Today I went on a date! Woohoo! …and guess with who? …with myself, with “me”,
with the artist Lisa Rivas.
It’s called taking your artist out on a date.
An “ARTIST DATE”, is one of the two basic tools used in the book
The Artist Way by Julia Cameron.
So I packed some pencils and pens and a sketch book, and then headed over to
Shelby Bottoms Park in Nashville, TN.
First I made a stop and to pickup some Chocolates (the ones with wrappers that have quotes in them) and some Ginger Cookies!
Upon arriving I strolled around, and then eventually took a seat at a park bench right in front of the pond where there was all sorts of waterfowl. I opened the sketch book and then just let my hand float over the page and to have it respond to what ever it wanted to draw. I wasn’t allowing (from my ego) too much input.
I felt deeply relaxed and happy.
If had been a long time since I have done anything like this. Eventually shapes started to emerge and speak to each other. Well, that is what I imagined they were doing, since they were all on the same page!
I concluded they were talking about the return of the birds from further down south, a sure sign of Spring.
The weather was perfect, not too cold nor windy and the sun was shining, they should be heading back.
It felt good to be outside.
I also looked at the birds and their feathers scattered about… There was one particular goose or gander that was very flirty with me. He actually did a little dance for me, pirouetting on one foot! Very charming :heart:
So maybe after all I was really having a date with Mr. Silly Gander!
Live well, laugh often, and love much. ~a quote on a Chocolate Dove wrapper
It makes my heart light to think of you happily doodling away on that lovely park bench…and inspires me to take a bit better care of myself. I miss the Canadian Geese I used to see when I lived in MIchigan. So lovely to see this funny shot of a flirty goose. I love it. ♥
What a perfect artist.s date! I saw some geese flying yesterday, heard them first actually, and decided they were, indeed, flying north! I am always in awe of the completing of nature’s circle that has gone on for milleniums. The flight of geese in the spring always gives me that sense of wonder. Perhaps your “flirty” gander was a lover from a past life who was very happy to spend some time with you!!! 😉
I forgot to ask before I hit the enter button……The photo that you posted is beautiful!! Is it a double exposure? what is the technique to get that look? I love it!!
What a wonderful date. I love the sketch- as well as the beautiful photo, what a lovely park! and the flirty gander!!!!! it is amazing what you see when you stop and look! this book is giving me a new appreciation in life – and i’m really slowing down and really looking and SEEING!
Sounds like a wonderful Artist Date! Complete with Chocolate! Good for you!!! But I think the Geese may have been wanting your chocolate too!
Love your art and the photograph. You’ve inspired me to do the same, I shall have to go on a date with ‘me’ soon too, i think. Really glad to meet you, and enjoy your blogposts.
I so love this sketch, Lisa. I like picturing you drawing it out in nature. I had not seen it before now and was surprised to see that it has elements of my map patterns that I told you I wanted to show you. Kindred spirits? Inspired by your past works for sure. Thank you for your presence…