An Artist Date

by | Mar 26, 2023 | Art, writing | 17 comments

Bali by Nicki Chen

Last Sunday I went on an “artist date” to the Cascadia Art Museum. The idea of artist dates comes from Julia Cameron in her book, The Artist’s Way. They’re meant to be solo affairs, a time for the artist or writer to take a couple hours out from her daily affairs to observe and reflect. Cameron advises taking an artist date every week.

The Artist’s Way is a kind of self-help book for writers. It’s been around since 1992. Most of the writers I run into know about Cameron’s two basic tools: Morning Pages and Artist Dates. But do they write morning pages every single morning and go on artist dates every single week? I doubt it–at least if they’re anything like me.

I have two shelves of how-to books for writers. (We call them craft books.) They’re like the diet and exercise books or the how-to-get-rich or tidy-your-house books. You read them and learn something and maybe follow some of the suggestions. But how much of that advice do you actually apply? Even Marie Kondo stopped being so tidy after she had kids.

I bought and read The Artist’s Way almost thirty years ago, and finally, last week, I did a version of the artist date. Cameron’s idea of an artist date is a scheduled weekly two-hour block of time. My belated little outing was just a one-time date with myself, a little time-off from my normal activities with the intent of paying attention to details of the world around me–the sights and smells, how it all makes me feel and what it brings to mind. Cameron calls it “filling the well, stocking the pond.” — The Artist’s Way, p. 20.

Whether my trip to the museum helped to fill my inner well or not, it definitely was fun. I’ll tell you more about it in my next post.

Fun fact: Self-help book How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie which was published in 1936 has sold over 30 million copies.

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17 Comments

  1. Debs Carey

    I love me an Artist’s Date Nicki, but it’s been ages since I’ve indulged in one. I’ve my eye on a couple of exhibitions at local galleries and simply need to get my act together (but that’s another subject).

    Still not finished the book, in fact I stalled at the Artist’s Date and got no further. Also never read the infamous Dale Carnegie… fine coach I am! 😀

    Reply
    • Nicki Chen

      I didn’t read Dale Carnegie either, but I’ve heard about it all my life. I guess lots of people want to know how to win friends and influence people.

      It’s taken me most of my life to realize that I don’t really need to finish a book just because I started it. I did read The Artist’s Way all the way through, but thinking back on it, I didn’t need to.

      Reply
  2. Ally Bean

    I’ve read both of these books back in the day. I found Cameron’s book more helpful than Carnegie’s. I did morning pages for years, but then felt I’d outgrown them. HOWEVER I should get back to an Artist Date for myself. Thanks for mentioning that, you’ve influenced a friend and won a person. 😉

    Reply
    • Nicki Chen

      Unlike you and 300 million other readers, I’ve never read Carnegie’s book, but I did like Cameron’s book.

      I think there’s something special about an artist date. I love going out with friends or family, but a solo outing adds a different dimension.

      Reply
  3. Jean Riva

    I have the book and your post inspires me to re-read its. I need an art date!

    Reply
    • Nicki Chen

      It’s amazing how old that book is and how many people have read it.

      Spring is a good time to get out, especially after three years of COVID.

      Reply
  4. mindy halleck

    Artist’s dates are my favorite part of The Writer’s Way. I did a workshop with the author, Julia Cameron years ago. Then I taught it at ECC for a quarter. Love the philosophy. Your date sounds perfect. Heres to many more.

    Reply
    • Nicki Chen

      Where did you do a workshop with Julie Cameron? She’s been around for a long time, and yet her ideas have not been forgotten.

      Springtime encourages getting out and enjoying the world–a good time for artist dates.

      Reply
      • mindy halleck

        YEARS ago, i think we were either at UW or the Trinity church, I can’t recall. I did SO many workshops in those days.

        Reply
        • Nicki Chen

          Thanks. I suppose she traveled around the country giving workshops.

          Reply
          • Mindy Halleck

            She did. It was a real awakening.

  5. nrhatch

    The Artist’s Way reminds writers (and seekers) to look within for guidance . . . instead of trying to get advice from those around us.

    It also encourages writers (and seekers) to become comfortable with being alone . . . instead of viewing alone time as lonely time.

    The morning pages is one way to tap into our inner voice.
    Artist dates is another.

    At this point, my mindfulness practice obviates the needs for morning pages or regular artist dates. But if I do feel stuck, reaching for my journal often helps me to go within again.

    Looking forward to hearing more about your museum trip.

    Reply
    • Nicki Chen

      The Artist’s Way says many things. But I think you’re right in pointing to “looking within for guidance” and becoming “comfortable with being alone” as being among the most important.

      You mention reaching for your journal. When we lived in Vanuatu, it was a strange, new place to me. So I used my journal a lot to make clear to myself what I was seeing, experiencing, and thinking.

      Reply
  6. Autumn

    That sounds lovely. For now, though I squeeze in observations on nature on my morning dog walks or when gardening and observations about people while at the soccer field. Fits right in with your comment on Marie Kondo–reaching the ideal is impossible with kids!

    Reply
    • Nicki Chen

      The good thing about your morning dog walks is that you observe the world and your dogs (and the friends of your dogs) all at the same time. There are different times in our lives. I can’t imagine faithfully following the instructions of either Julia Cameron or Marie Kondo.

      Reply
  7. L. Marie

    Yay, Nicki! 😊In my head, I’ve wondered if you were still painting. I should have just asked you. Anyway, I’m excited that you scheduled this artist date. Many years ago, I also bought a copy of THE ARTIST’S WAY. I’m not sure where my copy is. But I love that you took the time to observe and reflect.

    This morning, before I clicked on your post, I sat by my computer and gazed at the trees, hearing birds in the background. A lovely time of reflection.

    Reply
    • Nicki Chen

      No, I don’t paint anymore. This Chinese brush painting of Balinese rice terraces is an old one hanging in my living room.

      We can gather ideas anywhere, but I find there’s a difference between a solo outing and an outing with someone else. And I figured there was no reason I needed to save that museum outing so I could do it with another person.

      Don’t you love those spring birds!

      Reply

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