the book that unlocked my creativity: The Artist's Way

HEY!!!! THANKS FOR WATCHING! Finally sat down to talk about this book after mentioning it in vlogs for MONTHS lolz. Plz drop ur artist dates ideas here if u have them! I appreciate you all :)

I quit my job and starting in June, I went to a cafe/coffee shop almost every single day to just draw all day. I live pretty far from the coffee shops so I have to stay there all day until my boyfriend picks me up after work. Because of that, I've been so wildy productive with my art and I absolutely love doing it. It's a lot like an artist date, but I do it every day lol Loved your commentary on the book <3

I am a huge fan of The Artist's Way. I'm one of those people who found it life-changing. A few tips: 1. The morning pages are just "brain dumps." It's a way to get all of the mental conversations that seem to flood our minds first thing as we start the day out on the page in black and white so that we can leave them there and move on. Just write the first words that come into your head; they don't have to make sense. And then let the pen move across the page without stopping. Don't overthink it. That voice in your head just seeks expression, and after two or three pages of writing, it's just done. Over. It can start with a list of things you want or have to do or a description of the weather outside or the temperature in the room or how hungry and eager for breakfast you are or something you dreamed about. It does not matter. Whatever shows up on the page is exactly what is supposed to show up on the page. 2. The most important thing about the artist's date is that once each week, you take your artist child on a play date. Go to a costume shop and try on costumes. Go to the make up counter at the department store and have one of the sales reps put makeup on you. Go to the zoo. Or a nearby playground. Take a train or trolley or subway ridge somewhere--just anywhere (safe, of course). Go walk around some part of the city known for its cute coffee shops, cafes, and boutiques and go window shopping. Go to a movie, concert, or play or lecture. Take a class (pottery, piano, ballroom dancing?) Take a boat or ferry ride. To me, the whole point was to honor the curious and playful child in me by taking time to pay attention to her. (The responsible adult in us tends to dismiss her and her needs and her joys and "not important.") Put a jigsaw together while listening to your favorite music. Pick some flowers (or buy some) and arrange them in a vase. 3. What people refer to as the "New Age" or "WooHoo" or religious stuff really just boils down to acknowledging that we, as individual human beings, are not the most powerful thing in the world. There is a life force outside of ourselves. It's not important what you call it. There's this thing I do when I show up to play around with or make something with my art supplies. I say, "God, show me what you want me to do." And immediately, I am drawn to something--a rubber stamp, a stencil, some collage papers, a paint color--something draws me to it, and I find myself excited and inspired by it. Which leads to the next step and the next step, and once I start, I'm focused and in flow, and something emerges. There are "problems" to solve along the way and happy accidents, and sometimes I don't like it and set it aside for awhile and sometimes the results just come together quickly and easily and I'm satisfied and feel in my bones that it's "finished." And the irony is that I'm an atheist. I don't really believe there is a God as described in most religions. I just use the word "God" because it's a habit learned early and reinforced constantly in our culture. But really, I'm invoking the Universe. Whatever that is. 4. Do the tasks that speak to you, and leave the rest alone. Whatever you choose to do will have a positive impact. This is NOT about perfection or over-functioning. Julia Cameron does not know what you did or did not do, nor would she care. Just be with the book and pay attention to what speaks to you. You are exactly where you are supposed to be on your creative journey. And finally, I will confess that I had the book for quite awhile but could not get myself to read it. I'd start and then abandon it. I put up a lot of resistance (and that's pretty typical of artists, by the way). And then I found a wonderful creativity coach who conducted a 13-week class using The Artist's Way. She was wonderful, and the class was wonderful, and finally I discovered that of course I am an artist. All the clues were there all along, but I didn't know how to put them together until I was about 40 years old. For the FIRST time in my life I felt passionate about something. Until then I didn't even have any hobbies, and then all of a sudden my life had new meaning. I'm 69 years old now, and my life has been enriched beyond measure since I read this book.

The audiobook version is free on Youtube. I've been listening to it while making art. (I've had this book for years, and couldn't get into it. The audio version definitely helps.) I'll also add that I like how many people are using this book in a way that works for them. For example, I saw one TikToker who would doodle morning pages instead of writing journal pages. Another person would type her morning pages. I think you can take from the book what works for you and adapt it to what best suits your lifestyle.

I got this book during 2020 C19 lockdown so things like artist dates were nearly impossible so I decided to apply the concept to something I could do at home - go through my art books, delve into a pinterest board, find museums and galleries with YT accounts. I gave myself permission to obsess over an artist or a technique, daydream about things I'd like to make or work on. Sometimes you have to take the essence of a task/lesson and adapt it into something within reach.

