The Artist’s Way
“Life is a creative endeavor. It is active, not passive…When we experience our lives as flat and lackluster, it is our consciousness that is at fault. We hold the inner key that turns our lives from thankless to fruitful.” – Julia Cameron
In The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron writes about two essential tools for creative living:
- Morning Pages: Write three pages every morning. If you can’t think of anything to say, write your to-do list, or your grocery list, or a list of things you see out your window…just write. The point is to empty yourself so you can be fresh for your encounter with the day ahead.Morning pages aren’t about “good writing,” so put aside any judgment or self-criticism; no one will ever see these pages but you, and it’s the process of getting things down on paper that will help you — so don’t worry about the product.
- Artist Dates: Just as we need to empty ourselves, so do we need to fill ourselves up with food for our creative selves; Cameron calls this “filling the well.” Commit to taking yourself on a date each week (at least an hour long) that quenches your creative thirst; if that sounds too high-minded, then just follow your impulse for fun. Go to a movie, take a class, go for a stroll…whatever makes the kid inside you go “oooh….”
(To read about these tools as Cameron herself describes them, click here.)
I read The Artist’s Way back in 2004, and it changed my life (this is not an exaggeration). It made me realize that I was an artist, and that the greatest source of my dissatisfaction (with just about everything) was the absence of art in my life. Within a year of reading this book, I’d re-arranged my hours at work to give myself time to write every morning, and I’d found the art of improv, which continues to be one of my greatest sources of joy and fulfillment (not to mention, the way I met many of my closest friends).
Sometimes I get away from the habits I list above, and then I come back to them; rediscovering their gifts is like catching up with an old friend, and remembering how deeply you connect with one another.
As I contemplate which direction I want to go in over the next few months — what work I want to take on, what classes I want to take, what projects I want to develop — I’m recommitting myself to morning pages and artist dates.
Wanna join me?
Also: Learn how to start an Artist’s Way reading group, or “creative cluster.”
“The creative process is a process of surrender, not control.” – Julia Cameron
Love Julia Cameron. Haven’t read that book in a while. Might be time to bring it back out and reconnect with my inner artist. I’ve taken improv classes, by the way, to rebuild a broken self-esteem. Interesting that you would mention it.
Great idea. I’ve been thinking of doing morning pages again too. I’m definitely interested, but I’ll probably wait until after the blogathon.
Loved this post. Great ideas…I do the writing thing…but not the art thing as often as I’d like to. This post changed my routine so that I can include more art galleries.
Weird….looking across the couch as Molly does her AW homework for today.
Jackie, improv is GREAT for building self esteem, and all sorts of other skills…where did you take the class? Would you consider trying it again?
Tara: I hear you on waiting til after the blogathon! Only so many hours in the day. Still, I feel like it might be a helpful complement – we shall see…
Danielle, so glad to plant the seed – keep in mind, your “artist’s date” doesn’t necessarily have to include a formal art experience. You could sit in the park, doodle, whatever sounds like fun.
WOV: I remember Molly asking me about it… glad she’s reading it, I obviously think highly of it!
I keep saying I will start painting again. I think it is time.
Awesome! You know how I love The Artist’s Way too…I’m taking a workshop with Julia Cameron on Sunday – maybe you can join? Would be so fun! It’s at the Open Center. Talk soon!
Laura: rain check!! I have out of town guests this weekend…have you ever taken a class with her before? Wonder what she’s like in person…
Babette: do it!!
It would be great for me to re-read that book again. It is classic.
I’ll join! I love the idea of Artist Dates, committing to a weekly practice. Between work, relationships, and errands, I find it difficult to make time for making artwork, when making art enriches and sustains me.
Have you read Twyla Tharp’s Creative Habit? It’s another great read about facilitating an artistic practice.
Emily – so funny you would mention that book…I just quoted Twyla Tharp the other day:
http://tasteepudding.com/2010/05/growth-potential/
…and in the comments on that post, my friend Christa recommended Creative Habit. I’ll have to check it out!
Still not sure what my artist’s date will be this week…something on Sunday afternoon…