Julia Cameron-The Artist's Way-Creative Adventures in Art

I have done "The Artist's Way"and also her book, "The Vein of Gold". Both a remarkable experience.

What do I mean by 'done them'?

Her books are about tapping into your creative side and how to get there. Julia also blesses you with a better mental attitude in the process. She writes about how to know better who you are and what you can do to make your life better and more fulfilled.

Amazing author!

Each chapter has a new adventure of the heart, collages, photo searches, things like that. She also asks you to walk for 20 minutes and to keep a journal, of which she calls "morning pages". For those of you who have never kept a journal, you will see the advantages of that soon!

Julia Cameron (4 March 1948, Illinois) most notably the author of "The Artist's Way", a remarkable book of self discovery.

Here are a few versions of "The Artist's Way". More of Julia Cameron's books are below.

TURN ON THE MUSIC as you enjoy learning more about Julia Cameron

Art is not about thinking something up. It is the opposite - getting something down.

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Creativity - like human life itself - begins in darkness.

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Each of us has an inner dream that we can unfold if we will just have the courage to admit what it is. And the faith to trust our own admission. The admitting is often very difficult.

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Growth is an erratic forward movement: two steps forward, one step back. Remember that and be very gentle with yourself.

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I have learned, as a rule of thumb, never to ask whether you can do something. Say, instead, that you are doing it. Then fasten your seat belt. The most remarkable things follow.

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Love is the substance of all life. Everything is connected in love, absolutely everything.

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Mystery is at the heart of creativity. That, and surprise.

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Nothing dies harder than a bad idea.

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Perfectionism is not a quest for the best. It is a pursuit of the worst in ourselves, the part that tells us that nothing we do will ever be good enough - that we should try again.

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The creative process is a process of surrender, not control.

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The growth of one blesses all. I am commited to grow in love. All that I touch, I leave in love. I move through this world consciously and creatively.

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What we really want to do is what we are really meant to do. When we do what we are meant to do, money comes to us, doors open for us, we feel useful, and the work we do feels like play to us.

Julia Cameron

by Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

Art is always relevant.. it matters NOT what age you are, you can be as creative as you want to be.

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I want to preface all

I am an older gallery woman

calling out...

Dear fantasy art fairy

I remember true

I do recall

the most mysterious vision

a life stalled.

Yet soon to be heard beyond a

mermaids wanting longing

I indeed heard

a wanting call.

I met a fantasy art woman

seems odd to meet a fairy tale?

Perhaps a mermaid with a tail?

Nebulous singing story feels strange?

Does it?

Ohh my dear companion

let me tell you of a goddess

sting.

Not so unlikely dear friend

if you imagine a story

with a sea captain

setting sail

ready for adventures

past the frail.

Let me tell you then

of a sailors

lust

forever remembered

by me

beyond any traces of a captains rust.

Beyond the the dusk

he did embark on a magnificent journey.

Just like any folk song

he had claimed a lovely mermaid

and life beyond any dragons wrong

a song did sing.

He'd met her beyond the moon

and within laughters gale

my sailor

captain of a sailing ship

set a lovely sail

far beyond our moon.

He'd met this siren 2 years prior

once again

he had to find her

ribbons of desire she would

devour.

Tis not such an objectionable song

a captain and his wailing

strong.

He did entice the seas of yore

and on their weakness did implore...

Let me have my princess of the sea

and I swear I will refrain from seeking

and then forever

be.

Who could or would ever ignore

a quest for love

by a sailor stored?

He met his memory

fastly sung

while waiting for a raptors song.

Within his glee

of finding his lassie

he held her closely

nebulously

for the pale

took their hope away

unfastened maybe

yet a prince

would set his said sail.

So as this older gallery women relents

tis within a thousand sentiments

that love does rule

despite the costs

and will forever discard

her sorrowful

loss.

Lest her king still finds her

singing

of a captain of the sea

for her

still stinging.

