Artist’s Date & Thank You
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
Raise your hand if you’ve ever read or even heard about The Artist’s Way. I finally read the book about a 1 1/2 years ago and actually worked through most of the assignments. It gave me a tremendous boost and pushed me to move forward in making art my full time career, let alone avocation. One of the assignments that I never did do very well, is the “artist date”, mainly because I feel like my time is so precious between being a mom, wife, sub, art teacher that whatever free time is left has gone towards making art. Well, I’ve come to realize that by not filling my creative experiential cup, that I am in a sense hurting myself. I’ve felt a little stagnant in the past few months, and sure, winter may have contributed to the feeling – but I think there was more to it.
2 weekends ago, I took my daughter to see the Colorado Ballet’s Repertory Series performance. (See the review here.) Now, I’m not normally a ballet attendee so I didn’t have high expectations. The Repertory Series is a mixed program of different dances and the first one, “Leaves are Fading”, left me checking the time on my watch, wondering how much longer I would have to sit there. After the first intermission, however, I sat in rapt awe at the next 2 contemporary performances, the last one, “Straight Line to Never”, being a ballet like I’ve never imagined. To an unschooled viewer, it looked like a cross between modern dance and ballet – I loved it. I left the Ellie Caulkin’s Opera House thinking that I should get out and experience new things more often. I even felt a little more creative and had an urge to run home and get some clay out. So, Julia might have something here in regards to artists treating themselves to new creative experiences outside of their normal routines.
Thank you to everyone who voted in my new studio shot poll! 25 people have voted so far and it looks like it’s a fairly close race between B&W and then same pose but in color. Many of you stated that you liked the sepia toned image as well, but that’s not really an option for me since I want to change it. I’ve been playing around with photoshop a bit to warm up the black and white images a bit.
Meanwhile, spring break has ended and my family is back to a routine of sorts. My third clay class starts today and school is back in session for my daughter. I’m making good progress in the studio right now and hope to continue. I almost have everything made for the “Fine Art of Craft Show” opening on April 25.
Have a good week,
~Cynthia
Angela Rockett
March 31, 2008 at 9:11 am //
Oh, yes, I have definitely heard of the Artist’s Way. I read it, and actually did all the exercises, for the first time about 13 years ago. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without it. Since then I’ve done it about 2 more times, though not as thoroughly. I’ve been thinking about artist dates lately too. I fell away from the practice of taking them regularly, and I’m feeling like I really need to let my artist explore more than the studio more often – before she rebels.
Cynthia
March 31, 2008 at 10:14 am //
I couldn’t agree more – I sometimes get so stuck on the “gotta work” mentality that it ceases to be fun. I’ve been working in the studio for the past week, almost every single day and really enjoying the process and energy.
jafabrit
March 31, 2008 at 12:51 pm //
I like the b&w photo best, has a timeless quality to me.
I didn’t really like using the book, but I did like the quotes and did agree with artist dates. Like you discovered the joy in doing things that I normally would not have done. the ballet sounds marvelous.
Mary T.
March 31, 2008 at 1:06 pm //
Artist dates are good, but like you, I was never too good about keeping them. Something always interferred and I finally figured out that one of the things Julia doesn’t cover much is the ‘time of gestation.’ I think something went off in my head about the whole thing of being exposed to different things Saturday and last night–after a long class this last Saturday with a lot of color theory–I looked at the two pages I’ve been working on this weekend and it hit me, as I laid down to sleep a couple of ideas for new beading techniques at least to me, that have jelling or gestating for about eighteen months were just bopping into my head. I consider learning experiences in one area, even if it isn’t art, to be a good relief and filler valve of the art area.
the lone beader
March 31, 2008 at 4:18 pm //
I just voted for the black & white. Yesterday, the photos weren’t coming up for me for some strange reason.
janvangogh
March 31, 2008 at 5:42 pm //
I havent read the Artists Way. Been meaning to.
If I told you that you look younger in the color photos, would that make a difference in your decision?
Cynthia
March 31, 2008 at 5:52 pm //
Jafabrit – I actually read all the quotes first! I do think exposure to new things is mind expanding…well at least for me.
That’s funny you say that Mary, the work for my new show has been gestating for the past 12 months. Sometimes I think about something I want to do, but never actually do it till the time feels right.
