art by fari

As we bid farewell to 2024 and reflect on the journey of my annual art challenge, I find myself both inspired and grateful for the creative growth it has brought. Although I wasn’t completely successful in documenting my progress over the past year, I participated in my art challenge in the real world, dedicating more hours to practice and refine my skills than I have in previous years. It’s been a year filled with artistic exploration, learning, and unexpected surprises.

Now, as we step into the new year, I am excited to announce the theme for my 2025 Art Challenge: “Immersing in Creativity.” This challenge is all about fostering inspiration, encouraging exploration, and deepening our understanding of creative expression.

Here’s a glimpse into what the challenge will entail and how you can get involved:

The Goal

The 2025 Art Challenge is designed to encourage everyone to explore, experience, and appreciate art in its various forms more. It’s about taking the time to engage with different art forms, discovering new perspectives, and allowing creativity to flourish. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a beginner, this challenge aims to inspire and connect us through our shared love for the arts. Instead of trying to spend long hours trying to create, it’s time to spend more time consuming.

The Structure

Just as in last year’s challenge, the 2025 Art Challenge will include consuming some form of art each week. To keep things interesting, there are multiple options within each theme to choose from. You can either follow one theme each month or switch around each week. Below are some of the themes and ideas I’ve chosen for myself. If you want to follow along with me, be sure to download the free checklist at the bottom of this blog post.

1. Themes:
   • Literary Art – Dive into the world of words with poetry, novels, and essays:
     • Classic novel to read: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
     • Poem to recreate in a painting: “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost
     • Recent essay to read: “The Crane Wife” by CJ Hauser
     • Recent novel to read: The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
   • Visual Art – Explore the visual realm through painting, sculpture, and digital art:
     • Visit art galleries and study famous paintings online via platforms like Google Arts & Culture and Rijksmuseum.
     • Watch documentaries about famous art styles and movements.
     • Create art inspired by a masterpiece like “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” by Katsushika Hokusai.
   • Fashion as Art – Appreciate unique designs and cultural garments
     • Study iconic fashion designers and their works through documentaries and exhibitions.
     • Learn the history of the Indian Sari
   • Home Decor – Discover how to incorporate art into your living space.
     • Virtual tours of architectural marvels and functional art pieces.
     • Learn to make handmade crafts for home decor.
   • Culinary Art – Explore the artistry in plating and gastronomy.
     • Explore Art in Plating
     • Attempt to recreate a famous dish or plating style in your art.
   • Architecture – Learn about iconic buildings and cityscapes.
     • Draw famous buildings like the Eiffel Tower, Sagrada Familia, or Sydney Opera House.
   • Music – Listen to different genres and explore historical compositions.
     • Draw or paint while listening to a completely new album
   • Photography – Engage with photo collections and exhibitions.
     • Watch documentaries about influential photographers like Vivian Maier and Robert Frank.
     • Explore exhibitions from acclaimed photographers like Ansel Adams and Dorothea Lange.
   • Film and Animation – Watch inspiring movies and short films.
     • Explore animated films like “Spirited Away” by Studio Ghibli.
     • Write a short story inspired by a side character.
   • Handmade Craft – Appreciate the beauty of handcrafted goods and artisan skills.
     • Study a local craft

I’m thrilled to invite you all to join me on this new creative journey. Whether you’re looking to deepen your skills, explore new forms of artistic expression, or simply immerse yourself in the beauty of the arts, this challenge is for you. Let’s make 2025 a year filled with creativity, inspiration, and meaningful connections!

Until next time, may your days be filled with artistic exploration and your creations reflect the beauty of the world around you.