An Artist's Way Workshop

A Light in the Darkness

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Julia Cameron, author of the book "The Artist's Way", suggests near the end of her groundbreaking book that there are those among us who fear undertaking projects that seem to demand many dark nights of the soul. Her deepest wish for those walking the artist's way is the company of fellow lights with the generosity to light each other's ways as we each pass temporarily into darkness.

Throughout this 12 week workshop, I would like to allow those who follow it the challenge to see for themselves that success, in a surprising way, does indeed occur in clusters and is born in generosity. The goal is to provide a holding, caring support of empathetic commonality.

This course is for Writers, Poets, Actors, Painters, Musicians and Creative People in all Walks of Life and Those Who Would Like to be More Creative!

If you have limiting fears or beliefs and other problems preventing you from becoming your creative self, this course will help you to replace those negative blocks with confidence and productivity.

Based on the principle that “creativity” is the natural direction of life, Catherine Davidson, MA will lead you through this program to recover your creativity.

Some Montreal area artists have taken the course and made some comments about how this affected them.

Included in this course each week is a creative exercise that will stimulate your creativity and aid in discovering your own creative process.

This workshop takes place amidst Montreal's Central Business District. Tucked into a place called "Undercroft", a part of Promenades Cathedrale in Montreal, you will hopefully discover through taking this workshop your own light in the darkness.

For more information please contact me at: catherine.davidson@gmail.com

Taking this course can transform your life!

The Workshop

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The Artist's Way Workshop: A Path to Higher Creativity

The workshop is a 12-week course, one session per week.
Each session runs about 2 hours and covers a variety of topics.
There are two sessions being offered starting in Spring 2008:
Times Starting Ending
Mondays 7:00 - 9:00 PM 12 May 2008 04 August 2008
Fridays 7:00 - 9:00 PM 16 May 2008 01 August 2008

Other sessions can be arranged with sufficient interest.
Please let Catherine know.

Each session will have between five and eight individuals.

Fees charged are based upon ability to pay.

Held in the Undercroft of Promenades de la Cathédrale
625 Ste. Catherine St. W. (corner of University Street)
Montreal, QC

For more information, or to reserve your place,
please contact Catherine:
phone: (514) 982-0528
email: catherine.davidson@gmail.com

Topics

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Each week covers a different topic:

Week Topic

Safety (Feel Safe on Your Chosen Path)
Identity (Self-Doubt to Self-Assertion)

Power (The Sense of "Yes, I Can!")

Integrity (No Decrease in Your Standards)

Possibility (Feasible Enterprises, not Dreams Only)

Abundance (Money is Abundant)

Connection (With Your Inspiration)

Strength (In Adversity; Gain Disguised as Loss)

Compassion (That is Reinforced Love)

Self-Protection (Discover Your Potential)

Autonomy (Follow Your Vision; Be Successful)

Faith (A Leading Force)

Dealing with pitfalls

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The Artist’s Way will help you deal with
certain pitfalls in the course of Life:

> Existential disorientation.
> Aspirations become foggy, muddled.
> Boredom, leading to helplessness.
> Negative scripts
("I do not have time" / "I do not have an encouraging environment")
> "My creativity seems to be vanishing."
> "I have been procrastinating when it comes to developing my own artistic creativity."
> "My zest for life is fading."
> "My enthusiasm is not as before."
> "At times, it feels I am just attached to duties which do not fulfil my soul."
> "People close to me discourage my choice to do art and put it in negative terms."

This course encompasses professional guidance, stimulation
and direction.

