Deborah J. Haynes
The preface went into why Dr. Haynes decided to write the book - it is a manifesto of her beliefs and values that she is not trying to push onto anyone, but has decided to write them to help others think about how one becomes an artist and about creativity. She has written it for several different types of audiences, such as those who are looking for new inspiration or those who are scholarly. She divided the book into three sections, forming a mind, disciplining the body, and cultivating spirit. Then she went into some detail about her past, to give us some background.
The first chapter ("The Artist") focused on the word artist and all of its associated meanings and how it can be attributed to different people by different cultures and philosophies.
The second chapter ("Aesthetic Education") focused on not just traditional education, but all kinds of education including self-teaching and apprenticeship that can begin as early as before we learn to read and write. She delved into what she believes are the five ingredients to education.
1. Learning how to write: through writing we learn more about ourselves.
2. Develop a relationship to a tradition: that is learn about cultures and history; history is important to understanding why we are the way we are today.
3. Technical skills and knowledge of materials: know what you will be working with and take the time to learn it.
4. Contemporary cultural theory: enter into the dialogue and understand how the creative process and trends are changing.
5. Know your audience: learn about them so you are able to reach them through your work.
The third chapter ("School") simply explained the important role different institutions played in the authors journey to becoming an artist, writer and professor at University.
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