Yes, it's easy NOT to. In The Artist's Way, half of the section on artist dates is addressing the excuses we make to not do it. But it's really worth it!
Wonderful! I got a gooey feeling just thinking about you spending the day by yourself on an artist's date. I'm going to Montreal for a week in June where I plan to have an artist's WEEK!
I read The Artist's Way in the 90's when I was a few years out of art school and had a small child. I was fighting so much self-doubt, not to mention various other garden-variety "blocks", that it was an uphill battle to nurture my inner artist at that point. But much of it has stuck with me. I have a journaling workshop coming up, and you better believe that Morning Pages get a special mention.
I read it in in the 90s as a new mother too! But I wasn't out of art school, I was desperate to figure out how to get INTO art/writing school after a life in sports! It changed my whole way of thinking.
Well, I'll be visiting a friend in Montreal as well. But I'm going alone, staying in an Airbnb alone, and plan to do a lot of walking around and going to galleries and WHATEVER THE HELL ELSE I FEEL LIKE! I'm in dire need of a vacay 😬 (in case that wasn't obvious).
I had my Artist’s date on Saturday in my garden—I made a giant cone-shaped twig structure for fun and drank iced coffee and listened to music. ✨ also thanks for the Sheila Heti reminder! Been waiting for this one!
Well that sounds like a perfect artist date! I've been enjoying the Heti book! Yesterday I read the "A" chapter and today I read the "B" chapter. It's poetic and recursive and meditative. Perfect for me right now. ❤️
Love this Kelsey and the way you illustrate it! Now I want you to disseminate the whole of The Artist’s Way! (I always cheat on my morning pages—as long as there’s a sentence written when I’m busy I feel ok!) Also, can an exception to the artist date be a conversation between two artists date (in Indianapolis)?
Thanks, Deborah! My morning pages have evolved over time into short and illegible entries later in the day! So, yes, I think we can make our own rules when it comes to artist dates as long as it feeds the creative soul! 🥰✨❤️
Hurray, I found another Hoosier on here! I love Tomorrow Bookstore SO MUCH. So small, but so perfectly curated. And they're doing such great things for writers and artists and the larger Indy community.
I went to graduate school in Bloomington and we really looked down on Indianapolis. Like, Bloomington was clearly where all the cool people in the state went. What did Indy have besides a race car event and some sports teams? But more recently, I've been really impressed with Indy and the funky little areas of the city.
I'm not biased or anything, but Madison would also make a great artist's date. Why not drive the whole length of the state?
Hey, fellow Hoosier! I was excited to find Tomorrow bookstore and agree it's small and wonderfully curated! I'm from Cincinnati before moving to South Bend and tend to drive right past Indy en route to visiting family in Cincy. So it was a delight to explore it a bit this weekend! And speaking of sports teams, I'm pretty excited about the Caitlin Clark era starting in Indianapolis!
And further speaking of sports...we have both published books about sports? (Mine is a graphic memoir about playing soccer in the early years of Title IX.) An artist date in Madison might have to be on my summer to-do list!
I love the value of even humble artist dates, the library, walking around a local lake, etc. Love the illustrated essay — a beautiful exposition on this topic. My favorite part though is the car ride home. That’s perfect — and perfectly captured.
Yes, Cameron is clear that it can be something small--and free. This actually makes me realize that my regular exercise (running along the river) kind of doubles as an artist date! I'm alone and listening to artist podcasts! Maybe I do these dates more than I thought! Also, yes, I was a chatterbox in the car. I'm sure the afternoon latte (before I spilled it) contributed. 😂
I know that my vicarious date while you were touring Vonnegut's beer museum (6 foot 3, I didn't know) and the canals and the spilled coffee and wow, yes, the receiving. I'm sure Jake was glad to listen on the way home, grinning, happy for you (tired from his conference). Yes, to the dates once a week.
Thanks, Christine! xo
I am so overdue for an artist date! Thanks for the reminder.
It was a reminder to me too! Do it!
I could use an artist date RIGHT NOW!
Do it! Turns out that Indianapolis is a great place for an artist date! :)
Love this. Sounds like a wonderful day. Sometimes it is hard to work up the energy but rarely ever regrettable.
Yes, it's easy NOT to. In The Artist's Way, half of the section on artist dates is addressing the excuses we make to not do it. But it's really worth it!
First time reading and working thru the artists way. What a beautiful book.
Isn't it profound? Sometimes it shows its (1992) age, but the insights are transformative.
What a wonderful post! I enjoyed it very much and will have to plan my own Artist's Date!
Thank you, Marilyn! Highly recommended!
