Make An Artist Date With Yourself.
Hello!
I always make Nature Dates with myself. This is usually easy to do because our dog Peggy needs to go for her walks, but since she is almost 13, not well, and slowing down, I must ensure I get in at least one good walk a day. They are especially glorious at sunrise, sunset, or in the dark with sparkling stars. Connecting to nature is a spiritual practice that always uplifts my mood.
I first heard about Making An Artist Date With Yourself after reading Julia Cameron’s fantastic book “The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity.” This profound self-help book was published in 1992 and is on the Top 100 Best Self-Help Books of All Time list.
Julia Cameron’s goal for this book was to help people tap into their artistic and creative parts. She teaches different techniques and exercises to help them harness these inner talents and skills that we all have. The Artist's Way is a 12-week course that helps people unlock their capacity for creativity — whether in art, at work, or in life. There is also an online version. If you haven't, I highly recommend reading the book.
Everyone has the potential to create great art. The problem is that we're often held back by our doubts, past experiences, and fear of what others will think.
It saddens me that The Arts are consistently underfunded, and I feel we need them more than ever because:
Art plays a crucial role in preserving history by reflecting the experiences of past generations.
Art shapes society by creating a common language that connects all of us from diverse cultures, traditions, and beliefs. It can inspire action and influence social change.
Art powerfully touches us emotionally by promoting empathy and is a powerful medium for expression. Interacting with or creating art can help you through a rough time, connect you to beauty, and shake up the mundane.
There are many aspects and deep layers to Cameron’s impactful book, and the three key areas that influenced me the most are:
1) Reading 20 pages per week.
2) Morning Pages. Three handwritten pages every morning.
“Morning Pages are three pages of longhand, stream-of-consciousness writing,
done first thing in the morning. *There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages*–
they are not high art. They are not even “writing.” They are about
anything and everything that crosses your mind– and they are for your eyes
only. “ Julia Cameron.
3) Artists Dates. One solo date per week. “The Artist Date is a once-weekly, festive, solo expedition to explore something that interests you. It does not need to be overtly“artistic” — think mischief more than mastery.” Julian Cameron
I read at least 20 pages weekly and would like to read more. I did try the morning pages exercise many years ago and found it helpful to dump all of my annoying thoughts onto paper first thing in the morning, but I didn’t stick with it. I’d like to revisit this technique and add it to my morning routine.
I’m now focused on implementing more artists’ dates into my life- some solo, some with Ben, family, and friends. Doing this every week is impossible, but I’ve committed to an artist date once a month and will work on increasing this.
In the last few months, we’ve attended a live comedy show, a firelight lantern festival, intimate life music events, a play, and a documentary film festival. I also joined a book club. Each event touched me and lifted my spirits.
If you don’t think that The Arts are essential, can you think of a time when a song gave you goosebumps and brought you back to a sweet moment? Have you ever been moved to tears by music, writing, poetry, or a beautiful painting? I know that I have, many times.
The first time I heard Eva Cassidy sing Fields of Gold, I wept. I get goosebumps whenever I hear a Beatles song, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen or Jane Siberry.
When I visited the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, I was overwhelmed with emotion, and I had a similar experience at the Van Gogh Immersive event in Toronto. The first time I saw Ken Monkman’s painting “The Scream” – the depiction of the horrors of the residential school system, I felt faint and had to sit down. I literally couldn’t breathe, and this led me to learn more about indigenous history and the horrifying atrocities of the Canadian government's actions against their culture and community. Rumi and Mary Oliver’s poetry has often comforted me when I struggled.
Have you felt energized and inspired after creating something? I have zero artistic capabilities (except that I’m not a bad writer), and drawing anything beyond a stick person is challenging. However, there was a time when I made my own Christmas cards and wrapping paper and found the whole process incredibly delightful and meaningful.
There are endless possibilities for these artist’s dates through creation, participation and observation:
Create.
Try a new recipe. Learn to knit. Write your memoirs. Take an art class. Join a book club. Take some pictures,
Connect to music.
The other day, I had the best time listening to The Cars hits on Spotify. It brought me back to being 16.
Attend live music. You don’t need to take out a loan so you can attend a Taylor Swift concert. I’ve seen many amazing local musicians for $20 a ticket in my small town.
Join a choir. I’m not a very good singer, but I enjoy singing. When we lived in Toronto, I participated in Choir! Choir! Choir! with my dear friend Gail. There are no auditions, just a lovely group of people gathering to sing. Their gatherings have become very popular and they often travel and have hosted events throughout Canada, the US and Europe. My favourite moment from the choir was when we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Jesus Chris Superstar with the singer Brandon Victor Dixon. Video This happened in 2018, and I still consider it one of my all-time favourite events.
There’s a choir in Ontario called Sister Choir. They have numerous locations and don’t require auditions, so it doesn’t matter if you can’t sing. My town has a chapter, and I’m determined to join this choir this year.
Dance
I regularly dance alone, especially to somewhat raunchy music like the Ramones or Beastie Boys.
Take a dance class.
Experience
Be an observer by attending art galleries, watching plays and participating in community events that support The Arts.
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You do not need to spend much money on your artist’s dates. Check out what is happening where you live. Start with your local library and community centres. We live in a small town of 4500 people and can’t keep track of all the fantastic events offered.
If your financial situation allows, purchase art. We have acquired 6 original paintings and 2 beautiful framed photos via gifts and purchases that didn’t break the bank and bring incredible beauty into our home.
Sometimes, art can evoke strong emotions of sadness and shock, which is vital as it can create action. Find balance, though, and ensure moments that spark play and whimsey.
What moves you? Share your Artist Date experiences and ideas below.
Get creative and be moved.
Anita
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