CED July Theme: Self

June 27th, 2009

ced self

The *totally optional* theme for the Creative Every Day Challenge in July will be Self

I will be posting about the theme throughout the month with different ways to approach it. If you need some suggestions, here are a few ideas to get you started. You could:

  • *Do a series of self-portraits.
  • *Get creative with your rituals of self-care
  • *Write an autobiographical essay or poem.
  • *Explore what your space says about you.
  • *Have fun with your personal style.
  • *Express yourself in an art journal.
  • *Play with your personal symbols.
  • *Write a letter to yourself from your higher self.
  • *Create a vision board about your deepest visions for yourself.

How to use the CED themes:

If you're feeling creatively stuck or blocked at any point during the month, use the theme as a source of inspiration to get you moving. 

Using the theme is entirely optional for CED participants. Use it if it inspires you, ignore it if it doesn't. I'll be sharing posts throughout the month around the theme (among other things) to get you thinking about how to incorporate it into your life. I'd love to hear how you use the theme in your creative world.

Feel free to focus on the theme in your creative activities for the entire month or as much as you'd like.

And have fun with it!

"The most beautiful art comes from our deepest, rawest selves; it rises from within like the hoot of an owl or the song of a whale." ~Jan Phillips, Marry Your Muse

p.s. The art I used in at the top of the post is from my painting, Lantern, which I modified slightly for this theme post.

23 Responses

Amazing. I had a brainstorm a few days ago about a “self” portrait using mixed media. I’ve already jumped in and started, which is great considering I didn’t do anything for the month of sound:(

Hi Leah
It’s been a while since I attempted a self portrait so that will be an interesting exercise. I’ve been practicing drawing the human form so I’m keen to see how much I’ve improved!

I’ve had tremendous fun doing my thumbnail sketch every night, as my creative indulgence for each day. I look forward to it, it’s my highlight.

The theme for July sounds like fun, thanks!

What a great theme. Of course, this is one I am quite comfortable with. I have noticed that my current flying girls focus less on the landscape through which they are flying, and more on the internal landscape. It’s all about what is inside of them. What is inside of the self.

IT wasn’t something I planned, but that’s the way it turned out. I suppose it fits where I am in my life right now.

I was really excited to see the self project. I had been wanting to pick up that project as I have done this kind of thing before and learned so much from it. but am into building this exhibit thing for the tiburon art festival and not sure if I will have time… but may pick it up after august and do it then.

Oh my…I have often wanted to do a self portrait but can’t seem to get going..it really seems to unnnerve me.

I was fortunate to few a large body of work by Elizabeth Layton, http://elizabethlayton.com/ ,at the American Visionary Arts Museum…her story is amazing and inspiring. I highly recommend anyone interested in self portraits to read her story.

[...] One magazine had a great website resource http://creativeeveryday.com/ Each month has a theme to explore and tips to help you explore that months theme. July’s theme is ‘Self’. [...]

A focus on the self – what a great way to become centered (not self-centered) during the month of July. It will be wonderful to see any self portraits created. Thanks Leah!

I participate in Flickr’s 365 project – a “selfie” as I call them – daily. I am in my second year and my consistency is flagging. This will most definitely help that process along…. syncronicity rocks.

I can’t wait to start on this one. Could this little push to continue onward with the journey that got stalled due health issues. Great idea for a theme!

Leah, thanks to Karen of Art in the Garage, who commented on my Artist Statement blog yesterday (June 29), I’m going to start an artist statement swap…I’ll have info up tomorrow and will send you a link…seems to me it fits positively in July’s theme. =] Thanks, Karen! and thanks Leah for your forum, too.

This should be interesting. I’m the mom of 2 and a wife. I know what I do but, lately, have been struggling with who I am. I look forward to this one! Thanks.

I am so excited about this! July’s theme really hits home with me…Thank you for this wonderful opportunity…

What a great theme.
It fits in perfectly withwhat I had hoped to achieve this month anyway – to focus on nurturing myself – my health and my creativity!

This fits right into my transition into a new chapter…love the theme.

I had to find out the theme of the month- I’m on a 80% internet free summer but was getting cranky without the inspiration from “Creative Every Day”. Ahh! Got my fix. Good work Leah, and good theme.

[...] I am extending my vacation going to take July and the beginning of August off.  I am joining Leah from Creative Everyday…in July’s pilgrimage of self.  I need to think over some things and [...]

I just finished my 1st “self theme” art.

Check it out! :)

I am definitely enjoying the SELF reflections! I took a selfie photo yesterday, at first not realizing it was a selfie and I completely opened up when I realized how much of a selfie it was.

I am not sure if this is the right place to post a link to it or not? Am going to see if there is a more appropriate space and may pop over here to show it.

Self. Fabulous. Completes the map I have been doodling over the past month. And excellent entrée as I (at long last!) officially participate in this inspiring group of creatives.

★ Everyone who got to where they are had to begin where they were. ~Richard Paul Evans

Great theme ‘SELF’, it is perfect cause July is my bday month and the more I can discover about myself, the better! :) Finally! I got started with my first post in relation to this theme… and there’s more to come in my artblog. Do check ‘em out.

Keep on inspiring <3

I love the idea of “self.” My blog is new, so much of what I’ve posted thus far is about my self – who I am, and what my interests are. Thanks for the opportunity to participate in such a fun challenge.

Jackie

Welp, here are some self portraits. Hope you take a peak!

So far, my “self” focused creativity has been making yummy home made soup with veggies from the garden, sorting and restarting stitchery that I love but had discounted because it wasn’t a “money maker”, and sorting my studio so I can enjoy my time in there. I have also added items to my blog that are an important in my life. Not bad so far, huh???

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