FROM THE MEAN STREETS TO SELF-REALIZATION

An Artist Empowered

"An Artist Empowered is an intriguing book that uses real-life anecdotes, thought-provoking reflections, and humorous insights to explore how to create and lead a life worth living. The powerful and timeless principles make this an evocative page-turner. Read it and reap."

—Sam Horn, author of POP! Stand Out in any Crowd and Tongue Fu!®

"Eden Maxwell reminds us that the Creator is the source of all talent and fulfillment, which he makes clear in his entertaining and insightful chapter: Mozart or Muzak."

—Al Kasha, Academy Award-winning composer, songwriter

"This is a wonderful book that both encourages and surprises. Perfect for all creative people, wherever they may be along their path."

—Eric Maisel, Ph.D., Creativity for Life

"The main theme of An Artist Empowered runs parallel with making it as a true adventurer. Adventure, like art, is its own reward. If you're good enough, true enough, robust enough, monetary reward can follow because people recognise the integrity in your work. Honesty and belief in who we are and what we do must prevail, and this is what Eden Maxwell's book encourages. It's a perfect reference for anyone, not just artists, desiring to affirm their individuality."

—Eric Philips, explorer / author, Ice Trek: A Journey to the South Pole

"Eden Maxwell is a brilliant and passionate artist who has explored, challenged, and mastered every facet of the creative process . . . from the trenches to the mountaintops, it’s all here: a powerful and pragmatic textbook for artists of every age and stage of development; a virtual how-to for creators embarking on the spiritual voyage of a lifetime."

—Mary Anne Bartley, Artist-in-Residence: Villanova University, WHYY, PBS

"Eden Maxwell--a man of soul who is intent on integrating art, passion, writing, dharma, character, consciousness, culture, intuition, evolution, and the spirit--finds a wonderful home for all these concerns of heart and mind in this breakout book. An Artist Empowered is, indeed, a triumph over rejection and a 435-page primer for creators as promised on the cover . . . It's simply a magnificent achievement."

—Janet Grace Riehl, author / poet, Sightlines: A Poet's Diary

"An Artist Empowered uniquely encourages artists to persevere despite rejection, making this book a welcome addition to any art student's reference library."

—Sharon Steuer, artist / author, The Adobe Illustrator CS3 WOW! Book

"An Artist Empowered is a passionate and persuasive work of altruism. Eden Maxwell bares his soul to carry ours through the tumultuous trials of becoming a true artist … Eden has crafted a beacon for all of us who seek to light our creative soul."

—Shari Cheves, designer / innovator

"Eden Maxwell's delightfully rich book, An Artist Empowered, is a unique and fresh excursion on the artist's battle with rejection and represents the fruit of years of personal experience and considered reflection. Drawing from a diversity of resources and filled with clear and practical examples, it offers holistic encouragement and strength to those who aspire to create -- a 'star to every wand'ring bark' whose worth is simply invaluable."

—Emanuel E. Garcia, MD, poet / author, Chairman of Psychiatry, Hutt Hospital

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Eden Maxwell (painter, writer, and kiteflier of some note) grew up in the hood of the inner city and fought his way out of the projects to find his walking shoes; he recalls: “Many years ago, with no net, guarantees, or a rich uncle, I gave up the ‘security’ of a promising Fortune 500 fast track position, health insurance, stock option plans, weekend brunches, and a doorman for an unpredictable life of what seemed at the time insurmountable obstacles. My intuition, not a muse, had been whispering the mantra: go for it … some day something of value will come. Like the main character in the book Shoeless Joe by W.P. Kinsella (adapted into the film Field of Dreams), I had also bet the ‘farm’ on a disembodied voice only I could hear. Those close to me thought I was making a huge career mistake. If you don’t have faith in your own dream, then what’s the point?”

Maxwell was born to holocaust survivors in a displaced persons (DP) camp outside Munich, Germany after World War Two. His formative years were on the mean streets—a battle zone that attempted to block his path toward right action and right livelihood. He quickly learned to be decisive, to walk the walk knowing that excuses were not an option. Those early on life threatening confrontations in the hood forged his innate sense of self, a survival trait he needed then and now—to persevere as an artist. With a fire in the belly, Maxwell had embarked on a nearly thirty-year long odyssey to discover that his dharma, his purpose in life, dwelt in the wellspring of art.

He is the bestselling author of Kiteworks and The Magnificent Book of Kites, Sterling Publishing, NYC; and he has contributed to numerous publications, including: Popular Science, Omni, MacUser, Art Calendar Magazine, the Drachen Foundation Journal, and the Encyclopædia Britannica. His artwork is in private collections here and abroad.