Yes, finding joy in sacred moments isn't a luxury at all. Unfortunately, I used to feel that way years ago and hardly made time for such artist dates. But now I know it is such an important element of self-care. A must-do, for sure.
Oh Beth, you know how much I love artist dates--in both theory and practice! Your essay was right up my alley with so many great inspirations and suggestions for dates to rekindle our spirits. Julia Cameron's incredible book, The Artist's Way, is such a great gift for creatives like us because she offers us a guidebook for living as writers, painters, artists, and creatives of all ilk. What you've done in your marvelous essay is show us how to embrace it as a practice (as you have) and how everyday things become opportunities for growth and for "re-seeing" the beauty in the world--watering the garden and listening to music, engaging with clouds and the plant world--the opportunities are endless. I love the clouds and the strength emerging in your new work. Thank you, Beth, for always showing up for all of us!
Thank you so much for your kind comment. Yes, the artist date is so vital to us, especially with days of horrifying news stories and worldwide unrest. But even in good times, artist dates are incredibly important.
You say, "Julia Cameron's incredible book, The Artist's Way, is such a great gift for creatives like us because she offers us a guidebook for living as writers, painters, artists, and creatives of all ilk." So true. Cameron guides her readers through a lifetime of wonderful experiences that help enhance a lifetime. All we as creatives have to do is show up to the page, canvas, dance floor, etc. and amazing opportunies appear for us to grow and to take care of ourselves.
I read and followed Julia Cameron’s book years ago and did the pages and the artist dates. Recently, I found her new book at the library, this one focuses on retirement and finding your way in this new phase of life. And, yes, she still recommends doing pages and artist dates. But would doing it all again help me now like it did then. You’ve inspired me to maybe give it a chance.
I used to do three morning pages every day, but I had to stop, as that was way too much for me. I loved the idea of it. Some days, I can only manage a sentence!
I've gotta get her new book. I'm hoping to check it out at my library. It sounds like it's chockful of useful information.
Artist dates. Oh yes, what a wonderful iea! But you would be surprised at how many blind dates I go on!!!
Like gardening and trimming my hedges. Do you think I was taking myself on a creativity excursion? Hell no, I just wanted to trim back my mountain of blackberry vines. But as I was working, I started to see them as poisonous snakes. And voila! My poem called "Snakes on Camano." Sometimes we're just doing the most mundane things and feel inspired by something about the activity we just did.
But a planned date is even better since it's so intentional, not accidental, and keepes us focused.
Thanks for the mention of Julia. I just love her and have learned so much.
I am blown away by the clouds in your painting. Lots of energy and movement. How will the tree reflect that?
Your comment made me laugh out loud. Because while I love my garden, I do not enjoy all the work that's involved. Lots of awful blind dates here, as well. The thing I love about gardening is being finished. Then I can tell myself I got a lot of exercise -- truth.
I've been planning my artist dates for the very reason you give: "But a planned date is even better since it's so intentional, not accidental, and keepes us focused." So spot-on. I feel it's the little things that add up to be big things.
Thank you so very much for your kind words about the clouds in the painting. These are white-paint sketches, and I'm hoping to fill them out in the near future, and I'm hoping to keep the energy and movement in them (fingers crossed). In the reference photo, the clouds are behind the tree vantage-wise, so one can't really see clouds at that particular spot -- just a tiny patch of sky -- behind the tree.
How I'm going to get the reflection of the sky, clouds, and greenery in the pond, I'm not sure. But I'm going to try! I just need to make sure I'm happy with the top two-thirds of the painting before I start working on the pond and the reflections.
Love The Artist's Way but always hated doing the artist date. That said, with all that's upsetting in the world, I took my dog to a local park (it used to be a public golf course) and we walked the cart trail before it got too hot and humid. It was a balm. Decided to do that more often--it beats trying to make a dent in my never-ending/mostly spam/generally announing emails.
I'm so happy you've embraced a daily practice of it, Beth. And I LOVE the colors in this latest painting. Bringing nature to the canvas. Have you ever painted al fresco?
I'm glad you were able to take a nice, scenic walk with your dog recently. Yes, I can totally understand why, with all the world's problems, it was a relief. And, yes, the never-ending bogus emails; I totally get them, too.