I liked artist dates, but it is hard to get them in. One time I went to IKEA with a notepad and pen to write down things that I might want, projects I might want to do, or ideas that came to mind YET didn’t allow myself to buy anything; just take notes. I, also, did this at a Home Depot, walking slowly up and down each aisle to see what practical or creative ideas came to mind.

Artist date comment: I struggled a lot with artist dates, too, and often didn’t do them :( but my favorite one came from a part of a chapter where Cameron described a client who would go on a very long drive to listen to podcasts and drink green tea. I took an hour drive through farmland where things were so much more open and quiet. I was specifically going up to my music college, where I revisited some old places and pulled out my instrument for the first time in years. This was the best artist date for so many reasons. I wouldn’t have even let myself do this type of day trip without the pressure from the book haha.

My artist date this week was getting up super early and going to a hot air balloon festival lift off at dawn! It was so fun and I took some amazing photos. But also the drive at 4 am was so quiet and relaxing. I also got to meet quiet a few new people. There were groups of older people who went every year as a tradition, the excited young people getting ready to go up, other photographers, and just some really cool people there for the first time. 10/10 would recommend this or if you have a balloon glow near you to go!

I've picked up and put down this book like 3-4 times since I bought it last year. This was such a good review and breakdown of your thoughts on it! Maybe I'll pick it back up!

I bought this book over a decade ago and never got past the first couple of chapters. This is motivating me to go find it and start again!

“Woo-wee-ey”= what we called back in the 90s “New Age-y.” I am certain i had a copy of this book in the past, but couldn’t tell you if I ever read it. I do think a lot of productive creativity comes down to just showing up to do some kind of work, and being satisfied with that each day. Some days are just off. Always make sure you find time to see other people’s creative works and methods. And just make art for yourself first, then when you have the courage to share it, things will start to happen. Don’t pressure yourself with the money part of the equation, especially if being forced to be creative makes you hate what you do.

Between you and AppleCheeks I have been convinced to give this book a try because honestly even though I’ve been making art more frequently for the past few weeks there is something still missing or holding me back. Maybe discovering some new perspectives and doing some of the task from the book may help.

2-3 years ago I was really working this .. and doing my 3 pages non-stop writing and IT REALLY helped me tremendously both personally and artistically. I had some illness and family issues that distracted me in the meantime and I have gotten way out of touch with my artist self as a result. Going to jump back in and thank you for your post! Nice to share with fellow creatives!

I started the Artist Way, but became quickly overwhelmed by the amount of tasks to do weekly. The morning pages were also a challenge—I have a hard time waking up in the mornings and could never find the time to sit down and write without sacrificing my sleep 😅 it is a good book though; I need to find the motivation to start it again from day one.

I'm in my first week of the book, and I think my main form of artist dates will be making myself watch a movie. I'm a screenwriter who has not say down to watch a movie by myself in months. I'm probably gonna do it from home bc my watch list is a mile long, but when I have more money saved up I want to try going to indie theaters or small live shows!

Growing up. As a teen.. I was a creator, sort of an artist, but I never thought of it that way. I would sit at my desk and remix music and audio using tape decks and tv and my vcr and my sampling keyboard.. it was the 80s.. no computer advantage.. but I never considered it set or even more so, something I could make a living at… so all these years, I’ve worked jobs that I could do, but not really enjoy.. now, if I can get passed whatever is holding me back, maybe I could really jump into this passion, and make a living at it.. in particular.. a YouTube adventure content creator.. Thanks for this great video!!! Love your “set”, your room.. light and cheery!

Good video. It took me 19 weeks to complete the 12-week course. As a result, I did many things on my bucket list. I've been doing the morning pages for 18 months now. I agree artist dates are the most challenging and easiest to neglect. They're so valuable. I would only differ in that I think the exercises that one is more resistant to doing are the ones that are most essential to do. If we only do the exercises that offer no resistance we are not likely to grow as much, in my opinion. Feelings aren't facts. That was my experience. Thanks. What was your favorite line? Mine was - the next right thing to do is usually something small. Classic.

I just wanted to say this video helped a ton, I was avoiding the book because of how "woo-wooey" it was too, and having it broken down was great <3 I'm an art student, and had multiple professors tell me my biggest issue was "following the rules to closely" or being unable to think outside of the box. I think it's really easy to grow up hearing what you can't/shouldn't do until creativity and self expression becomes lost on you completely. Forcing yourself to face and unlearn all the limitations you set on yourself can really make all the difference in the world~

Haha she tells you to make a magazine collage because the book was written 30 years ago before Pinterest! Love this book- I read it right after college when it first came out. Thanks for the wonderful review, it made me want to read it and start morning pages again! Good luck with your art biz- dream big 🙂

I love this book too. Also, your hair and your space look like so much fun!!