Art as a Way: A Return to the Spiritual Roots [B2153]

1981 PB (11x8.5) in nice clean condition with minor cover wear. Franck offers a spiritual celebration and examination of art, illuminating the aesthetics of artists and philosophers as well as presenting his own drawings.

Excerpted from the back: This book is an act of faith in art as an integral part of the spiritual journey, by Frederick Franck, bestselling author of the The Zen of Seeing and The Awakened Eye. He says: "For me a book is not just a typescript! I want to make it an integrated work of art! In the hope to make it speak person-to-person, I write the final version by hand, go through a thousand drawings to choose the ones that will 'fit'. One of these becomes the cover, but none of them is an 'illustration', for all are the fruit of 'seeing/drawing', the discipline I do not only preach but practice! I hope this book will renew the vision of those, who, misled by our consumer society, have come to see the art as mere ornamentation of life, as a luxury, estranged from our human destiny."

From Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "I need to reread this, to better take in Frederick Franck's ideas on drawing as a form of meditation, art as hope, the experience of seeing the world as opposed to looking at it, of losing your sense of self as you draw the subject in front of you, as a form of religion. His handwriting is a bit tough to interpret sometimes, his prose maybe a little snooty here and there, but there's something here that really resonates with me and with how I view art as a part of my life as a human being. His own drawings are beautiful as well, not the most technically accomplished, not what you'd call finished, but clearly drawn from life in a way that reminds me of my love for figure drawing."; "Art As A Way informs us as to the pure way, the authentic way of being, seeing, drawing and how when achieved we can become illuminated by all things. A piece of paper and a pencil are all you need to have a conversation with a beautiful scene or object in nature. This practice will bit by bit reveal the hidden core of your being."; "A Masterpiece. This book is filled with beauty and wisdom. Franck is an authentic guide on the spiritual path and shows us how drawing can lead us to the Truth. I find this to be an unique perspective. In his beautifully illustrated book, he boldly confronts much of the art world as driven by egotism. This humble man has brought meaning and renewed enthusiasm to my art. After reading this book you may want to put down your mobile device, grab your sketch book and find peace for yourself and our world!"