by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
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My choice includes anything literary focused. |
Being an office supply nerd, I confess this Artist Date made me a tad giddy. Thank you, Julia Cameron.
Go to a stationery store. Give yourself time to stroll the aisles. What appeals to you? Do you want classic ivory stationery, or do you want something more zany? Your choice of note card sends a signal telling the world what kind of person you are, formal or casual, decorous or frivolous. Stationery makes a first impression. If you have it, you will use it. -Julia Cameron
Now let’s take it a step further. Purchase the stationery you feel best describes you (no window shopping allowed!) and then turn around and write someone. It could be someone who played a part in your being the zany-fied person that you are or someone who has been on your mind lately. I believe you already know the person who will receive your card.
Your turn. What does your stationery have on the front cover of the card?
“Creativity lies in paradox:
serious art is born from serious play.” – The Artist’s Way
by Cathy Baker | Ideas |
by Cathy Baker
If you’re a perfectionist like me, you’ll especially benefit from this Artist Date with your creative self. There’s no right way to do this so relax and have fun!
You’ll need:
- Poster board (I purchased the 1/4″ thicker type)
- Magazines (my favorite part)
- Scissors
- Two-sided tape or glue stick
And now for the fun part:
“Collage your creative dream. This exercise is a potent form of prayer. Working with a dozen or so magazines, tear out images that speak of your dream. Paste these images on a sheet of poster board. Add a photo of yourself. Place the photo centrally, surrounded by images of your creative dream. This is a visual prayer. It is very powerful, as it bypasses our rational mind and its resistance. Seeing is believing!” -Julia Cameron, The Miracle of the Artist’s Date.
This is a visual reminder of your dreams, goals, and priorities. A few years ago, Carolyn Knefley, of Christian Communicators, taught me how to create my own storyboard:
It’s your story, your dream. Create what you sense God is calling you to do, and perhaps most importantly, who He is calling you to be. In addition to images, I included scripture references as well as biblical reminders. If you look closely, you’ll see the image of a man scattering seeds in the center of my board. This image stands to remind me that my responsibility is to live in response to the Gospel of Christ, allowing it to penetrate everything I do and say, and write.
Where the seeds take root and flourish is of God’s choosing. It’s all Him, not me. It’s, for this reason, it remains center stage.
What do you see taking center stage on your storyboard?
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:6 ESV
Related Link:
A Storyboard for Inspiration (my post on the above board.)
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Ready to strengthen your muscles? Your creative ones, I mean. Turns out, those who are more active are more likely to be creative than those who are sedentary.
So, grab your walking shoes, racquet, roller blades, or any other torture device equipment and let’s invite our Creative Self on a date, thanks to Julia Cameron, The Miracle of the Artist’s Date:
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Image courtesy of Pixabay/Ryan McGuire |
“Go Rollerblading. Strap on some skates and feel your spirit start to glide. This date pays dividends in fitness and in creativity. The regular stroke-stroke-stroke fires the imagination. Songwriters “catch” lyrics. Poets catch poems. Your muscles, too, will thank you for the workout.”
What’s one simple way you can feed your creativity this week by being more active? Feel free to share in the comment section!
And, CONGRATS to Beth Fortune, the winner of last Monday’s drawing via Random Name Picker!
Related Post:
Regular Exercise Could Boost Creativity, Huffington Post
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Today’s Artist Date may seem a bit odd for some but let’s encourage one another to skirt about our sense of ease and dare to explore what lies just beyond the next corner.
Save the Date(s):
It’s your choice! Choose one or both dates. Who knows? You may find yourself giggling like a nine-year old or being as contemplative as an eighty-year-old. These age-defined insights are eager to emerge so grab your purse/wallet and let’s head to the nearest cafe or coffee shop.
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Pete Townshend |
You’re Invited:
“Write a letter from your nine-year-old self to you. Expect resistance to this date. Overcome your resistance by bribing yourself. Take yourself out to a fancy cafe. Order the most decadent dessert on the menu. Take one scrumptious bite, and then take out your notebook and start writing. Tell yourself you can finish your treat when you have finished writing your letter. Pete Townshend of The Who named this date among his favorite Artist’s Way tools. You might find that, too.” -Julia Cameron, “The Miracle of the Artist’s Date.”
or…
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www.huffingtonpost.com |
“Write a letter from you at eighty. Take yourself to your favorite coffee shop. Order a chocolate shake. Take pen to page and write yourself a loving letter full of praise and encouragement. Tell yourself you’re doing well. Applaud your accomplishments. Your eighty-year-old self is proud of you. Drink up your shake.” -Julia Cameron, “The Miracle of the Artist’s Date.”
Which did you choose? I’d love to know! I plan to do both exercises but will begin with the latter exercise as I believe our older selves have much wisdom to share.
This month’s drawing goes hand-in-hand with our Save the Date theme. Simply leave a comment sharing which date resonated most with you and your name will be included in a random drawing on Monday, June 1st, for your favorite cup o’ brew from Starbucks.
Thanks for stopping by today!