My beef with The Artist's Way was the three morning pages. I could never quite do it. I do morning entries, but they are much briefer than Julia would like. 😃
Thank you so much for such nice words about my landscape draft. I've never painted al fresco, but I have done plein air painting surrounded by nature's beauty. The first time I tried plein air, it was a disaster -- bugs flying into the canvas during the painting process, a wind picking up my canvas and me chasing it down, the light changing way too fast for my liking. To be honest, I could have been better prepared. I remember that I told my oil painting professor that I couldn't stand the bugs hitting the canvas, and he said, without skipping a beat, "But that's the best part!" Oy.
I hope to spend time in nature maybe painting watercolor. It seems less involved than oils outdoors.
Julia Cameron was onto something. . . I especially loved reading this, because I'd forgotten about artist dates. What a kind thing to do for one's self.
So interesting to see how this new painting is developing, The tree is a good anchor point, and I'm keeping my eye on the clouds. Cloud gazing from the back porch could be an artist date.
How you cherish and care for your art and yourself continues to inspire and uplift, Beth. Sending big hugs. I appreciate you.
Yes, Cameron was definitely onto something. When we are exceedingly busy, like you have been, it's so easy to attend to the tasks on hand and forget about artist dates. I know I have not always taken myself on artist dates because I was so busy that I felt I had no time to be kind to myself. I'm glad that's changed.
Your creating a garden on your new property and journaling would qualify as artist dates. And cloud watching from your back porch is absolutely an artist date. I believe anything that feeds your soul and nurtures your very essence is an artist date.
I'm glad you love clouds because these clouds will be dominating the sky. Seeing the scene in person, the clouds were glorious. I hope I can capture this in the painting.
I do adore creating art, and I know this is also a way I care for myself. It's very akin to your cherishing your writing, as well as yourself. Sending hugs back. ❤
There are some clouds in my future -- early next week, I think. I'm going to make it a point to have an artist date and get lost in their flowing shapes and meanderings across the sky. Thanks for the inspiration!
Great article, Beth, and I'm liking your painting. Looking forward to seeing it finished. I enjoy getting out in my garden and just puttering. Pulling out the occasional weed I see or snipping the heads off of spent flowers. It gets me outside in fresh air and listening to all the birds that frequent my property.
Thank you for your generous words about my painting and article, plus the restack. I am very grateful.
Spending time in the garden -- and out in nature -- is wonderful and peaceful. I enjoy doing this as well. In a world where so much is rush, rush, rush, puttering in the fresh air is just fine.
I read Julia Cameron's book too. I do an art class once a week so I know I will get one hour at least of art a week. But I most enjoy art when I bring my pencils and sketch pad on vacation or to visit my kids. When I look through that sketch book later on, I get to revisit those places or pets or plants and it makes me smile.
I think it's wonderful how you immerse yourself in art by taking an art class and sketching places and loved ones. Using your sketchbook to document and re-discover the highlights of a trip sounds amazing and such good practice.
I'm enjoying painting this landscape. I think it will take awhile, but the process is so much fun, I don't mind. I'm a little nervous about creating the reflections of the clouds and plants in the water that will fill up the bottom third of the canvas, but all I can do is try.
I so appreciate your supportive comment and your sharing your art process, too!
I first read Julia Cameron’s book many years ago, and adopted many of her suggestions. I haven’t set as many artist dates with myself lately but I know I need to. I suppose my daily runs or walks outdoors help me, but I have a huge city just an hour’s drive away. I love going to galleries and museums and we don’t have many of them up here. I get ideas and inspiration, and come back mentally recharged when I visit them. I look forward to seeing how your latest painting evolves. I love that you are drawing, it really helps to see form, line, and value, and to feel it while making the marks on the page. Thanks for sharing your work in progress.
I believe your runs and walks would count as artist dates because you are feeding yourself emotionally and physically through exercise. I know you've been so very busy, with lots going on, but even a 5-minute break where you just sip coffee and look at your garden counts! Anything that refreshes the soul....
I'm loving drawing again. It is so tactile, and I love the feeling of graphite hitting the paper. I've been away from it for far too long, and yes, I'm re-learning form, line, and value. Just the other day, my daughter and I practiced gesture drawing, which has always been a weakness for me, so it helped to practice. And I'm taking two drawing classes starting later August.
Beth, thank you for reminding us that taking time to explore, notice, and wonder is not a luxury; it is part of caring for ourselves x
Thank you so much for your input, Marie.
Yes, finding joy in sacred moments isn't a luxury at all. Unfortunately, I used to feel that way years ago and hardly made time for such artist dates. But now I know it is such an important element of self-care. A must-do, for sure.
