The Artists Way

First Thoughts

This book reads like a compilation of simple and insightful tweets. The book was written in 1992, and the audio book starts with fun, mythical, forest music that puts you right in the spirit of exploration. I’m not a spiritual person, so I was a little worried about the first mention of god, only to realize quickly, it was alluding to the natural order of human, more than the biblical version of a controlling deity. I LOVE the actionable questions and tasks at the end of each chapter. The tasks are simple, but stimulating, and the questions really shine a light on the creative within you. Although the book is short, it felt as if it were attempting to condense tons of profound information, rather than carelessly expanding on a few good ideas for length sake. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Fun Tasks

Every chapter ends with 3-5 “homework assignments” that can be done in literal seconds, if not instantaneously. Here are 5 tasks that I found especially profound.

1. If you had 5 other lives to lead, what would you do in each of them? The point of these lives, is to have fun.

2. List 10 changes you would like to make for yourself, small to significant.

3. Describe yourself at 80

4. What habit do you have that gets in the way of your creativity?

5. List 5 skills you would love to have.

Finish This Sentence

The book also has tons of “finish this sentence” moments that made me realize the not so subtle bias’ that lie in my subconscious. Here’s 5 I found especially profound I would recommend you try as well.

1. My favorite childhood game was _____

2. If I had a perfect childhood, I would have grown up to be a _____

3. Money equals _____

4. I’m take a greater interest in _____

5. As a kid, I needed more _____

Summary + Notes

1. I have to free myself from determining my value and the value of my work by my works current market value.

I’m a firm believer in the positive impacts of “monetizing your art” but, like most things, it’s a double sided sword. I can only speak from experience, but I made youtube videos about something I love. The truth is, I don’t love posting videos onto Youtube, and I knew, that it would take away a bit from skateboarding, but I was willing to explore the sacrifice, and fortunately, I still want to ride my skateboard every day. I love EVERY aspect of making youtube videos about skateboarding, except for the actual uploading part, so you have to determine for yourself, if adjusting to the current market desires with your passion is worth it. The value of skateboarding, for me, lies in the growth, meditation, and exploration. Those significance of those values shouldn’t change because the market value fluctuates.

2. Think magic, fun, delight, not mastery.

This one hit me like a bag of socks, dirty heavy socks. The more I explore the magic of a craft, the more interesting it becomes for me. I think most of us are looking for something, anything that challenges the current flow of our lives. Being skilled, can be fun, but it can be the curse that binds you to a routine. Sometimes, mastery can be an excuse preventing you from exploration. What excites you? What will get you right out of bed, and straight to creating? Focus on finding the delight.

3. Art is about getting something down, not thinking something up.

All the inspiration for the art you want to create is within you. Creativity is the natural state of who you are. We each have different means for pulling the art from within, so believe in your ability to create.

4. The desire to be better than, chokes off the ability to be.

Competition is the world’s biggest lie. jk… maybe, I don’t know but that’s feeling a bit more like the truth the more we proceed. I think this quote can be taken in 2 ways, both of which I personally find beneficial. Aiming to be better, and maximizing your creative process, can make the simple act of doing seem like a chore. How many artists spend so much time coming up with what to draw, rather than drawing to see what it becomes. I also get caught up in the idea of being better than others, which I don’t think is a healthy mentality in finding excitement and happiness. I think the fulfillment of beating others is superficial and temporary.

5. “Do you know how old I will be when I learn to play the paino?!” The same age you’ll be if you don’t.

I realize the wording is strange with this one, basically, it’s never too late to start something new. Who cares if you don’t become the next Mozart, as we’ve already stated, technical ability has nothing to do with market value. You can be a superficially successful pianists after one year of playing, adversely, you can never make a dime after 40 years of intense practice. The value isn’t in the market opportunity it’s in the learning, the process. Who cares if no one cares that you learned how to play a song, I bet it feels pretty good to be able to play that song.

6. Perfectionism is an excuse to not let yourself move ahead.

Perfectionism is an excuse. I know I’m doing something wrong if some one calls me a perfectionist. It’s best to make shitty shit, refine it, then try again, than it is to attempt perfection first draft based on theory, rather than experience.

7. Creativity lies in the doing, not the done.

I’m sure you’ve all heard this, but it’s all about the process. The joy of creativity should lie in creating. The outcome, the result, should lead to a new process, a new path. Accomplishing your goals feels different than working on your goals, but that unique sensation lasts for about 2 minutes. The process has to be enjoyable, otherwise theres no real internal benefit.

8. Your artist is a child, find and protect that child.

Your inner child doesn’t vanish as you age. There are tropes associated with youth; being imaginative, discarding the boring, exploring the interesting. In a sense, your youth is the closest you’ve been to your own pure creative energy. The system doesn’t exist to neutralize the child in you, but unfortunately, in a “money for value” world, it’s easy to lose track of the mindless joy of existence. I say this often “create for the kid in you”, what made you happy as a child? What game, book, or show could you watch over and over and over, something in that piece of entertainment, is the secret to what brings you excitement.