The Creative Path: A View from the Studio on the Making of Art

by Carolyn Dobkin Schlam

Demystifying the creative process. The Creative Path is an inquiry into the creative process from philosophical, psychological, spiritual, and practical points of view. In this welcoming work on the creative process, Carolyn Schlam encourages the reader to embark upon his or her own journey of discovery, identity, and wonder through art. The author started her career in art under the tutelage of master teacher Norman Raeben in the Carnegie Hall Studios in New York. Raeben's students included Bob Dylan, who said of "He put my mind and my hand and my eye together, in a way that allowed me to do consciously what I unconsciously felt." Schlam's warm and inviting tone speaks directly to her readers, encouraging them to energize their practice and offering the tools to do so. Chapters discuss the meaning of inspiration, intention, talent, authenticity, and many other aspects of art creation. Included in The Creative Path Six lectures by Norman Raeben with commentary by the author Exercises designed to strengthen readers' creative muscles Analysis of aesthetic criteria Reflections on the artist's role in society Discussion of the mindset required to make art a life path A celebration of creativity, this inspirational book examines why we make art. Though it makes primary reference to visual art, The Creative Path will resonate with all creative practitioners, whatever their chosen discipline.

Genres: Art, Audiobook, Nonfiction

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2018

Reviews

[Jenny Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Available on Audible Plus until 10/14/2025**

[Antonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly engaging and inspiring and full of great suggestions. I listened to the audio and loved it. I wanted to start over as soon as I finished it, but also wanted to write down or highlight or somehow save many ideas, things to try in my own painting. So I immediately ordered the paperback. This is a book I will return to again and again. I think it would be appropriate for any artist at any stage on the creative path and the creative life.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE CREATIVE PATH is a Map out of Creative Ruts
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...

I voluntarily reviewed an advance readers copy of this book. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinions presented herein are my own except as noted

I am currently, for once, not in a creative rut in my painting. But, I love to listen to books that might give me insight into the artistic process, and my own artistic process. I have been painting for over 25 years, and there is always a new approach to help me move into a direction that will lead to better work.

For me, “better” is not the same as “pretty.” Of course, a good painting needs to have visual interest but the most important part of art is a sense of the genuine; it needs sincerity. This writer and artist “gets it.” At first I was put off because she was quoting the Bible. But, I realized it was looking at creation mythology in regards to being creative.

Schlam does spend quite a bit of time talking about her private artistic training with Norman Raeben. Some may think this is a bit boastful, but she provides several examples of how her teacher pushed her to be a better artist. And, she got so much from this teacher – it must have been a great fit.

Schlam looks at different types disciplines of artists: like abstract and realistic, and offers ways of breaking out of a rut, or if no rut is evident then, expand and challenge ourselves. And, we all need to constantly challenge ourselves (not just artists). My art is about challenging and learning about myself. This writer spoke directly to my creative process.

I especially like how she spoke about how being an artist is not something you put away at five o’clock in the evening. Art is what you are about not just what you do.

Although we had a rocky start this book and I ended up getting along really well. I found Marlo’s narration sincere and enthusiastic. I thought the book was so helpful that I got it for my painting teacher. I recommend this for any artist who feels the need for a boost.

[Cori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of books in this genre about the creative process what it is how to do it why to do it, inspiration, etc.… This is one of the very best I’ve read. Of course there’s overlap in all of these books, but in this one the author explores parts of the process not touched on in others and gives more detail, philosophically and technically regarding overlap topics. Highly recommend this book.

[Rhiley Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful and sweet take on the process of artistic creativity, but I wish the author had included the use of social media and technology in today's perception of art. I honestly thought this book was written in the early 2000's because of the lack of social media commentary, but apparently it was written in 2017 which is a bit confusing. I would have liked it more had it delved into that.

[Roberta Westwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable!

In her early years, Carolyn Schlam honed her skills as an artist in classes with Norman Raeben. In daily classes in a New York studio, this talented and passionate artist shared his wisdom.

It is six of Raeben’s lectures that form the basis for this book. Throughout, Schlam shares her experiences and reflections. The result is an inspiring and entertaining foray into the artists’ world.

Disappointingly, the chapters in the audiobook are not labelled, marked simply as Chapter 1-11. Knowing that the book contains 6 lectures, how would I find them? As a minimum, clearly labeled chapters would help. At best, a PDF accompaniment is called for, containing not only a table of contents but a few photographs of Norman Raeben, his art, number of his quotes and key terminology.

This is compounded by the fact that the same narrator is used for both the author’s voice, and Raeben’s lectures, so I often never really understood whose voice I was listening to. I am sure this worked well in print, but instead of just listening to the narrator I found not knowing where I was a bit of a distraction.

Having said all that, this is still a fantastic book, and I am giving it a 5 star review.

By sharing her experiences as one of Raeben’s students, Schlam gives us precious insight into the world as he saw it. There were so many ideas about how to change up one’s artistic endeavours, so as to not get stuck doing one thing, and how to find inspiration. This is on top of all the techniques that were spoken about.

Here is a chapter guide I pulled together from the audiobook, outlining the three parts, and where to find the lectures:

Opening
1. Introduction

Raeben Lectures (Chs. 2–7)
2. Inspiration ← Norman Raeben Lecture 1
3. Your Instrument ← Norman Raeben Lecture 2
4. Intention ← Norman Raeben Lecture 3
5. Ways and Means ← Norman Raeben Lecture 4
6. Truth and Beauty ← Norman Raeben Lecture 5
7. Commitment ← Norman Raeben Lecture 6

Closing Reflections
The final chapters (8–11) expand on Schlam’s own insights into living creatively and sustaining an artist’s practice.


Here’s the audiobook edition I drew from in my Audible library:

The Creative Path: A View from the Studio on the Making of Art
WRITTEN BY Carolyn Schlam
NARRATED BY Coleen Marlo
RELEASE DATE 2018-05-15
FORMAT Unabridged Audiobook
LENGTH 5 hrs and 33 mins
PUBLISHER Tantor Media

[Speranta · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It is a grievous mistake not to try new things out of fear, fear of somehow losing your way.

I will tell you a secret. There is no way you can be anything other than yourself. No matter how hard you try to do things differently, it will still be you doing it. You will develop your style no matter what you do. But if you're more adventurous and really branch out, let yourself try many new approaches, techniques and attitudes, you will get to the same you, but your work will be more interesting and more developed, less cliched and fearful.

The more you give up on your likes and dislikes, your prejudices, biases, assumptions, conclusions, judgements, in other words, the more open you are, the more you you will be and the more individual your work will become. You will not make your art. Rather, you will arrive at it. "

[Pixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because im having an art crisis and am looking for various types of input on the making of art. My brain needs some new material to chew on in order to move on i think. This book did give me that! Both Carolyn and the teacher Norman she references a lot have a ton of insightful things to say about painting. I really like the exercises at the end of the chapters and plan to do at least some of them.
The downside for me is that it gets spiritual and mystical occasionally. This is the case with a lot of art content, so im used to just taking with me what i can use and leave the mysticism behind. Still, i dont think it was too bad. The majority of the book was useful to me and I would definitely recommend it to artists anywhere in their journey.

[Alexa]

Read this as research for a personal project of mine.

The first half was filled with more tidbits I wrote down for reference, but the last 100 pages or so was a bit general so I found it dull. I can't decide what star rating to give it either.

[Arienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent book for helping someone find their inner creativity, but it's pretty slow.