The Artist's Way

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

A discussion arose at the family Christmas party about creativity and the desire to be more artistic and expressive. I myself have been in a "creative slump" lately and am in desperate need of a "spark"! Where is my mUsE???

Anyway...several of us have decided to study Julia Cameron's book "The Artist's Way" ~ described as "a course in discovering and recovering your creative self". It sounds EXACTLY what we are looking for!!! Thanks Julia!

She encourages us to do "morning pages" where we write down 3 pages of what we are "thinking" EVERY MORNING ~ free form ~ let it flow out of you.  It is one of several "tools" to help us to "unblock" and to get those creative juices flowing again. This is hard to do as I am easily distracted and easily bored. So far, I am managing my morning pages about half the time which is actually GOOD for me! Maybe this will help discipline me to finally "stick with something" long enough to see it to the end.

I actually DO enjoy writing when I finally take the time to sit down & concentrate on it. So my goal is to be able to DO MY MORNING PAGES EVERY MORNING as easily as I breathe. Then, I think they will teach me, enlighten me, encourage me.

Julia also encourages us to take a once weekly solo "artist's date" ~ exploring something that interests us. This part is EASY PEASY for me! There are sooooo many fun/interesting/exciting things I can think of to do:

Art museums ~ Films ~ Antiquing ~ Thrift Shopping ~ Long drives in the country ~ Photographing interesting things ~ Browsing the bookstore ~ Bead Shops/Jewelry making ~ Art supply stores

I am inspired just thinking about this process of "discovery & recovery" and the fact that I am sharing it with precious members of my own family.  Study up girls ~ Chapter One is our assignment this week!