What do you think?
Rate this book
Art Is a Way of Knowing: A Guide to Self-Knowledge and Spiritual Fulfillment through Creativity
Making art—giving form to the images that arise in our mind's eye, our dreams, and our everyday lives—is a form of spiritual practice through which knowledge of ourselves can ripen into wisdom. This book offers encouragement for everyone to explore art making in this spirit of self-discovery—plus practical instructions on material, methods, and activities such as ways Discover a personal myth or story Recognize patterns and themes in one's life Identify and release painful memories Combine journaling and image making Practice the ancient skill of active imagination Connect with others through sharing one's art works Interwoven with this guidance is the intimate story of the author's own journey as a student, art therapist, teacher, wife, mother, and artist—and, most of all, as a woman who discovered a profound and healing connection with her soul through making art.
Unknown Binding
First published April 11, 1995
147 people are currently reading
1150 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 26, 2012
I have been reading so many books about art making and art therapy that I feared I had disconnected and gone to the typical "3 stars" for everyone. Pat Allen's book has all of the crucial elements of a piece of wonder. First, she shares her own art-making journey, including her experiences with depression, family issues, overwhelm, career concerns, all of the issues that everyone has but so often get left out of theoretical applications of art in psychological practice. Second, she includes enough theory-to-practice material to turn this into a textbook that is respectful. Finally, the practical activities and probing questions that she has presented go so far beyond many other texts, beyond "how were you feeling were you making these choices," to "What does your river look like?" and "Who is your witness to art-making?"
My art tends to be a lot of the same- I use colours, shapes and spaces that I am comfortable with, generally someone could probably identify my stick people in a room of other stick people. During the week I have been with Pat Allen's book my art has become something amazing. I am so pleased with the work I have done this week, I feel more connected to the pieces in a way that goes beyond just having created something. I am looking for archetypes in my images and using imagery to better understand my clients.
I have read and photocopied from this book that I borred from the library, however I still intend to purchase it as it has provided me with an amazing journey.
A must read.
My art tends to be a lot of the same- I use colours, shapes and spaces that I am comfortable with, generally someone could probably identify my stick people in a room of other stick people. During the week I have been with Pat Allen's book my art has become something amazing. I am so pleased with the work I have done this week, I feel more connected to the pieces in a way that goes beyond just having created something. I am looking for archetypes in my images and using imagery to better understand my clients.
I have read and photocopied from this book that I borred from the library, however I still intend to purchase it as it has provided me with an amazing journey.
A must read.
July 31, 2012
Took me a bit to get into this book as I had to get used to the author's style of writing. But once I got past the first 4 chapters...this book became a gem. Really intriguing perspective on art process and how one can tap into personal myth/spiritual practice through the creative process.
As a mother and artist, I really appreciated her honesty in regards to the reconciling the two roles, through her artwork.
As a mother and artist, I really appreciated her honesty in regards to the reconciling the two roles, through her artwork.
February 19, 2019
For what it is, this book is accessible, interesting, and promotes introspection/reflection. Allen provides her thoughts on how the expressive arts foster understanding/constructivism/constructionism with the self and the outside world. Though it wasn't what I was looking for, I found Allen's inclusion of her own artwork powerful (though colored photographs would have enhanced the effect).
I agreed with much of what Allen said, but would have liked some inclusion of other research as well. Though I respect her experience has brought her to these conclusions, it always interests me when I see a text that is so divided in EXA or arts-based research that it leaves the other out completely, when I see them as blending together nicely.
The "Red Baby" was my favorite art and I desperately would like to own it!
I agreed with much of what Allen said, but would have liked some inclusion of other research as well. Though I respect her experience has brought her to these conclusions, it always interests me when I see a text that is so divided in EXA or arts-based research that it leaves the other out completely, when I see them as blending together nicely.
The "Red Baby" was my favorite art and I desperately would like to own it!
December 10, 2018
This book on art therapy is presented both with exercises one can do and accompanied by a biographical story of the author illustrating how art therapy has worked in her life.
At this time I have only began the basic exercises, and haven't pursued any advanced exercises in the book, but I did find it useful for both my therapy - by following the basic exercises I did find and create exercises that I could bring into my therapy sessions - and for my art - by keeping a diary of recurring images I discovered ideas for lyrics and other projects I have been working on.
I found the style quite readable, but it would've benefitted from better production as the black and white images of the art works cited did not have any depth and lacked details that I think would've made them more evocative.
