The Artist's Way

[AmyK]

Who has read this book/completed the exercises? Anyone here? I checked out the book from the library last year, and tried to stuff the full 12 weeks into the 3 week loan I had. Well, I decided that wasn't enough, so I am now the proud owner of a copy of the book and the workbook. I am planning on going through the full 12-week course, and was wondering if anyone else had experienced it, or wanted to possibly go through it with me.

I'm sure you'll all see a few more things from me during these weeks. Or at least, I hope so!

[Nevermore]

I did, Amy. I ended up doing morning pages for two plus years. That is one awesome habit.

[mizamigo]

I got some birthday money, so I'm going to look at this book over the weekend. I really like what I've seen/heard about it, so if I can, I would love to do it with you.

[AmyK]

Victoria, I have another writer friend who wants to go through it with me, so I am gifting her the book/workbook set as well. I'm thinking I may hold off on starting the full course for a week or two, so just let me know if you want me to wait so we can check in together!

Kim, I've done morning pages ever since reading the book last year, and it has been an incredible journey so far. I agree, it's one of the best habits to get into. (Wait, did I just call you Kim?)

[Nevermore]

Well, yeah, that's my name! When I was doing them, I was faithful and did them even when travelling. I have tried several times to start up again but have not been successful. Now I just blether in posts! and on blogs! My life used to be so "private". I got afraid my pages would be found so I put them on the computer and then I got afraid they would be deleted so I put them on disk and then I lost the disk. And now, heck, I have spilled my life out everywhere like a pathetic Phil Donoghue guest. Welcome to the new millenia!

[Diginellie]

Yes I am doing this and I am currently just beginning Week 4. How is that for synchronicity :) So I'll join you guys. Maybe we could do some LO's as part of the whole thing. It seems to me that the Morning Pages and the Artist Dates are crucial. I don't think I'll ever give them up. I just love doing my morning pages. I think I'll burn them when I have completed an exercise book. The process is much more important than the product, don't need to keep them. In fact as its week 4 this is a no-reading week for me so I am actually not supposed to be here at all this week:) I am sure that even though the book was written pre internet that net browsing and forum reading counts !!!

[AmyK]

Helen, when I did Week 4 last year, I completely turned off my computer for a week. I was a "professional" designer at the time, and it was a killer not to turn it on. It turned out to be a rather boring week, but I learned a great deal at the same time - I spent one afternoon out staring at an anthill with my son for what must have been at least two hours.

I'm determined this time to do the Artist's Dates, as I skipped all of those (I had a 4-month old at the time - now she's 16 months and I can leave her with Daddy for a few hours at a time).

And when I finish a notebook, I go through and reread, write down any relevant points I learned (usually takes one page in list form), and move on into my next notebook. I had a few months when I skipped, but I've gone through 4 cheap spiral notebooks so far. It's great fun to see those pages filling up with all my mind trash. :rolleyes:

Yay! I'm glad that others might join me on the journey this time. I think it would be fun to share what we are willing to share in some gallery pieces. and Raven, I am surprised you aren't doing Morning Pages, considering how prolific you have become in other areas lately. It's been fun watching you open up and become a celebrity of sorts. :D

[kygirl]

I'm not sure about week 4 (and I'm old and stubborn enough that I no longer do things because I should), but I've ordered the book and workbook. It looks interesting, and I really do need to start journalling again. So, count me in, Amy.

[mizamigo]

I just bought the book and workbook - and it was so funny. Here I am thinking "The Artist's Way" should be in the ART section. NOPE! It's in the "self-improvement" section. Anyway, the people at B&N were so helpful and I did eventually find them. Then right next to them I saw the Date book - scanned through it and put it back on the shelf. Next to that I found "The Vein of Gold - A - Journey to your Creative Heart", so I got that one also.

I guess I'm in my "self-improvement" phase.

Amy, just let me know when you want to begin. Now that I have my book and workbook, I'm ready.

As for doing any layouts - maybe, we'll see, and if time allows.

[AmyK]

Donna, when is your book supposed to arrive? I'm glad you found it, Victoria! I think the sooner we start the better.

