Customer Reviews

The Creative Journal: The Art of Finding Yourself

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The book clearly sets out how to uncover your many layered self through writing and drawing exercises and you don't need to be an artist to do them! Also a manual for discovering a creative self within you along the way. There are many examples of other people's journals which encourage the reader to let their child within take the pen or crayon and let go without inhibition. Both inspirational and instructive, the book has many layers and approaches to uncovering our inner lives. The book offers an invitation to explore, heal and accept yourself and to find your buried treasure in your own unique way. I found many hours of wonder and healing were possible through using the book. And it is the sort of book you can go back to again and again whenever needed.

I read and worked through this book several years ago and found it very helpful for getting in touch with that person hidden deep inside. This book will help you clarify what the real you wants and needs and will also be helpful when you are making life decisions on which direction to go.
After a few years I've just picked this book off the shelf again. This is another way this book is so great, if you wait a while and work back through it, you'll be able to see how you have changed and find your new directions in life.
In reply to someone else's review...
I do not believe it is necessary for a book to use 'big words' or long strung out descriptions in order for it to be helpful. Sometimes the simplest things are the best things. If you use this book with an open mind it will help you look inside yourself in ways so simple you would not have thought of them. I've read several self help and journaling books and this one is the best.

I tried some of the exercises in this book years ago and found them really insightful. The art parts I skipped and focused on the writing exercises. Now I'm giving it another go and again it makes me think outside my usual box.
Some exercises use lists, some use word association, visualizing and a variety of techniques.
One exercise has you make a list of things you like about yourself. Then make a second list of things you would like to expand or strengthen. Then take one of the items and write out how you will actually do that in the coming week.
This is a good book to provide ways to explore some inner feelings and open up your thinking.

This is the little book that CAN - it has so many exercises for tackling the inner world, and variations within those exercises too - it just goes on and on. Like any of these kinds of undertakings, one has to recognize that pockets of resistance may be trying to tell you something about an area you prefer not to deal with. You can go with it, or avoid it, or pretend it's not a problem, but sooner or later that same glitch is going to pop up again until you get to the heart of the matter and see what you're up against. This book provides many joyful and creative occasions to delve deeper into those mysterious areas, and to safely bring out the stuff you may have found hard to deal with. I've recommended it many times over to artist and writer friends who may be feeling stuck on a project - whether personal or professional. It's a great way to jumpstart the creative engine and get back to the things that really make you feel passionate about being you. This is a great companion to Visioning, Recovering Your Inner Child and the Art of Emotional Healing.

I bought this book because I was intriuged by the title. I now do creative journal exercises at any and every chance I get!! I am a Psychology major, and minoring in Art, so this is exactly the book I needed to tie the two together perfectly. I am going to use this book throughout my career, that I am sure of. And something neat about the way this book is set up is that it is in "lesson" format, so when you want to a certain exercise (i.e. "where am I at?" or "current challenge" etc.) you can simply look it up and find that particular one. I plan to buy a copy of this book for my best friends, sisters, nieces, and aunts.

I tried some of the exercises in this book years ago and found them really insightful. The art parts I skipped and focused on the writing exercises. Now I'm giving it another go and again it makes me think outside my usual box.
Some exercises use lists, some use word association, visualizing and a variety of techniques.
One exercise has you make a list of things you like about yourself. Then make a second list of things you would like to expand or strengthen. Then take one of the items and write out how you will actually do that in the coming week.
This is a good book to provide ways to explore some inner feelings and open up your thinking.

After finding this author's book _Visioning_ to be very helpful, I had high hopes for _The Creative Journal_, which alas were disappointed. An initial word of comment: the author's definition of a "creative" journal appears to be one that contains drawing as well as writing, which I think shows a limited understanding of creativity.

I don't know how else to describe my problem with this book other than saying that everything about it seemed oversimplified. The print is larger than usual in books for adults; the author uses very simple words, simple sentences, and simple explanations; and the total effect, rather than one of clarity, is of an author who believes she is writing for rather dense children.

I grant you that simplicity can be profound, and this book contains some occasional interesting insights. Too much of _The Creative Journal_, however, consists of exercises like: "Draw the struggle. Give the drawing a name. Let the drawing speak to you" (actual quote from page 52). There is no nuance to these exercises.

Verdict: not worth the effort. For a broader look at creativity, see works such as _A Year In The Life_.

This book is a great book, especially if you are new to the world of art and self-expression. It is a real "jogger" to the creativity in all of us, and especially me. I failed 9th grade art, because I hated art class so much! The way it was taught, the teacher, the students, etc. This is my first art book, and after working with it some, I eagerly bought Lucia's other books as well. Doing the excersises in her books, completely opened up my mind and creativity. I joyfully recommend it.

The activites are a guide to self discovery. It's user friendly and not too abstract so the everyday person can use and enjoy it.

on accessing the creative process through journal keeping. Whether you use words, drawings, or scrapbooking techniques, this book will inspire you to create. Find the buried treasure hidden within your soul. Beautiful, yes?