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Creative Kickstart Week 3

This week's prompt is…
CONNECT
I recently watched episode 3 of The Last of Us (no spoilers ahead, don't worry!) I was introduced to characters I never knew but by the end of the episode I found myself completely invested in their lives and story, feeling the strongest of emotions for fictional characters I didn't even know existed an hour ago! Lol.
 
I think that's what makes art in all its forms so special though--this ability to draw us in and connect with us, whether it's something light hearted or on a deeper level. And the fact that the same performance, painting, or song can connect with each of us in such different ways based on our own unique personal experiences is pretty amazing! So this week I thought we could explore some of that and ideas on connecting and connection.

ENVISION & EXPRESS
Where do you want to go with this week's prompt?
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  • What do you love connecting with? Nature, animals, other people, yourself, your intellectual side, your creative side, your spiritual side…
  • Find a connection between 2 random things. Use this random picture generator to find 2 photos. Find a connection between the two and see what it leads you to create. Consider whether you want to interpret it in a literal or abstract way.
  • Try dot art: stippling (only using black ink) or pointillism (includes colors) or incorporate dots into your mixed media piece or collage. Here's some more dot inspo from food, balloons, Halloween costume, and something abstract.
  • Connect the dots. Use this phrase to create an image. I thought this collage was very cute and here's 2 black out poetry versions: start here & follow the dots.
  • For a nostalgic twist, take this classic activity for kids and elevate it! How can you make connect the dots more modern and unique? Consider the background of the page as well as the image you want to create with the dots. When you're done, give someone a pen or pencil and have them do it!
  • "Creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected." – William Plomer
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  • Think of someone you connect with. Use this as inspiration: the person, the moment you met, your shared interests, how they make you feel.
  • Try incorporating cursive, calligraphy, or another way of connecting letters into your art this week.
  • “Disconnect to connect.”
  • How do you like to connect with loved ones? How do you show that you care? What's a love language you enjoy expressing? 
  • Use or include string, sewing thread, or embroidery thread on your page to express connection. Here are some examples and how to images.
  • Legos, mystery/detective boards, the constellation, technology, social media, family trees, humanity, our eco system
  • “…all along there was some invisible string, tying you to me…”
  • Pick an emotion or idea you'd like your audience to connect with. Create a piece with an intention to evoke this feeling or concept. 
  • On the flip side of things, interpret disconnect, separate, divide.

DON'T FORGET TO…
add to your year of marks page! (This was one of the bonus exercise suggestions from the prep email (if you missed it, you can read about it here.)  January went by so fast I only just remembered and wanted to remind you in case you forgot like me :) I'll try to share mine in the next check-in email. If you'd like to share yours, send me a pic! I really think this will be such a cool piece to have, a summary of our year as we experienced it. I had originally suggested using a separate larger piece of paper for this project but you can also use pages from your sketchbook that you go back and continually add to.

I'm looking forward to seeing how this prompt speaks to you!
 
Enjoy your Friday and talk to you soon!
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PS: There were so many interesting and creative variations for last week's prompt, “messy”! I loved seeing how each of you put your own spin on it. I'll be updating the gallery this weekend so it'll be ready with all the new content by the next check-in email!

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