25 Artist Date Ideas for the End of Summer
Photo by Bench Accounting on Unsplash
I’ve recently decided to try to do one Artist Date a week for a year. I tend to do Artist Dates in an ad hoc manner, whenever I think of them – which means weeks might pass between them. Or even months. But whenever I’m feeling creatively depleted, I remember that Artist Dates are a terrific way to get back in touch with my creativity and fill my creative well.
So far, I’ve done four weeks:
Week 1 – kayak on local lake
Week 2 – visit Arts & Crafts Fair
Week 3 – trip to nostalgic ice cream place
Week 4 – got in two: walking a new trail at the nature center and baking Blueberry Buckle Coffee Cake
As you can see, these are not Big Creative Projects. These are simple things that take me out of my usual routine and above all – FUN.
Julia Cameron defines Artist Dates as “a once-weekly, festive, solo expedition to explore something that interests you.” When I’ve run creativity groups inspired by her seminal book, The Artist’s Way, this is the part that participants found the hardest to do. They also found it one of the most satisfying and helpful parts of the process.
Of course, with our busy lives, it’s hard to think of trying to squeeze one more thing into our week. But Artist Dates are valuable for a variety of reasons:
They allow us to explore new creative outlets and activities
They allow us to revisit old activities we may have given up
They allow us to take time for fun – and for ourselves
They allow us to expand our creativity in a low-risk way
They force us out of our regular rut of activities
If you want to include more Artist Dates in your life, now is the perfect time to start. It’s the second week of August, and there’s a certain feeling many of us have to try to squeeze in as much “summer” as we can before the fall arrives. Still plenty of time to find some interesting Artist Dates!
The best thing is to come up with a list of “Artist Date Ideas” so you have a go-to list of ideas, large and small, of possible things to do. If you wait to figure it out in the moment, you may put it off.
So it should be deliberate – put it in your calendar, and actively decide when and what you will do. If an activity is weather-dependent, make sure you have a backup.
What about spontaneity? Well, sure! You can do a spontaneous Artist Date. Go for it! It’s good to leave room for things that might come up on the spur of the moment.
What are some possible Artist Date ideas?
Hiking/walking in new areas, new gardens, parks, trails, etc.
Exploring new neighborhoods, new cuisines, etc.
What are some “tourist in your town” activities you could do?
Cooking or baking something new or an old favorite
Trying a new creative activity – take a class or workshop to learn a new skill, or just try something fun at home (sand art? Mosaic? Watercolor painting?)
Do an old favorite activity you haven‘t done for a while
Go to a used bookstore, antique store, art supply store, thrift store, etc. Give yourself a $10 spending limit.
Spend some quiet time listening to favorite music
Write a poem
Take photographs
Dance
Fingerpaint, or play with clay
Go to a cafe and write, or sketch
Go to a movie, a play, a museum, an art gallery, or cultural event
See a documentary about an artist/writer/creator/
Related to that – find a fantasy mentor. This can be a living or dead artist, in your genre or not. Learn all you can about this person. Journal a dialogue with them about any questions you have about the artistic life, issues you’re having with your creative work, etc.
Buy a new journal – or make one!
Plan a dream trip
Do a road trip – stop at some interesting sites along the way
Tear up some magazines and create an inspiring collage
Buy some flowers, or even plant a garden – even if it’s a mini-herb garden indoors
Go to a pick-your-own farm for whatever produce is in season
Go on a picnic
Rent a kayak or canoe
Go to a concert or musical performance
If you’re really stuck for ideas, a Google search will net you hundreds. Or, you can get Cameron’s The Artist’s Date Book or The Miracle of the Artist Date and work through the ideas in there.
Artist Dates are meant to be done solo, so you can connect with yourself. Get in touch with your senses, and your sense of play and exploration. I will admit, I do sometimes cheat and do one with a friend, and that can be good too. You can share your experience. But try not to do that too often. Use it to lightly commune with yourself and your creativity.
Let yourself be fun, silly, adventurous. Above all, don’t worry about feeling awkward doing things by yourself, Especially if you are someone who doesn’t like to spend time alone, it can be very eye-opening.
Which brings up another thing – try to stay off your phone while doing this. If you’re glued to your social media feed or texting with people the whole time, it ruins the experience of simply being present with whatever activity you choose.
Remember too that it can be something very simple – even if it only takes 15 minutes, it counts.
If weekly is too much to take on, bi-weekly or even monthly works too. Do whatever you can, but do make the effort to do it! You will feel energized and inspired.
What will I do this week? I’m thinking of going into the city to an Italian cafe and imported grocery to pick up some yummy food - and try their homemade gelato. Definitely a summer must-do!
What are some of your favorite Artist Dates? Let us know in the comments!
If you like this, head on over to the Contact Page and sign up to get my weekly email featuring tips on creativity, productivity, and the writer’s craft.
