Artist Date Roman Holiday Style

Quote of the Day:  It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness. ~ Charles H. Spurgeon

Whenever I'm invited to view and review a show at The Guthrie, I try to think of one new thing I can do when I go to the city. Sometimes, my guest is someone who is attending a show here for the first time. I love watching them experience something new. My publicist/friend Krista has accompanied me the most, so we try to plan something new to do, like eat some place new, or walk around somewhere. We didn't get there early enough for the Stone Arch Festival, but we did  have time for a delicious Greek Salad at the Spoon River restaurant, right outside the Guthrie. They're all about fresh, local ingredients, food that makes you feel good.

You know I love taking pictures of scrumptuous food like this. Plus, I just got a new lens for my Nikon camera. So, Krista and I had fun taking photos here, and again after the show down by the river. Because we were having so much fun with our cameras and our dining experience, we met these two lovely ladies.

Bernie and Chris

We exchanged cards. Chris is a writer, too.

They were going to see Amen Corner.

I invited them to read my reviews on this blog.

They asked Krista to take their picture.

Bernie took one of us.

Then, we all went in to see our shows.

You can read my review by clicking on The Guthrie tab above.

After the show, we went out of the theatre to take a walk and shoot some photos by the river, and discovered this cute motorbike that reminded us of the scene from Roman Holiday.

Just a fun shot using reflection.

One for the website whenever I get that up and going.

Plus, wanted to show off the outfit I found at a local Brainerd shop, The Olde Open Window.

I found the most awesome sandals there. Just like Princess Anne in Roman Holiday, they set my soul (soles) free and I was off on another Artist Date in the MinnieApple.

You can have an Artist Date wherever you go, or even if you stay at home. Do something new. Find a hot, new pair of shoes and a new place to where them. Invite a friend along, and don't be afraid to talk to strangers, at least not the ones who smile and say, "Hi." Life is an adventure...

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Where have your soles (or souls) taken you lately?

Creatively Filled

Quote of the Day:  Think of whatever you are doing as an adventure and watch your life change for the better. - Wilfred A. Peterson

I went on an Artist Date with my artist friend, JeMA.  It had all the best ingredients: coffee, two art galleries, a book store, a music store, and this deliciousness.

P. F. Change's Lettuce Wraps

And, My Favorite Photo Friday pick:

This one really cracks me up!

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Do you buy original art?

S is for Self-Care

Letter of the Day:  S

S is for Self-Care and Slumdog Millionaire.

If you don't take care of yourself and tend to your needs, how are you going to be healthy enough to create?  You need to claim time for yourself (see tomorrow's guest post by Cher), and you need to nurture your creative soul. 

Have you ever taken yourself on an Artist's Date?  This idea comes from Julia Cameron in her book The Artist's Way.  This book is filled with great ways to unblock your creative spirit and get you to take steps towards building your art.  If you haven't worked your way through it, I recommend you find a creative partner and do it together.  It's great to talk through the ideas and exercises together and you'll always have a cheerleader for your creative endeavors.

This week, I took a much needed Artist's Date.  I drove to a nearby town and visited the locally owned bookstore.  I loved it.  I chatted with the owner, and he said he was interested in bringing books to a Dementia Awareness workshop that's being organized by a group I've recently joined, LAMAA (Lakes Area Memory Awareness Advocates).

Then, I stopped at a cute store called:

It's a coffee/tea shop that also sells loose leaf tea and coffee beans.  I was so excited to see that they carry a few of my favorites.  My best tea lady closed shop in town a few years ago, and I hadn't discovered this place, yet. 

I made myself a cup of Evening in Missoula tonight.  Mmmm. hits the spot.  It has mint and herbs and other soothing plants, which is good, especially during allergy season.

I also picked up some flowers for my mom.  I wrote "Happy Spring" on the card.  It includes her birthday, Easter, and Mother's Day.  She lives a ways away where it is now quite swampy and flooded, but she said the roads should be open by Friday.

One more thing that fed this "starving" artist was listening to Dawn's CD during the drive.  (She wrote the guest post on R Day.)  Her music and voice are gorgeous.

And, a quick review of Slumdog Millionaire.  It's intense.  I was so nervous the first time I watched it.  I was afraid it would be too violent or heart-wrenching for me.  And, yes, there are a few tough scenes, especially with the children.  It depicts a place filled with strife and violence.  But, it's a story of survival.  I am drawn in by those stories.  I had to see it to the end.  I figured it wouldn't have gotten such rave reviews, Oscar nominations and awards, if it wasn't a strong and satisfying story.  It is.  I didn't know it was a love story.  Despite all the struggles, all the ugliness of that place and time, the corruption of some of the people, Good triumphs over evil - with great sacrifice.  I was left feeling hope in the end.

Journaling Prompt:  Where would you like to go on an Artist's Date?

Extreme Artist Date - ND Style

Quote of the Day:  You decide to do something, perform one small action, and suddenly it's a tide, the momentum is going, and there's no possibility of turning back.  Somehow, even though you thought you foresaw all that would happen, you didn't know the pace would pick up so.  Amanda Cross, American writer

Here I am at Stella's Italian restaurant in Fargo, ND with my two artist friends, JeMA and Roxane. Click on their names to get their versions of the date.

We're having our own version of an Eat Pray Love experience.  Roxane called it an "Extreme Artist Date."  The idea comes from The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, where you take yourself out and experience whatever it is that inspires you.  In this case, our friendship, good food, and artistic places on the Plains.

After dinner, we saw Letters to Juliet, then spent some time at the Sky Prairie lounge on the roof of the Hotel Donaldson, where we were guests.

The weekend started to take on a Mediterranean feel with the pasta, the garlic, the wine, and the movie that transports us to the rolling hills of Italy, where romance comes to those who wait.

The night was sticky and hot, but we enjoyed hanging out on the rooftop - something we couldn't do in January in Fargo!

We shared our plans as we build our lives around our art.  We encouraged one another to create, share, and become successful.  The Hotel Donaldson promotes local artists and authors.  We could imagine our works being displayed there.

In the morning, we stood on the balcony, feeling the heat of the day and the hope of possibilities.

We had lunch at a Greek restaurant.

The lemonades and teas come in many exotic flavors.  JeMA had pomegranate, Roxane - blueberry, and I thought I'd take a little passion fruit in mine.  Mmm.  Great compliments to the Greek salad and light, but tasty skewers.

We visited the Plains Arts Museum.  I was fascinated by the display that paired The Beetles White Album songs to various artwork.

Then, we had coffee at a local shop that displays local art.  JeMA showed us her latest pieces.  Her smaller ones, called JeMs, are particularly fascinating.  Roxane asked to buy one and named it "The Story."

With the Prairie winds in our hair, joy in our hearts, and art exuding from our pores, we blow back into the world, ready to create, share, and inspire.

Journaling Prompt:  Describe a get-away, near or far, that inspired you.

Tripping the Light Fantastic

Quote of the Day:  I could have danced all night! And still have begged for more.  I could have spread my wings, and done a thousand things I've never done before. - from I Could Have Danced All Night from the musical My Fair Lady

This past week I was in Portland, OR visiting my little sister, Joy.  There she is cuttin' a rug with her friend.  Our cousin Angie and I traveled together from Minnesota to see Joy and have a West Coast experience.  She took us out dancing where we were stretched out of our comfort zone learning dance steps and being led around the dance floor with new partners.  We were taught the East Coast Swing at the lesson, so when the guy asked me to dance the Rumba, I said, "I don't know that one."  That didn't stop him.  He said, "I'll teach you," and off I went whirling and twirling, slow-slow-fast, or something like that. (I did not step on his foot.)

The first thing she did was make us eat with our hands off the same plate at a Moroccan restaurant.  It was delicious and messy, but they wash your hands.

We sang show tunes together, like I Could have Danced all Night and The Music of the Night where Joy hit that amazing B.  I still have goosebumps.

I found myself noticing feet.  These red suede shoes belong to a waiter at a lovely French bistro where we had lunch.