ABOUT Kathy Ostman-Magnusen: I am an artist, represented by Monkdogz Urban Art, New York. ORIGINAL ART may be purchased through Monkdogz: http://www.monkdogz.com/chelseagallery/artistart/M... FREE ART GIFTS,suitable for children plus prints, giclees, cards, available on my website: http://www.kathysart.com

The IMAGE is of my sculpture "Bleeding Wings 5"

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Whether you are exploring your creativity together with others in an artist's way workshop or working solo, your creativity and the flow depends upon your thoughts. Did you know that researchers now know that the average person thinks up to 70,000 thoughts per day? That works out to a thought about every 1.1 seconds. Would you believe that there are that many thoughts going on inside your head? If you've ever felt blocked or stuck with your creative process, you've experienced negative thoughts. What if you were in charge of guiding those thoughts in the direction of your goals, dreams and creative process? With this much thinking taking place, it behooves us to focus that energy on meaningful goals or outcomes. Whether you are an individual or business manager wanting to improve your own productivity, having a dream, outcome or goal is what contributes order and purpose into thought processes. Your thoughts lead to a sense of discouragement or a sense of well-being. Your thoughts lead to action. Your actions create habits. Your habits determine your life.

Even though I'm old enough to be a grandmother, I've only recently learned the significance between my thinking and my outcomes. The concept of thoughts becoming things is new to me and so so helpful! I now feel so thrilled to be able to support others to see that we get whatever we focus upon most. Phew!

Coaches love to ask questions, so whether I'm supporting students in the artist's way workshops or on the phone, I submit questions to ponder. See if you find these helpful:

1. What is it that you most think about?

2. Are you liking the results of your thoughts?

3. Are you living the life you really want to be living?

I am a person who did not like setting goals. I didn't understand why it mattered and I felt frustrated about how to do it. Now I recommend that you give it a try. If you consider your goal as a blank sheet of paper on which you want to write something special, or a blank canvass on which something beautiful will be created, you can reduce the scope of goal setting to something very manageable.

If all those thoughts you are thinking are going to be thought anyway, you may as well provide some guidance for the thinking, no? Doesn't it make sense to experiment with putting your focus on the thoughts that would bring you what you want-or some improvement in what you now are doing?

Even if you don't agree that your life is not going the way you want because of the way you are thinking, are you willing to experiment with your creativity and start thinking different thoughts? This may take some resolve and courage and why not strengthen those resolve and courage muscles especially if you're not leading the life you want right now? For un-blocking or getting un-stuck, consider this:

1. Make a list of the awesome things you've done.

2. Find 3 people to appreciate and acknowledge and do it.

3. Make a commitment to put focus and thoughts on one thing that is positive or "right".

If it's true that our lives are products of our thoughts, we can begin making small thought changes any time we choose. Consider it a creative experiment to un-block creative flow.

Think of a time you made a difference for someone else. Think of a small gesture you can do right now to improve the room you're in or the counter top or the desk. Think a thought of 'how to make this right' then do it.

Below is a short list of some of the feedback I get from students when I make these suggestions:

o I can't control what I think.

o These thoughts just pop into my head.

o I'm ot in charge of my thinking

o It's just the way I am.

o I can't help how I think.

o They're just thoughts; they don't matter.

The exciting truth is that we can control what we think and I've recently learned that. We can put the focus on what we want, not on what is wrong. Whether you're an artist wanting to un-block, or feel less stuck, or a person who would not call yourself an artist, but you're feeling stuck, you can play with this thought process concept and create change. It's actually a skill worth cultivating. You'll find out that it can make a significant difference in the quality of your day. Every decision you make comes from the viewpoint of what you think you are and the value you place upon yourself. If you're willing to play with this creative experiment, you can change your belief of what is possible and recognize that the limitations you have encountered in the past are all part of a belief system you can change. Yes you can!

You'll find immediate access to your free Special Report (12 Tested Tips on taking action to expand your creativity NOW) at http://www.theartistswaydesert.com This special report and the series of articles, Zapping Blocks to Creativity are offered by Leslie Gebhart, M.A., Professional Certified Coach who supports you to connect with your creativity no matter what your work or leisure schedule. In addition to coaching in support of creativity, she adds facilitating the book study of Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way as a highlight of her work week. http://www.theartistswaydesert.com Feel free to paste this article into your own material so long as you also maintain the author contact information as is herein. Hope you found it useful! Make it a terrific day. :)

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leslie_Gebhart

by Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

I am inspired by other artists.. Frida being one.

