The Artist's Way Toolkit

January 1, 2025

A 12-week course based on Cameron's 1992 classic The Artist's Way is still going strong and helping people. In this book based on the course, Cameron talks of four essential tasks in her toolkit for creative recovery. The first task is (aptly named) morning pages: upon waking, thoughts begin flowing, and readers should write these down. Stories of how the morning pages have changed peoples' lives follow as answers to frequently asked questions. The second exercise is called the artist date, meaning a solo activity that piques the interest. A date can be something that brings joy or replaces one's creative reservoir. Answers to common related questions follow examples of successes. The third task is the conscious and simple act of walking, as stretching one's legs expands the mind and mindset. The last task, and perhaps the most difficult, is guidance: asking to let go and listen by writing questions and listening. Examples from former students and common questions with answers are again listed. Basic ideas, contracts, principles, affirmations, prayers, and mantras are included, with a checklist and examples of artist dates. Back matter offers acknowledgments and appendixes of poetry, quotes, and a bibliography of Cameron's Creative Kingdom books. VERDICT For all libraries with a creative following.--Charlyn Lyons

Copyright 2025 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2024
Creativity guru Cameron has written over 50 books, many centering on the idea of recovering your creativity. In her latest, Cameron deep dives into her four main practices, describing the processes and sharing some of her students' success stories. She reinforces each practice by exploring frequently asked questions posed by readers. In "Morning Pages" for example, students ask if the process must be done first thing in the morning (yes); for "Artist Dates" and "Walking," do you have to be alone? (again, yes). When you're asking for "Guidance," is it sometimes just a feeling? (yes). There's not really a lot new here for readers of the other books, but the author does include a review of the basic principles, affirmations, quotes, and prayers as well as a few of her poems. There's also a list of 52 suggested artist dates and a breakdown of the other books in the "Creative Kingdom." Someone just entering Cameron's canon or desiring to form a "Creative Cluster" (a group studying her books and methods, which Cameron encourages) will find this useful.

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