From the Awareness Series
Special thanks to Karen Jackson, art-maker extraordinaire, for suggesting this challenge!
Like the other challenges from the Awareness series, this is a chance to see and appreciate your everyday surroundings in a new way.
I find something especially poetic about focusing on shadows- these intangible, temporary non-things. As physical beings in a materialistic world, we’re often focused on objects and things (even when we’re practicing awareness). I love the reminder that there’s a whole other world of non-stuff all around us that is just as real, rich and beautiful!
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 shadows.
- Choose 2 or more and use a photo layout app to create a photo collage with them.
- Optional (and awesome) Post your collage on Instagram with #makeartlifeshadow so we can enjoy it!
Option 2: Sketchbook
- Find at least 1 interesting shadow.
- Create an abstract sketch of it.
- Optional (and awesome) Take a photo of your sketch and post it on Instagram with #makeartlifeshadow so we can enjoy it!
Reflection
- Did you experience a familiar environment in a new way? Did this challenge take you someplace you don’t normally go?
- Did you discover anything surprising?
- What details did you notice about the shape, color, shade, patterns of the shadows you found?
Life Challenge
The rest of this week 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?