Artist Dates!

Traci Bunkers here! It's my turn to pick the theme for this month.

During most of November and December, I was working myself to the bone, so to speak. I was beyond burning the candle at both ends--my candle was burned out. I was left feeling exhausted, and honestly, frustrated because I wasn't feeling like I was getting enough in return for all of my hard work. Because of working so much and not getting much sleep, I had gotten far, far away from the self-care practices that I used to do on a regular basis.

 I always think of the new year as a do-over, a fresh start. So this is a perfect time to get back to doing some much needed self-care. When The Artist's Way came out, Julia Cameron introduced all to the concept of an "Artist Date." And I quote from her book, "An artist date is a block of time, perhaps two hours weekly, especially set aside and committed to nurturing your creative consciousness, your inner artist."

Since I'm a self-employed artist who works at home, and I live alone, artist dates are very important for me. They get me out of the house, and into the world around me. They help to revive me, and to "fill the well". I feel more balanced because of them.

My challenge for January for myself, and for everyone, is to have a weekly artist date. And, to do something creative because of the date--whether it's going somewhere and working in a sketchbook or journal while on the date, or working in it after returning back home. So not only is the artist date something fun and interesting that refuels us, we are also doing something creative because of it.


 

 

In the past some of my artist dates have been walking around downtown with my camera, and then treating myself to lunch. And while I was having my lunch, I drew.






Here's a journal page that I did in a restaurant while I was on an artist date while visiting Santa Fe. (The first photo was taken while I was working on it in the restaurant.) Here, my journal page isn't about my artist date, but I did create it while I was on one, and contemplating things. So whether you are new to having artist dates, or an old pro at having them, I hope you'll join me with the challenge of a weekly self-care. And, My plan is for me to continue with the weekly dates, even after January has come and gone.

The theme for January 2013 is:  Artists Dates

There are currently no scheduled giveaways for the sketchbook challenge at this time so you will not need any special tag for your photo uploads to the Sketchbook challenge flickr group this month.  

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