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The Artist's Journey: The Wake of the Hero's Journey and the Lifelong Pursuit of Meaning
"No one's insights about the craft and journey of being an artist have guided me in the day-to-day struggle of this profession more than Steven Pressfield. Wherever you are, whatever you've been called to make, you need to read this book...and everything else he has written."
— Ryan Holiday, Bestselling Author of Ego Is the Enemy and The Obstacle Is the Way
YOU ARE AN ARTIST ... AND YOU HAVE AN ARTIST’S JOURNEY
I have a theory about the Hero’s Journey. We all have one. We have many, in fact. But our primary hero’s journey is the passage we live out, in real life, before we find our calling.
The hero’s journey ends when, like Odysseus, we return home to Ithaca, to the place from which we started.
What then?
The passage that comes next is The Artist’s Journey.
On our artist’s journey, we move past Resistance and past self-sabotage. We discover our true selves and our authentic calling, and we produce the works we were born to create.
You are an artist too—whether you realize it or not, whether you like it or not—and you have an artist’s journey. Will you live it out? Will you follow your Muse and do the work you were born to do?
Ready or not, you are called.
— Ryan Holiday, Bestselling Author of Ego Is the Enemy and The Obstacle Is the Way
YOU ARE AN ARTIST ... AND YOU HAVE AN ARTIST’S JOURNEY
I have a theory about the Hero’s Journey. We all have one. We have many, in fact. But our primary hero’s journey is the passage we live out, in real life, before we find our calling.
The hero’s journey ends when, like Odysseus, we return home to Ithaca, to the place from which we started.
What then?
The passage that comes next is The Artist’s Journey.
On our artist’s journey, we move past Resistance and past self-sabotage. We discover our true selves and our authentic calling, and we produce the works we were born to create.
You are an artist too—whether you realize it or not, whether you like it or not—and you have an artist’s journey. Will you live it out? Will you follow your Muse and do the work you were born to do?
Ready or not, you are called.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2018
377 people are currently reading
2781 people want to read
About the author
Steven Pressfield
90 books5,851 followersI was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in 1943 to a Navy father and mother.
I graduated from Duke University in 1965.
In January of 1966, when I was on the bus leaving Parris Island as a freshly-minted Marine, I looked back and thought there was at least one good thing about this departure. "No matter what happens to me for the rest of my life, no one can ever send me back to this freakin' place again."
Forty years later, to my surprise and gratification, I am far more closely bound to the young men of the Marine Corps and to all other dirt-eating, ground-pounding outfits than I could ever have imagined.
GATES OF FIRE is one reason. Dog-eared paperbacks of this tale of the ancient Spartans have circulated throughout platoons of U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan since the first days of the invasions. E-mails come in by hundreds. GATES OF FIRE is on the Commandant of the Marine Corps' Reading list. It is taught at West Point and Annapolis and at the Marine Corps Basic School at Quantico. TIDES OF WAR is on the curriculum of the Naval War College.
From 2nd Battalion/6th Marines, which calls itself "the Spartans," to ODA 316 of the Special Forces, whose forearms are tattooed with the lambda of Lakedaemon, today's young warriors find a bond to their ancient precursors in the historical narratives of these novels.
My struggles to earn a living as a writer (it took seventeen years to get the first paycheck) are detailed in my 2002 book, THE WAR OF ART.
I have worked as an advertising copywriter, schoolteacher, tractor-trailer driver, bartender, oilfield roustabout and attendant in a mental hospital. I have picked fruit in Washington state and written screenplays in Tinseltown.
With the publication of THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE in 1995, I became a writer of books once and for all.
My writing philosophy is, not surprisingly, a kind of warrior code — internal rather than external — in which the enemy is identified as those forms of self-sabotage that I have labeled "Resistance" with a capital R (in THE WAR OF ART) and the technique for combatting these foes can be described as "turning pro."
I believe in previous lives.
I believe in the Muse.
