Tayari's Blog: The Original Old Girl Goes On An Artist Date

Posted by TayariJones on January 23, 2007 02:24 PM
Filed under Guest Bloggers , The Artist's Way

Hello, I am Ladylee, one of the many readers of Tayari’s blog. I am currently reading Julia Cameron’s The Artist's Way with Tayari and a few of you. Tayari asked if I would take a moment to describe my Week 1 “Artist Date”. (For those of you know on the program, an "Artist Date" is when you treat yourself to an outing, just to see something new, to entertain and indulge your inner artist.)

First of all, a little about myself: I am an Atlanta native in my mid-thirties and I am a chemist holding a doctorate degree in the area of organic chemistry. I have published numerous papers in my area of expertise, and consider myself very well grounded in the area of technical writing. Herein lies my issue: I have a habit of approaching any and everything from a scientific, technical, and/or formulaic point of view. When I try to apply my knowledge in technical writing to creative writing, well, there’s a problem. So needless to say, this book and its exercises are providing much needed help, helping me to think a bit differently about my writing and attitudes toward it.

At first, I was a bit perplexed by this whole “Artist Date” assignment, especially the requirement of doing something once a week. Personally, I thought that was a bit much. What would I do? Where would I go? I am finding through the first and now the second week of this process that I have a tendency to pontificate a bit too hard about such things. I even got caught up in trying to make a straight list of twelve things I could do. I found that a bit annoying. I stopped discussing it with people because for some reason, they are just more than ready to tag along. I really needed to just find something interesting to do, stop trying to analyze it all, and just DO IT.

I posed the question to Tayari, just trying to get an idea of her take on artist date activities, and she made a few suggestions. She sent a small list, and I myself had already made up a small list of things to do (really, trying feverishly to come up with 12 artist dates on the spot). I noticed that our lists had a few things in common. Most of the things that both she and I listed did not excite me in the least bit. The zoo? No. The aquarium? No. Been there, done that. I was more interested in doing some things that I haven’t done in the past.

Tayari suggested “Go to that big weird store in Little Five Points and look at that weird stuff in there.” I immediately knew the place that she spoke of: The Junkman’s Daughter. I drive past that place often, and have always wanted to go, but was a bit afraid to go into the graffiti-splayed building. (It has been described as a "department store on acid.")

So last Sunday, in an effort to complete the artist date assignment, I went on my first “artist date” to the Junkman’s daughter.

It was difficult to make time for this Artist Date. My weekends are usually free flowing, but this past weekend was jammed packed with activities. As a matter of fact, I had brunch with friends on Sunday, left them, and went straight to the Junkman’s Daughter. It was pouring down rain, but I knew if I didn’t go then, it wouldn’t go at all. Besides, I thought that the place wouldn’t be teeming with patrons since it was such a dreary day.

I walked in and felt immediately out of place, as I was dressed conservatively, and the clientele was more than eclectic. I know one thing: I came face-to-face with all things gothic and kitsch. There was a worker there that sported the brightest neon blue hair, and I know he felt my hard bewildered stare. (Do they REALLY sell hair dye that color?) I must have spent an hour in there, perusing the multi-colored wigs, the strange book collection, and the over-the-top clothing (This is a really cool place to find a Halloween costume). What really surprised me was the amount of “smokers” paraphernalia (if you catch my drift) this store carried. There was even smoker’s stationery. Yikes!

Much to my delight, I found something that I’d been searching for for the past 13 years: hand dipped incense. Sure, I’ve come across hand dipped incense in recent times, but none of the quality that I bought back in 1994 at a tourists mall during a layover in Philadelphia. Back then, I purchased fifty sticks at ten cents apiece. Although cheap, they provided a delightful scent which lasted for days! So imagine my surprise to see the same variety at the Junkman’s Daughter. I must have spent about thirty minutes inhaling the more than fifty varieties. They had strange scents that I’d never seen before… pear vanilla, raspberry rose, sky, earth, and sunshine. They also carried scents that I love, such as patchouli, jasmine, rain, and strawberry. After very careful consideration, I purchased twenty sticks. At least I know where to go to buy more!

