Artist’s Date. Should I be doing them? Is there any actual benefit?

Yes, and yes.

I’ve been involved with The Artist’s Way for well over a decade and I go through the book every couple of years, either by myself or with a group. I really like the group thing, but it’s hard to find people who’ll commit to the whole twelve week program.

I’m about to embark on a group venture going through another book of Julia Cameron’s called “Vein of Gold” and I’ve been thinking a lot about the tools, specifically the Artist’s Date and how to create them in this new reality of social distancing and staying home. Over the years I’ve come up with and curated ideas for the dates, but I thought it was time to update the list and feature ideas that keep you safe.

What Is AN Artist’s Date?

Simply put, an Artist’s Date is a weekly date with your artist, doing something to fill your well with sensory experiences designed to delight your inner artist. It is an activity that you do SOLO. No tag alongs, no other people at all. This is for you and you alone. It might seem like it’s no big deal to attend a date with a friend, but it is. This is sacred time in which you don’t worry about anyone else. No answering questions, no worrying about someone else’s time (whether actual time, or wondering if they’re having a ‘good’ time).

So, What Do I do?

Just pick a solo activity that will inspire and delight you. Spend at least an hour and have some fun. Let your imagination run wild, enjoy yourself.

Practice Safe Artist’s Dates

1. Visit a museum, virtually! All the big, and a whole lot of the small, museums have an online presence. I visit my favorite quite often, even though it’s 1300 miles away! The Metropolitan Museum of Art is my favorite place, on the planet. There is so much to love about their website and so much to do! (Do not miss the 360 Degree Project!)
2. Attend a lecture! There are so many great lectures out there and most of them can be seen on YouTube. One of my favorite series is Cocktails with a Curator, which really appeals to my penchant for a bit of snobbery. A curator from the Frick museum, chooses a piece of art and really delves into the very interesting history of the piece, including tidbits about the artist, or their subject. There is a corresponding cocktail, appropriate for the time or place of the piece. So much fun.
3. Finger paint. You can order all of your art supplies from Amazon without leaving your house. Set up an old blanket or table cloth in your yard and finger paint your heart out. When was the last time you finger painted? Remember the joy in mixing the colors and getting it all over the place?
4. Go for a walk in your neighborhood. Pick up leaves, bring a sketchbook, or a camera, and look for all the hidden treasures right there, waiting for you to find them.
5. Stargaze. Get some bug spray, and another blanket or table cloth and look up the sky. There are tons of skywatching apps to get you started. If you live in the city, go to a planetarium.
6. Make lip balm, or eye shadow, or body glitter. Just search on YouTube for whatever you want to make and chances are excellent someone has made a video for it.
7. ColourLovers. Create your own palettes, get inspired by others. Play with color without the mess.
8. Make a mandala. This online generator is so beautiful, I could get lost for hours.
9. Buy an ingredient, a piece of fruit, a vegetable, a spice or herb, that you have no idea how to prepare. Use pinterest to find recipes and ideas and make something you’ve never had before!
10. Skillshare. Sign up for two free months. I did and wound up purchasing a year’s access. There are so many great classes, in all mediums and forms. I have a list of classes that I plan on taking and I’ve already taken quite a few. Next I’m going to learn to create “Cutie People”. A whimsical illustration technique that I’m obsessed with. This is an affiliate link and if you wind up purchasing a plan, I”ll get a free month.

So, that’s it! Do you have any ideas you’d like to share? I’d love to hear about them.

If you’d like to explore working with me, send me a message or fill out this form.