I believe that books and music exist before they are written and that they are propelled into material being by their own imperative to be born, via the offices of those willing servants of discipline, imagination and inspiration, whom we call artists. My conception of the artist's role is a combination of reverence for the unknowable nature of "where it all comes from" and a no-nonsense, blue-collar demystification of the process by which this mystery is approached. In other words, a paradox.
There's a recurring character in my books named Telamon, a mercenary of ancient days. Telamon doesn't say much. He rarely gets hurt or wounded. And he never seems to age. His view of the profession of arms is a lot like my conception of art and the artist:
"It is one thing to study war, and another to live the warrior's life."
I graduated from Duke University in 1965.
In January of 1966, when I was on the bus leaving Parris Island as a freshly-minted Marine, I looked back and thought there was at least one good thing about this departure. "No matter what happens to me for the rest of my life, no one can ever send me back to this freakin' place again."
Forty years later, to my surprise and gratification, I am far more closely bound to the young men of the Marine Corps and to all other dirt-eating, ground-pounding outfits than I could ever have imagined.
GATES OF FIRE is one reason. Dog-eared paperbacks of this tale of the ancient Spartans have circulated throughout platoons of U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan since the first days of the invasions. E-mails come in by hundreds. GATES OF FIRE is on the Commandant of the Marine Corps' Reading list. It is taught at West Point and Annapolis and at the Marine Corps Basic School at Quantico. TIDES OF WAR is on the curriculum of the Naval War College.
From 2nd Battalion/6th Marines, which calls itself "the Spartans," to ODA 316 of the Special Forces, whose forearms are tattooed with the lambda of Lakedaemon, today's young warriors find a bond to their ancient precursors in the historical narratives of these novels.
My struggles to earn a living as a writer (it took seventeen years to get the first paycheck) are detailed in my 2002 book, THE WAR OF ART.
I have worked as an advertising copywriter, schoolteacher, tractor-trailer driver, bartender, oilfield roustabout and attendant in a mental hospital. I have picked fruit in Washington state and written screenplays in Tinseltown.
With the publication of THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE in 1995, I became a writer of books once and for all.
My writing philosophy is, not surprisingly, a kind of warrior code — internal rather than external — in which the enemy is identified as those forms of self-sabotage that I have labeled "Resistance" with a capital R (in THE WAR OF ART) and the technique for combatting these foes can be described as "turning pro."
I believe in previous lives.
I believe in the Muse.
I believe that books and music exist before they are written and that they are propelled into material being by their own imperative to be born, via the offices of those willing servants of discipline, imagination and inspiration, whom we call artists. My conception of the artist's role is a combination of reverence for the unknowable nature of "where it all comes from" and a no-nonsense, blue-collar demystification of the process by which this mystery is approached. In other words, a paradox.
There's a recurring character in my books named Telamon, a mercenary of ancient days. Telamon doesn't say much. He rarely gets hurt or wounded. And he never seems to age. His view of the profession of arms is a lot like my conception of art and the artist:
"It is one thing to study war, and another to live the warrior's life."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
January 6, 2019
To read my review, click here: http://patricksherriff.com/2019/01/06...
July 18, 2018
Another fantastic book from Pressfield. So thought provoking and inspiring. I loved how philosophical this one was looking at life and the wider journey of the creative person. I also love the concepts of the Daimon and the fact it’s separate to us and that once we get on this journey is a non stop ride to the end. Will be pondering many of the ideas in this for weeks to come.
December 20, 2018
I have several issues with this book.
I’d like to preface that I thought when I purchased this that I was the target audience. That could not have been further from the truth. It seemed to me to be mostly for people who have yet to start on the journey the book is about, as a majority of his wisdoms seemed self-evident to someone who has already made the commitment to the artist’s journey. This would be fine. I enjoy hearing my creative experience ratified or vindicated by others as much as the next person, but the way Pressfield goes about it here is a waste of time.