I'm mailing out my friend's set on Monday morning, so what if we set a tentative start date of April 30? It's basically the first Monday in May, and we can do weekly check-ins (or whatever, they don't have to be elaborate) on Mondays.

And if anyone is already on the journey, just jump in where ever you are... does that sound good?

[kygirl]

Mine should be here Tuesday, so May 1 works great for me. Thanks for heading this up, Amy.

[janeg-j]

I am now going into week 6, I find that the journalling is getting into a habit, I find I am awake by 5:30 so that I have time to do it before I go to work. The only problem I am having is the weekly Artist's date, keep procrastinating and avoiding it.

[Anna17]

WOW - I have the book and re-started a month or so ago for the millionth time. I have completed week one and read week two only, although I've been doing morning pages pretty faithfully, which I'm proud of myself for.

Could I join you all too? It might help me to know I'm doing this with others so that I stay on task. I've wanted to do this program for awhile. I've started it many times and haven't gone too far. Maybe doing this with others is what I need.

I am doing some career counseling now and my career counselor suggested this, which is what made me dust it off a few weeks ago.

I've done a few artist's dates which has been great fun!

[AmyK]

Hi Anna! Please do join us! I'm hoping that anyone who is in the books or wants to be working on them will know they can just hop in whenever. It was my thought that I would be more consistent if I knew other people were getting through them too. :)

I just went through and read the introduction again, and I think I might just read through what I can this week so I have my mind set before I start on the 1st.

I'm really excited that several of you will be doing this at the same time! :D

[kygirl]

My books just arrived. After glancing through the first week's assignments, I'm so excited. I've journaled off and on my whole life, so I don't think the morning pages will be an issue. But, I'm really intrigued by the idea of the Artist's dates. I think I'll start a list of things to do this summer. It should be fun.

[Diginellie]

I am loving the Morning Pages and the Artist Dates - last week I went to a beading class and made earrings and a bracelet, this week was a Country Market. Week 4 is the killer, I failed at `no reading' miserably :o So I am going to cheat and plan my `no reading' week for when I go on hols for a week mid May:) I won't be able to go near a computer and I will be too busy to read anything.

[Anna17]

I'm looking forward to going through this process! I've done some artist's dates and they are wonderful. I went to the Smithsonian by myself and spent hours in the "Dutch Masters" galleries. I was up there for business and carved out time for the artist's date. Another date I went on was to take myself to an art supply store and roam for an hour up and down every aisle. I left my phone in the car and allowed myself to guilt-free blow some money on fun stuff!
I haven't been so good at morning pages, but will recommit to doing them as I'm supposed to.

This will be fun! Thanks for letting me join you all!

[Diginellie]

My experience is that the morning pages are crucial to this course. They may seem weird to start with but I just write what comes into my head. If you write questions you will often get answers :)

[AmyK]

Has anyone signed the "contract" she has in the beginning? I am thinking of doing a quick digital contract page and putting it at the front of my art journal.

[kygirl]

I'm so black and white that I've been waiting for you to say "go!" LOL I have read through the first chapter, but all of my workbook pages are pristine.

[mizamigo]

I'm so black and white that I've been waiting for you to say "go!" LOL I have read through the first chapter, but all of my workbook pages are pristine.

Donna, I guess I am thinking like you are. I just bought the Artist's Date Book, so I am going to look over that and read Chapter 1 this weekend. I did look at the contract.

[AmyK]

I'm glad I'm not the only one waiting for the go date!! I think I'm waiting just in case others want to join us or need to get books. How about this: if anyone plans to actually sign the contract to do the full 12 weeks, how about you sign it and either upload a photo or do a digital contract. And if you're planning to buy yourself a nice pen and a nice journal or whatever, do it this weekend. :D I'll get my contract uploaded by the weekend, because I'm really feeling a push to do that.

[ScrapAlice]

I picked up a copy yesterday, but haven't really looked at it yet. I want to do it along with you, and just hope that I can keep the commitment. Life has been throwing me a few curves lately, you know, and I'm thinking this can help get me on track.

[Diginellie]

I am finding this journey to be life changing - so good to find some fellow `travellers on the Way' here. Should have known that some Quirks would be there to join up with :)

[digime]

Well, I was walking by the bookstore yesterday and thought I'd just check to see if they had The Artist's Way...and they did...so I bought it...and I'll be joining you in the journey.

