Walking in This World - The Artist's Way

I’m offering an exciting, new class beginning on January 5th and only two people have signed up. I wonder, is it me? Is it the economy? Is it the 10-week commitment? Perhaps a little of all three. The class is similar to the Artist’s Way that I have been offering for several years and those classes have often been filled. For my upcoming session I only have two people registered and the deadline to sign up is December 30th. I’ve been pretty proactive with advertising for this class, posting information on-line and fliers all over town at coffee shops, bookstores, and our local health food store.

My original Artist’s Way sessions were modeled after the class I took from my Artist’s Way mentor, Gretchin Lair, of Scarlet Star Studios in Portland. I drove to Portland from Salem (an hour each way) once a week for 12 weeks, I was so motivated and excited to take such a life-changing series of classes. It was what opened the door to my whole new life of making art and living creatively.

My (hopefully) upcoming series is based on Julia Cameron’s second book in her Artist’s Way trilogy, Walking in This World – The Practical Art of Creativity. I’ll be using the same formula I have used in the past: Sitting in a circle, stretching and breathing to gently warm-up and transition from the day into the evening, verbal check-ins with feedback and support, and finally, a creative project. In The Artist’s Way we have done such activities as mask-making, embellishing a soft cloth doll, playing with clay, Touch Drawing, and collage (12 weeks of varied creative activities). Those taking the upcoming series will be introduced to a brand new set of creative projects.


Also, for my upcoming series, I’ve shortened the commitment to ten weeks – 12 weeks was just a little too long. But then there is the commitment itself – during the week participants must read a chapter from the book, do half of the homework tasks, write Morning Pages daily (or at least try to write daily), go on an Artist’s Date (a weekly, solo outing to fill the creative well), and in this new series, take at least a weekly 20 minute walk. And then once a week attend a 2-1/2 hour class. It’s a lot to commit to!

About the walking component. Julia feels that walking holds our solutions. Julia also says about her regular walks: It is on these walks that my best ideas come to me. It is while walking that difficult clarity emerges. It is while walking that I experience a sense of well-being and connection, and it in walking that I live most prayerfully.

In preparation for a possible class, I’ve been reviewing the book. This is what will be covered in each chapter and will be the focus of our ten weeks together.

Discovering a Sense of:

Origin
Proportion
Perspective
Adventure
Personal Territory
Boundaries
Momentum
Discernment
Resiliency
Camaraderie
Authenticity
Dignity

For me, I sure would like to get intimate with each of these topics and figure out how I can better incorporate them into my daily life. I’m hoping six other women would like to do the same.

If you want more information about this class, feel free to e-mail me at dayna@alleyartstudio.com. We will be meeting on Tuesday evenings at Alley Art Studio from 6:30-9:00 p.m. The cost is $240 and $50 by December 30th will hold your spot. The only thing you need to purchase is the book and a journal, I provide everything else.

And if you aren’t able to take the class, I highly recommend getting all three of the books in Julia’s Artist’s Way series – they are truly life changing.