Nordlys dancers at the Midsummer Festival - Scandinavian festival to celebrate the longest day of the year, and our heritage.

Our toes in the sand on the Oregon coast at Lincoln City.  Beautiful, but cool, and full of shadow and light.

These feet have taken me out of Minnesota, out of my comfort zone, and into a new light.  This is just the first glimpse, folks.  Look for more of this fantastic trip, the food, the journey - inward and outward, the books, and the fun.

Journaling Prompt: Where have your feet taken you lately?  Where would you like them to go?

Eyebrows

Quote of the Day:  Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people.  Forget yourself. - Henry Miller  (This one is also in the book The Artist's Way.  I'm working on Chapter 2 this week.)

For my Artist's Date this week, I took myself out to hear a concert by a Minnesota choir called From Age to Age.  Live performances of any kind are inspiring and exciting and fill me up.  This group, under the direction of the amazing Andrew Miller, gives me reason to say, Life is good.  I am transformed beyond myself.  Somehow I can be in the moment and also remembering the past and dreaming about the future, all the while my spirit is set free.  They performed in a church where the ceiling rises to a peak, and as the walls slope down they become rounded.  It looks like the bottom of a boat that's tipped over, and we're safe underneath.

I watch and I listen and I feel.  Somehow, eyebrows became the focal point for me.  Andrew sings as well as conducts his choir.  He makes eye contact with the pitch man, who offers up a note. Andy gives the choir a 1-2-3-(4), and the voices come alive, all on the right note, together, without accompaniment, and they move with the rhythm of the song, and somehow the song becomes part of me. 

They sang in English, Latin, German, Italian, and Russian.  I never knew Russian could sound so beautiful.  They also performed new work by three Minnesota composers, two of whom were in the audience.  What a marvelous meeting of the creators and the interpreters.

We stood and applauded and sighed that it had to end, then Andy raised his eyebrows, flashed us his confident grin and said, "We have one more ditty for you."  They performed the William Tell Overture with their voices sounding like a full orchestra, going bada bump, bada bump, bada bump, bump bump.  And, when they got to Bah!, they all turned to the audience with great facial expressions.  A member named Josh kept his eyebrows moving up and down to the rhythm of the song, right, left, back and forth.  Josh has very talented eyebrows!

So, the boys and I practiced eyebrow poses for this post. 

Journaling Prompt:  Describe a time when art, music, literature, a person, or nature inspired you.

Artist Date

Quote of the Day:  The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity.  The creative mind plays with the objects it loves. - C. G. Jung

I found that quote in the book The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.  I recommend this book to anyone who has ever been blocked, frustrated, or suffered self-doubt in their creative lives.  I first looked at this book in 2004 with my writer-mama-pal Roxane.  We worked on it and checked in with each other regarding our progress.  I am revisiting this book now with her and artist friend JeMA.  This goes along nicely with the Business class for Artists that I'm taking.

Julia Cameron encourages us to share what we've learned in this book.  Two basic tools for unblocking are journaling and the Artist Date.  She has some specific ideas about the journaling.  I believe any journaling is helpful.  I love encouraging people to write out their stories, feelings, expectations, fears, etc.  That is the purpose of my blog.

For the Artist Date this week, I bought myself a new camera.  The above photo is the first image on this camera.  JeMA took it while we were having our weekly check-in at the coffee shop.  Here's another one of me having fun...

So, I took a picture of JeMA laughing at me acting silly in a coffee shop.

Then, I went home and made good use of the rain.  Look, free water to wash the deck!  And, good little worker boys who don't mind working if they can get wet!  Plus, a neighbor boy who'd rather help us clean than go home.  He doesn't have any brothers, just one older sister who's hardly ever home.  I served them hotdog mummies and fruit for lunch.  You gotta pay the help!

Would you like to join me on the deck for iced tea, creative conversation, or a good read?

Some Artist dates might be buying yourself tools for your creative work.  Some might be taking a walk, looking at art, being inspired by nature or music.  It's taking time to nurture your creative child.

Journaling Prompt:  What would you like to do on an Artist date?