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The Complete Artist's Way : Creativity as a Spiritual Practice
The Artist’s Way is the seminal book on the subject of creativity. An international bestseller, millions of readers have found it to be an invaluable guide to living the artist’s life. Still as vital today—or perhaps even more so—than it was when it was first published one decade ago, it is a powerfully provocative and inspiring work. In a new introduction to the book, Julia Cameron reflects upon the impact of The Artist’s Way and describes the work she has done during the last decade and the new insights into the creative process that she has gained. Updated and expanded, this anniversary edition reframes The Artist’s Way for a new century.
730 pages, Hardcover
Published October 18, 2007
225 people are currently reading
1771 people want to read
About the author
Julia Cameron
99 books2,240 followersJulia Cameron has been an active artist for more than thirty years, with fifteen books (including bestsellers The Artist's Way, Walking In This World and The Right to Write) and countless television, film, and theater scripts to her credit. Writing since the age of 18, Cameron has a long list of screenplay and teleplay credits to her name, including an episode of Miami Vice, and Elvis and the Beauty Queen, which starred Don Johnson. She was a writer on such movies as Taxi Driver, New York, New York, and The Last Waltz. She wrote, produced, and directed the award-winning independent feature film, God's Will, which premiered at the Chicago International Film Festival, and was selected by the London Film Festival, the Munich International Film Festival, and Women in Film Festival, among others. In addition to making film, Cameron has taught film at such diverse places as Chicago Filmmakers, Northwestern University, and Columbia College. Her profound teachings on unlocking creativity and living from the creative center have inspired countless artists to unleash their full potential.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
August 25, 2017
I read this book while I wrote Still Alice, and I'm reading it again while I write Left Neglected. Thank you, Julia Cameron, for this amazing gift!! And thank you to RJ Julia's book store in CT for the gift of this edition.
October 1, 2010
Well, a lot of people recommended this book to me and I think they were right. It is a very full and thorough process of self examination and of challenging yourself and your beliefs, lifestyle, needs... there are also good quotes on each page and it is a rich resource for people who want to be more creative or get in touch with a lost creative side. I can see why it has become almost cult-like in popularity!
I did find some parts a little over-cheesy and it's very much in the self-help vein, but i am aware that I am not the target audience. I am chronically ill and unable to rearrange my life in any meaningful way to enable more art-making (or even to do most of the exercises in the book!). Just reading the book was an achievement and I found the parts where "the Universe will provide what you ask for" parts a little grating (I did get over it and enter into the spirit of the message as much as I could!). Also much was irrelevant to me as the target audience is over-worked or over-busy people with family commitments etc who do not have time/space to themselves. I have also already had plenty of time to let go of traditional life expectations so could skip some parts which felt smug. (The section focussing on the healthy body as essential for healthy creativity also got skipped). She says that a boring life will lead to making boring art, but when my imagination about making art is the only thing NOT boring about my day, I beg to differ!
I am really glad I read the book overall and it has helped me think about my creativity, to assess if I am blocked in ways other than physical ability and skill and also assess how important creativity is to me. I helped me to think whether a creative life is one I could cope with, had I the chance to work/study. There are adaptations to the things suggested in the book that I can do to make life now a little more interesting and it encouraged me to be "creative" in making the changes that are possible and reinforced my confidence that I had already begun this process.
I did find some parts a little over-cheesy and it's very much in the self-help vein, but i am aware that I am not the target audience. I am chronically ill and unable to rearrange my life in any meaningful way to enable more art-making (or even to do most of the exercises in the book!). Just reading the book was an achievement and I found the parts where "the Universe will provide what you ask for" parts a little grating (I did get over it and enter into the spirit of the message as much as I could!). Also much was irrelevant to me as the target audience is over-worked or over-busy people with family commitments etc who do not have time/space to themselves. I have also already had plenty of time to let go of traditional life expectations so could skip some parts which felt smug. (The section focussing on the healthy body as essential for healthy creativity also got skipped). She says that a boring life will lead to making boring art, but when my imagination about making art is the only thing NOT boring about my day, I beg to differ!
