The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, Mark Bryan (1992, Paperback)

I was enthusiastic about this book during my first reading of it; some of the concepts presented in the book really resonated with me. The author recommends daily journaling, which is something I do anyway. Also, the idea of “artists dates” appealed to me.

Upon re-reading the book I have changed my favorable opinion of it. I now realize that there are many harmful things that I initially overlooked.

The first thing that I think is harmful: It seems to me that Cameron advises artists to pretty much squash their “inner critic” flat. While this might be a good idea for an artist who is so blocked that (s)he can’t produce any work at all, I think it is dangerous advice for a working artist who is already successfully creating. Personally, I know that the drive to satisfy my “inner critic” is part of what makes my art good. My inner critic is a real slave-driver, and she has high standards. As tempting as it would be to just make her go away, that would have a negative effect in the outcome of the quality of my art. In the long run I think it is more productive to learn to nurture your inner critic and satisfy her demands than it is to trample her.

Another harmful thing about “The Artist’s Way”: My impression after reading this book is that the author presumes to speak for God, and that she presents her own opinions as facts in this area. She seems to be of the opinion that spirituality and creativity are inextricably linked. I disagree, considering that I know some highly creative atheists who are successful artists. Many of the premises in this book are just plain flawed.

This book is as much about religious indoctrination as it is about creativity. I know people who have mistaken this book for a Christian book because of all the references to God that are made in it. It is definitely NOT a Christian book. It is a new age book. I would not recommend this book to anyone who doesn’t already embrace a new-age viewpoint. There are many things about the religious concepts in this book that you might find disagreeable if you don't agree with New Age philosophy. I definitely wouldn’t recommend it to Christians, nor would I recommend it to atheists or agnostics. (Truthfully I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.) If you do read the book, please stay alert to the places in which the author presents her religious beliefs and opinions as fact.

This book has an eerie amount in common with the 12-step programs popularized by Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. There are exactly 12 chapters in this book; each of them incorporates the concept of “Recovery” in some way:

Week 1: Recovering a Sense of Safety
Week 2: Recovering a Sense of Identity
Week 3: Recovering a Sense of Power
Week 4: Recovering a Sense of Integrity
Week 5: Recovering a Sense of Possibility
Week 6: Recovering a Sense of Abundance
Week 7: Recovering a Sense of Connection
Week 8: Recovering a Sense of Strength
Week 9: Recovering a Sense of Compassion
Week 10: Recovering a Sense of Self-Protection
Week 11: Recovering a Sense of Autonomy
Week 12: Recovering a Sense of Faith

I don’t know about you, but I don’t need to recover any of these things. I think it’s presumptuous of the author to assume we’ve all lost our senses of compassion, integrity, strength, faith(etc.)

In all fairness, the book is interesting to read & some of the exercises in it are quite creative. Overall, though, I think that this book is a waste of time.

This treasure book is totally miss titled. Oprah Winfrey had Julie Cameron on her show and said that this book is good for everyone and she is right. It is a 12 week course in finding yourself and pulling out things you forget to think of and motivating you into action. I was surprised to find that several universities and continuing education groups offer The Artist Way course!

I have given The Artist Way away over 15 times and I am amazed at which part of the book really helped different people. My favorite exercise was: List your 20 favorite things to do. I jotted my favorite down quickly. Next: Put the date of the last time you did this. OH MY LANDS! Eye opener; Most I haven't enjoyed since the birth of my son four years earlier! By bringing that to my attention I soon starting doing some of the things on my list!

This book is awesome--great for artists wanting to take their art a bit more seriously. Seller was prompt at mailing it to me and its in great condition!

This book helps the reader to live from the heart and not on the surface, moved by life's stressors. Rediscover your creativity.

Anyone who's into the art of writing should read this. I love its practicality and bought it b/c of its reputation as a great addition to any writer's library. It is. Strongly recommend it.

Frankly this book is several chapters of fluff. It was on the "suggested reading list" for my class. I was disappointed.

This is a good guide to follow. It gives you the freedom to create and let go of the other stuff. I recommend it too everyone who likes to create anything.