The chapters are divided into sections for Beginnings, Basic Steps, Personal Content, Deeper Waters, and Continuing. Each chapter title begins with "Knowing...". A basic primer in drawing, painting, and sculpture - enough to create the works to explore all the other exercises is included under "Basic Steps". The Personal Content includes basics of life that one might explore in therapy - obstacles, background, work, soul, and story. Deeper Waters and Continuing allow one to extend the work, but seem to get more and more personal to the author and less and less a map that any person could follow. That said, I think a person could pick and choose the exercises after a read through and explore.
I feel this book strides the boundary of an art therapy book and a how to be creative book. I am going to continue doing the exercises - I do like to read through a book before I do the exercises. The personal information from the author was illuminating rather than distracting. I felt engrossed by her journey of discovery. For me the metaphor of coming to the river, the source of one's own specific artistic inspiration, as necessary for emotional and spiritual health, seems apt. As a young mother I discarded my own creativity and did not return to the journey for decades. Healing in that regard has lead me to believe that it would've been better to continue some form of creative expression along with motherhood, in as much as I could've. Although hindsight doesn't allow me to go backwards, it does help me go forward and use art to discover more about myself and my world.
At this time I have only began the basic exercises, and haven't pursued any advanced exercises in the book, but I did find it useful for both my therapy - by following the basic exercises I did find and create exercises that I could bring into my therapy sessions - and for my art - by keeping a diary of recurring images I discovered ideas for lyrics and other projects I have been working on.
I found the style quite readable, but it would've benefitted from better production as the black and white images of the art works cited did not have any depth and lacked details that I think would've made them more evocative.
The chapters are divided into sections for Beginnings, Basic Steps, Personal Content, Deeper Waters, and Continuing. Each chapter title begins with "Knowing...". A basic primer in drawing, painting, and sculpture - enough to create the works to explore all the other exercises is included under "Basic Steps". The Personal Content includes basics of life that one might explore in therapy - obstacles, background, work, soul, and story. Deeper Waters and Continuing allow one to extend the work, but seem to get more and more personal to the author and less and less a map that any person could follow. That said, I think a person could pick and choose the exercises after a read through and explore.
I feel this book strides the boundary of an art therapy book and a how to be creative book. I am going to continue doing the exercises - I do like to read through a book before I do the exercises. The personal information from the author was illuminating rather than distracting. I felt engrossed by her journey of discovery. For me the metaphor of coming to the river, the source of one's own specific artistic inspiration, as necessary for emotional and spiritual health, seems apt. As a young mother I discarded my own creativity and did not return to the journey for decades. Healing in that regard has lead me to believe that it would've been better to continue some form of creative expression along with motherhood, in as much as I could've. Although hindsight doesn't allow me to go backwards, it does help me go forward and use art to discover more about myself and my world.
Read
April 28, 2016I read it in one sitting, which is saying something considering that reading exacerbates my nausea at the moment :-P
I want to copy some quotes that leapt out at me and which I want to remember for my work:
"Emotion is a physical experience. When we are physically unaware, we have limited access to our emotions. Paying attention to how our body feels and adjusting our movements to create the most enjoyable sensation helps to increase our access. We shut off access to our emotions because of experiences of fear in our lives. By gently listening to our bodily cues and responding to them with small adjustments, we create trust in ourselves." p. 29
"Images that are necessary to us come in all sorts of ways, for the soul never tires of trying to make itself known." p. 33
"Patient waiting is sometimes a big part of image making, just resting in not knowing and trusting that eventually, if I maintain my connection to a piece and don't abandon it, resolution will eventually come." p. 35
"We owe it to the world to be as alive as we can, to give what is unique in us to give. Art is a way of knowing our gift and learning how to give it." p. 50
"They weren't crazy, although Jung especially seemed to realize that there is risk in images. It's not a process of total control. He talked about the need for stable supports in a regular life to anchor himself when he lowered down in the unconscious." p. 66
"This seeing without recoiling is what undoes judgment, I think. If I look long enough, can I get to forgiveness? . . . He is an informed witness who knows something about dark and light and shadow. He knows and I come to know that everything is about dark and light and shadow. There is no use in denying one or the other." p. 108
"Considering pain as an image that comes through the boy allows us to consider different solutions besides simply taking painkilling medicine. Focusing directly on the pain, having the experience rather than running from it, is often a more successful solution to pain relief." p. 125
"Change, like any other dying, is harder than it looks." p. 169
I want to copy some quotes that leapt out at me and which I want to remember for my work:
