Artist's Date(s)

[Pannet]

I attended an Artist's Way workshop and enjoyed working through everything- except one. I still do the morning pages! They were a marvelous "clearing" vehicle for me (and still are!). My "exception" was the artist's date. I couldn't bring myself to go out - much less alone! I know, I know - it's awful! I had such a hard time making myself leave the house! I finally did (whew!) and thoroughly enjoyed the museum of art I went to once I got there but the "process" was so "terrifying" I haven't done it since! In reading some of the artist's date mentioned in the threads I found one that may help me begin again - going through my art books and savoring the experience! Setting time for a date with myself to just draw for a few hours! I have to admit - I took a bold step today and called a place about "exhibiting" my work! I figure it they say yes I'll be "committed" to not only drawing more but I'll have to attend my own exhibit!

[paintfool]

Well, what better artist date than being 'commited'!!! :D That's great news Pannet. I wish you well in this endeavor. Artsists dates can be tough to schedule into our busy lives at times. I think we can all agree on that. Please remember that when you are faced with these challenges there are two things to consider. 1. Am i making excuses for not making the date?
2. Does it HAVE to be an outing?

If the answer is # 1 we may need to explore what it is that makes us think that this is a bad thing. We sometimes are afraid that we could get to setting important things aside in order to fulfill a 'silly' goal. That is part of the guilt syndrom that a lot of us suffer from. We feel that our creative selves should be placed second on the list. The list of course being the 'important' things in our lives. If you adhere to this idea and do the 'most important thing' first you'll notice that something else will slip in between the next thing (creative nurturing) and something else that should REALLY be done next... and so it goes. There are many things that you can place above your artist date if you try really really hard to do so. Why do we do that? Because we feel irresponsible when we nurture ourselves. The truth is that we ARE responsble for ourselves and to neglect that is to repress that. Do we deserve that? Of course not, but somehow we convince ourselves that we do. It really seems silly if you'd take a moment or two to think about it. If your answer is number 1 you owe it to yourself to take a good ten minutes or so to figure out why you are punishing your 'child within'. Would you treat someone elses child that way? or your own for that matter? Probably not. We are meaner to our own 'child within' than we suspect.
if you answered # 2, no, the artists date does not have to be an expensive, extravagent or even time consuming event. You can even do it within your own home or yard. It's merely time spent with yourself. Make a cup of tea and sit in a place in your environment that you normally don't. Take a sketch pad or your camera. Reflect on things that make you feel good. Draw them, write about them or photograph them. The idea is to be alone with your self and your thoughts. When your house is empty sit on your Kitchen floor. Lay down even, get a birds eye view of what a small child would think from this perspective. If you have a ladder handy set it up in the yard and get all the way up to the top and just sit for a minute. Weird things, i know but the bottom line is that doing something slightly different, even for a few minutes can really make you smile, relax and wonder what else it is about everyday life that we're passing up. You'll feel really silly no doubt, if your neighbor happens to catch sight of you sitting on that ladder but to me, that's all the better ;). It'll make you giggle later and that's not all bad. Do something wild. (c'mon, everyone knows artists are 'strange' anyhow, you can't let them down now can you? :D
Cheryl

[jimg]

I have the same problem with the artist date. Getting time and using that time alone. Seems ,to me at least, selfish. And while I don't mind being alone. I find that the enjoyment is being with another renews me and helps me to get focused. I can easly send an hour by my self, but when i have to plan and put this time aside for an artist date it takes on a different feel. And I feel uncomfortable using this time by my self. I like to take a little time to go out and make a sketch ,by myself. I dont't know if I could spend a half day or a full day sketching without feeling guilty.

[Pannet]

Thanks Cheryl! For me it is #2 and your your answer has helped a lot! I had approaced the dates with the view that I had to "go somewhere"! Not realizing that I could allow myself to "play" right where I am! Reviewing my art books, strolling through the woods on my property, sitting on top of a ladder to get a "higher view" - anything at all that would nourish my inner soul! Last evening I lit a candle, turned on my fountain and looked at pictures,paintings and read - the time flew by! Befor I knew it 4 hours had gone by! I look forward to my next "date"!!!

[melaleuca]

Pannet -

It seems like you worked out the artist date:)

This is my second time working through TAW - and the first time the artist's dates were a non-event. I went for a walk(maybe twice) all along feeling wretched because it wasn't a deeply meaningful experience!

NowI focus on having a good time so my artist date's have included

An Art trade show where I moved from stall to stall trying out materials while painting a pastel.
Storytime at the library
A visit to the Botanical gardens
A day at the gallery - just sat quietly in one room and enjoyed the brilliant paintings
An afternoon in the park - some kids were kicking a ball around and I watched and drew
Last week I watched TV - the Cirque du Soleil and was inspired to sketch.

And I have loved them ALL :clap: