On a recent hike in Raccoon Creek State Park, I stopped to sketch a favorite sycamore tree. The autumn light filtering through the forest caught on the white bark of the sycamore, setting it apart from the dark, shadowy hillside beyond.
Just 15 minutes of sketching deepened my experience of walking in the woods.
The day before, I had been helping David to photograph our friend Joe's artwork. Looking at my drawing, I can see the inspiration Joe's work imparted. I admire the way he captures the life in a tree, and the way he sets off a subject by sketching in the shadows behind it.
Without being conscious of my decisions, I was drawn to sketch the shapes the sycamore tree highlighted by the dark shadows behind it.
I now realize that I had what Julia Cameron calls an Artist's Date on the day I helped with David's photography project. And, Joe's artwork directly inspired and improved my artwork.
Anytime we take ourselves out to see something that fascinates us, to see another person's artwork, or to experience beauty in some way, the encounter affects our creativity. We may feel inspired. We might create in a new way, or even take on new subjects. I find that it's always worth the effort of fitting an artist's date into my life.
What artwork or beauty would you like to see? I hope you put it on your schedule and have an artist's date of your own!
