F’LY A'D Q’S
Q: How is Jumpstart Your Art different from Artist’s Way?
A: The two are totally different. Although I am a fan of Julia Cameron and her work, and have, in fact, led Artist’s Way-based workshops, I realize that there are as many artists’ ways as there are artists. Julia Cameron’s book/program is “process-based,” where participants are put on a three-month spiritual path, with the two main disciplines being two write “Morning Pages” every day, and to take yourself out on an “Artist’s Date” every week. Both of these are extraordinary ways to tap into one’s creative potential, and I encourage these practices. The Artist’s Way introduces new energies into your life and encourages spiritual breakthroughs with respect to limiting belief systems.
Jumpstart Your Art is “project-based,” where at each meeting, you are given a specific theme to interpret in your own art work, whether it’s painting, sculpture, songwriting, poetry, or any other medium. However, through the group discussion topics and sharing that occur during the weekly meeting, as well as the weekly coaching call included for each participant, ample time is given to process-based work.
The Artist’s Way gives you great tools for creativity. Jumpstart Your Art recognizes that you have all the tools you need, and that it’s time to dust them off and put them to good use.
Q: How does Jumpstart Your Art work?
A: Jumpstart Your Art works by inserting deadlines and limitations into your artistic process, and provides all the support you need to succeed in your work.
- A Note on Limitations: It’s no secret that limitations spark great art. As Brian Eno said, “'Regard your limitations as secret strengths. Or as constraints that you can make use of.” Therefore Jumpstart Your Art provides two basic limitations for you to make use of: A limited amount of time to finish the work, and a widely interpretable theme on which to base your art. Having limitations creates “problems” to be solved; this calls your creative genius into action.
To support you in your artistic journey, you have a bi-weekly meeting or “Artist Cluster” where works are shared, as well as the issues faced or breakthroughs generated, if any, in creating them. It’s a supportive, fun environment in which the creative energy of the group inspires its members to expand their individual artistic vision to created more creative, relevant art. There is also a weekly personal coaching support call for each participant, in which the participant can bring up any questions or obstacles faced in creating his or her art.
Q: What if I don’t finish my art on time?
A: You go to Art Jail. There will be wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Baleful howls will pierce the icy silence of night.
Actually, there are no penalties, only consequences. All action or inaction has consequences. The consequences for not finishing your art on deadline are that a) you don’t get to demonstrate or perform your art at the given time, b) the artist cluster misses out on your creativity, and c) you have one more missed deadline to deal with in your own life.
Making and missing deadlines is part of life. Always attempt success with all your heart, and accept failure gracefully and learn from it. You are never a failure, but sometimes your attempt at something fails. But with the weekly coaching call and the encouragement of the artist cluster, your chance of success is much stronger.
Q: What does it cost?
A: I answer this on the Products & Rates page. In a nutshell, you pay in accordance to the value you receive. $200 - $250 for the Workshop would tell me that you received some value. If you received lots of value, you might pay more, or add some other value in form of barter or services. If you cannot afford $200 but still get value from the workshop, we can work out barter or services.
Questions? Contact Al at (503) 708-9394 or at al@jumpstartyourart.net.