Friday, March 02, 2012

Going On An Artist's Date



If you've read The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, then you know all about taking yourself on an artist's date. There are many local places I take my artist self: To a bookstore, a walk in the woods, to anywhere pretty and inspiring like a flower garden or a nursery, to a gallery, anywhere that boosts my creativity.

It isn't about spending money, it's about treating yourself. It's about spending time with yourself and allowing that inner child and perhaps some hidden creativity to come out and play.

A wonderful way to accomplish both without leaving home is with crayons. I will always believe crayons are magical. You start with a blank piece of paper or even a coloring book, grab crayons (or colored pencils) and with the first stroke you've created. You don't have to make a masterpiece or make it perfect. You don't have to color within the lines. You can add polka dots and stripes, or funky squiggles. It's whatever you want. And you reconnect with that inner child.

If you haven't colored in awhile, take out fifteen or twenty minutes in your day, and go for it. Find a couple coloring books at the dollar store. Or print out some free pictures online and make your own coloring book. You don't need an entire box of crayons, just grab a few. Take your artist self out on a date and reconnect with that childlike self inside you that is very much present and waits for the times when you let them play. It's a wonderful way to boost your creativity!

Ann Cory

8 comments:

Morgan said...

I love this. So much to be learned from simplicity. And if you can tap into the inner child, true creativity will surface. Great post ;)

Anonymous said...

I love Cameron's work and your suggestion of taking crayons OMG how perfect. I can see a great date for me coming up.

Anonymous said...

I love Cameron's work and your suggestion of taking crayons OMG how perfect. I can see a great date for me coming up.
Jo-Ann

Anonymous said...

I love Cameron's work and your suggestion of taking crayons OMG how perfect. I can see a great date for me coming up.
Jo-Ann

Bridget Bowers said...

Okay, just thinking about crayons and coloring makes me want to jump up and go do it. What an awesome idea and great way to recharge your creative thinking. Thanks!

Ann Cory said...

Thanks Morgan :) It's such a calming thing to do. One of those affordable ways to pamper yourself. Very zen-like.

Ann Cory said...

Thanks for stopping by lovindanger - crayons remind me of innocent days where all I had to worry about was if I wanted peanut butter and jelly or peanut butter and banana. I miss those days, lol.

Ann Cory said...

Thanks Bridget :) I have a ton of coloring books, I pick them up at the Dollar store, or anywhere for real cheap. And when I don't feel like coloring in those, I print pictures from the computer. It's a great way to reconnect :) I hope you color soon!