A church I attend was offering a class on this and I decided as a artist that I was intersted in doing it .I have gotten alot out of the book and the class and practice it everyday.It helps one overcome things that might block your creative spirit.You do not have to be an artist to have a creative block that you want to overcome.Emotional blocks and other kinds of blocks that hold you back from experiencing and enjoying life.Learning to be good to yourself,take time for yourself and cherishing yourself will opening yourself into being able to give more to others in your life and in your art.A very fine book I would recommend for anyone willing to spend sometime on yourself.

Thanks for shipping the item to my friend. I don't know the quality of the product, only that it arrived in perfect time.

Cameron (1992) is deeply committed to get blocked artists (authors, artists, etc) unblocked and excited about creating art once again. She encourages readers to utilize morning pages--an effective journal technique of handwriting at least three pages a day. This is best accomplished right after one wakes up. Cameron (1992)combines morning journals, positive weekly exercises, and straightforward reading to help any artist achieve her own artistic potential.

I am doing the "artist's way" with a writing group. It provides a good guide, strong principles and interesting exercises for the group. I am enjoying the process.

This is a great book for the creative soul, with guidance for daily writing activities to help release your creative mind and spirit. This is a great book for anyone to get in touch with their feelings. Highly recommended.

The service and the book were impeccable. I love the book, too! I bought it because the description piqued my interest and I was far from disappointed; if anything, the description was an understatement.

Buy with confidence, items as described, quick shipping, Very Easy Seller with Smooth Transaction, AAAAAAA++++++

I bought this book because I was struggling with my creative thinking; I was having difficulty writing, and drawing blanks. I also wanted to open my mind a little bit. My Dad, who is a film maker, suggested this book, saying that it helped him out quite a bit. I'm still in the process of reading and working on it, but I'm already noticing a great improvement in my thinking processes. I highly recommend this book.

Learning to be less self-conscious is difficult. It is the key to unblocking ourselves from the creative spirit and letting that spirit flow through us. Whatever art you desire to share with the world is important... certainly for you to express it. This book taught me how to let go of my insecure, self-conscious side and tap into that which I truly wish to express. It is less a textbook and more a guidebook to learning to live more genuinely. And having my eyes opened to what is true, at least for me, given me a way with which to share the experience more profoundly and meaningfully. The author demonstrates practical methods for shedding our most self-destructive tendencies and presents activities which allow us to explore our truest creativity and imagination. A very worthwhile book for anyone whose desire is to share their vision and their art.

This is a great book for any writer or ANYONE looking to get back in touch with his/her creative side. The book addresses some of the psychology behind being creatively "stuck," why we avoid using our creative talents, and why creativity should be a priority. The exercises are useful and relevant. I particularly enjoyed the discussion of cleaning out the house--metaphorically and literally ridding ourselves of those things we no longer need.

If you have a hard time interpreting the word "God" to suit your personal belief system, you might have difficulty with this book. While the book is not doctrine specific, many discussions do focus on the spirituality of creativity.

I bought this book after I joined a meet-up group designed to go through the various chapters and discuss how the material might be relevant to our personal creative lives. It's been an excellent source of discussion for those of us interested in creative process.

I had heard about the book from friends who were doing a course, The Artist Way. I decided I wanted to do the course on my own and looked it up on ebay. I couldn't beat the price and was quite excited to get it. While it took atleast a month to come, I am glad I finally have the book and am using it. The book is in great condition.

I bought this book to take a class that follows it on a chapter a week schedule. At first I checked it out of the library but after two chapters I bought a copy. It is helping me to overcome a creativity block especially with oil painting in my case. Every week I want to read ahead to the next chapter, but I don't because I want to go about it at the right pace and soak it in.
Julie Cameron really understands what obstructs the creative mind. The exercises effectively help each lesson.
Every now and then a reference is made to another part of the book where the chapter or page number is incorrect - and that is frustrating. However, it is such an excellent resource that flaw ought not keep you from buying it. In fact, perhaps that demonstrates the concept put forward in the book that perfectionism is an obstruction to creativity.

This seller lives in the same city as me, which was a very big factor in my purchase, as well as the book being reccommended to me by David Gould of Mother Tongue.