From the Awareness series
Art Challenge
Time At least 10 minutes (more if you’re doing option 2)
You Need
- Your phone and a photo layout app (I used the free Instagram one)
- OR your sketchbook and preferred drawing tool
What to do
Option 1: Digital
- Notice and photograph at least 9 interesting textures.
- Choose 3 or more and use a photo layout app to create a photo collage with them.
- Optional (and awesome) Post your collage on Instagram with #makeartlifetexture so we can enjoy it!
Option 2: Sketchbook
- Notice at least 9 interesting textures.
- Create an abstract sketch that incorporates 3 or more of the textures you’ve noticed.
- Optional (and awesome) Take a photo of your sketch and post it on Instagram with #makeartlifetexture so we can enjoy it!
Texture Hunt Reflection
My favorite texture find was a slightly smelly sponge, something I would have never noticed or appreciated if not for this challenge. As you started to hunt for textures did you notice things you hadn’t noticed just a moment before? Did you discover a new appreciation for something you may have thought of as inconsequential or unappealing? Were you surprised to find that you had the makings of artwork right around you?
This challenge is a great demonstration of the power of directing our attention and a reminder of how easy it is to do. An amazing thing happens when we turn our attention to something we hadn’t been attending to previously. A whole new world of inspiration, insight, and possibility can appear right before our eyes. The familiar becomes new, prompting us to create in new and exciting ways.
Which brings us to our…
Life Challenge
- Each day for the rest of this week decide to pay attention to one facet of experience you don’t normally focus on.
- You can choose things that inspire like kindness, humor, calm, or courage.
- You can also learn a lot by noticing other things like struggle or fear.
- It doesn’t matter if what you’re paying attention to is “good” or “bad”. Any new way of noticing is insightful, and sometimes noticing the “bad” can be very motivational.
- Throughout the day, try to find as many examples of it as possible in yourself, others, and your environment.
- Reflect on your discoveries. What new appreciation, ideas, and desired actions do your observations leave you with?