"Emotion is a physical experience. When we are physically unaware, we have limited access to our emotions. Paying attention to how our body feels and adjusting our movements to create the most enjoyable sensation helps to increase our access. We shut off access to our emotions because of experiences of fear in our lives. By gently listening to our bodily cues and responding to them with small adjustments, we create trust in ourselves." p. 29
"Images that are necessary to us come in all sorts of ways, for the soul never tires of trying to make itself known." p. 33
"Patient waiting is sometimes a big part of image making, just resting in not knowing and trusting that eventually, if I maintain my connection to a piece and don't abandon it, resolution will eventually come." p. 35
"We owe it to the world to be as alive as we can, to give what is unique in us to give. Art is a way of knowing our gift and learning how to give it." p. 50
"They weren't crazy, although Jung especially seemed to realize that there is risk in images. It's not a process of total control. He talked about the need for stable supports in a regular life to anchor himself when he lowered down in the unconscious." p. 66
"This seeing without recoiling is what undoes judgment, I think. If I look long enough, can I get to forgiveness? . . . He is an informed witness who knows something about dark and light and shadow. He knows and I come to know that everything is about dark and light and shadow. There is no use in denying one or the other." p. 108
"Considering pain as an image that comes through the boy allows us to consider different solutions besides simply taking painkilling medicine. Focusing directly on the pain, having the experience rather than running from it, is often a more successful solution to pain relief." p. 125
"Change, like any other dying, is harder than it looks." p. 169
February 5, 2016
"If you commit yourself to art as a way of knowing, a point will come when certain images appear which are "numinous" or spirit-filled. These images are signposts into the depths of yourself." I quote art therapist Ms. Allen because there on page 87 and in other places, I so agreed with her whole take on what it is like to be an artist.
I could not relate to her own art published herein as well as I could with her words and Jungian slant on excavating from deep within to bare one's soul in art. Ms. Allen mixes memoir with art exercises and her spiritual take on creativity. This book is a keeper for me. Interestingly for me as a collage artist, the book explores archetypal territories I have encountered in SoulCollage, a movement introduced by Seena Frost with her book published 2001. Since Art is a Way of Knowing was published in 1995, predating SoulCollage, perhaps it just goes to show the universality of using images to break boundaries and make spiritual discoveries. It also reminded me of The Artist's Way series of books by Julia Cameron.
"Our personal myth is so deeply embedded in us that it is difficult to see, yet we live out of it every day. Our myth is what generates the patterns of our behavior, how we respond to others, our expectations of life. Our patterns are repeated in ways small and large throughout our existence. Noticing our patterns, without judging or struggling to change them, is part of image work." - page 118
I could not relate to her own art published herein as well as I could with her words and Jungian slant on excavating from deep within to bare one's soul in art. Ms. Allen mixes memoir with art exercises and her spiritual take on creativity. This book is a keeper for me. Interestingly for me as a collage artist, the book explores archetypal territories I have encountered in SoulCollage, a movement introduced by Seena Frost with her book published 2001. Since Art is a Way of Knowing was published in 1995, predating SoulCollage, perhaps it just goes to show the universality of using images to break boundaries and make spiritual discoveries. It also reminded me of The Artist's Way series of books by Julia Cameron.
"Our personal myth is so deeply embedded in us that it is difficult to see, yet we live out of it every day. Our myth is what generates the patterns of our behavior, how we respond to others, our expectations of life. Our patterns are repeated in ways small and large throughout our existence. Noticing our patterns, without judging or struggling to change them, is part of image work." - page 118
December 22, 2016
This book gave me understanding of the real depth of art therapy. Those who expect that art therapy is pleasant and gay activity for housewives will be dissapointed, as facing inner self through image is not always pleasant. Pat Allen, the author of this book, finds courage to face her demones with the help of her art. She talks about everything: crisis in career, parent`s alcoholism, fear of becoming a mother, and tries to deal with all these by making sculptures, analyzing, painting, and digging deep. For many these images would seem awkward and puzzling, but for the author they serve as milestones in her journey to self. In this journey the author learns to be brave, fearless, and honest. Thus, the book becomes a real guidebook for those who think that their stories can be told in images, the most ancient and the most effective means of communication of humanity.
July 16, 2008
I only read half of this book, but my impression of it is that it was very good...for someone else. It's essentially a self-help book about how to self-administer art therapy, rather than how to seriously make a habit of making good art, which is what I was looking for. This woman makes really cheesy art, and it's hard for me to respect that, however therapeutic it may be.
January 21, 2016
just finished my third reading of it - each time I get more from it.
February 24, 2020
Books on art therapy that I've read before feature and examine the art of the author's patients. The authors/therapists interpret the art in light of the patients' experiences that were shared in therapy sessions from the perspective of an "objective" outsider. Those books are written for fellow art therapists.
