“How do you do an artist date when you can’t go anywhere?”

Is that a question you’re asking, too?

If you’re familiar with The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, you know the value. Artist dates are intended to fill up your energetic tank and fuel your creative being and doing.

What’s fun for your inner artist?

What do they need in this moment? I find my artist dates to be most fruitful when they include meeting some physical need (like a snack, body movement, something for the senses) and a touch of adventure.

Lately, coloring has been a comfort. With special thanks to artist Tia Keobounpheng for her beautiful “Quarantine Coloring” designs like the one pictured here, my watercolor pencils are in play.

Now, what each of us declares as fun differs. And what your inner kid is curious about and wants to look forward to changes, so you need to stay tuned in to pick something that looks promising. Remember, that it doesn’t always work out, but with each date you go on, you learn that much more about what nourishes your creative self.

Here are 50 ideas to spark at-home artist date plans.

Choose one or riff off the idea and set aside a couple of hours by yourself to make it happen.

Artist Dates @ home:

1. Bake
2. Make something
3. Get out art supplies you haven’t used in a while (ever?) & play
4. Look through art books, picture books, old magazines for inspiration
5. Clip out whatever magazine images that catch your eye or heart to create your own inspiration collage
6. Dig out your old art projects and sort through them just for fun
7. Color – if you don’t have a coloring book, find some coloring sheets like these from tiakeoart.com or draw your own lines
8. Nap
9. Make (or make up) a new recipe with what you’ve got on hand
10. Play music and draw
11. Play new-to-you music and dance
12. Create or rearrange your creative maker space
13. Write a letter longhand on special paper to a dear friend
14. Contact an artist you follow, tell them how much you admire their work and start a conversation
15. Give yourself a beauty treatment – nail polish, facial mask, foot massage, bubble bath
16. Find a comfortable place to sit and spend time with your sketchbook
17. Put together a care package and send it to someone you love; fill it w/ loving notes & things handmade by you
18. Watch a documentary or biographical film to learn about an artist’s life; let them inspire you (Chef’s Table & Abstract:The Art of Design or two such series on Netflix)
19. Pull out an unfinished project and move it closer to done
20. Repot some house plants, notice how it feels to give them more room to grow
21. Go through your home and find 14 items to toss or give away
22. Clean out a drawer
23. Clear off your nightstand
24. Plan a future road trip
25. Rearrange the furniture in one room in your home
26. Take or make a self portrait each day this week
27. Make a playlist of music that inspires you
28. Enjoy a full day of silence
29. Set your technology devices aside for two full hours, and follow whatever interests you
30. Create a mandala out of color, stones, leaves or other natural objects; snap a photo and then release the mandala
31. Read and old journal and highlight what resonates as true and wise for you today
32. Make some simple puppets and record a silly scene or two
33. Plant an indoor herb garden
34. Make a list of 50 things that bring you joy
35. Something else that makes your heart sing

Online Artist Dates:

1. Take a virtual tour of a National Park
2. Visit a gallery in a famous art museum online
3. Browse the online catalogue of a store you’ve never visited
4. Take a free art class online
5. Give yourself one hour to play on Pinterest
6. Go to the opera for free in April
7. Choose a few how-to videos on YouTube & learn something new
8. Take in a free production from the National Theatre every Thursday
9. Listen to musicians playing from home
10. Dust off a musical instrument you have at home and find free tutorials online
11. Take a virtual field trip
12. Let yourself enjoy free offerings by Sketchbook Skool
13. Join in on a live drawing party or catch a recording
14. Go to your library website and find an audio or e-book about a topic you know very little about
15. Sing your favorite songs online Karaoke

Remember, the purpose of an artist date is to bring you joy and nourishment.

What other ideas will you add to the list? I’d love to hear your comments, too. Enjoy!

Gain clarity, compassion & confidence in your creative spirit

Is this a good time to expand your understanding and growth along your own creative path?
Please consider joining one my Artist’s Way live online courses. I’d love to see you there and your creative spirit will thank you!

“I’ve struggled with artist’s block. This class w/ Amy got me back to a playful approach.” ~ Kathleen

“It is a must-do! I can honestly say I found myself again working through this course.” ~ Melissa