Finding Water: The Art of Perseverance (Artist's Way)

The book arrived a few days earlier than expected. That's always a nice surprise! And it is in excellent condition. Looks brand new!

The third in Ms. Cameron's trilogy continues her writing legacy. I'll get my bias right out front -- I purchased dozens of "The Artist's Way" more than a decade ago, and continue to gift friends with "The Vein of Gold" and "Walking in the World." Hers are about the only books I buy in hardback because I know I'll return to them again and again. It's not just the guidance that makes her books so compelling. Her phrasing, syntax, ability to draw the reader into her environment and circumstances, makes me keep coming back for more. She is a great story teller, as well as generous with her insights.That said, her third volume is a bit like watching a train wreck. Especially Chapter 5, as we enter the abyss with her, I began to feel some cracks in the foundation of daily pages and artist's dates. It appears that Ms. Cameron is struggling with her own advice -- "keep the drama on the page." And some of us may feel our own resolve begin to crumble. But as the book progresses, the theme of perseverance certainly proves its value.Those of us who feel we know Ms. Cameron recognize instantly why she would be walking on mental eggshells. Not only is she not going back to Taos this summer, but she also has chosen to close out her artist's series with this third book. Readers will miss both, and in that knowledge share a small bit of the grief that Ms. Cameron must be experiencing.

I am currently enrolled in "The Artist's Way" classes part 2 being offered at our local church. (Group leader was instructed by J. Cameron). This book is actually part 3 of a trilogy that Ms Camerson offers and I purchased it as a good for a friend who is also enrolled in class with me. We both hope to partake in part 3 when it occurs. All of her books have the potential of transforming you in positive ways. The experience has led me to explore my creative abilities & I am doing art projects that I have not done before. Although you can benefit by using the book individually I would recommend the group experience if a class is offered in your area. The group experience intensifies the benefit. You need to actually practice and follow thru with the homework assignments for the material to be effective. I would recommend the entire trilogy to others. (Part 1 & 2 are also available at Amazon.)

I have really tried to like Julia's books. I bought The Artist's Way in 1996. After trying to get through it several times, donated it to the library. So many people raved about the book, I bought it again. Then tried several times to do the Morning Pages. The longest I made it was 3 weeks. Then bought the Miracle of the Artist's Date. Got my hubby involved when it didn't work for me, thinking I just needed the support she always talks about. My hubby is a photographer, so he is an artist in his own right. Didn't work for him either. Out of the 52 suggestions, only about 5 were even appealing.So, when I read some of the ratings where people didn't connect with her other books, but did on this one; I was ready to try again. Here is a quote that first hit me as part of the reason we have a disconnect. "If there is enough of a sense of adventure in the work itself then I do not need to plunge into the outdoors seeking a feeling of an adventure." I live in the middle of a forest. I take a walk outside because it is relaxing and calming. My art is making pottery. Being in the "Zone" is good. Another quote.."We need to fall in love with ourselves. One of the best ways to do this is to view yourself as a character, one you are fascinated by." I'm too old for this nonsense. Maybe because she was once married to Martin Scorsese, she buys into that. I have a husband, kids, grandkids, self motivation, self esteem, and a life I'm very content with. I don't need to pretend to be a character so I can love myself. Then I got to this quote "A career must be husbanded". In this sense, it means use it economically; conserve. Disconnect. Then there are all the quotes from famous people in the middle of her writing that don't seem to me to connect the dots of the point she is making.The final straw for me was this quote. "The minute we identify with the rest of humankind, we are on the right track......Our shared humanity is the solution. Our 'specialness' is the problem." To me that contradicted everything else she writes. Did I miss something? Wasn't the whole idea of Morning Pages, Artist Dates, and her books about finding those bits of ourselves that are special and then allowing our art to celebrate that?This book is just more of the same of her other books. The importance of Morning pages. The importance of finding adventure. The importance of finding friends that support you. The importance of loving yourself (but not your specialness). I just think she is neurotic. She needs to get a real job for a while. She has been sending out the same message for so long, maybe that is the problem. She really has nothing new to offer. In all the 25+ years she has been writing books, she does not seem to have moved forward herself.So why have I tried to read her books and get out of them what so many others seem to? Because I know that NO ONE does their best work/art in a bubble. Because I want to always be moving forward. Learning. Wanting to learn. Setting goals. Improving my technique. Coming up with new ideas. Coming up with new ways to work. I don't need to spend time doing a brain dump or strapping on rollerblades. I need to spend more time actually PLAYING with my clay and enjoying the process. Feeling it. Allowing defeat as well as success. Allowing my art to spark joy in me just for the sake of doing it. Julia's books seemed to be more about the "self" than about the art. Isn't what I'm looking for and so I'm parting ways with her.

Any book of Julie Cameron’s is wonderful. She will open you up and strip away any doubts to your creative flow. Go for it. The Artist’s way is great too.

I really wanted to love this book but just didn't enjoy it as much as I loved The Artist's Way. I've decided to just go back and do The Artist's Way again instead of this book. The format isn't as easy to follow and the chapters are a bit boring in all honesty. If you haven't done her other book, The Artist's Way, definitely check that out first!

Finding Water is the kind of book I wish I'd read thirty years ago. Like many, I've dabbled in all types of Arts and I always felt I was missing some kind of fundamental understanding or mind set necessary to free up all my creative spirits. This book gave me a new perspective, the possibility of creating a direction and clarifying my goals. They say there's no such thing as an old joke if you haven't heard it before, and I think that applies to all the important insights about living and finding yourself as well. I've given this book to several people, both older and young, and all have expressed appreciation that transcends both age and experience. If you are interested in the Arts, or simply want to explore the creative experience to live your life to the fullest, I recommend this book.

As usual, the book content is great - but the quality of this book is dire no comparison to the others in the series - poor paper and type and it was quite expensive - not that happy.

It's really helping me to dig deep and to keep going at a very difficult time in my life as well as artistic career.

I generally read some of the uplifting text every night. This might be a good book for people who struggle with sobriety as the author has been sober for decades but still gets the urge. Otherwise, for creative people this IS like finding water. I'm not too interested in touchy-feeling books but she comes at it from an artistic, creative approach which is rare in the genre. Very good.

I ordered a used book but this one is just like brand new - not a msrk on it inside or out! I had read the Artist's Way years ago and thought this might just very more of the same but it isn't. She expands on what she had written before and it answered many of my questions. I recommend this one whole heartedly.

I got started on the Artist's Way series last year and found Cameron's books delightful and also leading the way into a spiritual life by doing the exercises, walking daily and writing 3 morning pages as well as other exercise. Thanks.