How to Start an Artist’s Way Group

“The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron is a bestselling book and for good reason. Untold numbers of readers have used the book to help unlock the flood gates of their creativity and/or to hone their current creative practice. Easy to read and simple to follow, “The Artist’s Way” is written in an engaging, for-everyman style. Cameron debunks the myths regarding the exclusivity and elitism of artists and encourages all to take the plunge and uncover their creativity and feed their soul. Knowing first hand the high value of the group process she asks that one “remembers that the wisdom of “The Artist’s Way” is a collective, nonhierarchical experience.”

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron
• Paper, loose leaf or bound
• Writing implement, such as a pen
• Blocked out 30 minutes of time in the morning plus and extra seven to eight hours a week

1. Familiarize yourself with “The Artist’s Way” and its philosophy. Having read the book before forming a group is not necessary, but reading the introduction is a great help.
2. Take the necessary time and care to find the individuals for the group, or “creative cluster,” as Cameron refers to them. The Artist’s Way process is an intimate one and you want to be as close to 100 percent comfortable as possible. Four people is a good number. If possible, each member should have their own copy of “The Artist’s Way.” “Leading” the group is an equally shared responsibility for all the group members.
3. Commit to the 12-week cycle of the book. Also commit to completing the exercises in the book. Ask the same of your creative cluster comrades.
4. Choose a weekly, regular meeting time. The meetings should last two to three hours. The place may alternate.
5. Trust yourself, your gut, your inner knowledge. Listen to yourself and others rather than comment and try to fix things.

Tips & Warnings

• Artistic uncovering and recovery can be a scary journey. Be extra kind to yourself.
• Excuse yourself from any group that has a self-appointed guru.
• Be wary of someone or group profiting off The Artist’s Way name, logo and teachings.

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