Creative Every Day Theme for January: Cosmos
December 30th, 2010
At the end of each month I will announce the totally optional theme for the following month. For the month of January 2011, the theme will be the Cosmos. This theme was suggested by the lovely Lianne Raymond. Thank you, Lianne!
As always, this month's theme for the Creative Every Day Challenge is totally optional. Use it if it inspires you, continue being creative every day in your own way if it doesn't, or do something in between. You can sign up for the 2011 Creative Every Day Challenge anytime. More info can be found here and the sign-up page is here.
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:
- *Go stargazing and make up your own stories for the constellations.
- *Paint the night sky.
- *Make a mobile of the solar system.
- *Explore the myths of your favorite planet or star and write a poem about it.
- *Get inspired by the ways the cosmos have been represented by different cultures and art forms.
- *Wish on a star.
- *Play with the ideas of order and chaos.
- *Create a mandala that represents the cosmos.
- *Focus on the lunar or other planetary cycles this month. Create a dreamboard for the full moon (January 19th.)
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!
We are a way for the cosmos to know itself. ~Dr. Carl Sagan
p.s. The art above is adapted from my painting, If the Moon Came to Dinner. Prints are available here.
34 Responses
I love this theme. It will make for a great start.
Posted by: rennata | Dec 30, 2010 at 2:37 pm |
wonderful, wonderful theme Leah!
My favourite thing for the last few months has been this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGK84Poeynk
it can drag me up out of the depths of despair and bring me to a place of awe.
Posted by: Liberty | Dec 30, 2010 at 3:12 pm |
Thank you Leah! I just signed up for Creative Every Day 2011. I very much enjoyed my first try with Art Every Day Month.
Blessings to you in 2011!
Posted by: GlendaM | Dec 30, 2010 at 4:01 pm |
A beautiful and truly contemplative piece. I can’t commit to your wonderful CED but I do enjoy seeing what you post and am in awe of your consistent ability to create. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Jennifer Bower | Dec 30, 2010 at 4:53 pm |
wonderfully captured
Posted by: dthaase | Dec 30, 2010 at 5:40 pm |
I’ve always been inspired by the cosmos…in fact, I tore a ligament in my knee while contemplating the death of a star, composing a poem around it and walking at the same time. I needed surgery. Yes, I am that geeky.
Lately I’ve been fascinated with the ideas of expansion and contraction. And these tie in so beautifully with the theme of Cosmos. So, for my first CED, Thanks, Leah!
Posted by: Edie B. | Dec 30, 2010 at 6:58 pm |
Leah I forgot to say that the painting you posted above is incredibly beautiful and rich
Posted by: Liberty | Dec 30, 2010 at 8:33 pm |
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Leah Piken Kolidas. Leah Piken Kolidas said: The (totally optional) theme for Creative Every Day in January is: Cosmos http://bit.ly/gMXIdm #ced2011 [...]
Posted by: Tweets that mention The (totally optional) theme for Creative Every Day in January is: Cosmos #ced2011 — Topsy.com | Dec 30, 2010 at 9:12 pm |
Poopy I’m really looking forward to starting this one. What more do you need to inspire you creativity than contemplating the heavens above! Lovin it.
Posted by: Haley | Dec 30, 2010 at 9:29 pm |
I can’t believe it’s time to start a new year of CED.. Love the theme Leah. Happy New Years!
Posted by: Karen | Dec 30, 2010 at 9:59 pm |
I was waiting for the prompt so I could decorate my January´s project page.
Thank you! So many cool things
Posted by: Paula – Buenos Aires | Dec 30, 2010 at 10:21 pm |
I love the theme, Leah. And your painting is beautiful.
Posted by: BarbaraB | Dec 30, 2010 at 11:48 pm |
It’s a beautiful painting and a happy, healthy and creative new year!
Posted by: Nelleke | Dec 31, 2010 at 1:53 am |
Hi Everyone!
I’m celebrating the end of the first year of CED! Woohoo!
And I’m adding to the load of CED in January because I’ve decided to knit as well as art&craft in January.
http://bit.ly/elEVbu
Maybe some of you want to join in.
Happy New Year to you all.
Posted by: ines | Dec 31, 2010 at 5:13 am |
A vast and deep subject that is sure to inspire us in some BIG way! Happy New Year, Leah and to all the CED “family” too!
Posted by: Maron | Dec 31, 2010 at 9:28 am |
Leah – what a gorgeous painting! (oh, I say that about all your work. But it’s TRUE!!!!) Love the theme. Have to think on it a bit! Seems like it *should* be right down my alley! Definitely a wylde woman thing – and, there she is, a new sculpture just popped into my head! If it warms up enough to use the slab roller in the garage, she’ll come on thru!
Posted by: Tammy Vitale | Dec 31, 2010 at 10:38 am |
Just ran over to you link to find the original is sold. =[
Posted by: Tammy Vitale | Dec 31, 2010 at 10:39 am |
Pretty painting, I really like it! I also like the theme, good way to start off the month!
Posted by: Melissa Liban | Dec 31, 2010 at 12:05 pm |
Just wanted to say – Thanks for this. I am going to try and participate and post more…. Thanks.
Posted by: Lucy | Dec 31, 2010 at 1:52 pm |
Gorgeous painting and very nice theme!
This challenge seems very fun and interesting. I just signed up!
Posted by: Mercurial Dragon | Dec 31, 2010 at 2:19 pm |
A great theme to start out the new year. I hope I can do this this year. Beautiful painting.
Posted by: Kelly Jeanette | Dec 31, 2010 at 11:23 pm |
Brilliant theme! I am all over it… I witnessed the sunset and plan to witness the sunrise, first thing in the new year, creating art all the way.
So grateful for your work, Leah.
Posted by: Julie Jordan Scott | Jan 1, 2011 at 12:02 am |
Such a fabulous prompt for me! January is my birthday month … And 2011 is my fiftieth year! ★
Heartfelt gratitude to you, Leah! All the very best to you for 2011!
Posted by: stargardener | Jan 1, 2011 at 1:50 am |
Lovely lovely colours.
Happy New Year Leah.
Posted by: Evelyn | Jan 1, 2011 at 4:13 am |
Just signed up and excited to join in. This is my first year and look forward to learning a lot as I am very new to blogs and posting. Love the theme, the inspiration is wonderful. Thanks so much.
Posted by: Amanda | Jan 1, 2011 at 9:00 pm |
I love this theme and am excited to continue creating into 2011!
Posted by: amy mac | Jan 1, 2011 at 9:42 pm |
Love the theme and especially this painting Leah!!
Posted by: EVA | Jan 5, 2011 at 12:20 am |
Love your site, thanks for the inspiration, this is FUN!
Posted by: Marilyn Kamna | Jan 6, 2011 at 2:50 am |
Hey Leah!
Back again for another year of doing my best to create every day. Thanks for doing this every year. I love your creative soul, thank you for sharing it in every piece of art you share.
Hugs
Renee
Posted by: Renee | Jan 7, 2011 at 4:19 pm |
What a great concept the CED Challenge is and a way to connect community Leah. Also think your background of your blog is delightful. Very Creative!
Posted by: Vivian Evans | Jan 8, 2011 at 9:05 pm |
[...] Theme for January is Cosmos. This inspired me to write about [...]
Posted by: Paving the road « Think.Write.Create | Jan 9, 2011 at 3:49 pm |
thanks for the chance to participate again. any extra help for inspiration is grateful!
Posted by: Charlene | Jan 9, 2011 at 9:58 pm |
Leah, Great painting. Thanks for the opportunity to participate. Stay blessed, Amanda
Posted by: Amanda | Jan 18, 2011 at 7:44 am |
I have been grooving on multilayered images that use words like stars. Great that CED is working with cosmos!
Posted by: Linae Enockson | Jan 23, 2011 at 10:51 am |