The Artist's Way Click here to register for June 17, 2010 offering!
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron is a guided tour into the inner, creative self. It is not simply a book for "visual artists"; it is a resource for everyone who wishes to live with more creative expression and more spiritual connection with Life itself. The Artist's Way is a course in unblocking our personal, internal creator, freeing ourselves to express our inner beauty, merging our lives with the Master Creator of the universe - however we may define it. Our sacred contract as human beings is to discover, uncover, and nourish our personal soul children, those unique gifts and talents deep within, and bring them to life. In turn, these soul children bring us to life and we embrace each and every moment energetically, wholeheartedly, creatively!
Course Description:
The Artist's Way material is divided into a twelve-week course (we cover one chapter each week, preceded by an introductory session), with assignments which are deceptively simple, but require commitment. Each chapter is devoted to a particular aspect of discovering and recovering the inner creator. The chapters discuss some of the pitfalls and problems of the creative process and provide exercises designed to stimulate your creativity and enhance your sense of self.
The course is an intense, personal journey into the self. Material is introduced and discussed during the weekly classes but much of the personal growth happens through the daily commitments of reading, writing, play and tasks. The group provides the opportunity for sharing and receiving feedback on challenges and celebrations and for developing relationships with others who share the desire to live more fully.
Assignments:
- The first daily assignment is the Morning Pages. These are three pages of longhand free association writing, commonly known as journaling. It doesn't matter what you write, as long as you fill those pages. This will be an important commitment to yourself for 12 weeks.
- One weekly assignment is the Artist Date. Spend an hour or two each week doing something for you -- alone. This is tougher than it appears. It's easy to let everything else get in the way of this weekly date, but it is very important.
- The other weekly assignment is to read the chapter and do the homework at the end of each chapter. These simple exercises usually take about an hour.
Weekly Class:
Following the first evening which covers the introduction and sets the stage for the 12 lessons, classes will meet weekly for 12 weeks. Each session includes both the opportunity to share personal growth, insight, and inspiration from the previous week's assignments and life experiences and a look into the next chapter to prepare for the week ahead.
The Artist's Way is an empowering book for anyone. It is unique in three ways:
- It links creativity to spirituality by showing in non-denominational terms how to tap into the higher power that connects human creativity with the creative energies of the universe.
- It links creativity to personal empowerment and in each of the twelve weeks of the course helps remove one or more barriers to confidence and productivity.
- It links creativity to learnable skills, guiding you through a variety of highly effective exercises and activities that spur imagination and create new ideas and a new perspective.
What have other students experienced?
The added benefit was Jeanne's ability to guide and encourage team members, meeting them where they were at and supporting them where they were going. The experience was one I'd recommend for any person or group with a desire to experience the possibilities of what could be.
Jane D Zaretzke BA SAC, January 2010
Thank you so much for facilitating our group. It was a truly positive and moving experience. I really cannot believe the difference it made in everyone's lives, especially mine. Your guidance enabled us all to navigate through some of the murky waters of our lives and in the end see that there is a beautiful waterful on the other side. Things can and will change if we are only willing to take that first step and do something different. Your presence was like an anchor to our group - you kept us grounded but also gave us visions of where we could go.
Bev Glaeser, Oshkosh, WI, April 2009
We just completed our 13 weeks of transformation by doing the Artist's Way. I am deeply appreciative of Jeanne as the facilitator, her groundedness, gentleness in tone, thought and spaciousness of spirit allowed grace to pour into all of our lives. She set the stage for transformation allowing each of us to speak our truth, honor and nurture the other, grow and to laugh! What a gift she is and has as she provides tools to assist in exploring how to be our true, authentic selves.
Linda Sailer, Oshkosh, WI, April 2009
Come unprepared for an exciting journey into yourself. Be open to exploring those recesses which will reveal your glorious You.
Carolyn Dargevics, participant Summer-Fall 2008
This class is life altering beyond description. I watched each class member awaken more fully to their authentic self through this process. We each seemed to embrace our personal power in ways that allow true freedom I doubt that any of us will ever return to who we were before taking this journey.
Diane Koser, participant Summer-Fall 2008