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!
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. 😂
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! 🥰✨❤️
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. ❤️
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).
Yes, The Artist’s Way author Julia Cameron is pretty insistent about doing them solo, but please know that I was joking about “the rules”! This is hardly the kind of thing to fuss over rules! Art with friends is awesome!!
I love this idea. I need to remember to document my Artist Dates as a reminder. I generally don't like to go places by myself, but I don't have a problem with doing Artist Dates alone.
A couple years ago I did do some travel by myself and I actually really enjoyed it. It helped me realize I can do things on my own and enjoy them. I met some really nice people at a concert I attended and a musical.
I love this idea and this post and your blog SO MUCH. I was feeling in a rut and came across this gorgeousness and was INSPireD. This coming Sunday, I am sharing my first try at doing a post in graphic visuals. I am sure there will be a million things I can improve upon, but I have enjoyed it so very much. THANK YOU!
I could use an artist date RIGHT NOW!
Do it! Turns out that Indianapolis is a great place for an artist date! :)
Right?!
I am so overdue for an artist date! Thanks for the reminder.
It was a reminder to me too! Do it!
Loved this post!
Thanks, Christine! xo
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!
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. 😂
Good morning, Kelcey! :)
(It is still morning, isn't it?)
Good morning to you, Liz! ❤️
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!
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! 🥰✨❤️
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” 😂
😂😂😂
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).
What a wonderful post! I enjoyed it very much and will have to plan my own Artist's Date!
Thank you, Marilyn! Highly recommended!
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.
hahaha that is so cute! Love your story!
Thank you! It was a fun day! :)
Artist dates are the best! I love having them and from time to time I also invite a friend 😉
Agreed! Even though bringing a friend is “against the rules,” I think it can be a great idea!
Ohh I didn’t know! Well maybe then its not an artist date, but it definitely helps with the stress of painting when there is many people around.
Yes, The Artist’s Way author Julia Cameron is pretty insistent about doing them solo, but please know that I was joking about “the rules”! This is hardly the kind of thing to fuss over rules! Art with friends is awesome!!
I love this idea. I need to remember to document my Artist Dates as a reminder. I generally don't like to go places by myself, but I don't have a problem with doing Artist Dates alone.
Love your artwork.
Thanks, Victoria! Going places alone definitely changes the experience—I think that’s part of the power of it!
A couple years ago I did do some travel by myself and I actually really enjoyed it. It helped me realize I can do things on my own and enjoy them. I met some really nice people at a concert I attended and a musical.
I went to a couple of concerts by myself too, and it was so different! I didn’t meet anyone but it was a cool experience!
I love this idea and this post and your blog SO MUCH. I was feeling in a rut and came across this gorgeousness and was INSPireD. This coming Sunday, I am sharing my first try at doing a post in graphic visuals. I am sure there will be a million things I can improve upon, but I have enjoyed it so very much. THANK YOU!
I’m so glad to hear it, Jane! Thank you!