In July, I wrote about an idea that Susan Zheng and I decided to say “yes, and” to. That idea was Artful August, 31 days of intentional creativity.
We’ve now passed the midpoint, with 33 people participating from different parts of the world. Everyone has chosen various creative ideas and projects they want to explore or create, in their own way and in their own time.
That individuality is part of what makes Artful August so interesting. Although we share a common intention, there is no single way to participate and no expectation that everyone’s experience should look the same.
Each day, Susan and I share a prompt in our WhatsApp group. People respond through different creative practices, interpreting the prompts in unexpected ways and sharing glimpses of what they are noticing, making and discovering.
The group has real enjoyment and curiosity, along with a generous sharing of their experience and encouragement for others.
The idea was to create a space and a community with enough structure, encouragement and connection for people to participate in ways that work for them.
Everyone has agency over what they create, how they respond and what they choose to share, while also drawing inspiration and encouragement from the energy of the group.
That agency feels especially important, given how many distractions pull attention away from our own thoughts, ideas and creative lives. Making intentional time for creativity is a way of choosing where we place our attention and allow our ideas to develop. It’s a radical act.
Beginning before the destination is clear
Creativity often involves beginning before the destination is clear, following our curiosity, homing in on something that interests us, and discovering what emerges through the process. That uncertainty can leave us feeling vulnerable, but it is also where new possibilities can begin. This is the art of courage and trust in the process.
I’m seeing people follow their individual interests and discover possibilities that Susan and I could never have planned before embarking on this journey. I know this is also true for those who are participating.
Artful August is being artfully shaped by the various ways people engage and we are being shaped by Artful August.
Halfway Huddle
The other night we met on zoom to have a check-in to see how people are travelling and how the experience has been so far. It was an enlightening conversation supported by working with Maverick Minds Artful Inquiry cards. Unscripted, genuine and without a doubt we were all vulnerable in sharing what is emerging for us in the process.
The personal insights and growth so far seem to be more than people had anticipated. One of the comments that stood out for me is about giving ourselves permission to create, and to create without judgement. This is harder than it seems. Most of us have a strong inner critic that holds us back.
I’m looking forward to seeing where the remaining 31 days of intentional creativity will take us.
We’ll gather at the end of the month and debrief. I’m hoping people will have greater clarity about what creativity looks and feels like for them and have more confidence and courage to bring their ideas to life, whether through art, work, everyday problem-solving or something they haven’t yet imagined.
That’s all yet to unfold and is at the heart of Artful August invitation and experience.
I’m curious how might 31 days of intentional creativity might help you and your team?