Art Every Day Month

"Betwixt and Between" by Leah Piken Kolidas

Yesterday I watched the snowfall outside my window. It was a beautiful white fluffy snow; the kind they show in Christmas specials. Beautiful, yes, but for me, the first snow is a harbinger of the long, dark months. I think it was even more sad because it is only October. Far too early.

It is always a struggle for me to create once the days grow shorter and the temperatures fall, yet one thing that helps me prepare for the winter doldrums is Art Every Day Month. The low-pressure challenge, held each November, is the brainchild of artist Leah Piken Kolidas.

Here is how Leah describes Art Every Day Month.

“ I encourage people to make something every day, but my goal is to foster more creativity, so if you make just one piece of art per week or just one for the whole month, that's fine with me. The idea is to bring more creativity into your life, not to make you feel overwhelmed, pressured or guilt-stricken.”

This will be my third year participating. Of course I am under no illusion that I will be producing great stuff every day or that I won't come home from work exhausted and fling myself on the couch. This challenge is more of a reframing effort for me. It is a time to honor nature's rhythms and find a way to ease into winter without surrendering to total hibernation.

Stay tuned and I will share what the month brings. How do you feel about winter's approach?