Artist Date Ideas

Julia Cameron in her book The Artist’s Way encourages taking time out from you week to spend on an Artist’s Date. These simple excursions or experiences are all ways to peak your curiosity and creativity. I’ve collected a series of Artist Dates that I’ve found on Pinterest, and wanted to archive for future reference. 

Last week I made a point to stop by an antique mall in Stephenville that I have been passing by for almost three years. I learned that it is only open a few days a week so I think my reluctance to stop by had to do with a confusion of whether it was still even in business. 

I was glad that I took the time to check it out as I was able to find a new piece for my budding new collection of small vintage planters made in Japan. I now have three, and am always delighted when I happen upon a new one. I’ve found that there are not too many of them in the local thrift and antique shops, so they are a real treasure when discovered. 

Artist Date Ideas

Explore a college campus-art museum, library, photo opportunities 

Scour an art museum- larger metroplex museums have art exhibits of famous artists 

Visit an antique store

Complete a walking trail-take plenty of photos

Mini-retreat at home- Check Pinterest for ideas

Schedule a mini-road trip

Go tech free for a day- read, draw, bake, art project

Visit an art supply store- Hobby Lobby, Michael’s

Spend some time outdoors- journey or sketch

Go for a walk in your town- document your experience through photos

Stop by the library 

Watch an Oscar nominated movie or classic movie

Grab a stack of magazines and create an inspiration board

Support the local arts scene- festival, music event, art show, play, museum exhibit

Plant something- flowers, herbs, micro-greens

Visit a thrift store with a $5.00 budget to find something to create with 

Spend an afternoon pursuing through your own personal library

Write a letter in long hand on pretty stationery to a friend

Go sit by a pond with your journal or sketchbook

Sit on your porch swing

Send a care package to your best friend or family member-take time and care to put loving thoughtful things into it

Choose a fantasy mentor- read their books, watch their videos, learn about their life as an artist, let them inspire you

Go cloud watching

Spend time browsing Etsy or Pinterest

Take yourself on a culinary artist date and try a new cuisine

Write a poem-haiku 

Write a letter to the person you plan to be in ten years

Check a book out from the library on a topic you are unfamiliar with

Go to an estate sale or yard sale

Make a list of 100 things that make you happy

Find a new blog to follow

Color a Mandela

Make a Bucket List

Lie in a hammock

Read a children’s book

Read poetry out loud to yourself

Visit a garden center

Drive aimlessly

Give yourself $5.00 to spend on an art project from the dollar store

Walk through a historical part of your town. Don’t forget to take pictures

Picnic in the park

Read an old journal of yours

Watch a documentary of your favorite artist

Finger paint

Buy a box of 64 crayons and a coloring book

Visit an old cemetery

Play at the park

Be a tourist in your own town

Visit a pet store

Try your hand at a new kind of art- You Tube

Visit a local farmer’s market

Spend a couple of hours at a local coffee shop

Visit a second-hand bookstore

Write down 10 things you’d like to experience before your next birthday

Have a paint and sip night-You Tube

Listen to a favorite album

Watch a Ted Talk

Go through old photos 

Paint Rocks

Start a journal of favorite quotes

Hone your photography skills

Create a bullet journal

Start a blog

Live like a fictional character

Stretch or try yoga or tai chi

Visit a State Park

Stargaze with a telescope

Create an Ideas journal

Spend time around the fire pit- make s’mores 

Watch a sunrise or sunset

Walk barefoot in the grass

Try a new cafe

Read an inspirational book

Dance in the rain

Visit a new library or independent bookstore

Learn hand-lettering

Sit on the porch while it rains

Do a directed drawing on You Tube