, where it's in our thoughts daily. I know Gayle is that way. I am sure others of you are.

As for taking a drawing class, that's great! What is the class? If you wanted to supplement that and get more advice on "how to draw realistically", you may also want to look at that book Drawing On The Right Side of the Brain. Also, another thing any of you can do if you want some practice is most colleges with an art department will offer life drawing workshops on certain evenings. You probably have to pay $5-10 which goes to the model, but you'll get a lot of good practice in, and if you want to draw people ever, drawing a nude really does help you understand human figures a lot better. It will also make your portfolio much stronger. I should probably do some more of that myself. You can never overdo on that actually. Yes, even abstract artists (like myself much of the time) do need to know (or in my opinion ought to know) how to draw from life. It's just a good skill to have.

[GeekGirl]

I stumbled across this thread the other night, and it sort of stuck with me. So I went out and bought the book, and here I am.

Name- Rebecca (your friendly neighborhood GeekGirl)
Age- 25
Medium- Music, photographs, words
General Objective - I want to regain and not be afraid of the creative spirit I once had.
Specific Goal - I want to learn to recognize beauty with an artist's eye and be able to translate what I see into compelling photos. I want to be able to pour my soul into music again. I want to write what I feel, not what someone else wants to read. I want to not be so afraid that I will once again lose my ability for creative expression, that I give up trying. I want to find myself again. (that was really hard for me to say)
Artistic Inspiration- (I thought it might be fun everyone's one most favorite thing that helps them tap into a feeling of creative power, like a specific poem, painting, museum, place, etc.) Edward Munch's Cupid and Psyche. Great architecture. The Adagietto of Mahler's 5th Symphony. A beautiful landscape. Children at play.

[apoppy]

Thank you for your thoughts artist. :)

Welcome GeekGirl!

Let's see...things that help me to tap into creative power...beaches (I turn to water for almost everything)...art supply stores and stationary stores (something about all of those pristine suppllies and sheets and sheets of paper makes my hands tingle)...sunlight

[GeekGirl]

Well, I officially started today. I did my morning pages, and let me tell you, I'm a bitch at 6 in the morning! :o But then again, I must admit, it was the first time I'd seen 6 am in a long time. I've decided that, since I am unemployed and have nothing but time, I am going to volunteer with my HS band while I look for a new job. I need to remind myself that I do have valuable skills to share - I have a music degree, after all. But damn, public schools start early...

Reading through the introduction and the first chapter was a huge eye-opener for me! I started to doubt my creative abilities when I was in college...and then when I had to give up performance due to a wrist injury, it just sealed the deal for me. It was very easy for me to fall back on all of the negative input I'd received for so many years...that being an artist was impractical, that I needed to make money, that I needed to have a job that would be challenging intellectually. And so, over the years whenever I have tried to undertake some other kind of creative endeavor, I always found some sort of excuse as to why I can't be an artist anymore. The author listed all the things I've said to myself and others dozens of times. And so, just as the author predicted, I've contented myself with being a "shadow artist" - living in the shadow of people who weren't afraid to declare their creative intentions. Hell, my FH is a composer! Coincidence? Or am I really one of his tribe, and just too afraid to admit it?

The first task I've started is the affirmations/blurts. When I first read the exercise, I thought, how lame! I can see where this is going. But I went through the motions and wrote the words, "I, Rebecca, am a talented and gifted artist" ten times. Yikes, I couldn't even type it just then without wincing. By the second time writing it out, I could hear the words of so many people (parents, teachers, friends, colleagues) echoing inside my skull: "You're too smart to be in music." "It's a waste of your intelligence." "You'll never make a living as a musician." "You just don't have what it takes."

No wonder I'm in such a state of denial over my creative abilities.

I had alot of fun researching things to do for the artist dates! My first impulse was that I'm unemployed, I don't have the money to be wasting on something like this (thanks, Mom, for that blurt!). And then I reminded myself that I live near several major universities - if nothing else, there are always student concerts and student art showings and the like going on. My first artist date is going to be on Saturday. Kroy (my FH) and I are going to a gamelan concert. I know we're supposed to go alone, but Kroy is really into ethnomusicology and actually used to play in a gamelan in Boston...so I couldn't exactly say, "sorry honey, no gamelan for you!" :o

I found something to do next weekend too - at the U of M art museum. Its a shakuhachi flute concert and Japanese tea ceremony. Pretty cool, huh? I have to admit, I'm kind of digging this. :D

[apoppy]

Those artist's dates sound great GeekGirl. I love gamelan and the Japanese tea ceremony sounds really cool too. :)

I came across this website awhile ago (maybe from somewhere on this site?) and thought someone else might find it interesting. 26 Things: The Photographic Scavenger Hunt (http://www.sh1ft.org/26things/)

[Katy]

apoppy, you more than likely found it here on CC. Emilie posted it in her blog and then I took off running with it, bringing a few gals along for the ride with me. Since they're not doing a Jan hunt, we've decided to do the April one instead. It's quite fun and so easy with digital. To me, it's not so much about being the "photographer" and taking great pictures, although I'm now trying to get a bit more "artistic". So yeah, check it out - I really recommend it! :D