These two quotes of Frida Kahlo's are significant. They are indeed the most significant quotes of hers to understand her life and the dedication to explaining who she was as a human being. It is within pure honesty that the artist shines and Kahlo's star shines for her tonight.

"I paint self portraits because I am the person I know best."

"I hope the departure is joyful and I hope never to return." ~Frida Kahlo

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It is for Frida then that I write:

"Notorious Kahlo I Love You I Do - As I Stand in the Shadows Weeping For You"

Mexican art goddess

Frida Kahlo

Spanish gem

rebellious thunder

independent glamour queen

of a most glorious wonder.

Shocking conservative foes

dressing her canvases

with mirrors

from her very own

battered

and injured soul.

Notorious Kahlo

I love you I do

as I stand in the shadows

weeping for you.

If I do not understand

mine own pain

I will lust after Frida

and her soulful

honestly delivered

claims.

Mexican goddess

tears marked her days

you and I should remember

such courage

displayed.

Wounded in body

demons of the dark

yet despite convalescence

on canvas

this goddess

left her deepest remarks.

Diego Rivera

came into her life

murals of politics

and Mexican strife.

France did know them

an artists pair

who danced in their art scene

reputations to flair.

Ahh feminist Frida

I light candles to you

when alone in my closet

unsure of what to do.

Cult figure I honor

write notes on my door

remember Ms Kahlo

who painted her soul's roar.

Who better to paint

than the one, one knows best

from cradle to grave

Frida revealed her own struggles

and difficult tests.

Vibrant colors

sure of her gestures

leaving no misunderstanding

Frida Kahlo said and painted

exactly

what her heart measured.

Sexuality not ignored

as some women do

Frido Kahlo said it all

as she thought her life through.

She gave herself freedom

creative displays

dramatic symbolism

gave us visions

within and without

her cast prison.

Within your bodies torturous doorman

your efforts to explore

courageous decisions

will forever ignite me

past the tunes

of simple

folklore.

Notorious Kahlo

I love you I do

as I stand in the shadows

weeping for you.

ABOUT Kathy Ostman-Magnusen: I am an artist, represented by Monkdogz Urban Art, New York. ORIGINAL ART may be purchased through Monkdogz: http://www.monkdogz.com/chelseagallery/artistart/M...

FREE ART GIFTS, suitable for children plus prints, giclees, cards, available on my website: http://www.kathysart.co

In her bestselling book "The Artist's Way," Julie Cameron suggests keeping a journal. She refers to them as morning pages where each morning, you just write off the top of your head.

This free writing exercise is nothing new. It's been done and popularized for quite some time now. But "The Artist's Way" really brought this practice back.

I was wondering why musicians, specifically piano players might apply the concept of free writing to playing piano. It then dawned on me that if you time your improvisations, or more accurately, set a time limit for how long you're going to play, it creates a space where the muse is free to express.

To this end, I created a lesson titled "Timed Piano Improvisation Exercise." It is a lesson that uses a 3-5 minute time limit. Students are encouraged to play whatever comes up within the given parameters - 3 chords in the mode of A Aeolian.

The beauty of these kinds of exercises is that the choice as to what to play has already been made. Now, all that is required is for the student to sit down and play within the limits set.

Some fight the idea of limitations thinking it constricts creativity. Not true! It actually helps you to focus in on self-expression. That's because you're not thinking about the next chord to play. This choice has already been made. All that is required now is to simply create in the moment.

And when the moment is a timed practice period, it gives students the freedom to just be at the piano.

After successfully trying these exercises myself, I realize how powerful they can be. Material comes that may have never appeared any other way. Why? Because we aren't focused on creating a product. Instead, we allow the improvisational process to lead us and this always leads to the "freshest" sounding music.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Visit http://www.quiescencemusic.com now and get a FREE piano lesson!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edward_Weiss

Life is a glorious adventure

We sometimes walk so quickly

that we forget to notice.

This is indeed a reminder to my own self.

This is LIFE TAKE ONE!

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The image is a photo by Dennis G Magnusen

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