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Art
& Soul
Most of us think creativity is finite, reserved for a talented few. We
believe it's doled out at birth to the Picassos, the Mozarts, the James
Camerons of the world. The rest of us (sigh!) are fated to be consumers
of creativity--decorating our foyers with other people's sculpture,
watching other people's visions on a giant screen.
In Art and Soul readers finally get the truth. They are just as
creative as Picasso, as Mozart, as James "King of the World" Cameron.
What's more, they are depriving the world by not giving of their
creative gifts.
I liken this revelation
to the physical fitness revolution of the late 1960's. Until then,
professional athletes were the only ones to "work out." The rest of us
laughed at the idea that we, too, needed physical exercise. But then
Dr. Kenneth Cooper coined the term "aerobics" and proposed the radical
notion that everyone should exercise. Today, of course, there's not an
American alive who doesn't either engage in some sort of physical activity or at least feel guilty because he doesn't.
The same kind of revolution is happening with our brains--our creative
muscle, if you will. We're finally figuring out that it's not just
artists who need creativity. If we are to survive as a species, every
one of us must exercise our creativity. Just as our bodies atrophy when
we don't use them, so do our creative minds. It's imperative that we
pry ourselves
from our limited, habitual thinking.
In this inspirational book, I show readers how. Art and Soul is an
apprenticeship, an actual commission that takes readers on a year-long
journey into their creative souls. They may think they're writers or
painters or dancers, but Art and Soul says, "Don't choose. Don't limit.
Just do."
It's a
keep-by-your bed "bible" that addresses a different topic each week.
Each of the 52 weeks has an inspirational message, a creative project
and three or four suggested activities.
Yes, it's Jane Fonda for the brain, but, more importantly, Art and Soul
is the call to a spiritual path. Not only do we ask God to help us
become artists, but we trust that creating is our spiritual destiny,
the road that leads us to enlightenment. All of us were created in the
image and likeness of the Big Creative Kahuna and I believe this innate
creativity is the answer to every problem from depression and
codependence to world
hunger.
Unlike some creativity books that encourage readers to uncover all the
negative gunk that stops them from creating, this book moves right to
the heart: Just do it! Not only are there are all kinds of offbeat,
original activities that readers will do each week such as "chalking
poems on park sidewalks" and "staging poetry readings around
campfires," but each
week readers will create one major project like a short story, a self-portrait or a song.
To make sure readers follow through, the book comes with a fold-out
gameboard that can be used to move through the year of creative and
spiritual awakening.
The book is a breakthrough because at the same time it demystifies the
whole aura of being an artist it shows readers the artistic brilliance
and depth within themselves.
It is my hope that Art and Soul will launch a revolution as big as the
physical fitness revolution of the 60's. Everyone who wants to excel
will eventually engage in creative exercises on a weekly, if not daily
basis.
Articles
Reader Feedback:
Kansas City, MO
" I can't say enough good things about this book. I've been
a frustrated filmmaker for years and thanks to this book, I've finally
launched my company, R.E. Shortz. Everyone who has any interest
in being an artist or even being more creative, should buy at least
two of these."
Ohio
"I really thought this was a great book! It's inspiring,
spiritual and truly life-changing. I'm buying it for all my friends."
Rochester, NY
"This volume by Pam Grout was a great find. I've been a
follower of Julia Cameron's book "The Artist's Way" for some time
now, and recommend "Art and Soul" especially for people looking
for Artist Date ideas. There are quite a few encouraging essays
and quotes, and a plethora of playful activities to get the creative
side of your brain active again!"
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