Rene admiring a painting at the Sawdust Art Festival

It’s so fun to be in “create” mode. Some of us create stories, some create scarves. My husband goes into “create” mode on his guitar in the evenings, and my daughter has canvases in the garage where she stands for hours and paints. My friends create gorgeous scrapbooks, cards, wreaths, topiaries, paintings and ceramics. Some knit scarves or cross-stitch bibs. I love to see how everyone “creates.”

But sometimes, I think, you need to be on the receiving end. You need to see or read or absorb art in some way to “fill up” your reserve and feel inspiration.

The first time I read this concept was in Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way (which was a gift from my friend Grace, by the way, and was one of the nicest gifts I’ve ever received. Tip: If you know a writer or artist of any kind, this is a fabulous Christmas or birthday gift!) Anyway, Cameron mentioned setting “artist dates” for yourself to go out an enjoy art — to basically “fill up your cup” with things that inspire you. It could be browsing through a bookstore, sitting in a park and watching the trees sway, going to an art museum, listening to classical music — whatever inspires you and makes you think “wow, this artist is amazing!” or “wow, this is beauty.” Cameron suggests doing this at least once a week.

Once a week might sound a little intense for those of us with kids, jobs, playdates, kids’ football practice, dinners to be prepared, laundry to be done, etc., but it’s at least a cool goal. Continue reading →