The Artist Date
The Artist Date was first suggested by Julia Cameron in her book The Artists Way. The premise is, after ridding your mind of worries, ruminations and thoughts by writing morning pages, taking yourself on an Artist Date is a way to fill your creative well back up with inspiration. This date could be anything: a museum, a walk in nature, a meal at restaurant with cuisine you've never tried, but the main point is to look at everything with a childlike wonder with no goals in mind.
Julia suggests you do these activities alone once a week. I've never been one to eat in a restaurant or go to an event on my own, and as an social introvert I prefer to do these things with others, and have my quiet alone time at home. But these dates have encouraged me to see the world through my own eyes, without the influence of the other people I'm with or the distraction of my dog running after a squirrel.
I've just recently started reading this book, borrowed from my good friend, Susan, even though it's been around for a few decades. I highly recommend it. She uses the term “god” often in this book and I suggest you use your own definition of god whether that be a religious view or a universal energy or creative force. She in fact suggests that you use whatever terms you are comfortable with.
I've had a few Artist Dates over the past few months, some were mediocre at best, and some were quite revealing and inspiring. This was part of the learning process: to find what inspires and fills up your creative well. On my last artist date the the North Carolina Museum of Art, I was barely able to keep up with the ideas for new work popping into my head by noting them in my journal.
LIGHT OF LIFE by Yayoi Kusama
How to plan Your Artist Date
- Make a list of things you love to do, or are rejuvenating or inspiring.
- Block it out on your Calendar. This is so important!
- Go on your date alone. No other people or animals.
- Be sure to take a journal or notebook with you for any ideas that come up on your date.
Taking ourselves on dates seems to be a wonderful way to treat ourselves well, whether we are artists or not.
Do you take yourself on Artist Dates? What are your favorite activities?
I would love to hear your experiences with this.
Best, Lana
PS: I believe all humans are creative by nature. More on that subject later.
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