Becoming Your Life’s Work: Exploring The Artist’s Way
Language: English
Location: In-person in Innsbruck, Austria.
14 weeks, starting on 11 January 2024 from 18h00-20h00.
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” – Mary Oliver
- Do you want to find or rediscover your passion or ‘thing’?
- Do you want to unblock some of the barriers that are preventing you from being who you want to be or doing what you want to do?
- Do you want to take some time for yourself to work out what you want so that you can start living your live to the fullest?
Discover and recover your creative self, dissolve blocks and start 2024 with a clearer idea of what you want from life and how to create it.
Over the course of 14-weeks, this structured and facilitated programme will give you the space that you need to unblock your creativity and start experiencing your life to the fullest.
This is an incredibly effective and liberating process, a personal and collective adventure in transformation and the rediscovery of those things in our lives that bring us the most joy and meaning.
If you’re ready to start living life on your own terms, this might be the programme for you.
Who is the course for?
This course is for everyone.
- If you are brand-new to The Artist’s Way, you are welcome
- If you have a bookshelf filled with years of Morning Pages journals, you are welcome
- If you want to try something new to get unstuck or spark inspiration or give you space, you are welcome
- If you are working on a creative project and want to carve out some space for more creativity, you are welcome
- If you simply want to experience more creativity in your life, you are welcome
- If you are curious about getting to know yourself, you are welcome
Whatever you age, background, beliefs, gender, and time of life, if you are ready to challenge yourself and nurture your creative self, this is for you.
Why work in a group instead of alone?
The Artist’s Way can be completed in many ways: on your own, with some friends, or even online with the author herself.
If, however, you’re the kind of person who benefits from having regular, in-person accountability to help see you through the length and commitment of this three-month long program, then this workshop is for you.
Working in groups is also something that the author talks about in The Artist’s Way. She says, “success occurs in clusters”:
“In walking your artist’s way, my deepest wish for you is the company of fellow lights and the generosity to light each other’s ways as we each pass temporarily into darkness….success occurs in clusters and is born in generosity. Let us form constellations of believing mirrors and move into our powers.” –Julia Cameron
In this safe, comfortable, inspiring space, accountability and structure will help you stay the course, even through the most challenging phases of the process.
Here are three reasons why an in-person group works:
More accountability
At a minimum there is the accountability factor: if you have ever signed up for an online, self-paced workshop and never completed it, or if you have always wanted to practise Yoga but you can’t motivate yourself to do it at home alone, you’ll know how important accountability can be. Having a clear idea of what is expected of you each week, and a clear timeline when you need to complete things, followed by a meeting where you can share how easy or difficult it was to achieve things is a great way to keep on track.
Less judgement
Groups also minimise judgement. We all know how difficult it can be to form a new habit, and when we are alone, we are likely to beat ourselves up. In fact, we often say things to ourselves that we would NEVER say to other people! We say things like: “You’re so stupid, how did you fail to complete this simple task?” and “You’re such a loser – everyone else can stick to a diet, why not you?”
In a group, we have much more empathy. We can admit failings, offer support, and help ourselves and others on their path to success.
Learning & inspiration multiplied!
Groups allow us to learn from each other, gain inspiration from others, encourage and receive encouragement, and see the world in new and interesting ways, all of which feeds into our creative selves.
Small groups mean that you will have lots of opportunities for rich, vibrant discussions in a small group and a safe space. I offer you questions, encouragement, prompts, ideas, and challenges, but you always have the choice to participate at whatever level is right for you. No one is forced to do or say anything, which makes the experience a positive one for introverts and extraverts alike.
What does the programme cover?
As we explore The Artist’s Way, you will get the tools and inspiration to help you:
- Know which of your many ideas to start on first.
- Dissolve the blocks that are keeping you stuck.
- Build your self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Connect with a new sense of possibility for your “unrealistic” dreams and creative projects.
- Clear out beliefs that have been sabotaging the flow of abundance in your life.
- Build a stronger connection to your intuitive guidance.
- Have the confidence to execute concrete creative plans.
- Maintain momentum and stay on track, even after the course has finished.
- Build trust in Life, and in yourself.
