Trust the Process: An Artist's Guide to Letting Go

So far, I am loving "Trust the Process." I find it intriguing. The author said, "the ultimate goal of the creative process is an "enlargement" of imagination for all people. Yet, instead of expanding, most of us tend to confine ourselves to the limitations of habit. . . . I find that the most consistence obstacle to creative discovery is the average person's reluctance to become involved in free experimentation." What limitations am I putting on myself? Why do I feel reluctant to involve myself in "free experimentation"? Basically, I don't know how to do something so I am afraid to start. I don't want to start because I might fail and the possibility of me failing makes me procrastinate it until I don't have enough time to properly create. It is a frustrating path. As time goes on, I become a little more accepting of the possibility of failure. I am realizing that you cannot create art without that possibility. It's frustrating, but like the subtitle of the book says, it's a "guide to letting go." Now that I know a few of my limiting habits I just need to figure out how to adjust them to work in my benefitOne of the chapters was on training people to work within the creative process. The author mentions that personal immersion is vital. He then shares an example from some of the teachers he worked with. He explained that the teachers were able to "describe how there is a pattern to the way they face every new art experience with resistance and fear. They feel an equally consistent thrill and satisfaction after completing each new phase of work. Whether it is dance, storytelling, musical improvisation, painting, mime, or poetry, the same forces of creation move through the experience, affirming that there is something essential that cannot be taught when we focus only on specialized technical instruction."Shaun McNiff talks about how teachers are more resistant to free imagination. I thought this was interesting because growing up I had many teachers who would talk about imagination and try to bring it into the classroom. However, looking back at this I realize that most of the time they didn't succeed. McNiff goes on to say that the reason teachers resist is because schools are focused on training the literal mind and the way teachers meet this is to "demand clear directions and immediate applications." Then he goes on to talk about the school system: "Most of the educational system is established on the assumption that learning follows a logical and predictable pattern of acquiring knowledge." This is an excellent way of teaching things like math or science, but I believe that what our students need today is the skill of creative thinking. They need to know how to do things themselves, problem solve with new answers, and become a thinking individual instead of a mindless robot who just memorizes answers for a test. McNiff talks about adding in an education of the imagination, which is based on sustained encounters of uncertainty. When you are faced with uncertainty enough times you will find a way to handle it. With uncertainty it is difficult to use a formula and fit it into a neat box. It requires exposure, frustration and even failure.Overall, I have found this book very interesting. Shaun McNiff has a lot of excellent points and tips when trying to teach and figure out creativity. More often than not, it is yourself that gets in the way of your creativity. We just need to learn how to get past ourselves and "Trust the Process."

I enjoyed reading about someone who has put a lot of thought process into the creative process. I'm not sure it will help my art but it does make me feel better about getting my fingers dirty. I liked it enough to read it a second time. The only negative I have is, this author, like so many others who came out of the middle 20th century, doesn't seem to appreciate representational art. I suppose most art therapy approaches have this same angle. It's easier and more fun to paint like a child than like a purposeful adult. But an artist has to be able to sell something too else we place ourselves outside the world we live in.

I just finished reading this book and I really appreciated they many angles it offers to help calibrate the creative experience. It certainly kept me motivated.

Indepth book well written referencing the factors that contribute to the creative process and what an artistic journey involves. I purchased this based on the recommendation of the artist Deborah Stewart who also has a book on Amazon related to abstract painting using acrylic and pastel. Author also talks about the psychological aspects of an artists journey. As an emerging artist, I would have been more prepared on what to expect and how creativity emerges if I would have read this book. Advanced artists can relate to the experiences described or reminded about the pathway to creativity. New artists or those who wish to tap into the creative process can develop new insights. Sophistocated reading.

So I finally had time to start reading this book and there are pages missing. Like, they’re not torn out but it just skips from page 52 to 85.

Many of us want to be a painter, writer, singer or something like that. Many even have great ideas for a book or a play. But creative process is more than just a brilliant idea (although that idea is crucial), it takes perseverance,planning, time management and all that. Often we just can think of an amazing plot for a story, but can't really write it down. This book helps just that. It teaches one how to think and work like an artist, in a modern office setting.

This book was suggested to me by an art teacher. It is a wonderful book for anyone who can't remember why we make art to begin with, and everyone else! It sits next to my bed and is referred too often. The book could have also been named: Stop Thinking so Much.

I cannot believe a book like this was even written. Just stunning. Each page is a gold nugget of intelligence into the artistic process... and life. It's taken me months to read because I keep reading and pausing to reflect on the insights. Artists are vital and important and the author unpacks something rarely examined -- PROCESS. Artist or not, this book will improve the way you see and exist in the world.

Earlier in the year, I came across Mcniff's book ART AS MEDICINE. Whilst I did find it overlong and rambling in places, I was impressed by the breadth and width of this man's experience as an artist and an art therapist. So when I came across TRUST THE PROCESS, I was keen to give it a go. And I'm very glad I did. In fact, I'm about to re-read it. McNiff doesn't use jargon so this is a great book whether or not you are "in the field" (I'm not). He doesn't lecture, get on his high horse, or give hopelessly fluffy-bunny advice(unlike some creativity books I could mention !) He acknowledges that the creative process can be frustrating, lonely, difficult. . .whilst also deeply believing in its joyous or simply fun aspects. I particularly enjoyed his references to his six-year-old daughter and the work she is engaged in, also how she feels about it.She sees things clearly without grown-up hang-ups and inhibitions. Lovely. And he has these interesting little tasks for the reader to do as s/he sees fit . I'm particularly keen on his advice to break things up into small portions-do a whole series of quick little drawings, for example, rather than getting paralyzed at the thought of THE MAJOR WORK that one "must" produce. I am a poet not an artist, by the way, so I've been taking this advice to heart and writing quite a few little matchbox-sized poems! But I'm also going to try out the notepad of little drawings exercise-I haven't done any art since I was about 10 because I was given the distinct impression-as are so many people-that I had no "talent". But McNiff makes it sound like fun.Thank you, Shaun McNiff-and daughter.

Some good advice, but too many anecdotes and perhaps rather self-indulgent on the author’s part. A book that could, and should, be more “fun” and easier to read. Very long-winded making it rather a boring read.

A great book that really does do what it says on the cover! It's well laid out and easy to dip into if you don't have time to read all in one go. I think anyone could benefit from reading this, especially anyone trying to motivate people or working with children or adult learners. I will definitely keep it on the bookshelf to read again.

A superb book for all creatives - or "wannabees". The author's claim is that being process not results driven will free the creative in you., and, by George, I think he's definitely on to something!

This book is so inspiring and puts you on the right track when it is so easy to get off. It reminds you that the process is what is important...not the outcome, which is something I need to regularly be reminded of. I find that it is helpful not only in my artistic life, but also in everyday life...when the process is really what matters. Very few books are available which address which subject of The process, the present moment, the now...in such a practical and real-life manner, so I'm very happy to have discovered this gem. I dip into it regularly for fresh reinforcement that the process is what is important. For example, I work with photography and sometimes when getting the photos ready for clients, it's VERY easy to move attention to the outcome or finished product...but then all my joy disappears. But, when I continue to focus on the actual DOING (the process) of the project, my motivation remains high. I love this book and will continue to dip into it for regular reminders. Oh, BTW, it is not a step by step guide...it is more inspirational than that in that you can see that others in the arts go through the ups and downs of the creative process and you eventually come to accept your own individual process. Great stuff!