“But what exactly is an artist date? An artist date is a block of time, perhaps two hours weekly, especially set aside and committed to nurturing your creative consciousness, your inner artist. In its most primary form, an artist date is an excursion, a play date . . . You do not take anyone on this artist date but you and your inner artist, a.k.a. your creative child.”
(Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way)
julia speaks of “two pivotal tools in creative recovery.”
the morning pages and the artist date.
i have written morning pages faithfully for close to two years.
(though not always in the morning!)
but i have not always honored that crucial time feeding the muse.
the important second piece to the puzzle of creative spark.
“You are likely to find yourself avoiding your artist dates. Doing your morning pages, you are sending – notifying yourself and the universe of your dreams, dissatisfactions, hopes. Doing your artist date, you are receiving – opening yourself to insight, inspiration, guidance . . . Your artist needs to be taken out, pampered, and listened to.”
julia further points out that in the morning pages, step one,
we identify problem areas and concerns.
in step two, the artist date,
we begin to hear solutions.
so i treated myself to an artist date last saturday afternoon.
a planned excursion to the neighboring town.
because of recent events, i awoke that day feeling many different emotions.
anticipation, relief, sadness, anger, pride, excitement, contentment, confusion.
it was a perfect day to explore the mysterious lessons behind my wildly fluctuating mood.
i began with a delicious grilled cheese/huckleberry sandwich and a cappuccino.
i love this restaurant.
the food, the staff, the ambience.
(and now the recently added espresso options!)
after a leisurely late lunch and some treasured unrushed writing,
i moved on . . .
to a magical antique and tea shop.
i browsed and imagined, leafed through and schemed.
then met the proprietor who has become a friend of my oldest son’s.
wonderful warm words were shared that make a mother’s heart smile.
and a couple of must-be-read books found their way out the door with me.
they joined the never-ending collection in my studio/library.
it was a warm sunshine-filled day and everyone i encountered seemed happy.
i walked through the streets of this tiny quaint town,
with its vast history (and somewhat colored past).
i marveled at the gorgeous architecture of the buildings,
and i silently observed with curiosity both its local residents
and the visitors who had exited off i-90 to explore something new.
i ended my artist’s date in a cute little park by city hall.
to sit and read and think and write.
the emotions of the morning merged into one that afternoon.
ENERGIZED.
about my business, about my life, about my world.
i was able to dream and connect and brainstorm and envision.
which will, in turn, allow me to create and design and plan and produce.
exactly what the artist date promises.
the sky even offered its inspiration.
have YOU taken your creative child on an essential play date lately?
Yay!!! I love hearing about your artist date….what a perfect place to go, too. Here’s to more artist’s dates in the future.
That sounds like a lovely time. I am going to have to schedule one of those for myself.
Love this, April. I am revisiting ‘The Artist’s Way’ as we “speak.” I loved taking a visual walk through your artist date. I take a mini ME-cation every single day. It has to at least 20 minutes and it can’t be ‘work.’ I am amazed at how much better my day goes when I follow that practice. Now it’s time to plan that artist date! I’m overdue for an “excursion.”
April, you are so gifted. Each time I read your posts it’s an experience. Thank you so much for that. You’re perspective is deep and greatly appreciated. Thank you for sharing it! And I love the idea of an artist date. Count me in! <3
what a perfect reminder – thank you April – it feels expansive and wonderful xx
I love reading your artistic, creative way with words April!
I think about my Artist Date often… in little moments each day, when I see gorgeous colors in the sky, or walk in my back yard with my dogs – I try to look at the leaves on the trees and the flowers as if seeing them through their eyes; and I also gave myself the luxury to read a Fiction Book again, which is a love and a creative drive for me! Thanks for sharing this and the importance/necessity of it!
Wow!! So inspiring me to take some time out for myself and harness that creative energy!! Thank you!
April, what a wonderful post to remind us to hone our creativity! Yes, I do TRY to make a point of having an artist date, however, I should make it a point to do it more! That sandwich looks so good too! Thank you.
Sounds yummy April! I pick up th Artists was every month or two and then put it down. I’m hoping the time comes soon where I’m ready to dive in. Love the thought of an artist date!
I read The Artists Way about a year ago for the first time (hard to believe that this wasn’t required reading in college) and even took a workshop with Julia. I am more consistent with morning pages than I am with an artist’s date. Your day inspired me to put some time on the calendar too, TY April!
Gorgeous April, yes yes yes play, musing, nature all so important – so essential
I take care of my self/soul daily now – spend time in nature, muse at the beach, parks, in gardens, run workshops with horses in nature to connect and InterPlay workshops -my aim to integrate play, nature, art and soul into my daily life, work, leisure, friends and family
love to you and play
xxx
April, I physically felt my heart grow when I read this! I am going to my diary right now to schedule an artist date of my own.
I need to have an artist’s date ….
Oh, I love artist dates! I should have them more often. Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
Love this! I think it would be great for everyone to go on an artist date! Feed the soul, and re-energize yourself.
Love it!
I love this post, though you are not going to find me with a diary. As a guy that doesn’t get the subtle side of life this post says a lot to me. I’m a very direct person and I live my life that way. I also have a hidden artistic side. I love photography, video and video editing and all things outdoors, as long as it’s for fun. I actually have a small video production company that can make me a lot of money but I hate doing it. It takes the fun out of the art. April I’ll work harder at make sure I take more time to see the art in my day.
Love the idea of artist dates! I used to do them, long ago when I was finding myself, per se. But haven’t considered it in ages. Thank you for the lovely reminder… off to schedule one now! 😉