Oh Beth, you know how much I love artist dates--in both theory and practice! Your essay was right up my alley with so many great inspirations and suggestions for dates to rekindle our spirits. Julia Cameron's incredible book, The Artist's Way, is such a great gift for creatives like us because she offers us a guidebook for living as writers, painters, artists, and creatives of all ilk. What you've done in your marvelous essay is show us how to embrace it as a practice (as you have) and how everyday things become opportunities for growth and for "re-seeing" the beauty in the world--watering the garden and listening to music, engaging with clouds and the plant world--the opportunities are endless. I love the clouds and the strength emerging in your new work. Thank you, Beth, for always showing up for all of us!
Hi Gerry,
Thank you so much for your kind comment. Yes, the artist date is so vital to us, especially with days of horrifying news stories and worldwide unrest. But even in good times, artist dates are incredibly important.
You say, "Julia Cameron's incredible book, The Artist's Way, is such a great gift for creatives like us because she offers us a guidebook for living as writers, painters, artists, and creatives of all ilk." So true. Cameron guides her readers through a lifetime of wonderful experiences that help enhance a lifetime. All we as creatives have to do is show up to the page, canvas, dance floor, etc. and amazing opportunies appear for us to grow and to take care of ourselves.
I read and followed Julia Cameron’s book years ago and did the pages and the artist dates. Recently, I found her new book at the library, this one focuses on retirement and finding your way in this new phase of life. And, yes, she still recommends doing pages and artist dates. But would doing it all again help me now like it did then. You’ve inspired me to maybe give it a chance.
Hi Susan,
I used to do three morning pages every day, but I had to stop, as that was way too much for me. I loved the idea of it. Some days, I can only manage a sentence!
I've gotta get her new book. I'm hoping to check it out at my library. It sounds like it's chockful of useful information.
Artist dates. Oh yes, what a wonderful iea! But you would be surprised at how many blind dates I go on!!!
Like gardening and trimming my hedges. Do you think I was taking myself on a creativity excursion? Hell no, I just wanted to trim back my mountain of blackberry vines. But as I was working, I started to see them as poisonous snakes. And voila! My poem called "Snakes on Camano." Sometimes we're just doing the most mundane things and feel inspired by something about the activity we just did.
But a planned date is even better since it's so intentional, not accidental, and keepes us focused.
Thanks for the mention of Julia. I just love her and have learned so much.
I am blown away by the clouds in your painting. Lots of energy and movement. How will the tree reflect that?
Marilea,
Your comment made me laugh out loud. Because while I love my garden, I do not enjoy all the work that's involved. Lots of awful blind dates here, as well. The thing I love about gardening is being finished. Then I can tell myself I got a lot of exercise -- truth.
I've been planning my artist dates for the very reason you give: "But a planned date is even better since it's so intentional, not accidental, and keepes us focused." So spot-on. I feel it's the little things that add up to be big things.
Thank you so very much for your kind words about the clouds in the painting. These are white-paint sketches, and I'm hoping to fill them out in the near future, and I'm hoping to keep the energy and movement in them (fingers crossed). In the reference photo, the clouds are behind the tree vantage-wise, so one can't really see clouds at that particular spot -- just a tiny patch of sky -- behind the tree.
How I'm going to get the reflection of the sky, clouds, and greenery in the pond, I'm not sure. But I'm going to try! I just need to make sure I'm happy with the top two-thirds of the painting before I start working on the pond and the reflections.
Love The Artist's Way but always hated doing the artist date. That said, with all that's upsetting in the world, I took my dog to a local park (it used to be a public golf course) and we walked the cart trail before it got too hot and humid. It was a balm. Decided to do that more often--it beats trying to make a dent in my never-ending/mostly spam/generally announing emails.
I'm so happy you've embraced a daily practice of it, Beth. And I LOVE the colors in this latest painting. Bringing nature to the canvas. Have you ever painted al fresco?
Hi Robin,
I'm glad you were able to take a nice, scenic walk with your dog recently. Yes, I can totally understand why, with all the world's problems, it was a relief. And, yes, the never-ending bogus emails; I totally get them, too.
My beef with The Artist's Way was the three morning pages. I could never quite do it. I do morning entries, but they are much briefer than Julia would like. 😃
Thank you so much for such nice words about my landscape draft. I've never painted al fresco, but I have done plein air painting surrounded by nature's beauty. The first time I tried plein air, it was a disaster -- bugs flying into the canvas during the painting process, a wind picking up my canvas and me chasing it down, the light changing way too fast for my liking. To be honest, I could have been better prepared. I remember that I told my oil painting professor that I couldn't stand the bugs hitting the canvas, and he said, without skipping a beat, "But that's the best part!" Oy.
I hope to spend time in nature maybe painting watercolor. It seems less involved than oils outdoors.
Yes, en plein air. Not al fresco. My mistake.
No problem! 😄
Julia Cameron was onto something. . . I especially loved reading this, because I'd forgotten about artist dates. What a kind thing to do for one's self.
So interesting to see how this new painting is developing, The tree is a good anchor point, and I'm keeping my eye on the clouds. Cloud gazing from the back porch could be an artist date.
How you cherish and care for your art and yourself continues to inspire and uplift, Beth. Sending big hugs. I appreciate you.
Hi Stephanie,
Yes, Cameron was definitely onto something. When we are exceedingly busy, like you have been, it's so easy to attend to the tasks on hand and forget about artist dates. I know I have not always taken myself on artist dates because I was so busy that I felt I had no time to be kind to myself. I'm glad that's changed.
Your creating a garden on your new property and journaling would qualify as artist dates. And cloud watching from your back porch is absolutely an artist date. I believe anything that feeds your soul and nurtures your very essence is an artist date.
I'm glad you love clouds because these clouds will be dominating the sky. Seeing the scene in person, the clouds were glorious. I hope I can capture this in the painting.
I do adore creating art, and I know this is also a way I care for myself. It's very akin to your cherishing your writing, as well as yourself. Sending hugs back. ❤
There are some clouds in my future -- early next week, I think. I'm going to make it a point to have an artist date and get lost in their flowing shapes and meanderings across the sky. Thanks for the inspiration!
Wonderful!!
Great article, Beth, and I'm liking your painting. Looking forward to seeing it finished. I enjoy getting out in my garden and just puttering. Pulling out the occasional weed I see or snipping the heads off of spent flowers. It gets me outside in fresh air and listening to all the birds that frequent my property.
Hi Nancy,
Thank you for your generous words about my painting and article, plus the restack. I am very grateful.
Spending time in the garden -- and out in nature -- is wonderful and peaceful. I enjoy doing this as well. In a world where so much is rush, rush, rush, puttering in the fresh air is just fine.
I read Julia Cameron's book too. I do an art class once a week so I know I will get one hour at least of art a week. But I most enjoy art when I bring my pencils and sketch pad on vacation or to visit my kids. When I look through that sketch book later on, I get to revisit those places or pets or plants and it makes me smile.
Can't wait to see the finished painting.
Hi Dee,
I think it's wonderful how you immerse yourself in art by taking an art class and sketching places and loved ones. Using your sketchbook to document and re-discover the highlights of a trip sounds amazing and such good practice.
I'm enjoying painting this landscape. I think it will take awhile, but the process is so much fun, I don't mind. I'm a little nervous about creating the reflections of the clouds and plants in the water that will fill up the bottom third of the canvas, but all I can do is try.
I so appreciate your supportive comment and your sharing your art process, too!
I first read Julia Cameron’s book many years ago, and adopted many of her suggestions. I haven’t set as many artist dates with myself lately but I know I need to. I suppose my daily runs or walks outdoors help me, but I have a huge city just an hour’s drive away. I love going to galleries and museums and we don’t have many of them up here. I get ideas and inspiration, and come back mentally recharged when I visit them. I look forward to seeing how your latest painting evolves. I love that you are drawing, it really helps to see form, line, and value, and to feel it while making the marks on the page. Thanks for sharing your work in progress.
Hi Alene,
I believe your runs and walks would count as artist dates because you are feeding yourself emotionally and physically through exercise. I know you've been so very busy, with lots going on, but even a 5-minute break where you just sip coffee and look at your garden counts! Anything that refreshes the soul....
I'm loving drawing again. It is so tactile, and I love the feeling of graphite hitting the paper. I've been away from it for far too long, and yes, I'm re-learning form, line, and value. Just the other day, my daughter and I practiced gesture drawing, which has always been a weakness for me, so it helped to practice. And I'm taking two drawing classes starting later August.
Thank you for your support and comment. ❤
I have regular dates with myself.
The more we do something, the better we get at it!
💞💞
Hi Rea,
I'm so glad you have dates with yourself regularly. And I completely agree that we get better when we keep doing an activity.
Thank you for your comment.