Life, Paint and Passion: Reclaiming the Magic of Spontaneous

by Michele Cassou, Stewart Cubley

Life, Paint And Passion is a deeply involving approach to using the creative process as a tool for self-discovery. With vibrant and contagious enthusiasm, the authors liberate the reader's urge to create freely and spontaneously, as a painter or an artist in another medium, purely for the process of exploration, not for result.

With eloquence and simplicity, the authors encourage the reader to journey inward toward his or her authentic self and discover the unique intuition awaiting there. It is this intuition that provides all the tools the reader needs to crumble the barrier between the innermost self and its uncensored manifestation.

Through lively interviews with students, the authors explore painting as a practice that facilitates the ecstasy of unfettered expression. With simple brushes, a few dishes of paint, and this book, the reader will be able to coax the hidden self out of the heart and onto a paper.

Life, Paint And Passion is the result of nearly thirty years of intensive work with the painting process. It provides powerful insights into the act of creation, a solid base for facing and transcending creative blocks, and brings fresh perceptions and healing to life.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Psychology, Mental Health, Spirituality

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 3, 1996

Reviews

[Kat Klavon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, and gleaned a lot of good tools about intuitive painting process. I highly recommend it! I will probably go back and read parts again for inspiration.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book twice all the way through, and continue to enjoy dipping into it. It's all about the process painting technique developed by Michele Cassou and Stewart Cubley (I've taken a workshop from Stewart at Esalen), a wonderful way to surface unconscious feelings. More about psychology than art - fabulous.

[Tristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can easily say that this book changed my life. Michele Cassou's work is so powerful and reading this book and taking some workshops based on the book kickstarted my creative life in a major way.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this lively, intuitive book, the aliveness of the creative ‘process’ through authentic self-expression instead of a focus upon an end ‘product’ is encouraged: ‘To create is to move into the unknown-to move into the mystery of yourself, to have feeling, to awaken buried perceptions, to be alive and free without worrying about the result.’

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like to paint but do not consider yourself a painter this book is a must! If you are a painter and struggle with creative blocks, this book is for you! If you just want to read a really good book on creativity that does not get super heady, this book is for sure just for you! I was so happy to have found this book while attending a retreat and it has provided so much insight I definitely see myself reading it again.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paint using your feelings, learn to let go and just do it. Don't over think what you're doing, don't plan, just pick up your brush, pick a colour and let the brush lead you to where it wants to go. It can be done, I've been in that zone when drawing, unfortunately it takes practice and work to learn to relax. Hmmm work on learning to relax, hard to do for most people I think. A good enough read though, worth reading and giving the process a try.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sat on my bookshelf unread until I took one of his workshops. I am continually amazed that the energy invested in process painting during that class has continued to change me even 7 years later.

[Maranda Cromwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Healy-feely to the point of condescending... But some of the exercises and tips for painting are good.

[Kerfe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I pulled this book out of a box, with no memory of how or why I acquired it. The premise seemed good--I'm always saying that anyone can make art, that we are too self-limiting and judgmental. And this book does make that point well. Over and over and over again.

There is really only enough material here for an essay. The book is packed with repetitive affirmations, too much filler.

Yes, anyone can paint. Yes, you should not be afraid to fail--be curious, try new things. But that does not make everything you do wonderful. No one always makes wonderful things, no matter how much talent they may have. It's those expectations we need to get rid of, the idea of constant perfection, the fear of doing things wrong.

Nor does the exploration of anything necessarily preclude taking what you've discovered and using discipline to refine it. Why is technique bad? Knowing technique can free you to go beyond it and open yourself to something different, new.

There are a lot of inspirational quotes, too, many from Rumi, the current bard of the self-improvement world. Not that many of his words aren't wise, but his voice and viewpoint are not the only valid way to hold up a mirror to who we are, who we could be.

[Sam Daab · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was introduced to this book by a teacher of this method, and took a class with her at the beginning of last year. I wish I had read the book prior to the class, as I feel I would have had a better personal understanding of the process, even though the instructor was great. I’m glad to have read this book a year later nonetheless, as the messages of following feelings (different from emotions) and painting with freedom but not carelessness are poignant reminders of what engaging in this process truly means. After reading it, I’m excited to return again to my paintings.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, insightful guide to help tap your creativity and spontaneously express your feelings. The creativity is actually the process of painting, letting instinct take over and paint what comes forth, not the finished product. Paint for yourself, not for others.

I picked this book up because I am interested in following the process. This has inspired me to follow through with my interest.

[Robyn Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

A way of looking at the painting process and forgetting the process in order to tap into true creativity. Many personable examples and motivating quotes. Will definitely reread this several times.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I share my review of this book in a video - https://youtu.be/wUbBpS_2aeA

[Julie Belmont · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a comprehensive exploration of the creative mind and process which goes beyond creativity. It gives a different and valued perspective to allow the creative freedom to discover the artists' true self without judgment. The authors' guidance gives permission to be free to express the artists' creative urges without censorship. This book contains valuable tools that can be integrated at any stage of your creative journey.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I keep revisiting this book because I love her (and his) thoughts about painting and teaching creativity. This way of painting really works and I appreciate her for going out on a limb to teach in this way. If you are not into art, you probably don't want to pick this one up.

[Cheryl Goveia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I don't have my studio up and working, I was unable to really get into this book and try out some of her approaches. I'd like to read it again at a later date...the case studies were interesting.

[Sooz · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me because it is about a woman who leads groups in "process painting" ... that is, painting as a way to connect to something within. A good topic and one that I have participated in, but I didn't finish the book because I wasn't sure it had anything new to offer me.

[Jill Bakke]

The forward says it all -- "anyone wanting to create should read it." I am in process of researching creativity (again as was a major emphasis all my life) and found this to have some excellent material even for those who THINK they know all about creativity.

[Noni Kaufman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reminders about painting and other forms of expression initiating out of the inner voice and feeling state.

[Nancy Canyon]

Fabulous for learning to paint without fear.

[Denidevine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational....

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Healed me of the ravages of growing up in world that values product over living.

[Melinda Dalke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Book if you need to learn how to open
up and just paint.

[Don]

It was a very interesting book. Since I paint and sometimes I have a block and can't come up with something new this approach is different. I am going to give it a try. Enjoyed the paintings in the middle of the book.