Creative Every Day Challenge Theme for December: Recycle
November 25th, 2009
When Art Every Day Month comes to a close at the end of the month, I'll be returning to my focus on the Creative Every Day Challenge, with its weekly check-in and monthly theme. And December's theme is Recycle.
As always, the themes for the Creative Every Day Challenge are totally optional. Use it if it sparks you, continue being creative every day in your own way, if it doesn't, or do something in between. For the theme of Recycle, I'm thinking in terms of re-using and recycling materials you already have, using found objects in your art, re-purposing clothing, bringing new life to old work, etc...
I'll be posting about the theme throughout the month. You can use the posts here for jumping off points or interpret the theme in your own creative way. If you need some suggestions, here are a few ideas to get you started. You could:
- *Find ways to use "junk" in your art.
- *Use recycled materials in your work.
- *Try re-purposing an item of clothing, making it new again.
- *Re-work an old piece that you've abandoned.
- *Tear up old art and use it in a collage.
- *Bind old computer paper into a sketchbook.
- *Create something with used wrapping and tissue paper.
- *Dig through your supplies and re-discover what you already have.
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!
Good art looks new because the artist has recombined something old to make something better. -Darby Bannard
p.s. I'll be posting about the 2010 Creative Every Day Challenge next week along with a nifty sign-up form, so stay tuned for that!
12 Responses
I love love love repurposing! I actually do this with my writing quite a bit…I look forward to seeing what people do with this next month.
Thank you, as always, Leah – for your inspiration.
Posted by: Julie Jordan Scott | Nov 25, 2009 at 9:49 am |
OMG! Leah, I love, love, love this theme. Can’t wait to get started. It is so funny that you chose this because I’ve been thinking about spending the next year painting over all of my abandoned canvases to save money on buying new ones. YAY!
Posted by: Sandy Coleman | Nov 25, 2009 at 10:06 am |
I was wondering if I should jump in or wait for the new year to start. I love this theme and will most certainly jump in, if I may.
Have I told you recently how much I think you rock? Thank you for all your wonderful challenges and inspiration.
Posted by: rennata | Nov 25, 2009 at 12:21 pm |
Leah, I have been out of town and without internet access for a few days. I did not see your post about your grandmother until today. I am so sorry for your loss. I felt the same way when my grandmother died. I knew she wasn’t living any great quality of life at the end & there was some relief in her passing but I grieved the enormous presence she’d been in my life. Sounds like you are doing all the right things as you move through the process. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Sherrie Phillips | Nov 25, 2009 at 12:46 pm |
I have a head gasket from a Model A I’ve been wanting to use. I like challenges!
Posted by: Susan Reep | Nov 25, 2009 at 12:55 pm |
I/we* haven’t done so much with the intent of CED in mind, and didn’t have much luck with AEDM (but am/are participating in NaNo too, so…yeah). But I love this prompt and we try to repurpose whenever the opportunity arises.
This month might be better for art, with NaNo done and the decision made to split time between a number of projects rather than running with one story for NaNoFiMo. (The characters from the story we put on hiatus for November would kill us. They’re already upset and acting up.) And, er, we moved our art and writing blogging location shortly after giving it to you. ^^; Will update you on the appropriate post when we get going with more than writing…
* One body, more than one person, and that’s not even counting the muses/story-characters. Yeah, it’s odd and complicated, and we know not everyone believes it’s possible. But this is the best explanation we have for what it’s like in here. Sorry for any confusion due to the mixed pronouns.
Posted by: Shainin (of House Hesson) | Nov 25, 2009 at 4:15 pm |
Dear Leah,
December’s theme sounds wonderful.
Interestingly enough I collect anything that I feel will have a use again, and I have a giant bag filled with all sorts of old wrapping paper, bags and tidbits. Shall be fun to get involved in such theme.
Hope you are well.
Posted by: Ana | Nov 27, 2009 at 1:46 pm |
Great idea. I’m thinking about doing some recycling/reusing for making christmas presents. also, maybe recycling some paintings I didn’t particularly like into new paintings… hmmm…
Posted by: rowena | Nov 27, 2009 at 4:50 pm |
Hi Leah, great theme.. I recycle left lines and half-writes from old notebooks. Your drawing has made me think ‘collective consciousness’:
Open eyes or closed,
recycled among our minds
much meaning of life
Thanks for the inspiration. Warmest. E
Posted by: Esther | Dec 5, 2009 at 3:22 pm |
Hi Leah,
I think your theme of recycling is so perfect with where we are at in the seasons of the year. From a holistic perspective, late autumn is about sifting, sorting, evaluating what has value and should remain and what needs to be let go.
I have been in decluttering mode for quite a while, and I’ve just barely made a start. December will also have a long stretch of Mercury retrograde, which also is a time to go back and evaluate decisions, options, relationships…more recycling!
I’m really excited to have already signed up for 2010!
Be well,
Sandi
Posted by: Sandi Delia | Dec 13, 2009 at 1:11 pm |
Luv this! Great way to use/reuse old things lying around! Good way to get your creative juices flowing…
Posted by: CiaoBellaDesigns | Dec 23, 2009 at 12:31 pm |
Dear Leah-
I just finished sending you an email.
Along with some other questions I asked where I could comment on your art-
Guess I found The Leah Place * Smile *
Posted by: Elizabeth Colvin | Dec 23, 2009 at 2:57 pm |