Artist Dates- Solo time with your creative self. Julia Cameron, the author of The Artist’s Way, explains them as assigned play.

Whether you are an artist or not, you can and will benefit from implementing these artist dates in your life! Creating breaks from the mundane tasks that we have to do on a daily basis will have us flourishing in our lives overall. It allows us to tap into that child-like state and just be free with no limits. Sure you can do that at a spa, well maybe… but artist dates are so much more enriching and enchanting.

Some of us just need that inspiration to break that creative block that is holding us back from that final part of our project that we have to present to the boss. Some of us need new thoughts and ideas that can help us level up in our business. Many of us need that alone time to create without the limits that others might put on us. All of us need an artist date.

Three Things I Believe Should Be Standard in Artist Dates

Education– Learning something new can help spark creativity in many different ways. It can help you gain new perspectives, develop new ideas, and see things from a different angle. When you learn something new, it can open up new possibilities and potential solutions to problems that you may have been stuck on before. It can also help you stay engaged and motivated with your work, as you become more and more aware of the vast array of possibilities out there. Learning something new can also help you make connections between different topics and skills, allowing you to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions. So if you’re looking to get creative, don’t be afraid to learn something new!

Inspiration– Finding creative inspiration can be a challenge, but there are a few techniques you can try to help you get inspired. First, let’s look at the world around us. Look at nature, people, and everyday objects, and think of how you can use them in a creative way. Second, don’t be afraid to try new things. Try different activities and techniques to help stimulate your creativity. Third, don’t be afraid to take risks and try something new. And then, take a break and step away from your work if you’re feeling stuck. Taking a break can help you come back with a fresh perspective and new ideas.

Separation– Spending intentional time alone to delve deep into creativity will allow your personal thoughts and questions to rise to the occasion. Many times when others are around, others’ thoughts can drown out our voices and influence us in a way that we did not plan. When alone, you do not have to wait for others or feel like you are holding them back. The separation is vital for your creative exploration. So make sure when you are planning these dates, you spend time alone so that you can tap into your organic side of creativity.

My Latest Artist’s Date

I recently went on an artist date to a bookstore. I ordered my favorite, a chai tea latte. I set up my supplies, pencils, sketchbook, and laptop. The objective: To learn new techniques in children’s illustrations. As I sat and listened to Mariam Poppins in her Making Simple Illustrations Class, I was inspired by the music, the people chilling in the bookstore, and the rain coming down outside the window. I spent about two hours and in that time I took the class and created a beautiful illustration. It was an enriching experience.

In my last blog post, about making room, I talked about how my life was on autopilot and that I did everything and nothing at the same time. I am in a time of my life where I am all about the slow life which prioritizes the things I love and will not rush the moment. These artist dates are just that, intentional, prioritized passion moments that I need to keep me sane. I am grateful for these times.

5 Artist Dates You Can Do This Weekend

1. The Coffee Shop- whether you are journaling, reading, or drawing, the coffee shop will always be a place to evoke and welcome creativity.
2. Local Art Gallery or Museum- Find your local space, and study the artwork, the people that are in the space, the sounds, etc… take it all in.
3. Virtual Date- There are so many virtual tours: zoos, museums, history, and more. Use the virtual atmosphere to take you places that you just cannot get to right now.
4. Virtual Class Date- YouTube, Google, Skillshare and so many other websites offer courses, classes, or workshops to tap into a skill or genre that you may be interested in.
5. The Homebody- Incorporate music, crafting, collaging, journaling, and more. Go through photos and journal about them

Reflection

Closing out the artist’s date is a key component as well. There are so many ways to reflect, this could be a way to document as well. One of my ways is to create Facebook/IG Reels, mainly because I am an influencer. But you can create this as well as add it to your stories. Take photos to immortalize the moment. Journal it as well!

Well, I hope this helps you on your creative journey! Let me know how everything goes! Tag me on social media!