Testimonials

2007-09-23T19:02:00.000-07:00

I have taken the course twice so far, and am looking forward to take the next course about the ''Vein of Gold'', which follows the ''Artist's Way''. This course has opened many new doors in different aspects of my life on top of the artistic ones. Catherine is the perfect guide for the journey, she is gentle and professional.
Karim Dormeyer, Musician, Soundman, Sculptor, Drawer, Humorist and Problem solver. Montreal

“The Artist's Way has shown me how to find the way that I want to live, the path that I want to take, instead of just following the crowd.”
Trevor Tierney, All World Honours Gold Medal Lacrosse Goalie

“I did not know about synchronicity. (except through the lyrics of the band “The Police” ) I did not know about unblocking my creativity. I did not know about “crazy makers” (That cleared up so much!) I did not know how much fear was within me. Success can be really scary! I did not know that money would come and it did! What i knew prior to the course was reinforced in many ways. However, what I learned was to approach every situation, good or difficult, with an awareness that I will be able to handle whatever comes before me. I will celebrate every challenge achieved, every accomplished goal, and appreciate the insight obtained when I need to let go, or face a failure. BOTTOM LINE- I CAN HANDLE WHATEVER IS BEFORE ME!”
Sheryl Ann Medicoff, Artist and Photographer, Montreal

“This workshop helped me to focus on fulfilling my needs rather than putting everyone else's first and it gave me the time and the space to spend time with myself and enjoy doing things I like. I feel the happiest I have been up to now and the most independent...and that is thanks to you.”
Anonymous, Child Psychologist, Montreal

“What a wonderful way to get back in touch with creative energy, imagination and expression. Spending 12 weeks doing the Artist Way Workshops with Catherine Davidson within a group exploring different forms of artistic expression together was truly inspiring. Like many others, I read the Artist Way on my own years ago. I got to chapter 4 or 5 and stopped. With the help of group support and the warm, nurturing environment Catherine encourages, I made it all the way through the book and discovered many powerful and delightful treasures along the way that now feed a steady flow of creative expression and exploration. I recommend this workshop to anyone ready to claim or reclaim their budding artist selves.”
Irene Rapaport, Artist, Montreal

“Having 2 hours set aside each Friday night at the “Artist’s Way” Workshop helped me refocus on my creativity, making me realize afresh that creativity takes cultivation, encouragement from others and confidence in our own abilities. I did receive lots of encouragement and I felt inspired by Catherine and the other participants to go forward and to enjoy this creative journey and who knows: It may bring me to a realization of my creative aspirations!”
Lorraine Wibbing, Artist, Montreal

“The Artist’s Way group has been a tremendous and surprising support and encouragement for my art and my career. My music and my writing have reached new levels of expression. I have received a grant to record an album with my talented group “flotilla” and have begun to publish my poetry. Attending the group made me realize I was not the only one who struggled with procrastination, doubt and dry spells when it came to my art. It encouraged me to gently continue with the creative process despite these “obstacles.” What I also found inspiring was hearing about how others were taking steps towards fulfilling their creative dreams.”
Veronica Charnley, Singer and songwriter

“I really like what you are doing with these courses. I was in a very confused state until I started focusing on my dreams. I’ve just received a scholarship to study Finance at Berkeley in California.”
Pooja Saskena

“The Artist’s Way created a wonderful harmony between by music and spirituality taking me on an unknown yet protected path.”
Tanya Nielsen, Singer and songwriter

“I think for me it was getting in touch with the concept of the inner artist and that it has to be nourished and protected. I’m making sure that I get my creative input now.”
Donna Atkinson, Painter

"I would like to do this course again!"
Jana Stuart, Classical pianist

Exhibition photos

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Video of artists at play

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Artists at play during exhibition after 12-week
Artist's Way workshop.

The Undercroft

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The workshop takes place in the Undercroft underneath Christ Church Cathedral, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

To get there from the street, take the University Street entrance into Promenades Cathedrale (625 Ste. Catherine West). Take the stairs on the right, halfway down to the Undercroft; if you get to Le Chateau you've gone too far!

If taking the Metro, get off at the McGill Metro station. Take the Promenades Cathedrale entrance. Once in turn right, then left past the food court. Continue past 2 sets of small stairs until you see a set of stairs and an escalator. Walk halfway up the left set of stairs to the Undercroft.

There is handicap access. Those requiring assistance should call ahead to make arrangements.