LB, yesterday, I couldn’t get into my blog – it appears that my server was down for a time being. Ick…just when I thought my problems were over.
Janet – skinnier maybe, but not younger. I still look pretty young for my age. ;D
janvangogh
March 31, 2008 at 7:32 pm //
Yes, you do look young for your age. So the color photos make you look EVEN younger.
Sarah Regan Snavely
March 31, 2008 at 7:39 pm //
I’m re-reading this right now! Used to do the Artist’s pages and artist dates all the time, but fell out of the habit. Trying to get back in the habit, but, boy, are those artist dates difficult to maintain– and oh so helpful.
Heather
April 1, 2008 at 3:17 am //
I read the book, it had some good stuff in it…but I’m not good at homework, never have been. I did some of the things, but the artist date isn’t one of them. I guess maybe I need to pull it off the shelf and read it again…but I’m not promising to do any homework!
Cynthia
April 1, 2008 at 5:31 am //
I’m holding out for thinner, Janet!
I haven’t felt the urge to reread the book yet, Sarah – but would find a maintenance section super helpful. I should commit to 1 OSE (Outer Studio Experiential) a week myself. Heck even 1 a month would do wonders.
The first time I picked the book up, Heather, it was boring and cumbersome. I don’t think I was in a place in my life where I was ready. When I finally read the book, probably 7 years after first buying it, I sat down and did it in small chunks so it wasn’t such a huge task. Don’t think of it as homework, but self work. You’re worth the time, and energy investment!
Nancy
April 1, 2008 at 8:04 am //
I voted for the black and white. It really was a great shot (color or no color) but the lack of color did it for me.
I too worked through the book. It did help in some ways. I think almost any assignment .. done frequently…is a help for me. I belonged to an art guild that had a different theme each month and we were encouraged to frame and hang our work (we had our own gallery). It encouraged me to paint more frequently and produce something more than just a sketch. I sold well there and found just having the ritual worked for me. In the book, the Artist Date was a difficult task for me. I lived too far away from the city to find enough to do out in the country … although I did find some and realized I shouldn’t use that as an excuse. My biggest difficulty with the book was those darn “morning pages”. I just blathered away and for me it was a waste of time… I never could just opened up. I also purchased her book “The Vein of Gold”, but just have not been able to get anywhere with it.
janvangogh
April 1, 2008 at 9:59 am //
If saying you look thinner is all it takes, then thinner it is!
Cynthia
April 1, 2008 at 11:37 am //
I didn’t realize that she wrote another book, Nancy – or maybe I did, but ignored it. I think any time we treat ourselves to something new counts as an artist date. It doesn’t have to be anything big, even going to a new coffee shop or taking a different route home counts, don’t you think? I think it shakes up the status quo and makes us more alert.
You didn’t say it like you mean it, Janet!
judi tavill
April 1, 2008 at 4:42 pm //
Own and read that and the following: Art and Fear,Creating a Life worth Living,Creative Spirituality,Artist to Artist, Fearless Creating,The Artist’s Voice, Trust the Process…
I am always finding myself.
Always.
Oy.
Jean Levert Hood
April 2, 2008 at 8:07 am //
Cynthia, I worked through The Artist Way when the book first came out, and it truly changed my life. Isn’t it awesome? Reading it wouldn’t have done it, it was doing all of the ‘lessons’ that had a great changing affect on me.
janvangogh
April 2, 2008 at 2:13 pm //
The color makes you look healthy and slender. Full of life and vigor. While B&W might be arty, the color is inviting. It says, “Come and have fun in my studio”
Lynette
April 2, 2008 at 9:33 pm //
I would love to get that book, I’ve heard that it’s fantastic! LOL at Janet, I think both the b/w and the color pics look great though! I thought those were cherries on your apron, now I can see they’re peppers. I’m still favoring the color pic but it was really hard to pick between the two. :p
Cynthia
April 3, 2008 at 7:58 am //
I’m always “finding myself” – lol Judi
I think that was my problem when I first picked the book up, Jean – I thought I could read the book without doing the work. I’m always trying to take shortcuts.
Okay, now we’re talking, Janet!
It’s a good exercise, Lynette – but you have to do the work that goes along with it and do it a bit everyday.