I am doing the Artist’s Way at the moment…slowly. Morning Pages (3 pages stream of consciousness) are being written most mornings for nearly two months now. ‘Artists Dates’ are a bit more sparse. I am working through the exercises and prompts in the book at my pace, without getting on a guilt trip about not doing a chapter a week. It feels good.
The Artist’s Dates are quite loosely defined – time out doing something you want, something your inner child would love…something a bit indulgent.
The other day, my two little ones went to the Ikea play area for the first time while I browsed round Ikea on my own…glee! In the spirit of the Artist’s date, I bought this as a gift to myself.
Each morning it has my Italian coffee in it. In the afternoons, a lovely mint tea made with freshly picked leaves from my garden. Ah, yes..sitting with this gorgeous big cup in hand reminds me to slow down, to be, to listen to the still voice in the busyness. It definitely counts as an Artists Date wouldn’t you agree?..
Good for you for doing your pages. They really do help don't you think? And how nice that cup and saucer are!
I have the book but I find it hard to follow. I don't like the "must" do routine, reminding me of office work. BUT I am sure it can help if you believe in it.Italian espresso is my "artist way" plus a good book but free time is really really zero…so I guess I am doing the "pages" mentally. I really believe I do. Tantissimi auguri Concetta!!!
Absolutely, I'd say it counts as an artist's date!
I sounds like you're going about the Artist's Way in a great way, avoiding the guilt trips of unreasonable expectations, doing it at your own pace!
Lovely blog! Your fellow flyer with KellyRae, Rhonda F. (dba MoonSeazen)
oh my goodness, i remember that book. i got it years ago…i think i still have it. i definitely remember to morning pages…some mornings were really quiet (ha) other days, not so much. 🙂
I love smalworld- my son loves smalworld it's a win win for everyone. 🙂 It is blissful wandering around on your own. The first time I actually had to call my husband at work and tell him how amazingly different the experience is without the munchkin in tow. Enjoy!!!
The book sounds interesting. I love the idea of the Artisits Date….! I always sit with a little cafetiere of coffee in the moring and drink from a vintage cup and saucer…and plan how I am going to spend my day.
Hi. Fellow Flyer here. Also have done Artists Way–twice now, about 10-12 years apart. Very helpful for those transitions in lifestyle. Sorry to be so crytic(?). it's late and I'm a bit tired.
lovely, lovely! I am going to plan some more artists dates for me when the kids go back to school tomorrow – yeah! 🙂
They will probably involve some hardcore making as recently I have been fully computerised for one reason or another! :0
Amelia.x
I adore the Artists Way! I love your cup and this its a great date and reminder to be kind to yourself!
(another flyer 😉
Cat
Hi, Concetta! Thanks for dropping by my blog. I love your mosaics. And what an artist Isabella is going to be! I love the tiles you made together.
concetta…i loved the artist way…it will help you grow so much…just stopping by from a pause in our flying lessons to say hello and say i am so happy to connect with you…
Blessings, R
Rebecca E. Parsons/Cre8Tiva
Cre8Tive Compass Magazine
Cre8Tiva's Blog
Artistically Speaking Talk Show
FAMM Live Radio
I did the Artists Way a few years back and found the dates to be the biggest challenge. I think tweaking the definition to make it fit in your life is a great solution. And yes, tea has a way of making us want to linger, doesn't it?!
i joined a group that worked thru the artist's way together. i had trouble ever getting thru it when i tried it on my own.
that was years ago and i still do my morning pages. altho, i've let it slide over the last month or so. do you notice any changes since you've been doing them?
thanks all for your encouragement – I am keeping going with morning pages and in the midst of it I find that threads of thought, worry, ideas surface that would otherwise remain buried, but not every day!
I just came across your blog, and had to comment on your beautiful work. It is truly stunning! I read The Artist's Way for he first time about 15 years ago and have been doing morning pages ever since. Still haven't went back to read any of them accept for the time when I adopted my daughter. That has been revisited:-)I too have trouble with artist dates, but it's good to keep trying:-)
Hi Julie, thanks for such lovely feedback on my work 🙂 I have missed my morning pages the last couple of days… got a spasm in my back ugh! Wow….you adopted. Amazing. Bet you wrote more than 3 pages those days?!!
I also am working in this mode, with these books!
Art dates, come in random spurts, but better, than
before! Some mornings my pages are typed, but
I am finding more ways to allow my creative out to explore!!!
I love your mint tea and treating yourself; Yes, this is an artistic date, in my regards!!!
Mint tea it is then! Still ploughing on with Artists Way though need to do more of the weekly exercises too. Nice to hear so many people have found it invaluable x