A Life in the Arts (Inner Work Book) (Paperback)

by Eric Maisel (Author) "YOU ARE A CREATIVE or performing artist..." (more)
Key Phrases: guided writing program, writing bubble, art buddy, New York, Van Gogh, Los Angeles (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Maisel has applied his training and experience as a therapist to the problems encountered by artists and performers. Here, he addresses many of these problems, including the idea of talent, the artist's personality, creative blocks, and aloneness. Most striking are his self-help ameliorative strategies for coping. While his book is not for everyone, it should be required reading for anyone considering a major and/or career in the arts. In fact, Maisel's "artist's ten commandments," a recapitulation of important themes, have a certain universality. Recommended for academic theater or creative arts collections.
Jon P. Cobes, Learning Resources Ctr., Central Wyoming Coll., Riverton
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Tarcher (May 4, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874777666
• ISBN-13: 978-0874777666
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #796,736 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, March 20, 2000

By	Ed Hooks, Acting for Animators (chicago, Il United States) - See all my reviews

I think I have become Maisel's best publicity agent since I have told every musician that I work with that they MUST get this book. Just having someone lay out for me the behaviors and personality traits that make up an artistic personality has taken a great load off my psyche. I've just finished the recording of my new CD and A LIFE IN THE ARTS was my bible during the incredible internal battles that I went through in pushin myself to the limit on this project. Great!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How to live with rejection, frustration and even success, December 20, 1998

By A Customer

Eric Maisel encapsulates the tribulations of living within the artist's world, and provides common sense, practical, easy to follow exercises for the reader. These exercises give us an intimate understanding of our own frailties, and thus help us to face these, to accept them, and to overcome them. The intelligent person's guide to developing and maintaining one's creative self.

22 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Destructive to Creativity, February 9, 2000

By	S. Schwartz (Near Philadelphia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I enjoyed the quotes, but this book is filled with artist bashing through and through, continually harping on the mental fragility of artists, their inability to get along with others, or participate in mutually supportive communities. The exercises promote feeling guilty and insecure about seeing the world in unusual ways and imply that curtailing creativity will lead to better adjustment. The last chapter actually gives advice to the artist about how to make a transition out of a life in the arts. UNBELIEVABLE! The organization "Artists for a Better Image" has a web site that lists negative stereotypes of artists in the media. The author parrots these stereotypes hook, line, and sinker. The book "Art & Fear" by David Bayles and Ted Orland is much, much better as a guide to an artist's self-understanding. "A Life in the Arts" by Eric Maisel is a good book for artists, especially aspiring artists, to avoid.