I am really glad I read the book overall and it has helped me think about my creativity, to assess if I am blocked in ways other than physical ability and skill and also assess how important creativity is to me. I helped me to think whether a creative life is one I could cope with, had I the chance to work/study. There are adaptations to the things suggested in the book that I can do to make life now a little more interesting and it encouraged me to be "creative" in making the changes that are possible and reinforced my confidence that I had already begun this process.
January 30, 2012
I enjoyed the tasks set forth in this book, and ultimately the platform provided for facing oneself and making your creative or artistic self a priority. It addresses some of the real issues of being an artist in a world that may not cater to cultivating you. Lots of the information and self-discovery was a reminder or review course for me, but welcome nonetheless.
I am a spiritual person, but for those who find terms like God, Creator and faith distracting or counterproductive triggers, you are forewarned (she even addresses that in the beginning). I found lots of the spiritual talk to not be broad enough for my taste, and it was distracting. The tasks were the best take away for me.
I am a spiritual person, but for those who find terms like God, Creator and faith distracting or counterproductive triggers, you are forewarned (she even addresses that in the beginning). I found lots of the spiritual talk to not be broad enough for my taste, and it was distracting. The tasks were the best take away for me.
January 20, 2015
"The Complete Artist's Way" was on a bargain rack when Border's was going out of business a few years ago. The elegant cover, the mountain top peak, the subtitle 'Creativity as a Spiritual Practice' certainly caught my eye. I thumbed a few pages and a spark of interest was lit. So I bought the tome and headed home.
After reading just a few pages, it became clear that "The Complete Artist's Way" was way more spiritual, introspective and spiritual than ever would or could have wanted. I do meditate and reflect in my life, enjoy nature. But the homework assignments became too detailed, almost like a nagging, haranguing, shrewish housewife. I didn't like the constant reminders and began to feel a little talked down to.
I understand that 'millions' have enjoyed Julia's vast books, her spiritual path of artistic enlightenment. I, however, am not one of them.
After reading just a few pages, it became clear that "The Complete Artist's Way" was way more spiritual, introspective and spiritual than ever would or could have wanted. I do meditate and reflect in my life, enjoy nature. But the homework assignments became too detailed, almost like a nagging, haranguing, shrewish housewife. I didn't like the constant reminders and began to feel a little talked down to.
I understand that 'millions' have enjoyed Julia's vast books, her spiritual path of artistic enlightenment. I, however, am not one of them.
February 9, 2008
read this with my bad ass girls group. (you know who you are out there in goodreads land)
it took us a year at our pace of "a chapter a week" and plenty of tea and snacks and talk about sex in between. the activities are perfect, and dig up plenty of things you weren't expecting, like going to a healing yoga class. you dig around in your muscles and all of a sudden you're releasing all of these toxic emotions buried somewhere in your synapses and sinews.
this book is like being in creativity recovery. sometimes you just need a support group to undo all the damage done by many years of telling yourself negative things.
it took us a year at our pace of "a chapter a week" and plenty of tea and snacks and talk about sex in between. the activities are perfect, and dig up plenty of things you weren't expecting, like going to a healing yoga class. you dig around in your muscles and all of a sudden you're releasing all of these toxic emotions buried somewhere in your synapses and sinews.
this book is like being in creativity recovery. sometimes you just need a support group to undo all the damage done by many years of telling yourself negative things.
Currently reading
August 14, 2010I'm really enjoying this book. I'm on the exercise for week 4 called "Reading Deprivation" and it is really hard not to read for a week. It is taking me out of my normal routine, but I'm almost done so I will stick with it. My goal is to conquer all of the demons that are blocking my creativity and I've only heard great things about this book. Doing the morning pages and the artist dates are interesting and really helping me.
February 14, 2023
I did not really do the tasks but this book always grounds me. If you feel there's a schism between you and your creative self, I truly recommend.
November 6, 2023
A friend of mine gave me this book in 2014 and she inscribed within it these words:
"This book will change your life, if you let it."
While I must admit I was skeptical at first, I now must confess there is some truth to those words. While there is definitely a spiritual part to this book, something that I must admit as someone who is agnostic and a border-line atheist I found at times disconcerting, it is hard to argue with the basic message of the three books (The Artist's Way, Walking In This World & Finding Water) collected here: That we're all creative, even if we don't know how to be sometimes.
This book isn't a cure for your writer's block or that will suddenly turn you into next year's New York Times bestselling author. BUT it does give you the tools to get through those rough patches of writer's block, to see the forest for the trees and to hopefully be that creative person trapped inside you. While that doesn't mean you'll be the next New York Times bestselling author out there but I suspect that you'll be a better person, creatively and otherwise, for following what's in here and picking up the habits within it from morning pages to artist dates and weekly walks. So go ahead, take the plunge, read it and follow what it says!
"This book will change your life, if you let it."
While I must admit I was skeptical at first, I now must confess there is some truth to those words. While there is definitely a spiritual part to this book, something that I must admit as someone who is agnostic and a border-line atheist I found at times disconcerting, it is hard to argue with the basic message of the three books (The Artist's Way, Walking In This World & Finding Water) collected here: That we're all creative, even if we don't know how to be sometimes.
This book isn't a cure for your writer's block or that will suddenly turn you into next year's New York Times bestselling author. BUT it does give you the tools to get through those rough patches of writer's block, to see the forest for the trees and to hopefully be that creative person trapped inside you. While that doesn't mean you'll be the next New York Times bestselling author out there but I suspect that you'll be a better person, creatively and otherwise, for following what's in here and picking up the habits within it from morning pages to artist dates and weekly walks. So go ahead, take the plunge, read it and follow what it says!
September 21, 2020
Hmmmm... this is an interesting one. I joined a 12 week course to work through the Artist's Way. Some of it did not connect with me and I found myself derailed a little from the spirit of the book a couple of weeks from the end. On the other hand, there have been some incredibly useful takeaways from the book, particularly the morning pages which I found help me explore some experiences and memories I had buried deep, which was insightful but also painful. The unusual takeaway I had from the experience of proceeding through this was the spiritual insight it offered, but what was clear from the final discussion of the last chapter was that everyone took away something different.
Would I recommend reading this book? Not as a standalone project, I think a lot of the value of the book comes from discussing its chapters and tasks with a group of other readers. I would recommend joining an Artist's Way reading group though.
Would I recommend reading this book? Not as a standalone project, I think a lot of the value of the book comes from discussing its chapters and tasks with a group of other readers. I would recommend joining an Artist's Way reading group though.
April 3, 2013
I read the Artist's Way the first time almost a dozen years ago and continue to use several of the tools it presents. I received this bound collection of Cameron's three books in this series as a Xmas gift and it's a real treat revisiting the material. I haven't read the second and third books in the series (Walking in this World and Finding Water). The only downside to this collection is how HEAVY this volume is. It's a gorgeous hardcover with heavy weight, acid-free paper. Truly a lovely edition. But it's quite a lot of book to manage while propped up in bed :)
Read
August 30, 2012 This is a heavy book and it will take me awhile to get through it so I bought it, tho I resist intellectual approach to creativity, this seems to make sense, like the doing the morning paper each morning (writing 3 pages of what ever is on yur mind Like a catharisis. So Iwill travel with this book for the winter.
April 9, 2017
I'm working my way thru this one a little at a time. I really like the exercises she gives each week. I must admit I am sporadic on doing my daily pages (journaling) but I do enjoy them.
Hopefully I can use this to untap some of my blocked creativity.
Hopefully I can use this to untap some of my blocked creativity.
December 5, 2018
The Complete Artist's Way is a compilation of three books. I would give 5 stars to the first two: The Artist's Way and Walking in This World. But I would give the final book, Finding Water only 2 stars.
June 10, 2008
I LOVE this book.
This book has a beautiful way of looking at the intersections between creativity and spirituality in order to live our fullest lives.
This book has a beautiful way of looking at the intersections between creativity and spirituality in order to live our fullest lives.
December 11, 2010
I discovered that I am creative!
October 7, 2016
Place holder for audio version of "Reflections on The Artist's Way"
June 4, 2025
The Complete Artist’s Way is three books in one: The Artist's Way, Walking in This World and Finding Water.
The Artist's Way is a creative recovery guide — a book designed to help you reconnect with your creativity, especially if it feels blocked or buried. Julia Cameron’s signature tools, Morning Pages (daily stream-of-consciousness journaling) and the Artist Date (solo time to nurture your inner artist), are simple but surprisingly powerful practices for self-discovery and creative renewal. I have tried both of these and found them very beneficial.
Cameron explores why we get creatively blocked in the first place: fear, jealousy, perfectionism, and the illusion of control. Often, we stay stuck because it feels safer than the vulnerability of trying. She encourages gentle unblocking through trust in synchronicity, small steps ("filling the form"), self-love, and asking for help — even when our ego resists it.
In Walking in This World, she adds practical reflections on slowing down, observing, and listening to what anxiety is trying to tell us instead of numbing it. I especially appreciated the “ta-dah list” — a reminder to give ourselves credit for what we have done, not just stress over what’s left. Her insights on friendships (knowing who can hold your small or big moments) were thoughtful and reminded me of themes from Atlas of the Heart.
By the time I got to Finding Water, the structure began to feel repetitive. Each chapter reads like a personal essay drawn from her daily life, followed by exercises. It feels more like a blog series than a tightly edited book — still valuable, but better taken in small doses.
Overall, these books are deeply encouraging for anyone feeling creatively stuck. Cameron reminds us that the creative life doesn’t have to be grand or dramatic — it just needs to be honest, intentional, and nurtured one step at a time.
The Artist's Way is a creative recovery guide — a book designed to help you reconnect with your creativity, especially if it feels blocked or buried. Julia Cameron’s signature tools, Morning Pages (daily stream-of-consciousness journaling) and the Artist Date (solo time to nurture your inner artist), are simple but surprisingly powerful practices for self-discovery and creative renewal. I have tried both of these and found them very beneficial.
Cameron explores why we get creatively blocked in the first place: fear, jealousy, perfectionism, and the illusion of control. Often, we stay stuck because it feels safer than the vulnerability of trying. She encourages gentle unblocking through trust in synchronicity, small steps ("filling the form"), self-love, and asking for help — even when our ego resists it.
In Walking in This World, she adds practical reflections on slowing down, observing, and listening to what anxiety is trying to tell us instead of numbing it. I especially appreciated the “ta-dah list” — a reminder to give ourselves credit for what we have done, not just stress over what’s left. Her insights on friendships (knowing who can hold your small or big moments) were thoughtful and reminded me of themes from Atlas of the Heart.
By the time I got to Finding Water, the structure began to feel repetitive. Each chapter reads like a personal essay drawn from her daily life, followed by exercises. It feels more like a blog series than a tightly edited book — still valuable, but better taken in small doses.
Overall, these books are deeply encouraging for anyone feeling creatively stuck. Cameron reminds us that the creative life doesn’t have to be grand or dramatic — it just needs to be honest, intentional, and nurtured one step at a time.
May 17, 2025
conflicted. i absolutely ate up all her tips and i love my morning pages so much and i love how much she loves the universe pouring back into you creatively as you pour into it. however it was a liiiiiiil preachy and a lot jesusy but i knew that going in. will def allow it to shape my daily practice.
December 21, 2024
2.5... rtc
October 4, 2025
Īstenībā ļoti vērtīga grāmata, par spīti visiem reliğiozajiem apakštoņiem.
August 27, 2024
Heard good reviews, started it , even tried to keep up with the activities she mentioned, not for me!
I don't know why I couldn't keep reading, reading it felt like a chore rather then enjoyment!
I don't know why I couldn't keep reading, reading it felt like a chore rather then enjoyment!
June 12, 2015
I feel I gained lots from the half of this book that I read, but sadly I'm throwing in the towel (after months of it sitting on my 'currently-reading' list with no justifiable claim to that status.)
I think there is great sense and wisdom in this book, and it helped me get unstuck in my own artistic process - however I think I lost interest when I felt the central notions were simply being reiterated different ways.
The central theme that creativity is the spark of the divine/spiritual in humanity and that our creativity is the natural expression of the universe within us is nonetheless still as poignant as when I first read it, and I have this book to thank for the completeness of that revelation.
I think there is great sense and wisdom in this book, and it helped me get unstuck in my own artistic process - however I think I lost interest when I felt the central notions were simply being reiterated different ways.
The central theme that creativity is the spark of the divine/spiritual in humanity and that our creativity is the natural expression of the universe within us is nonetheless still as poignant as when I first read it, and I have this book to thank for the completeness of that revelation.
February 29, 2016
I read this book about four years ago and it has helped to change my life in wonderful ways. This book was part of a tapping (EFT) course, Tapping into Creativity with Brad Yates.
Reading Julia's book, doing Brad's lessons for each chapter, and using tapping to release blocks and limiting beliefs, resulted in a really powerful experience.
The morning pages that Julia teaches about in her book helped me to form a habit of writing every day. Over the past few years, I have developed my own technique for journaling, which is now an integral part of my life and my work.
Reading Julia's book, doing Brad's lessons for each chapter, and using tapping to release blocks and limiting beliefs, resulted in a really powerful experience.
The morning pages that Julia teaches about in her book helped me to form a habit of writing every day. Over the past few years, I have developed my own technique for journaling, which is now an integral part of my life and my work.
June 9, 2010
I'm rereading this how to, DIY, creativity-as-spiritual practice workbook. This is my third serious attempt at this book. So far I'm in week 2. I'm surprised how fast the creative juices are coming through, and more when I choose for the creative to come through. Creativity is proving to be a bit like a child, and when not given appropriate tools for governance and management, it rebels. I have many more weeks to go, but will update this with a more complete review when I finish.
March 8, 2015
Though this book is "ok" it can be summed up in approx. five recommendations. 1. Do 2 hand written morning pages. 2. Take a artist's date, approx. 2 hours a week to do something artistic. 3. When struggling artistically take a week away from tv, radio, reading to become more artistically inclined. Though I don't remember all of them I think the basics could get you motivated if you really wanted to be, otherwise there was a lot of repetition.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2015
This book was life changing for me. By doing the daily pages & working through the exercises, I realized I'd always wanted to perform on stage, on film, TV, whatever. The exercises & inspirational readings set me on a path to a stand-up comedy & acting career that lasted 15 years. I'm so pleased that I followed my dreams & many thanks to Julia for helping me get there. I also recommend "Dreams Into Action" by Milton Katselas.
December 7, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. I was in an artists group several years ago and we worked our way throughout this book each week during a particularly cold and dark winter.
I especially enjoy the quotes on almost each page.
I bought another Artist's Way book this week and am surprised at how much still resonates with me. I may need to get some friends together to do it again this winter.
I especially enjoy the quotes on almost each page.
I bought another Artist's Way book this week and am surprised at how much still resonates with me. I may need to get some friends together to do it again this winter.
June 19, 2015
This collection of three books are supposed to help your creativity through spiritual practice. Between its overtly religious tones and the 12 A.A.-like steps I found this book not useful and annoying to read. I couldn't finish it. If you are an amateur artist like me, should you really be treating lapses of creativity as a disease? The cure seems worse than the disease.
February 3, 2017
I think I just decided I am not likely going to finish this one. I can't take my spiritual cues from it, and if the reader's inner writer is referred to as a child needing pampering one more time I'm going to go crazy. Cameron can write; this book just wasn't doing what I wanted it to do at the time.
September 5, 2020
Some great pieces of advice, but the over-abundant spirituality aspect can get a bit much. I do the Morning Pages and have found a difference in my creative life, so I’m grateful for that. The majority of the other exercises do not appeal to me at all; they feel like something kids might do on a religious sleep-away camp.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews