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Inviting Your Creative Self On A Date

by | Faith | 6 comments

by Cathy Baker

Your creative energy called. Yet the only thing it heard on the receiving end was a busy signal: 

Beep. (My schedule is packed.)
Beep. (I’m not a creative person.)
Beep. (Who has the energy for creativity?)

No wonder it feels a bit neglected, even forgotten. It’s time to take the artist within on a date. 

The Artist Date is a basic tool of The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. She asks her students to undertake one Artist Date per week. 

“I tell students to seek mystery, not mastery on their dates. I urge them to explore with childlike wonder rather than adult intellect. Artist Dates are intended to be fun.” – Julia Cameron

If at this point you’re asking why you should continue reading this post, remember: in whatever way(s) our Creator gifted you, there is a place for creativity…for He is most creative of all. 

Save the Date:
The first Artist Date Julia proposes is this: go to a park. “A park is a very concentrated dose of beauty. Note the plantings carefully plotted out. Note the diversity of the vegetation. You may wish to carry a camera. Record your favorite sight. Allow yourself to dawdle. Soak in the season. Give yourself at least an hour. Scoop up a pine cone. Fill your pockets with acorns. Feel your mind unkinking. Say hello to your soul.” 

You’re Invited: 
What nearby park would be the perfect place for your first Artist Date?

“Art is an image-using system,” I tell students. “Imagine yourself as having an inner trout pond filled with images. When you use your creativity, you are drawing from this inner pond. When you draw on it heavily, you will over-fish your pond. Images will be harder and harder to come by unless you begin to consciously replenish your store of images. Taking your Artist Date replenishes your pond.” – Julia Cameron
 

6 Comments

  1. Edie Melson
    Edie Melson on May 12, 2015 at 1:05 pm

    I love this idea! I've been doing it for years, but hadn't realized it. Two of my favorite places are Falls Park in downtown Greenville SC, and the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. Thanks for validating my days off wandering and refilling my creative self!

    Reply
  2. cathy.baker
    cathy.baker on May 12, 2015 at 3:09 pm

    As if you need validation, Edie Melson! 🙂 I love both of your choices. Thanks for taking the time to share.

    Reply
  3. Ginger Harrington
    Ginger Harrington on May 12, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    Love this idea. I used to do this when we lived in Japan as there were some nearby places that were SO beautiful. Thanks for the reminder.

    Reply
  4. cathy.baker
    cathy.baker on May 12, 2015 at 6:43 pm

    I imagine so, Ginger! 🙂 Will I see you at Blue Ridge next week? Fingers crossed.

    Blessings!

    Reply
  5. Janice Sain
    Janice Sain on May 14, 2015 at 8:08 pm

    Love this! I've done this for about 5 years now as part of the healing process. I draw, paint, write or just soak in the surroundings. I never knew what to call it until now…artist date is perfect!

    Reply
  6. cathy.baker
    cathy.baker on May 15, 2015 at 12:25 am

    Janice, it's so nice meeting you here and now I'm thrilled we're FB friends. I look forward to seeing more of your work.

    Blessings from SC!

    Reply

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