This book features and examines the art and experiences of the author herself, who shares her subjective story in a memoir fashion. While she is an experienced art therapist and a professor, this is not a book on clinical practice. This book is intended for any person who wants to use "image making" to better know and heal themselves.
The basic techniques are explained in the first few chapters of the book, and from then on we follow the author's journey from the most formative experiences of her childhood (most important of them being her mother's death), through her art school education, to discovering art therapy and becoming a therapist and a well-respected university professor. Over the chapters we can see how the author's own practice revealed her struggles and helped her move through them. I found those stories and commentary more interesting than the techniques themselves, which are quite simple anyway. Despite her art training, most of her therapeutic images are raw and childlike. I think this confirms the point that anyone can do this, regardless of their lack of training, because it's not about skill and aesthetics. It's about letting the dreams and visions take (even the simplest) physical form so we can confront them, live with them, and take in their wisdom over time. (Because dreams and imaginative visions fade very quickly.)
I think I will re-read this one, or at least parts of it.
This book features and examines the art and experiences of the author herself, who shares her subjective story in a memoir fashion. While she is an experienced art therapist and a professor, this is not a book on clinical practice. This book is intended for any person who wants to use "image making" to better know and heal themselves.
The basic techniques are explained in the first few chapters of the book, and from then on we follow the author's journey from the most formative experiences of her childhood (most important of them being her mother's death), through her art school education, to discovering art therapy and becoming a therapist and a well-respected university professor. Over the chapters we can see how the author's own practice revealed her struggles and helped her move through them. I found those stories and commentary more interesting than the techniques themselves, which are quite simple anyway. Despite her art training, most of her therapeutic images are raw and childlike. I think this confirms the point that anyone can do this, regardless of their lack of training, because it's not about skill and aesthetics. It's about letting the dreams and visions take (even the simplest) physical form so we can confront them, live with them, and take in their wisdom over time. (Because dreams and imaginative visions fade very quickly.)
I think I will re-read this one, or at least parts of it.
April 3, 2022
I did like the book but I was a bit disappointed. I started this book just as the pandemic was starting. I was looking for activities that would be good for my nerves system. I enjoyed the exercises some I knew because I do them in my spiritual practice. What I found challenging was the exercises how they were placed in the book. Yes the exercises were at the end of each chapter but there was no heading to indicate when the author was starting to go into the exercise. Also the instructions for the exercises are very wordy so I don’t think this book would work well as an audio book.
April 12, 2021
This book has true guiding wisdom. Art as a pathway and medium of self expression/creative expression. Pat Allen highlights the power of paying attention to what's going on inside and attending to images, symbols. Art is the process of letting the images come forth and be known so that they can teach us, guide us, heal us. I refer to this book often! Her own story makes the process of knowing through art concrete and personal.
January 16, 2022
I read this in university for an Art Therapy class I was in, but I don’t think I really gave it my all at the time. Revisiting it now has been fruitful, there are a lot of no pressure exercises that I look forward to using to get creative when I feel stuck, want to get into a flow mindset, or want to let go of anxiety or depression.
July 8, 2018
Pat Allen draws on her own experience in artistic practice and uses it to bridge the space between projects to try and making sense of what the artistic self has to express, between image and archetype (drawing a bit on Jung, of course).
October 11, 2023
This book is not a guide to self knowledge but more the authors own self analysis of her own ‘active Imagination’ art works and as such is a complete waste of time. I found it tedious and it smacked of self obsession.
October 2, 2024
Im enjoying rounding out my art therapy education with some of these para-academic texts. This one was helpful to kind of see/experience a personal trajectory through/around the career, just in thinking about what I want my life to look like going forward
November 7, 2017
This book served as research for my personal project and gave me some really great ideas and provided a foundation to continue on its path.
April 17, 2018
this book helped me a lot as I struggled with my identity as a non-selling artist.
September 11, 2019
Me encanta!!! Ahora a seguir los tips!!! Para leerlo muchas veces
June 12, 2023
love love love, great book for anyone interested in art therapy.
try the witness intention, very open way to respond to art making.
try the witness intention, very open way to respond to art making.
February 10, 2025
encouraged me to draw again.
December 12, 2022
Oh this book. It felt like a warm hug. I kept writing down quotes. I loved it so much. I gave me a framework to explore and a new perspective to push myself further with my creative. It also has a structure for how to get started. It felt more like a personal class from Pat. Highly recommend.
June 23, 2011
Gift from my daughter Kari and friend, Damin.
Kari participates in Open Studio workshops developed and led by the author.