In my opinion, this should not have been made into an audiobook. It is something to skim—because there IS no depth to miss—and flick through. Given this book’s bullet like style, I won’t go so far as to say The Artist’s Journey indicates Pressfield doesn’t understand what chapters are for, but a lot of them could have been merged together. Nearly every minute he starts a new chapter—this is not an exaggeration. With more than 115 chapters within just two and a half hours, the constant interruption is exhausting. It is JARRING to have to listen to him constantly cutting to a new chapter. Just when you think he might be delving into a topic to give some PRACTICAL advice, it’s apparently time for a new chapter. Pressfield doesn’t really have much to offer in terms of practical advice anyway as this book has a lot to do with personal commitment and spiritual devotion to the artist’s call, which is fine! Sometimes you just need to hear something like this to reaffirm why you do what you do. However, I found it deeply frustrating; like I had just wasted my hard earned money on hastily written fluff.
Obviously with so many chapters in such a short book, Pressfield never gives himself the space to dig into any of the subjects with any depth. He will end some chapters with questions—that he doesn't answer. He will give quotes and say ‘wow that’s some heavy stuff,' then breeze right along as if he didn’t need to a.) unpack the quote or b.) relate it back to his own work. It was very frustrating.
Another issue I had was he spends about twenty minutes or so discussing what is essentially Auteur Theory—yet somehow, never mentions that this is a Thing which he is paraphrasing. I find it impossible to believe that Pressfield, who has worked in the movie business, has never heard of this and it would not have taken more than half a sentence to say he was drawing on the idea. Moreover there were a few famous personages he was using as examples without even saying their names? Yeah, these are big names, but that doesn’t mean the reader will know who they are from the titles of their body of work alone. And then he doesn’t pull out the themes these auteurs are working towards, as if they are self-evident. Maybe they are, but he should still say it, if only to establish himself as an authority on the subject. He doesn’t even come out and tell the reader what greater theme his own daemon is leading him toward—though he implies he has one. And I have to say it is not self-evident from the titles of his books.
Occasionally, rarely, he will give real life examples, but Pressfield frequently leaves out the specifics. It is probable he was being vague to protect the innocent, but the way he tells them, these SCANT examples sound more like parables than anything that an aspirant could USE. Honestly one of them left me with the suspicion if it had actually even happened rather than the inspiration it was meant to invoke.
One positive is you can hear Pressfield’s excitement and commitment to his personal journey as he reads. You know he’s happy to be sharing his particular paradigm which is cool, but it wasn’t enough to make up for the waste of time and money I felt this particular effort was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2019
This short work is stunning in its excellence.
Steven Pressfield has become even more succinct with age. That has enriched his work.
He can say more in a 100 words than most writers can in 100,000.
There's not one sentence wasted here. This is a concise analysis of what it means to be a creator of anything. He addresses what stops creators, what ennobles creators, where real inspiration comes from, and how to access that inspiration.
His few spiritual ideas are diverse in origin and helpful in practice. I can't imagine how hard that is to pull off.
I found myself rereading lines constantly to soak them in.
Now that I've finished the book, I feel like I need to read it again.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants to create anything on this Earthly plane.
Steven Pressfield has become even more succinct with age. That has enriched his work.
He can say more in a 100 words than most writers can in 100,000.
There's not one sentence wasted here. This is a concise analysis of what it means to be a creator of anything. He addresses what stops creators, what ennobles creators, where real inspiration comes from, and how to access that inspiration.
His few spiritual ideas are diverse in origin and helpful in practice. I can't imagine how hard that is to pull off.
I found myself rereading lines constantly to soak them in.
Now that I've finished the book, I feel like I need to read it again.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants to create anything on this Earthly plane.
December 15, 2020
Read about 25% of the book on my kindle and decided to return (yes you can do that!)
What a pretentious piece of garbage.
It felt like a thesis of some second grade art student.
And I can say so, because I went to art school.
Whole lot of fluff. No substance what so ever.
It's a pity, since the Art of War did spark motivation and inspiration.
I don't really know what his message was with this book, but it could probably fit into a blog post ...
or a tweet ...
~~~
Show me someone who claims he doesn't give a shit and I'll show you a born artist who's scared out of his wits to become that artist.
What a pretentious piece of garbage.
It felt like a thesis of some second grade art student.
And I can say so, because I went to art school.
Whole lot of fluff. No substance what so ever.
