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cassrae's review
4.0
I feel like I was thrust headfirst into the life and mind of an artist. There was no easing into this book; no gently advice. It was a swift and sometimes harsh confrontation of the misconceptions, doubts, and stereotypes of what it is to be an artist. In “Letters to a Young Artist,” an older, more experienced author is writing letters to a younger author, a style reminiscent of “The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis. Despite only reading one side of the letters, we as readers develop a very clear sense of style for both of our protagonists. Julia Cameron does an incredible job of flowing from one letter to the next, somehow creating a whole story from fragmented pieces.
What I love most about “Letters to a Young Artist” is the way that I found myself within the pages of the book. People generally stick to a strict dichotomy when it comes to creativity: you either have it or you don’t. I have always self-identified as someone with zero creativity. Which is incredibly untrue! We are ALL creative and we ALL have an artist in us. Creativity isn’t a possession that you either have or don’t have. It’s an energy or a force that, if we are open and accepting, will flow through us. We are conduits for Art. The other point Cameron drives home is that daily habits and discipline produce art, not just inspiration or being in the “mood” (although those two things sure help a lot). Like I said, the older artist confronts the younger with pieces of advice. Sometimes it’s pretty harsh, but I appreciated the blunt delivery. As you read, you understand that the older artist is pushing the younger’s mind into new territory, forcing him to think in ways he had not previously. I think all of us need to be startled out of the trappings of our own mind. I sure know that my mind can be the biggest hurdle in creating my own art, and I imagine it is similar for a lot of people.
I give this book 4 stars. I really enjoyed the advice in this book, and I found my mind and heart being stirred to start creating, regardless of my moods or doubts.
What I love most about “Letters to a Young Artist” is the way that I found myself within the pages of the book. People generally stick to a strict dichotomy when it comes to creativity: you either have it or you don’t. I have always self-identified as someone with zero creativity. Which is incredibly untrue! We are ALL creative and we ALL have an artist in us. Creativity isn’t a possession that you either have or don’t have. It’s an energy or a force that, if we are open and accepting, will flow through us. We are conduits for Art. The other point Cameron drives home is that daily habits and discipline produce art, not just inspiration or being in the “mood” (although those two things sure help a lot). Like I said, the older artist confronts the younger with pieces of advice. Sometimes it’s pretty harsh, but I appreciated the blunt delivery. As you read, you understand that the older artist is pushing the younger’s mind into new territory, forcing him to think in ways he had not previously. I think all of us need to be startled out of the trappings of our own mind. I sure know that my mind can be the biggest hurdle in creating my own art, and I imagine it is similar for a lot of people.
I give this book 4 stars. I really enjoyed the advice in this book, and I found my mind and heart being stirred to start creating, regardless of my moods or doubts.
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