the artist’s way :: week one
I’m participating in Blogging the Artist’s Way, an online group taking the journey through Julia Cameron’s Artist’s Way
Five Imaginary Lives, art journal page, 14 January 2006.
I did my morning pages five out of seven days. The honesty pours out page after page and feels very therapeutic. There is definitely no temptation to peek back on the previous days’ pages. (In fact, I never do that in any of my written journals; I either trash them or paint over the pages and use it as an art journal.)
Unfortunately I stood myself up for my weekly artist date. This will be one of my biggest challenges throughout this process, finding time to slip away by myself.
I did a few of the exercises: I took a walk three times this week (although not alone, I had my daughter with me); the fresh air did indeed make a huge difference. I did the Imaginary Lives exercise (see journal page above and commentary below). And I took some time to think about affirmations and blurts. I found the wording in Julia Cameron’s affirmations a bit awkward for my tastes, so I made modifications that better suited me.
In summary, I feel like I was only partially committed to this process this week. I will try to make more of a conscious effort in Week Two and beyond.
Imaginary Lives
- photographer :: this was my first and immediate thought. I love raw, real images. Seeing the everyday in new light. Vivid colors and interesting textures. People captured with such curious honesty and realness. But the idea of taking a serious interest in photography intimidates me for some reason and always gets tucked away in my ‘maybe someday’ file.
- furniture designer :: I’m sure there is way too much mathematics and engineering involved for my tastes, but how fun would it be to design furniture a la Ikea style?!
- talk show host :: in reality, I wouldn’t have the people skills needed to pull this off, but I suppose in an Imaginary Life I can have whatever skills I want, right? Everyday, new topics, new people to talk to, new things to do. Definitely a good career choice for lots of variety and little boredom!
- magazine editor :: this was actually a dream of mine for many years when I was younger. I even wrote to the editors of my favorite magazines asking for advice (and most them wrote me back). I had forgotten all about it until I started this list, and I’m not sure why I never pursued it as a career.
- founder of a non-profit organization that benefits the arts and/or children :: working with kids, art and making a difference in the world. In my eyes, I can’t think of a more worthwhile life.
January 16th, 2006 at 2:49 am
Beautiful journal!
January 16th, 2006 at 6:08 am
what a beautiful list!
and ideas i had never considered
for 5 lives…
wow.
January 16th, 2006 at 6:20 am
Melanie, I love the way you journaled your 5 imaginary lives. I’ve been through AW (solo) several previous times (or at least the early weeks…ha!) so felt a bit blah when I did that exercise this time around…tended to gravitate not toward things I’d have to really reach for…but things that might be within reach. Reading your list reminded me that I, too, longed to be a magazine editor when I was a child. Which was odd really, since I don’t think I even knew what one did! I suppose I just wanted to work at a magazine and get to boss people around and make it look the way *I* wanted it to. ;)
January 16th, 2006 at 10:07 am
Hey even taking time to examine you life as an artist (or anything else really) is cool. I did a similar exercise with a group last year but using Sark’s book-Living your creative dreams. I found it helpful to clarify my goals. Unfortunately, the group died about the halfway point becuase the forum crashed, but for the months I did work with everyone, it was great. Good luck on your journay and I look forward to reading more!
January 16th, 2006 at 11:05 am
This two journal’s page are great ! I love the way you putted the pictures !! smooches from belgium !
January 16th, 2006 at 3:54 pm
Wow, I love this! I wish I would have started with a group like this. Anyway, you’ve been tagged! :)
January 16th, 2006 at 5:53 pm
I love your journaled version of 5 imaginary lives! I’m working through TAW too– starting over as I blew it off during the holidays. I will check out that blogging link– thanks!
January 16th, 2006 at 7:34 pm
Wow, I feel like if this is your “partially committed” what would 100% look like? You sell yourself short. Maybe I am being too bold here, BUT WHY??? From the comments you receive on your blog and other blogs that I have seen your name come up on, I know I am not alone in saying, YOU HAVE IT! (you know the It I am talking about) You need to own it! I know it is easier said than done, then believed. If I have helped in even the slightest way to have increased your confidence I know that my effort has not been in vain.
January 16th, 2006 at 10:42 pm
ooo, i love the way you’ve journaled your 5 imaginary lives. what a fantastic idea with such fantastic results!!
January 17th, 2006 at 12:28 pm
Love your exercise journal. What a great idea.
January 17th, 2006 at 3:19 pm
I feel such simpatico with what you wrote here– thank you for sharing!
Beautiful journal, too.
January 17th, 2006 at 3:20 pm
I did the book and I thought it not revolutionary but really cool and interesting if you take the time to think/or write about the topics she gives. Ofteh I thought: no, this don’t apply to my life… and then after a night or a day, I found answers I didn’t knew existed!
Love your spread, wish I could have a closer look!
Good luck on the second week!
January 17th, 2006 at 3:28 pm
i hope you enjoy the aw journey.
January 18th, 2006 at 9:21 am
It is incredible what you did with this exercise. I love all of the details–the pictures, the stamping, the handwriting, the drawing of the blonde girl, and the ledger on the right hand side of the page. You have an amazing eye for putting things together to create a “big picture.”
I can see you, Melanie, as any of the things on your list, esp. photographer. Your pictures are captivating and I’m eager to see more!
January 18th, 2006 at 9:53 am
I too am skeptical. I really have to sit down and get a post together about it. It’s reassuring to come to the pages of artists like you that I admire, and see that you’re feeling some of the same things that I am.
January 18th, 2006 at 1:32 pm
The Imaginary lives list looks like fun. I looked through the book one day at the bookstore and decided the Artist’s Way was one too many things for me to add to my life right now. Seeing and reading about how you (and others) are doing, though, is inspiring.
Know what, I also “art-over” or trash some of my written journal pages.
January 18th, 2006 at 2:29 pm
Your journal is incredibly inspiring! Very cool!
January 20th, 2006 at 2:06 pm
Melanie, thank you for sharing this. It will be interesting to follow the group’s progress.
I confess I have started that book several times and never got beyond the first few weeks. I imagine having the support of a “group” would have helped my commitment. It sounds like you are enjoying the challenge and probably are the kind of person who learns from any situation.
Have fun and thank you for sharing!