Artist date: my happy place in two bridges
Welcome to the Artist Date Series!
This is the first in an ongoing series where I will share ideas for how to make time for creative self-care through artist dates. For those of you who are hearing about artist dates for the first time, they are a practice created by Julia Cameron for her famous creative rediscovery program, The Artist’s Way.
“The Artist Date is a once-weekly, festive, solo expedition to explore something that interests you. [It] need not be overtly “artistic” – think mischief more than mastery. Artist Dates fire up the imagination. They spark whimsy. They encourage play. Since art is about the play of ideas, they feed our creative work by replenishing our inner well of images and inspiration.” -Julia Cameron
I’ve modified my definition of artist dates a bit by allowing for companions every now and then, and I encourage you to modify them to work for you as well. The idea is really just about getting out of your usual routine and following your curiosity. They could be anything from spending an afternoon in a bookstore to walking around a new neighborhood to trying a new recipe for dinner. I hope this series will inspire you to take yourself out on your own artist adventures. Some of the posts, like this one, may be specific to New York, but I’ll try to always offer up a more general option in case you are reading this from somewhere else in the world.
THE DATE: Go to a figure drawing night!
Tucked away on Market Street in Two Bridges, a neighborhood nestled just below Chinatown, you’ll find a black door covered in a collage of graffiti. You’ll know you’re in the right place if you look up and spot a horse’s head. This is Happy Medium, the coziest art café and one of my absolute favorite spots in the city for either a solo field trip or a fun art evening with a friend.
The founders, Tayler and Rett Carraway, opened up this creative sanctuary in the summer of 2021, and they have put so much love into building a dreamy, inspiring, and judgment-free space to create. And did I mention cozy?? Behind that black door and up the checkered staircase, you’ll find a spacious loft filled with art books, fresh flowers, handmade furniture, and a warm glow cast by candles and paper lanterns. Not to mention it always smells ahh-mazing. Honestly, this place is perfect.
The first event I attended there was a figure drawing event – my first one ever in fact! At the time, I was pretty convinced that I did not enjoy drawing people and if you know me at all, you know that I’m also wildly uncomfortable around nakedness. I was pretty nervous, but I very quickly found myself completely immersed in the experience. I was amazed at how easily I was able to get out of my head and just have fun trying something new. As an overthinker, it’s often difficult for me to feel fully present but the welcoming environment and the quickness of the poses allowed for me to just scribble and create totally free of self-criticism. I walked away with a new curiosity and I’ve even started to incorporate drawing people into my creative practice. In addition to figure drawing nights, Happy Medium now offers a variety of workshops and art café experiences, all perfect for an artist date. If you’re in the area, you can get more of the details below and on their website!
If you’re not in NYC, try to find a place in your town that offers figure drawing nights or another type of event where you can create in community. The idea is to find something that will encourage you to try something new, get out of your head (and your apartment), and maybe even meet a new friend! I would love to hear how your artist date goes!
THE DETAILS
Cost: $15-150
Location: 49 Market Street
Solo or with friends? Either one!
What they offer:
Art cafe experiences (weekends) – $15-24; you can either book a studio pass or a package that includes art supplies (watercolor/collage/charcoal).
Figure drawing events — $35, all materials + one drink included (alcoholic and nonalcoholic options); you’ll work through a series of short poses (1-3 minutes) and a few longer poses (usually 5-15 minutes)
Workshops – $50-150; they offer a variety of workshops and they’re always adding new ones! Most recently, they’ve offered crochet, watercolor still lifes, woodworking, and plein air painting. I attended a figure modeling class taught by the dynamite Nellie Blue and it was SO much fun! Now I just need a chance to try out what I learned! Check out their website or Instagram for the latest schedule!
Handmade art supplies, including watercolors, paintbrushes, willow charcoal, and more!
Other gems in the area:
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory (I love the black sesame flavor!)
Mei Lai Wah for roast pork buns
Le Dive for wine and light bites
Mr. Fong’s for cocktails post-figure drawing
Posted on August 11, 2022