Wonderful! I got a gooey feeling just thinking about you spending the day by yourself on an artist's date. I'm going to Montreal for a week in June where I plan to have an artist's WEEK!
I read The Artist's Way in the 90's when I was a few years out of art school and had a small child. I was fighting so much self-doubt, not to mention various other garden-variety "blocks", that it was an uphill battle to nurture my inner artist at that point. But much of it has stuck with me. I have a journaling workshop coming up, and you better believe that Morning Pages get a special mention.
An artist's WEEK?!?! Glorious!
I read it in in the 90s as a new mother too! But I wasn't out of art school, I was desperate to figure out how to get INTO art/writing school after a life in sports! It changed my whole way of thinking.
Well, I'll be visiting a friend in Montreal as well. But I'm going alone, staying in an Airbnb alone, and plan to do a lot of walking around and going to galleries and WHATEVER THE HELL ELSE I FEEL LIKE! I'm in dire need of a vacay 😬 (in case that wasn't obvious).
I had my Artist’s date on Saturday in my garden—I made a giant cone-shaped twig structure for fun and drank iced coffee and listened to music. ✨ also thanks for the Sheila Heti reminder! Been waiting for this one!
Well that sounds like a perfect artist date! I've been enjoying the Heti book! Yesterday I read the "A" chapter and today I read the "B" chapter. It's poetic and recursive and meditative. Perfect for me right now. ❤️
I haven’t even read it yet but the concept alone has inspired me to change up my own sentences, most of which start with a big fat “I” 😂
😂😂😂
Love this Kelsey and the way you illustrate it! Now I want you to disseminate the whole of The Artist’s Way! (I always cheat on my morning pages—as long as there’s a sentence written when I’m busy I feel ok!) Also, can an exception to the artist date be a conversation between two artists date (in Indianapolis)?
Thanks, Deborah! My morning pages have evolved over time into short and illegible entries later in the day! So, yes, I think we can make our own rules when it comes to artist dates as long as it feeds the creative soul! 🥰✨❤️
Sounds like you had a great day! I've not done this for years, thanks so much for reminding me how inspiring it can be!🥰
Honestly, I hadn't either! It was a great reminder for me too!
Good morning, Kelcey! :)
Good morning to you, Liz! ❤️
(It is still morning, isn't it?)
dear kelcey,
thank you for this delightful piece!
great vonnegut content! and more!
always love your art and writing!
myq
Hurray, I found another Hoosier on here! I love Tomorrow Bookstore SO MUCH. So small, but so perfectly curated. And they're doing such great things for writers and artists and the larger Indy community.
I went to graduate school in Bloomington and we really looked down on Indianapolis. Like, Bloomington was clearly where all the cool people in the state went. What did Indy have besides a race car event and some sports teams? But more recently, I've been really impressed with Indy and the funky little areas of the city.
I'm not biased or anything, but Madison would also make a great artist's date. Why not drive the whole length of the state?
Hey, fellow Hoosier! I was excited to find Tomorrow bookstore and agree it's small and wonderfully curated! I'm from Cincinnati before moving to South Bend and tend to drive right past Indy en route to visiting family in Cincy. So it was a delight to explore it a bit this weekend! And speaking of sports teams, I'm pretty excited about the Caitlin Clark era starting in Indianapolis!
And further speaking of sports...we have both published books about sports? (Mine is a graphic memoir about playing soccer in the early years of Title IX.) An artist date in Madison might have to be on my summer to-do list!
Oh, how cool. I grew up across the river from Cincinnati in Burlington, which is right by the airport. My family's all still here.
I saw THE KEEPER and it looks awesome! Will check it out. So glad to connect!
Wow, so many intersections! I'm excited to check out your books and yes, great to connect!
SOON, I hope!
I love the value of even humble artist dates, the library, walking around a local lake, etc. Love the illustrated essay — a beautiful exposition on this topic. My favorite part though is the car ride home. That’s perfect — and perfectly captured.
Yes, Cameron is clear that it can be something small--and free. This actually makes me realize that my regular exercise (running along the river) kind of doubles as an artist date! I'm alone and listening to artist podcasts! Maybe I do these dates more than I thought! Also, yes, I was a chatterbox in the car. I'm sure the afternoon latte (before I spilled it) contributed. 😂
I know that my vicarious date while you were touring Vonnegut's beer museum (6 foot 3, I didn't know) and the canals and the spilled coffee and wow, yes, the receiving. I'm sure Jake was glad to listen on the way home, grinning, happy for you (tired from his conference). Yes, to the dates once a week.
Haha, I think Jake was MOSTLY glad! :) Once a week is aspirational for me, but this definitely got me wanting more!