I will use it not only for art making, but to support a memoir theme. I'm writing about images and imagination. Taking off from an idea in "Pictures of the Mind", by Miriam Bolyen-Fitzgerald, I suggest a balance between art making and creative writing. More than a balance between right brain/left brain, use multiple dimensions of knowing to train the mind. My potential audience extends from family to those facing memory loss from "normal aging" and the possible onset of Alzheimer's disease.
After a quick read, I got back to work drawing images from imagination and other deep resources. To get the full benefit of the open studio concept, I think a workshop facilitator is important. I am self-taught in most concepts like this. Uninstructed Life Drawing sessions, for example, are fantastic, especially working together closely with experienced professional artists. Images come out of those one-minute, five-minute, and twenty-minute poses that go beyond right-brain/left-brain balancing. A relationship opens between the model and me, and if a conversation develops with other artists, deeper emotions emerge. A facilitator trained in depth pyschology, as well as art therapy, takes it to a higher level.
You can't always get what you want. Don't put this off for lack of a facilitator.
Kari participates in Open Studio workshops developed and led by the author.
I will use it not only for art making, but to support a memoir theme. I'm writing about images and imagination. Taking off from an idea in "Pictures of the Mind", by Miriam Bolyen-Fitzgerald, I suggest a balance between art making and creative writing. More than a balance between right brain/left brain, use multiple dimensions of knowing to train the mind. My potential audience extends from family to those facing memory loss from "normal aging" and the possible onset of Alzheimer's disease.
After a quick read, I got back to work drawing images from imagination and other deep resources. To get the full benefit of the open studio concept, I think a workshop facilitator is important. I am self-taught in most concepts like this. Uninstructed Life Drawing sessions, for example, are fantastic, especially working together closely with experienced professional artists. Images come out of those one-minute, five-minute, and twenty-minute poses that go beyond right-brain/left-brain balancing. A relationship opens between the model and me, and if a conversation develops with other artists, deeper emotions emerge. A facilitator trained in depth pyschology, as well as art therapy, takes it to a higher level.
You can't always get what you want. Don't put this off for lack of a facilitator.
March 12, 2016
This is the book that first thrilled me to the field of art therapy. It is not an art therapy textbook though! Allen's approach is extremely person. She guides the reader through a series of encounters with art materials and exploration, and shares her own journey, and her own artwork, along the way. Her stories act as an illustration of the art-psychology she offers, and she proves to us that the technique of psychoanalytic therapy through art can be done on one's own. No need for a therapist; be your own!
Importantly, Allen coaches the reader to let go of any self-criticism that might come up, or any blockage that might be there in the creation of artwork, or (especially) any need to figure out what the work "means". There really is no "artistic ability" required, and this should encourage anyone working on the process of individuation to let go and explore art and unconscious imagery. I personally was amazed at what came from the process over time.
Importantly, Allen coaches the reader to let go of any self-criticism that might come up, or any blockage that might be there in the creation of artwork, or (especially) any need to figure out what the work "means". There really is no "artistic ability" required, and this should encourage anyone working on the process of individuation to let go and explore art and unconscious imagery. I personally was amazed at what came from the process over time.
September 27, 2011
I would recommend it for an art therapy class or if you're definitely interested in techniques related to art therapy, but maybe not so much if you just want something to casually pick up and read. There are a lot of personal references the author makes so it's not so much of a textbook, but she also goes into detail about different ideas for art-making, which I didn't particularly like. She also goes into a lot of detail about her own work career which put me off. However, it did lead me to realize how much I need to get my priorities together and figure out exactly what I'm striving to do career-wise!
July 7, 2010
The ideas for art-making presented in this book are helpful, and there are some great individual passages. As a whole, however, I found the author's many, many wordy descriptions of her own art to be quite tedious. I would have liked it as a more focused instruction book rather than the half-hearted blend of memoir it is.
February 5, 2017
Made it about 3/4 of the way before I skimmed the final pages of the book. I wanted to like it, but this book was simply not for me. I didn't feel a connection to the author, and didn't realize this book was primarily a memoir. As weird as this may sound, it felt negative/depressive and left me feeling drained.
February 23, 2010
An absolute must for anyone wanting to engage in self knowledge. Art making may seem as though it isn't for you, maybe, but there is so much to tap in to with this experience. Her voice validated my own recent process and I highly recommend reading this book!
February 6, 2013
This book addresses both process and personal experience along with suggested projects for discovery. I have done one of the projects, a drawing and will most likely attempt at least one of each media. Very enjoyable, very easy to read and compelling.
November 11, 2007
It seems like a good book for those who are into art therapy. It suggests methods of self discovery through art.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews