The Artist’s Date

In her book, “The Artist’s Way” (http://amzn.to/1ajQmPn), Julia Cameron suggests that artists schedule an artist’s date. This includes any type of artist who desires to build on the relationship between her work and her soul. Potters, sculptors, painters and wordsmiths like me.

The artist takes a break from a current project and does something else creative – a stroll through an art gallery, a visit to a fabric store to feel the different textures, an afternoon with the journal in a quiet spot. When the artist returns to the current project, the creative juices are revived and ready to pour forth again.

I’ve tried the artist’s date, and I like it.

After several hours of wordsmithing about Alzheimer’s and dementia; my brain, my fingers and my inner voice grow a bit weary. Then I know it’s time for an artist’s date.

Last Friday, I took myself on a date. I wrote for a few hours in the morning, then met a friend for a leisurely lunch at Chipotle (love that vegetarian bowl with lots of guacamole!).

Then I took some of the books I have read and don’t want to reread over to Half-Price Books. I needed a new journal and found the perfect one with the wire binding and a colorful cover.

I browsed through the Clearance Section to find more wonderful books to read and added three to my vacation reading list, except I couldn’t wait and started reading one of them already: “Good Grief” by Lolly Winston. She is my new best friend, and her book was on sale for $1.00.

What a treasure! An artist’s date and a bargain on the same day.

After Half-Price Books, I needed a bit of refreshment. Once a week, I allow myself a small carb treat, so I drove over to Dairy Queen and ordered a mini-Blizzard™ – Georgia Mud Fudge – really chocolatey and really good. Then I sat at a table by myself, started reading “Good Grief” and slowly enjoyed my Blizzard™.

Then a brief stop at the grocery store to get the food that was not chocolately and filled with carbs but is much better for me. Then back home for more writing.

Sure enough, after my artist’s date, I was revved up and ready to write again. Either that, or my body was on a delicious sugar high.

If you’re an artist, aka a wordsmith, try the artist’s date once per week. It’s a great way to get away for a while and connect with your creative soul.

If you need company, I’m always available for a DQ Blizzard™.

©2013 RJ Thesman – “The Unraveling of Reverend G” – http://amzn.to/184haSS