Cultivating Your Creative Life: Exercises, Activities, and Inspiration for Finding Balance, Beauty, and Success as an Artist

I love this book. I am new, both the world of creating art, and as crazy as it sounds, to learning to express my creative self. Having the privilege of experiencing Alena in a couple of her e-courses, I have to say that this book perfectly captures the talented artist, teacher and beautiful person, inside and out, that brings us this book. If you are looking for a book that serves as nothing more than a painting manual, this book is not for you. It is so much more. If you are ready to delve deep into your heart and soul to unearth the creative person within, this is the perfect book for you. If you are ready to infuse your life with intention, this is the book for you. The exercises inspire as well as encourage us to seek a more balanced life overall, because it is a balanced life that informs your creativity and your art. Alena freely shares her talents, practices and experiences in such a way that shows us that our authentic and unique selves bring a richness to the work that we do. Moreover, her artwork is littered throughout the book and to me, it demonstrates the beauty of simplicity. This book is worth every penny and with it you can discover, explore and "cultivat[e] your [own] creative life. Blessings, Lydia Kimble-Wright

I love this book! I come back to it time and time again. It's filled with Alena's gorgeous artwork, beautiful quotes, and her magnetizing spirit is infused throughout the pages. As a newly budding artist, I find this book to be incredibly helpful and inspirational. The first chapter "Planting Seeds" is very powerful for me, as I find unlearning to be one of the biggest challenges of this art adventure. I really enjoy the opportunities throughout the book to contemplate, consider, and reflect. Alena encourages readers to journal and to dig into our truths. I revisit these prompts as I walk the journey towards the creative life. This book doesn't offer instructions on how to create but puts us in touch with the creator inside us. If you're looking for instructional, Alena's online classes such as Year of Painting are wonderful, and I believe the new book she has coming out, The Painting Workbook, is a bit more instructional. I can't wait for the release!

This book is fun. If pictures are worth a thousand words, then Alena succeeds in creating a literary composition that speaks volumes - But Alena not only graces her book with original artwork but leads the reader on a fun journey of creative wisdom and activities to help us open and seek balance in our fast-paced lives. Inspirational stories and new perspectives allow one to RELAX and get in touch with a youthful openness again. Upliftedness. Cultivating Your Creative Life would be great for adults and teachers/counselors looking to tap into or help facilitate other adults or even young-adults in their creative and growing processes. Overwhelmingly awesome book.

I've taken a few of Alena's online workshops and I am currently in a Year of Painting, so I feel I know her teaching style well. I picked up this book and it was as much a work of art as it is a lesson in loving yourself, trusting your creative soul and allowing the artist within to emerge. All without any pressure to do it "right." There are many different styles of exercises throughout and each one serves a greater purpose than just making art. There is a dialogue throughout allowing it to feel personal and as if she's right there with you - gently guiding and encouraging. It would make a wonderful gift to yourself, a fellow creative or someone looking to restart their artistic adventure with a gentle and wise teacher. I'm looking forward to her next book release!

In "Cultivating Your Creative Life," the author takes a new age approach in decluttering, de-stressing and exploring your inner self, workspace and environment. I was hoping for more practical creative techniques and hands-on art-related excercises. After having reviewed the "Look Inside the Book" feature, I was drawn to the author's art and style. I found Alena Hennessy's artwork to be quite lovely and enjoyable to rest my eyes on, she definitely has a distinct voice in her art that is pleasant and interesting to me. However, I was a bit sad to find less actual art techniques and found several pages where space is taken up to journal and draw within boxes. Since the table of contents did list such things such as "Herbal Lore" and "Breathing Deep"--that should have clued me in to the fact that this was more geared toward self-reflection and balancing oneself as a person/artist than actual physical (step by step) techniques/exercises in various art mediums. Because I already have several books in my library that expound on herbal medicine as well has spiritual (Christian) wellness, much of this wasn't very useful to me personally, but, in all fairness, not the author's fault, therefore does not factor in to my rating. The only reason why I am giving this 4 stars instead of 5, is because of the amount/frequency of space taken up on pages with lines for journaling and boxes for sketching/drawing. She has a friendly writing style, and I would have liked to read more of her words rather than have that potential space given over to lines and boxes. I am, however, quite happy to have discovered this talented artist, and will be looking for other (more technique-related) books by her as well as more examples of her creative art.

Alena's Book,Cultivating Your Creative Life is such a gift,on so many levels. It is more than just a book about the creative process. This book is about really connecting to all the magic that surrounds us and resides within us. There are so many tools and exercises that guide us in being able to access our inner wisdom and inspirations-which are the essential ingredients to having a creative life -so that we CAN be prolific and inspiring artists. Which is what this world needs desperately! Alena's style of teaching embodies grace and connection. She nurtures people to be their true souls self and to be fearless in radiating that outward.This book is a soul feeder. I have used it with my students-teens with disabilities- to great effect. Looking inward to find our magic is the very best art of all.

Not every artist does art explicitly to find deeper meaning about one's own spiritual self image.... This book isn't so much about cultivating creativity as it is about finding oneself through art. This was not at all what I was looking for and so I'm going to have very little use for this book. There was some good advice here and there but overall, it was disappointing. I also bought the book because I liked the whimsy illustrations, and I think those are probably the best aspect of the book.

For the sake of translucency...I know (and love) Alena Hennessy in part because I offer art retreats and have invited her to lead classes for us several times. Our attendees adore her classes. And while, yes, she teaches them mixed media techniques more so she teaches them how to tap into their inner creative voices. She has a gift for offering these kinds of teachings because she is consciously creating a life of creativity infused with colorful spirit, beautiful energy and love. This book is a beautiful reflection of her practice of living her own creative life. Inspiring if you are on a path to feel more fulfilled, more creative. If what you are seeking is deeper meaning in your life and creative pursuits...I promise you'll love it, .and if you ever get the chance to work with her in person, do it! She's amazing!

I love Alena's work and when I saw she's written a book I bought it immediately and I'm so glad I did. If you're interested in a more creative life then this is the perfect book for you. It's full of gentle inspirations and ideas that will help you get in touch with your inner artist. By following Alena's prompts you'll find yourself a better artist and a more aware and happier person.

If you're looking for a book to ignite that creative spark within; but don't want to be overwhelmed by a technical guide,(or if, like me, you had rubbish art teachers at school and feel kind of intimidated by the idea of being "taught"), this beautiful and fun book is just for you! Alena's style is relaxed, inspiring and cares for the whole self, including chapters on yoga, breathing and herbal lore. Interspersed with beautiful/inspiring/amusing quotes throughout, {my fave being "There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know any of them." Sylvia Plath), Alena's gorgeous art, tips, ideas and spaces for you to write your own thoughts, draw little pictures and complete exercises which help you feel your way into a creative state of mind, it's a fab and fun way to get your creative fire simmering. Looking through my copy I've there's just so much to love,{too much to list here or this review will go on forever!}, makes me feel all warm, fuzzy and happy. Inspired by the book I'm going to sign up for one of Alena's e-courses very soon. Give it a go, it'll make you smile I promise. :)

The book is very inspiring, and motivated me to do more art

I first saw this book in my local library. Kept renewing it and eventually bought it. I regard this as a 'dip in' book, rather than reading cover to cover. I love the simple artwork, makes you think that you can do it too! Just a nice book to have and know that you have around.

Ich bin begeistert von diesem Buch und kann den Kauf sehr empfehlen! Das Buch enthält jede Menge Anregungen und ist ein wunderbares kreatives Workbook! <3