I'm not sure why I held off until the last minute, because I really wanted to do it. I think I was just afraid of starting something and not following through on it, as has been my pattern through most of my life! Being a part of a group (however loose and far flung it is) will help.

I'm going to start reading the first chapter tomorrow, so count me in!

[Nevermore]

There are little skids marks in front of my feet...I AM REFUSING TO DO THIS but boy do I want to! Wishing you all a great journey! My heart is with you. I just can't pick up another thing right now. It is okay if I drop in and bug you all about your homework??????

[AmyK]

Raven, you are always welcome to come and join us on the journey! Good for you for knowing when to say no - that's been a hard lesson for me to learn lately. :D Considering you've already been through the full sessions, maybe you could just oversee the festivities and make sure we keep in line (or outside the lines, as the case may be).

[Nevermore]

(or outside the lines, as the case may be).
Very good one! It has been over a decade since I did this so I have no sharp memories except for one artist's date in particular and the morning pages. Those morning pages were my lifeline through a couple of very lonely, bitter years. I am so happy to see everyone gathered to do this (kinda reminds me of the gathering of the dwarves at the beginning of the hobbit--not to imply any of YOU are short and stout. Or bearded.)

[digime]

not to imply any of YOU are short and stout. Or bearded.)

LOL...no Kim, not bearded but my legs need shaving, so I am a little hobbit like!

[Diginellie]

Kate - `when the student is ready the teacher will appear' and Julia Cameron is a wonderful teacher :)

[kygirl]

I posted my contract, http://www.digitalartquirks.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=3051&limit=last1 . This is a huge commitment for me, but I really do feel like it's something I need to do for myself at this point in my life.

[Anna17]

This is a huge committment for me too, but something I've wanted to start and finish for a long time. I think the reason I've put it off is because I wasn't in the right place, mentally/emotionally/developmentally to do this. I never have much time, so fitting it into my schedule is always an issue, so that's not really part of the problem. Its committing to it, and this time, I am committed and ready. Glad I have some other people to travel on the journey with!

[mspeabody]

I'd like to join along too. I just bought the book and workbook and hopefully they'll arrive in my mailbox later this week. Is it too late to start up? What was the official start date....I don't want to be too far behind.

[kygirl]

I think we're officially starting tomorrow. Right now, folks are gathering their books (you'll need a journal to do your morning pages), looking through the book, and signing the contract.

[jennv]

Donna---I would love to join in. I'm new here too..... I just ordered my book and hopefully it will come sometime in the next couple days. I've actually never heard about this, but your email to me today could not have come at a better time. I've been really struggling lately in creating anything and wondering what and why I'm doing this. I'll get started on the morning journaling and then get "officially" started once the book and workbook arrives.

[digime]

Well, here's my contract (http://www.digitalartquirks.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=3066). Although just a little apprehensive about the commitment, I'm looking forward to it too. I'm so glad there's a group to check in with...I'm sure that will be a great support if I get bogged down. I've also designed a cover (http://www.digitalartquirks.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=3067)for my very plain black book that I'm using for morning pages. I wanted to personalize it and jazz it up a bit to inspire me to pick it up in the morning!

Let's go girls!

[ArtcTrish]

Is it too late to join in? I am going to look for the book today. Life has actually been a little too heavy on the creative side lately- but just on the stage...I'm ready to get my hands dirty again....so to speak. Also, I am having trouble getting into the gallery...anyone have any ideas why?

[kygirl]

I don't think it's ever too late to join anything at DAQ. :) There are a few of us that have worked up to week three, but there's nothing to stop you from working through the book and posting your comments on the appropriate week. I promise we'll jump in and help you through.

So, what kinds of things have you been up to on the stage? Want to tell us about it? One of the Artist Way assignments is to list careers you once considered. I bet there is more than one frustrated actor in our group.

As for the gallery, I'm not having any problems. If you continue to have problems, you might clear your cookies and try again.

[ArtcTrish]

Thanks for the info Donna! And I did get into the gallery from here but not from other links or the front page....weird.
I can't wait!