In Julia Cameron's book The Artist's Way, she discusses the importance of going on an Artist's Date once a week. It could be a country drive, a visit to a park, or a couple of hours at a coffee shop. The goal is to go out solo — ideally without your phone — to get your creative juices flowing. This past Saturday, I did just that.
I decided to book a morning at a flower farm where I enjoyed a catered lunch and freshly made lemonade.
The day could not have been more perfect, weather-wise. It was sunny but not too hot. Although I forgot my straw hat to complete my picnic attire, I did remember to bring my watercolour and sketching supplies — I'm so glad I did.
As I enjoyed my peach-pesto salad (an odd combination that somehow worked) and sipped my lemonade, I admired a rustic barn beyond the garden beds. I set up my blanket under an apple tree — one of the few "good" spots to paint — and decided to make it my studio space for a couple of hours.
In the background, a mix of 80s music played faintly on the radio, a woman gossiped about her "lazy" husband who was addicted to his tablet, and birds chirped all around. This was not my normal environment for creating — but I was bound and determined to finish at least one new piece.
Upon picking up my lunch at the entrance, I gave my email and the woman looked up: "One?" "Yes," I told her. "Just me." "Good for you!" she exclaimed with a big smile as she handed me my lunch. It seemed few people came solo. The crowd was made up mainly of couples, mothers with young children, and older women out with friends (some there to commiserate about their spouses). It wasn't particularly busy.
I wasn't sure what to expect. There were rows of beautiful flowers, apple trees, lavender, and raspberry bushes. The lavender, though beautiful, wasn't nearly as tall as I had imagined, nor did it carry much scent up close. What I did notice was the buzzing of hundreds — if not thousands — of bees eagerly gathering pollen. It gave me a sense of calm and hope that plants like these were helping our declining bee population. It made me want to plant more pollinators.
Artist's Dates are something I don't do nearly enough of.
When I wasn't online sharing the beauty of it all with my community, I was mindfully taking it all in. It was clear that the people who lived there and converted their acreage into gardens of berries, fruits, vegetables, and flowers wanted to share that beauty with others — something that resonated deeply with me, as I too have property I hope one day to open up. I dream of hosting brunch in the forest, perhaps gathering small groups, and of course sharing my love of art.
I know this will take time — as all good things do. In the meantime, I will keep going on adventures and sharing these experiences with you, in the hopes of inspiring you to take yourself out and proudly say: "Table for one!"
— Julie
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