Why Creating an 'Artist Date' is a Soothing Balm For The Soul

So there’s ‘Date Night’ with yourself or another, and then there’s a different type of occasion coined by author Julia Campbell, the ‘Artist Date’.  Reading this, you might be feeling all kinds of triggers like I did when I first heard of this concept, ‘Artist, who me?’ (stick with me, your artist is a child).  Okay, so once the initial barrage of self-doubt has made itself known, sit with the idea of what an Artist Date may mean to you. Traditionally it is a once-weekly solo voyage of self-discovery where you explore something that interests you. Before you level up your easel and adjust your beret, be assured that your Artist Date need not be overtly “artistic” – this is more a playground for your inner child to run free and your imagination take the lead. It’s an opportunity to experiment with creative ideas which are more about the process than the end creation. 

The Artists Date is a chance to play around with inspiration, to gain confidence through the creative process. It’s an opportunity to make a mess, to go outside the lines, to push your boundaries and express whatever it is that your soul may be longing to share. The main aim of this date is to have fun! You may be feeling called to splatter paints onto a canvas, play about with oil pastels or get your hands immersed in textures, digging your fingers into soil. You may be feeling drawn to experimenting with ingredients in your kitchen cupboards or go out foraging for wild herbs and become reacquainted with all that mother nature so graciously gifts to us. 

As the wise saying goes it’s not the destination but the journey to get there, the same can be said for your Artist Date. We are so hard-wired to being critical of our creativity which often detracts from the enjoyment so be aware of self-judgement and the inclination to strive for perfection that doesn’t exist.  It can be really satisfying to mindlessly doodle and allow your paintbrush to go wherever it wants to go on the page without the mind planning its direction.  I’ve also found the process of creating and then destroying very cathartic, as it represents the cycles of nature and allows us to be detached from our creative works. We all have an artist inside of us and our inner child longs to play and create for the fun of it, not for the gratification of others.  Creating art by your own personal definition is an incredibly powerful declaration of autonomy and self-confidence.  

If getting out and about for your Artist Date is more your thing enjoy the meditative experience of mindfully viewing artwork at at local gallery or go along to an open-mic evening or poetry recital.  There are so many ways that your artist can receive inspiration and nourishment, whether you’re appreciating the creativity of yourself or another.   So have fun following your creative bliss wherever it leads you. 

 Quote Corner 

“Art is the concrete representation of our most subtle feelings” | Agnes Martin |

“I found that I could say things with colour and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way, things I had no words for.” | Georgia O’Keeffe |

“A work of art is a scream of freedom.”  | Christo |

“When it comes to art, it’s important not to hide the madness.” | Atticus |

“Art helps me perceive the world” | Cynthia Xing |