What this programme IS NOT
This programme is not therapy or counselling or coaching. It is facilitated, structured approach, where you will receive encouragement in the form of feedback and guidance from an experienced facilitator and your peers. It provides you with accountability and discipline, and a “tribe”, people who are sharing a similar experience to you and know what it’s like to make a decision to let more creativity into their lives.
About The Artist’s Way
The Artist’s Way movement began more than two decades ago as author Julia Cameron shared her ideas with a few friends in her living room. It continues to be a seminal text on creativity and an international best seller on how to unlock the natural creativity inherent in all of us.
The basic premise of The Artist’s Way is that you do not have to learn how to be more creative; instead you need to free your natural creativity. Our creativity can be blocked, and also unlocked.
What to expect from the Exploring The Artist’s Way workshop
We’ll meet once a week for 14 weeks at a comfortable space in the heart of Innsbruck. You’ll receive full details on booking. The sessions run from 18:00-20:00 on Thursday evenings, starting on 11th January 2024.
You’ll need to supply your own copy of the book, The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron. I do my best to support local book stores and both are available, or can be ordered, from Tyrolia and Wagnersche in Innsbruck. Obviously, you can also purchase your copy from the big, all-present retailer that we all use at times, but cost-wise it’s only a bit cheaper and you won’t be supporting your local community quite as much.
You’ll also need to have an A4 notebook that you will use every morning for writing, and an A4 or A5 book for our sessions – to capture any notes or inspiration!
Each week you’ll work through one chapter of the book at home.
At our weekly in-person sessions, I’ll guide you through discussions and activities based on that chapter. Sharing your insights and hearing from others going through the process deepens your understanding and enriches your experience of The Artist’s Way.
The structure of each session normally includes a centering in the beginning, discussions and reflections on each the previous week, an introduction to the topic for the week to come with activities, time for reflections and integration, and a closing.
My highest priority is to create a space in which every person present feels safe and supported and welcome. With that in mind, I ask that everyone agrees to keep any personal sharing confidential.
My group workshops are “introvert-friendly” as well as “extravert-friendly”. That means that there is no obligation for you to say anything, share your experiences or learnings, or do anything in the sessions if you prefer not to.
Take a look at what people say and some of the results from art journaling.
Kind words
I LOVED Exploring The Artist’s Way with Suzanne. She has been a wonderful guide, giving me the push that I needed to complete the whole programme, even when I was having doubts. It’s a lot of work, but so rewarding. I would recommend this workshop 100% to anyone who wants to get out of their comfort zone and into their creative zone.
You provide such a supportive, encouraging space. I can’t deny that it was a tough programme, but I feel as if I have come out stronger and braver as a result. Thank you!
Suzanne’s workshop helped me to get out of my comfort zone – big time! I really enjoyed the discussions and reflections, and appreciated the time in our time together to draw and write – because I can’t promise that I would have done this alone. I am still doing my morning writing and I feel as if I have turned a corner with my hopes to be a published writer. This was so worthwhile for me. Thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do we meet?
What if I can't make every session?
Because of the duration of this course, some people won’t be able to attend every single session. That’s not a problem. Life is busy, and things come up.
If you have to miss a class or two, we have measures in place so you can easily catch up on what we covered in any missed sessions.
How much time do I need to commit to this programme?
Is this an art class?
I don’t like groups. Is this for me?
In other words: there is no pressure. Come as you are, participate as much or as little as you wish. Get what YOU want from the workshop.
When does registration close?
Do you offer a payment plan?
Do you have a refund policy?
This course requires a commitment of time and energy. Facing your creative blocks is a brave thing to do. It can be a challenging class at times, and every now-and-then, someone wants to stop coming.
We understand.
Unfortunately, we can’t replace you with someone else mid-way through a programme, and so we have a strict no-refund policy.
What happens if a workshop is cancelled for some reason?
You will receive a full refund and will be notified 5 days before the start date.
About the Facilitator
Suzanne Whitby is a local storyteller, communicator, facilitator, trainer, mentor and performance artist who has been guiding groups through The Artist’s Way since 2018. She has been bringing groups of people together for over 20 years, creating spaces for individuals to think, reflect, discuss, and explore together. Sometimes magic happens!
She freely admits to being an “aspiring mindful person” who uses The Artist’s Way herself to keep ideas flowing and in balance. She designs and run experiential urban walks at Ways to Walk, and occasionally records tiny mindful moments.