Artist’s dates are an idea from Julia Cameron, the woman who created a movement with her book, The Artist’s Way. I started working through her twelve-week course earlier this year. (I wrote about it and a few other things in February.) Cameron suggests solo artist’s dates weekly to refill the well we draw on when we create art–whether visual or verbal. She describes them as solo dates “to do something fun.”

While the idea of doing something fun is certainly a good one, I spend enough time on my own. I’ve been an “empty nester” and a widow for quite a few years now, so doing things by myself is my norm. Planning more time alone isn’t as much fun for me, especially when I’m trying to feed my inner artists.

This month, though, I had a chance to do a couple of group crafts, and I realized those are my perfect artist’s dates.

The first one was at our local writing group’s “Day Camp for Big Kids.” One of our newest members is a professional graphic artist and a crafter. She offered to lead us through a process that recycles junk mail into folios. She imagined they would be ideal for snippets of stories, inspirational pictures, character notes and anything else we might want to save for stories we’re working on. She also said we could take them to conferences or other gatherings to hold business cards and other small memorabilia we might pick up there.

I wish I’d taken a few more photos of the process, but I had a great time making my purple folio.

And the next day, I dropped in on a craft club I hadn’t even realized existed. They were working on mosaics on pre-cast forms. I’ve never done anything like that in my life. Others in the group were serious crafters, makers who create lovely objects all year long to sell at craft fairs in the area. I, on the other hand, am a rank amateur when it comes to making things by hand.

Oh, I crochet things. Have for years. But mostly they’re scarves and caps and throws. I’ve dabbled in paint-and-pour sessions, but those died during COVID. I’ve been to a couple since then, but I haven’t made a practice of them. And I can’t help arranging those grocery flowers when I feel a need for something fresh in my house. I took floral design for fun way last century and helped briefly on rush weekends at one of my hometown florists.

But I picked through the rocks and pebbles, the broken plates and colored gems, opaque beads and broken glass, and came up with a couple of small mosaics that I can put in my yard. The more knowledgeable of the crafters told me one was in the “natural” style and the other was “Victorian.” I wouldn’t have elevated either to named status, but I had fun making them.

And I had fun chatting with the others who attended each of the events. That was, I think, exactly what I need from an artist’s date. That happy feeling that comes with trying something and finding out you can do it, however badly. And a chance to meet with like-minded folks who enjoy working on projects together.

So, even though I know Cameron recommends solo activities, I know these group projects refill my artist’s well far better than more alone time. But now, I’ll be looking for more of these activities for my dates.

À bientôt!