by Cathy Baker @CathySBaker
"Art
is an image-using system," I tell students. "Imagine yourself as
having an inner trout pond filled with images. When you use your creativity,
you are drawing from this inner pond. When you draw on it heavily, you will
over-fish your pond. Images will be harder and harder to come by unless you
begin to consciously replenish your store of images. Taking your Artist Date
replenishes your pond." - Julia Cameron
Now it's your turn, where would you go for a date with your creative self? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don't forget to join the conversation!
TWEETABLES
Inviting Your Creative Self on a Date can be just the Inspiration needed - @CathySBaker on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Jump start your creativity - Try a date with yourself - via @CathySBaker on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
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| Engaging God & your creative senses! |
Your
creative energy called. Yet the only thing it heard on the receiving end was a
busy signal:
Beep.
(My schedule is packed.)
Beep.
(I'm not a creative person.)
Beep.
(Who has the energy for creativity?)
No
wonder it feels a bit neglected, even forgotten. It's time to take the artist
within on a date.
The Artist Date
is a basic tool of The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. She asks her students to undertake one
Artist Date per week.
"I
tell students to seek mystery, not mastery on their dates. I urge them to
explore with childlike wonder rather than adult intellect. Artist Dates are
intended to be fun." - Julia Cameron
If at
this point you're asking why you should continue reading this post, remember:
in whatever way(s) our Creator gifted you, there is a place for
creativity...for He is most creative of all.
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| Invite your creative self on a date. |
Save
the Date
The
first Artist Date Julia proposes is this: go to a park. "A park is a very
concentrated dose of beauty. Note the plantings carefully plotted out. Note the
diversity of the vegetation. You may wish to carry a camera. Record your
favorite sight. Allow yourself to dawdle. Soak in the season. Give yourself at
least an hour. Scoop up a pine cone. Fill your pockets with acorns. Feel your
mind unkinking. Say hello to your soul."
You're
Invited
What
nearby park would be the perfect place for your first Artist Date?
Now it's your turn, where would you go for a date with your creative self? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don't forget to join the conversation!
TWEETABLES
Inviting Your Creative Self on a Date can be just the Inspiration needed - @CathySBaker on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Jump start your creativity - Try a date with yourself - via @CathySBaker on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Cathy
Baker is an
award-winning writer who delights in observing God at work in the nuances of
life. Her work has been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Upper
Room, Focus on the Family’s Thriving Family, etc. Her
award-winning poetry has appeared in two anthologies. She is also a regular
contributor to Inspire A Fire and a member of Cross N Pens, as well as the
Light Brigade. With four grandchildren, a mustached-laden husband, a spoiled
pooch named Rupert, and a 1963 Shasta Airflyte called Buttercup, she considers
life to be quite the adventure. Email Cathy or visit her at www.cathybaker.org.
You can also connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.
Thanks for the permission to fill my pond. I often feel guilty indulging on such dates. The park or just sitting amid birdsong and squirrels about their business in my own backyard is delightful , but heading out to peruse the antique shops and thrift stores is a treasure hunt for story props, costumes, and plot ideas, in addition to artistic exercises in creative ways to reuse or repurposed something. Often little object lessons wrapped around an item pop into my head as an illustration of a biblical principle. Or, a memory is triggered by a vintage whatnot that becomes fodder for writing. Terrific topic!
ReplyDeleteJoy!
Kathy
Hi Kathy! No permission required. :) I'm finding that guilt can be one of our greatest hindrances to creative energy. Enjoy your delightful pond, park and perusals. They are all a gift from God. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to share. God bless!
DeleteThanks for the permission to fill my pond. I often feel guilty indulging on such dates. The park or just sitting amid birdsong and squirrels about their business in my own backyard is delightful , but heading out to peruse the antique shops and thrift stores is a treasure hunt for story props, costumes, and plot ideas, in addition to artistic exercises in creative ways to reuse or repurposed something. Often little object lessons wrapped around an item pop into my head as an illustration of a biblical principle. Or, a memory is triggered by a vintage whatnot that becomes fodder for writing. Terrific topic!
ReplyDeleteJoy!
Kathy
I'd go to Lake Lanier. It's about a mile from my house (as the crow flies - 3 miles of curvy road). There are several areas there where I can walk and find a small deserted beach.
ReplyDeleteHi Ane! It was nice seeing you at Blue Ridge this year. Your lake getaway sounds like the perfect place for an artist date. Enjoy! Thanks for sharing.
DeleteLove the reminder to take time for creative get-aways. Spontaneous freedom given dates with me are when I leave all behind and take me on a photo-shoot day. I begin with the adventure with a prayer, "Show me Your beauty, Lord. Also have me take shots today for my needs in future tomorrows. Lead me in this venture of catching Your creative wonders."
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cathy, for this reminder that we can give ourselves more days of creative living without guilt. Your picture with "You're Invited" is a treasure I've posted on one of my Pinterest boards as an encouraging reminder of today's message.
Write on!
Carolyn, you are one of the most creative people I know. I think the key words in your post are "give ourselves more more days of creative living without guilt." Amen! No more guilt. God placed His creativity within us to be explored and enjoyed, all for His ultimate glory. Thanks so much for sharing!
DeleteThe Artist's Way is my absolute favorite book ever! I've read it over and over, practice it for a while, then put it to one side. I love reminders to get back to it. Thanks, Cathy.
ReplyDeleteHi Kim! Thanks so much for stopping by. I'm reading it through for a second time now. The excerpts shared in my blog series were taken from a Kindle book she wrote focusing on the Artist Dates. I think you would love it, too! Blessings from the Upstate.
DeleteThanks for mentioning it, Cathy. I didn't know she had written one with that focus. I'll check it out.
DeleteEvery morning that I am home and weather permitting, I sit on my deck and refill my pond. The days that I'm too busy to take the time are the days nothing get done. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice meeting you here, Patricia. Your mornings sound lovely. It's true, isn't it? Sometimes our busiest days are also our most inefficient. Enjoy your deck time and the refilling of your pond this summer. What a blessing!
DeleteGreat post, Cathy. Thanks for reminding us it's okay to take time to spark our creativity. My best times are found on my front porch with a view of the NC mountains. I don't particularly like going to a mall but when I do, I get lots of ideas about characterization from people-watching. It can be a hoot! :)
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine a more spark-prone setting than the NC mountains, Andrea. I feel creative just thinking about it. We should all go shopping together one day and compare notes. Now that would be a hoot! ha! Thanks so much for taking the time to share. It was great seeing you at Blue Ridge.
ReplyDelete