I must say that I enjoyed this artist date, once I got over being intimidated by the process. It was nice to go somewhere completely out of the norm. I most definitely look forward to planning Week 2’s Artist date.

(Here is Junkman's Daughter's Halloween commerical on YouTube to help you get the idea.)

Okay, everyone else. Where did you go?

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There are 5 comments on "The Original Old Girl Goes On An Artist Date". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.

Comment #1, by Tayari Jones [TypeKey Profile Page]

For my date, I went to The National Portrait Gallery. Like Ladylee, I was surprised at how hard it was for me to make time for my Artist Date. I think I usually think of "doing something for me" as buying something. (I have the handbags to prove it!) But it was hard to carve out time for just wandering around, seeing what I could see.

The portrait gallery was a terrific experience. There was a contest going on and it did my heart good to see such really interesting work from living artists, still trying to make thier mark. The weirdest thing I saw was a portrait in "Lite Brite" of a naked middle-aged suburban looking couple. And even weirder was the caption "MOM AND DAD".

The most exciting was to turn the corner and run right into a seven foot tall life-like portrait of Toni Morrison. In another room was Fannie Lou Hamer.

I didn't have time to look at everything in the museum, so I think I'll have to make a trip back.

January 23, 2007 02:50 PM

Comment #2, by cheryl miner [TypeKey Profile Page]

I am late with my artist date because I am a little behind you guys in reading the book. My date won't be nearly as interesting as yours. I thought of where I would go if I didn't have to worry about what anyone thought or if they would be bored or not. I am used to doing the mom thang where compromise is the key. So Friday I am playing hooky from work and taking my artist out to Bus Boys and Poets Cafe for a vegan egg breakfast and than we're going to Second Story books, this used book store that has absolutely no order to the books....I mean crap is everywhere so me and my artist will have a ball crawling around the floor, smelling old paper and seeking out hidden treasures. I don't have to worry about anyone gagging as I eat egg substitutes or anyone asking "What book are you looking for?" I know I can't play hooky every week....that would be more like an artist affair....but I thought the first time out what the hay...I'd go for it

January 23, 2007 10:30 PM

Comment #3, by oisine [TypeKey Profile Page]

Hi, I thought this 12 week program was just for writers but after reading these entries, I think I might be hooked. I read this blog because I absolutely love and support books and authors and (other people's) writing and publishing in general and mainly because I met Tayari at Vertigo Books a few months ago and she signed my book and actually chatted with me for a bit!!! :-)

So, I love the thought of bringing out your inner creativity - and I know I have some in me - and the Artist date! I can't wait to do that! I'm starting the program. I know I'll be behind the rest of you but that's okay. I'm in!!
elvira

January 24, 2007 02:36 PM

Comment #4, by TaRessa [TypeKey Profile Page]

Tayari told me about y'all doing the Artist's Way and though I'd heard of and carefully avoided that book over the years, I found the invite so intriguing and delightful that I ordered the book immediately. It arrived yesterday and I am SO impressed that before I even hit chapter 2, I'd called a friend across the country to insist that she get the book and jump into the program. THANKS, Tayari, for the wonderful suggestion and invite, and thanks to all of you for sharing your adventures so far. I find them fun to read and inspiring.

Blessings,
TaRessa

January 25, 2007 09:21 PM

Comment #5, by Shelley Shockley [TypeKey Profile Page]

I haven't gone on my artist's date yet. I'm planning to do that tomorrow, but I would like to thank Tayari for posting the information on this book. I am on my first week and at first I didn't think that I was connecting until I seriously thought about those individuals that had attempted to block my creativity. After writing my morning pages the other day it came to me. I won't spend time here with it, but it was an eye opener. I'm going to post the details on my blog.

January 26, 2007 02:19 PM

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