Creative Every Day theme for June: Bliss
May 28th, 2010
At the end of each month I will announce the totally optional theme for the following month. June 2010's theme will be: Bliss. You can hear me talk a little bit about it in the video above. I thought it was such perfect synchronicity that The Happy Book (part of Jamie Ridler's traveling book group) made it's way to me the same week I'd be announcing Junes' theme! Here's the little painting I did in The Happy Book after I made the video.
As always, this month's theme for the Creative Every Day Challenge is 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.
I'm thinking of this theme in terms of exploring your bliss in creative ways, writing about it, making art that brings you joy, and finding the bliss in your everyday life. There are endless ways you can play with the theme and I'm open to any interpretation.
I'll be posting about the theme throughout the month on the blog to help keep you inspired. 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:
- *Explore the idea of bliss in writing. Perhaps write about your ideal day.
- *What color is joy to you? Use that in a painting.
- *Make lists of what makes you happy and bring more of those things into your everyday life.
- *Make art for the pure sensory pleasure about it. Play with fingerpaints, crayons, and glitter glue!
- *Create pieces that express the feeling of pure bliss.
- *Notice if your space feels blissful and if there are small changes you could make to increase that feeling.
- *Smile as you create. Notice how it affects your work.
- *Bring some silliness into your work.
- *What mediums speak joy to you? Create with those things.
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. Feel free to focus on the theme in your creative activities for the entire month or as much as you'd like.
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.
And have fun with it!
Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls ~Joseph Campbell
24 Responses
What a lovely painting! Thanks for sharing something from one of the books. Very few people have posted their work in the Happy Books so I’m hungry for whatever glimpses I can get.
Bliss…you’ve given me something to think about. Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Nancy S | May 28, 2010 at 5:04 pm |
Birds! And flowers!
Plus, Bliss is the perfect theme for June, I think. It’s my favourite month. (And not just ’cause I was born in it. It’s a weather thing, mostly. And all the flowers are out and it’s awesome.)
I have only recently started reading here and haven’t seen one of those videos before, so it was very cool to see your face and hear your voice.
Maybe I’ll even try and write something about bliss in June. Might be cool. *grin*
Posted by: Lucy Viret | May 28, 2010 at 6:20 pm |
Leah, I love the idea of a Happy Book – and I LOVE the colors on your pages.
Posted by: Susan Reep | May 29, 2010 at 1:20 am |
Oh I love the theme! I’ve been thinking a lot of positivity and enjoyment and not having to “feel guilty” in a way to be uber sweet juicy happy…it sounds weird but sometimes there are those negative people out there…super downers and I just don’t get it. Why you would want to spend your time un-blissful!?!
Althought there are ups and downs in life, I choose to honor the up times and relish in them… and work through the downs when necessary. Thanks as always for inspiring..looks beautiful in New England. I’m loving the warmer weather myself and enjoy the outdoors. Have a great weekend, Leah!
Posted by: linda | May 29, 2010 at 3:25 am |
Leah, I just love your pages in the happy book! I love the colors and the figures with extended arms! They look free and happy, and it makes me feel happy, just looking at them. Let’s dance!
Posted by: Sharon | May 29, 2010 at 9:30 am |
This is a great theme for June. Being a Gemini baby myself (June 4th), I always get happy when June comes around. I am sort of a freak about my birthday. I just love to celebrate my special day. That is bliss to me.
I am trying to reconnect with the things that bring me true bliss, like singing, performing, and writing. I have been away from singing for a while, and I miss it. For me, nothing is more blissful than opening my mouth and letting some beautiful, soulful sounds come out.
It’s like coming home to the very best part of me.
Posted by: Hudson | May 29, 2010 at 10:16 am |
Bliss is perfect for June as my sweet Madison was born in June and she has filled my life with nothing but BLISS. It will be fun to incorporate bliss into my life and work for June. Have a great holiday weekend all!
Posted by: Maron | May 29, 2010 at 10:26 am |
Thank you for the video. Spring time is the best time to be in a new house. I liked seeing how much you’re enjoying your Irises (a fav of mine too) and leafy garden.
Your ideas for bliss exercises are intriguing. I’m going to try that smile idea and see how it goes
Posted by: Shayla | May 29, 2010 at 11:42 am |
Yes, yes, yes. Bliss is the perfect theme for June–the traditional month for weddings, graduations, and travel! So many happy occasions in my life have happened in June.
Leah, your painting is beautiful–I love the colors and the happy figures. Have a blissful month!
Posted by: Gina | May 29, 2010 at 11:43 am |
even if i dont all the time follow exactly, each time, you are inspiring me;
thanks
Posted by: lilas | May 29, 2010 at 12:37 pm |
What a lovely video and painting, Leah! I loved the story about the cardinals. My new studio overlooks the most amazing yard & Superman has filled it with bird feeders galore so I can watch the birds when I’m in here. We have lots of cardinals, too, but I have never seen a baby!!! Our pair of cardinals haven’t shown off any fuzzy headed peeps yet but now I’m going to send them subliminal messages asking them to bring the babies to lunch with them. =]
I agree spring this year is more beautiful than I remember it being for a long time. Bliss is a powerful, and liberating word. I’m looking forward to contributing a creative avalanche of bliss in June.
Big hugzzz, Leah~
Posted by: Lille Diane | May 30, 2010 at 11:25 am |
Hi Leah,
Loved your video and the little peek into your fabulous backyard. Those are gorgeous irises. I smiled when you randomly flashed open the Happy Book to my page. Aren’t those bowling shoes cool? I remember asking the bowling attendant if I could take some photos. He thought I was odd but humored me. There I was with tripod and camera focused on some ratty tatty old shoes and making lame jokes about stealing the “soles” or was it “souls” of the shoes. I know I’m corny.
Great theme for June. I’m so filled with bliss as I’ve been following Joseph Campbell’s advice. Lots of great things are on the horizon. I’ll fill you in soon.
Now it is time for me to go for a walk in this amazing weather.
{{soul hugs}}
k
Posted by: Kathryn – Collage Diva | May 30, 2010 at 1:15 pm |
perfect…..
Posted by: Gretchen | May 30, 2010 at 3:16 pm |
Bliss is one of my favourite words (the other favourite is doodles
).
Bliss is when I pour some writing;
Bliss is when I draw and colour;
Bliss is when I am free to read all day.
I + what I love = bliss.
-BrownEyed
Posted by: BrownEyed | May 31, 2010 at 3:44 am |
I love this theme so much… I modeled in a photo shoot last weekend (and yes, modeling can be intensely creative, especially when those gremlins come up about how imperfect I am to be modeling for someone’s portfolio!) but I took a moment to experience bliss and in doing so, my friend got some AWESOME photos and I… well, had a splendid time. I’ll write about it.. blog about it… share it some more. THANK YOU for the theme, Leah!
Posted by: Julie Jordan Scott | Jun 1, 2010 at 12:22 am |
I love, LOVE hearing your voice and seeing you in these videos. Excellent word for June too!
xxoo
Posted by: andie | Jun 1, 2010 at 10:43 am |
I’m finding surprises in my yard this spring too, and it surely brings me bliss to see all the green growing things! Again you’ve come up with a wonderful theme for the month:)
Posted by: Bobbi | Jun 2, 2010 at 4:08 pm |
Great videos and I love the theme!
Posted by: Julie | Jun 2, 2010 at 6:00 pm |
Yay for the birds and the flowers! Yay for spring:)
Thanks for your wonderful, simple video….reminds me to enjoy what is already around me…
Susan
Posted by: Susan | Jun 2, 2010 at 7:52 pm |
[...] You may have been blissfully unaware June 2, 2010 Filed under: Uncategorized — cinnamontoastsquirrel @ 11:46 pm New theme: Bliss. [...]
Posted by: You may have been blissfully unaware « Desperately seeking | Jun 3, 2010 at 1:46 am |
[...] is Jamie Ridler’s day to chime in for The Happy Book project and this month’s theme on Creative Every Day hosted by the lovely Leah Piken Kolidas is bliss. The two definitely seem to go hand in hand. This [...]
Posted by: Happy to Be Home « Expressive Hart | Jun 4, 2010 at 12:13 pm |
i didn’t know what was bliss, i had to use a translator… funny how sometime i miss some vocabulary…. oh! i have to say, i’m french… english is not my language….
i will think about Bliss, and post something on my blog quickly….
Posted by: Christine/La Viscountess | Jun 16, 2010 at 8:51 am |
Hey Leah, your site really inspires me and bliss is a perfect theme for June, makes us think of all our moments and really relish them!
Posted by: Katrina | Jun 19, 2010 at 2:48 am |
Hello Leah and CED tribe,
Bliss is such a cool word. Art and music always bring me bliss. Nearly two years ago, after a bad auto accident, I found another way to find bliss. It’s my Heaven on Earth. You can read more about it here.
http://www.woodstocklily.com/2010/06/kayak-therapy.html
Who knows maybe this will inspire some of you to try it, too. For me trying new things can open huge doors for more bliss.
Love and Peace and Blissful Moments,
Lille Diane
Posted by: Lille Diane | Jun 22, 2010 at 2:09 pm |