It's a pity, since the Art of War did spark motivation and inspiration.
I don't really know what his message was with this book, but it could probably fit into a blog post ...
or a tweet ...
~~~
Show me someone who claims he doesn't give a shit and I'll show you a born artist who's scared out of his wits to become that artist.
December 16, 2020
Another classic by Steven Pressfield, building off his initial cult classic, "The War of Art." A fantastic and encouraging and illuminating book for creatives -- meaning, anyone who wants to or has to create something. Building off lessons about 'Resistance' from his previous book, Pressfield ties in the Hero's Journey archetype into the journey and the task of the artist.
I enjoyed this, and made short work of it; the chapters are written in a very digestible way, in 1-3 page bites. Certainly a positive and substantive read for writers especially, but really applicable to all avenues of creativity.
I enjoyed this, and made short work of it; the chapters are written in a very digestible way, in 1-3 page bites. Certainly a positive and substantive read for writers especially, but really applicable to all avenues of creativity.
August 4, 2018
Repetitive
The first book in this series would readily have sufficed to convey the repetitive message pounded home in this book.
The first book in this series would readily have sufficed to convey the repetitive message pounded home in this book.
June 18, 2020
"You may wonder as you sit in your cubicle designing a gun down scene for Call of Duty Black Ops 4, if you're really advancing the cause of humanity? You are. Your artist Journey is unique to you. You alone are on your path. Your job is only to follow it and be true to it. Who knows what heights it may eventually bring you. You are an artist, your journey however humble, however fraught, however beset with thorns and thistles is part of a noble, cosmic cause. It is not meaningless, it is not in vain. It is a portion of a grand Adventure. The artist Journey is the hero's journey of the human race. "
July 31, 2024
I’ve adopted Steven Pressfield as my Guru and guide for navigating the unforgiving terrain of becoming a writer.
His books are laid out so well and he is able to say so much within a small paragraph. His books have the power to alter my brain chemistry and change the way I see myself and all forms of art.
His books are laid out so well and he is able to say so much within a small paragraph. His books have the power to alter my brain chemistry and change the way I see myself and all forms of art.
October 10, 2018
It might just be my impression but I felt like he bit off more than he could chew here. This book is *much* more philosophical than the other books I've read by him ("Do the work" and "The War of Art"), and I felt like it missed the mark. He quotes Jung, Marx, Homer, Joseph Campbell, and many others, but just seems to pick and choose random quotes or tidbits. I couldn't help feeling like he wanted to sound philosophical, but wasn't sure exactly how.
I did like some of the points he made, such as how all artists create empathy through their art (not sure if it's all that true for songs, but definitely seems true for books, movies and paintings).
I also liked his notion of following the muse. I just don't think he had to justify it with so many odd references.
Probably 2.5 stars. I would recommend checking out some of his other books first.
I did like some of the points he made, such as how all artists create empathy through their art (not sure if it's all that true for songs, but definitely seems true for books, movies and paintings).
I also liked his notion of following the muse. I just don't think he had to justify it with so many odd references.
Probably 2.5 stars. I would recommend checking out some of his other books first.
March 11, 2021
This is really a 4.5. A much needed shot in the arm for me, as I am still early in my career as an artist. While the art/writing content is highly valuable, I believe the philosophical notions of oneness and accessing the superconscious are the most useful parts of this book. Though I do have disagreements with one of the conclusions — that the artist will save the human race in their journey which is practically the hero’s journey of the human race — I find the allegory to be useful for the intended audience which is individual writers and artists.
June 3, 2019
Really enjoyed this book! I felt as though this is a great companion for all of us who feel misunderstood as artists, OR who can barely understand the artistic zeitgeist itself, but who can still feel it in every inch of our bodies and souls. If you're feeling lost, alone, or just plain bamboozled by your artist life, definitely pick up this book. It's like having an old mentor, who's walked your path, clap you on the shoulder and say, "It's okay, buddy. I'm right there with you."
November 24, 2018
Steven Pressfield never disappoints.
May 24, 2020
short but oh so sweet
January 25, 2021
This is a tough one, where I've vacillated between 4 and 5 stars. Five, because I've listened to it several times, and have found it both comforting and inspiring. Four, because it's also a bit woo-woo in places for me, and leans heavily into survivor bias. Leaving it at five for now.
September 22, 2018
If you enjoyed the War of Art and the work of Joseph Cambell (Hero's Journey) then you'll love this! I see the works of Steven Pressfield as required reading for any artist looking to re-inspire their commitment to "do the work" and really give everything to their calling/craft.
January 22, 2020
Hyper motivant, comme tous les livres de Pressfield. En ce janvier gris, ça arrive à point.
December 26, 2022
Wow. Completely reframed the journey of art-making and I am changed by it. I loved it.
May 13, 2023
A bunch of pseudo-psychological/pseudo-spiritual babble.
January 6, 2024
A very short and inspiring book. What did I learn? If you want to be an artist of any sort, stop procrastinating. Decide. Then get your arse into gear and do it. Commit. Stop the excuses.
July 17, 2021
I don’t know how he does it, but ever since The War of Art, Pressfield has been able to articulate the things in can only grasp in myself. His words are the whispers of my soul.
Probably to “sentimental” to count as an actual “review,” but there you have it lol.
Probably to “sentimental” to count as an actual “review,” but there you have it lol.
October 1, 2018
This book blew my heart wide open. If you identify as an artist, you have a call. Accept it and step up. The world is waiting.
October 17, 2023
I think I'm just not into this TYPE of book -- it's basically self-help for people who are in the mood of self-identifying as "artists" because it seems romantic or cute or idealistic.
It is reminiscent of the YouTube "philosophers" who teach you how to think better, how to think like them, a "philosopher".
It feels a bit like the blind leading the blind but--
I guess the type of person who would love this type of book would call me judgy or a killer of the artistic soul or something.
It is reminiscent of the YouTube "philosophers" who teach you how to think better, how to think like them, a "philosopher".
It feels a bit like the blind leading the blind but--
I guess the type of person who would love this type of book would call me judgy or a killer of the artistic soul or something.
February 23, 2021
I will read and reread Steven pressfield’s books again and again. Hugely inspiring.
May 28, 2023
As with all Steven Pressfield books, this one really made me think. A book that is absolutely meant to be revisited, and it's a short read. The book is split into 3 parts, and while the last part resonated less with me, I really got something out of the first two parts. If you want a way to think about your own artistic journey, this book will be helpful.
August 23, 2018
“Your artist’s journey is unique to you. You alone are on your path. Your job is only to follow it and be true to it. Who knows what heights it may eventually bear you to? You are an artist. Your journey–however humble, however fraught, however beset with thorns and thistles—is part of a noble, cosmic cause. It is not meaningless. It is not in vain. It is a portion of a grand adventure. The artist’s journey is the hero’s journey of the human race.”
This quote is an entry from the end of acclaimed author Steven Pressfield’s latest artistic inspiration book, The Artist’s Journey. Words of wisdom from Pressfield. This entry is one of many powerful entries in The Artist’s Journey. Pressfield uses the template of the Hero’s Journey for artists. Why are artists called to do their art? What is the journey that all artists need to take to pursue their calling?
Pressfield returns to familiar themes like The Resistance (as mentioned in his books The War of Art and Turning Pro) and drawing on religious sources like the Bible and Buddhism. Also, he draws on Greek Philosophy and Mysticism to expound on the artistic journey.
If you like the previously mentioned books: The War of Art and Turning Pro, then you like The Artist’s Journey. I will admit that when he gets into the mysticism of being artist towards the end of the book, I got lost. I knew some of that material on a surface level but I did not find it as convincing as the quote that began the post. However, I will recommend The Artist’s Journey for artists (regardless of the artistic medium) to read and apply on their own artistic journey.
This quote is an entry from the end of acclaimed author Steven Pressfield’s latest artistic inspiration book, The Artist’s Journey. Words of wisdom from Pressfield. This entry is one of many powerful entries in The Artist’s Journey. Pressfield uses the template of the Hero’s Journey for artists. Why are artists called to do their art? What is the journey that all artists need to take to pursue their calling?
Pressfield returns to familiar themes like The Resistance (as mentioned in his books The War of Art and Turning Pro) and drawing on religious sources like the Bible and Buddhism. Also, he draws on Greek Philosophy and Mysticism to expound on the artistic journey.
If you like the previously mentioned books: The War of Art and Turning Pro, then you like The Artist’s Journey. I will admit that when he gets into the mysticism of being artist towards the end of the book, I got lost. I knew some of that material on a surface level but I did not find it as convincing as the quote that began the post. However, I will recommend The Artist’s Journey for artists (regardless of the artistic medium) to read and apply on their own artistic journey.
June 6, 2021
This book is not practical, it doesn't really have any useful advice to help you on the journey. I am not sure exactly its purpose, I suppose it is sort of a pep talk for creatives to encourage them to commit to the journey. I didn't find anything really original in this book.. there are many books about being an artist that I have found way more inspiring or useful or thought provoking than this. It pretty shallow.. many many very tiny chapters that never really get in deep. He'll do things like say that each artist will have an underlying theme that all their work is really about.. then he lists a bunch of film titles from the same director (without naming the director) as if the list of titles alone speaks for itself that there is clearly a theme found within it (not obvious to me, frankly). There is no advice about discovering your theme, it just happens. So if it is inevitable, I'm not sure why it's mentioned? Then he moves on to the next thing. It felt like the author just jotted down random observations on post-its and then slapped them together without editing it.
I did like his other book Do the Work, even though it is also presented in a similar format that I don't like (large number of very small, shallow chapters). Maybe because it seems more focused and its clear what the purpose of the book is. It's not a masterpiece but I did find it helpful.
I did like his other book Do the Work, even though it is also presented in a similar format that I don't like (large number of very small, shallow chapters). Maybe because it seems more focused and its clear what the purpose of the book is. It's not a masterpiece but I did find it helpful.
December 2, 2018
I can't get enough of this book! It's one of those pieces you'll read over and over, getting something new from it every time.
Pressfield takes us through the process and concept of the artist's journey - in the most basic of terms, to create something to put into the world. Each person is an artist, of their own life or something more tangible, and each person goes through a hero's journey first, in which they're preparing for the artist's journey. Each small chapter is a step-by-step manifesto on living your best life while working through high-level concepts about self and the world at large.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book for someone dipping their toe into the self-development or artist pools, but for people who are looking for a poetic (and yet, somehow still straightforward?) lens to see the creative world around them, this is the book for you! I can't do the artistry of this tiny work justice, you simply have to read it. And read it. And read it some more.
Love, love, love! I want to add this book to my collection and read it any time a creative journey - or, you know, life - starts to feel insurmountable.
Pressfield takes us through the process and concept of the artist's journey - in the most basic of terms, to create something to put into the world. Each person is an artist, of their own life or something more tangible, and each person goes through a hero's journey first, in which they're preparing for the artist's journey. Each small chapter is a step-by-step manifesto on living your best life while working through high-level concepts about self and the world at large.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book for someone dipping their toe into the self-development or artist pools, but for people who are looking for a poetic (and yet, somehow still straightforward?) lens to see the creative world around them, this is the book for you! I can't do the artistry of this tiny work justice, you simply have to read it. And read it. And read it some more.
Love, love, love! I want to add this book to my collection and read it any time a creative journey - or, you know, life - starts to feel insurmountable.
June 21, 2019
I really wanted to love this book as much as I have some of Mr Pressfield's other works (Gates of Fire, The War of Art, Turning Pro, Do The Work - all some of my favorite books ever), but it just didn't do it for me. I don't specifically know why, and it did have some good stuff going for it, but overall I felt it was just OK.
Favorite Quote: "The artist mines the same vein over and over. He just digs deeper over time."
Favorite Quote: "The artist mines the same vein over and over. He just digs deeper over time."
August 12, 2018
If you consider yourself an artist or have the hopes of some day becoming one—read this book—it’s that simple.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews