The January Challenge. Day 31

The January Challenge. Day 31

Jess Thom's challenge. Jar of possibilities.

Create a prompt jar filled with a range of different ideas to inspire your creativity in the future.

It might be prompts to inspire drawings and painting like “add dots” or “add a new colour” - or writing prompts like “introduce a new character.” Or, it might be a collection of creative challenges you would like to try again, or you didn’t get round to this month.

Create a collection that you can keep coming back to and adding to. Keep your creativity flowing!

What has been a highlight of the last month for you? Celebrate your achievements - the big ones, small ones and the ones in between.

Le altre sfide:

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Quest'anno la January challenge è stata disastrosa. Avevo cominciato a saltare alcune sfide, poi ad un certo punto gliel'ho proprio data su. C'erano troppe, troppe, sfide piene di riflessioni e non ce la facevo. Non ne avevo voglia. L'anno scorso era stata carina perchè era più "creativa" in senso materiale; quest'anno mi ha molto deluso. L'ho scritto anche nel questionario finale.

E sebbene la sfida sia finita il 31 gennaio, solo ora riesco a postare gli ultimi giorni che mancavano. Non volevo lasciarla a metà, mi faceva piacere avere una specie di "memoria" della sfida, anche se non l'ho compilata. Spero di riuscire a parteciparci il prossimo anno. 

The January Challenge. Day 30

The January Challenge. Day 30 

Lemn Sissay's challenge. Shh! 

Find somewhere - anywhere - to hide a poem or a note for somebody else to find. 

Like Rupinder, you could create a magical place outside to hide your words, or you could hide your it in a letter, in a sock, or even in a mug ready for somebody to find when they make a cup of tea. 

Perhaps your poem or note is the ‘Recipe for Happiness’ poem from yesterday's challenge - or perhaps it's something brand new.

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The January Challenge. Day 29

The January Challenge. Day 29

It's Friday! And on Friday's, everybody taking part in The January Challenge comes together to do the same challenge.

Recipe for happiness.

Write a poem that is a recipe for happiness.

Think about the ingredients you would choose - where do you find them, and how much of each ingredient do you need?

Write your recipe instructions down, and let’s get cooking!

Has your recipe changed over the last year? What is your most special, secret ingredient?

The January Challenge. Day 28

The January Challenge. Day 28

Lemn Sissay's challenge. A mundane conversation.

Write or dictate a short two person dialogue and aim to make it as boring or mundane as possible.

Don't look at the second part of this challenge until you have written something!

Now, read it back - but imagine what is not being said. What are these characters avoiding talking about? Or what are they waiting for an opportunity to talk about? Did you have an idea of who they are?

What happens if you drastically change this? If your characters were in their 70s, what happens if you imagine they are very young children?

You can spend as much or as little time as you like on part two. This can be a 5 minute mental exercise, or you might want to share your discoveries and ideas with others.

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The January Challenge. Day 27

The January Challenge. Day 27

Yomi Adegoke's challenge. Wrapped up.

Design it on A4 paper, or any scrap paper you can find - the reverse of old wallpaper works well. You can draw, print or paint - try to use whatever you have already at home, in your garden or in your kitchen draw. You could add texture by folding or scrunching the paper.

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The January Challenge. Day 26

The January Challenge. Day 26

Jess Thom's challenge. A new perspective

Find A New Angle! Choose a place you know well - inside or outside.

Can you find a way to experience it in a different way? You could look at it through something, or stand, lie or sit somewhere different. What are the new sounds, smells and textures you experience from your new angle?

Spend 5 minutes (or more) from your new angle, and then capture what you notice - especially anything new. You could take a photograph, draw or write.

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The January Challenge. Day 25

The January Challenge. Day 25

Lemn Sissay's challenge. Stack of socks.

Make a picture or sculpture out of...socks!

Stripey socks, holey socks, odd socks - anything goes. What will your sculpture depict?

It might be a face, it might be a giant sock - it might even depict your views on where spare socks actually disappear to...

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The January Challenge. Day 24

The January Challenge. Day 24.

Yomi Adegoke's challenge. Freestyle.

Set a timer for between 5 and 10 minutes.

Using the things around you - pencils, pens, paint, food, leaves, family members, your computer - get creative! You might write, draw, build, read, dance, cook - or imagine!

Don't plan what you're going to do, and try not to worry about the results. Just freestyle. How does it feel? Try and use every single second! What will happen?

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The January Challenge. Day 23

The January Challenge. Day 23

Jess Thom's challenge. Make a stink

Make a stink for someone you love!

Perhaps it’s a scent that will remind them of a happy memory you shared, or perhaps it’s a smell you think they’ll like. You could create a keep-sake by using recycled jars or pots - or even make a 'Smell Library.' You could brew a mug of their favourite drink, smell a piece of fabric such as a jumper, share sweets or a spritz of perfume or aftershave.

If you’re not with that person, can you describe the smell, or reflect on what the smell reminds you of?

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The January Challenge. Day 22

The January Challenge. Day 22

It's Friday! And on Friday's, everybody taking part in The January Challenge comes together to do the same challenge.

Write a poem that lists the things that you like about yourself. Your poem can be long or short, rhyming or non-rhyming - anything goes!

Your poem might be written, typed, dictated or even filmed. You might like to share your poem, or you might like to keep it for yourself.

The January Challenge. Day 21

The January Challenge. Day 21

Jess Thom's challenge. Pause.

Can you think of a film, TV show or book that means something to you? Press "pause" on your favourite scene. Think back to that moment, or find the clip, picture or page.

Can you express what you learnt or loved about that scene, or how you feel about it?

Use words, doodles, movements or any creative form you like!

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The January Challenge. Day 20

The January Challenge. Day 20

Lemn Sissay's challenge. A picture tells 1000 words.

Create an image that sells an idea. It could be a small idea, a big idea - anything that you feel passionately about, or want the world to see!

Use whatever you have - draw or paint a picture, or take a photograph. You might add words to your image.

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The January Challenge. Day 19

The January Challenge. Day 19

Yomi Adegoke's challenge. Travel the world.

Recreate or find famous geographic landmarks in the things and materials around you. A leaning tree for the Tower of Pisa? An array of toilet rolls for the Coliseum? A scattering of fairy lights for the Northern Lights?

Try putting your image against a picture of the original - or see if others can guess the inspiration behind your creation...

Bring the Pyramids, the Taj Mahal, the Grand Canyon, the Eiffel Tower...to you!

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The January Challenge. Day 18

The January Challenge. Day 18

Yomi Adegoke's challenge. Hidden faces.

Sometimes objects are arranged in ways in which they start to look like something else!

Pearl challenges you to find faces in the objects around you by looking for or feeling them. Search for hidden faces around you, or arrange objects into a face. What expression is the face pulling? Photograph or describe your hidden face!

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The January Challenge. Day 17

The January Challenge. Day 17

Jess Thom's challenge. Past, present, future.

Imagine a day in the life of a version of you fifty to a hundred years in the past, or in the future! How are they like you and how do they differ? What might you be wearing, eating or doing? What job might you have, where might you live?

Draw yourself, or write a little story detailing a day in your life.

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The January Challenge. Day 16

The January Challenge. Day 16

Jess Thom's challenge. A patch in time

Create a patch, or a badge, that symbolises a certain time in your life. You might choose a time in your life that has helped you to learn something or grow, you might choose something big, small or something in between. Anything goes!

You can make the patch out of paper, fabric or design it on a computer. You could decorate it using the materials around you - pens, pencils, glue, paper, material - or even by glueing down materials like rice or pasta.

“Once the patch is done exhibit it with pride or sew it deep into your jacket for secret love.

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The January Challenge. Day 15

The January Challenge. Day 15

It's Friday! And on Friday's, everybody taking part in The January Challenge comes together to do the same challenge.

Design a festival that you would love to go to. First, think of a theme - what will it be? What will your festival be called? You could think about a schedule of music, films or even TED talks! What food will you eat at your perfect festival?

What part of your festival can you bring to life? You could meet friends online to share festival food and discuss the films, books, talks or music - or you could set up your own pop up tent, or make a den in your living room.

Wear your finest festival clothing. Stay up late and look at the stars!

The January Challenge. Day 14

The January Challenge. Day 14

Today - you have the power!

Choose from all three of today's challenges, and find the reasons that Lemn Sissay, Yomi Adegoke and Jess Thom loved each one.

Which challenge will you choose?

Blowing Bubbles - Lemn Sissay

“I am Sarah, I am 6 years old and I have Sierra Leonean heritage. I like practicing handstands, painting and reading.”

Sarah loves blowing bubbles! Today, your challenge is to blow bubbles in different mixtures - you will sound like "Elephants stampeding in a puddle!" Blow your bubbles with a straw, or simply by blowing into your glass or cup. Like Sarah, you could blow bubbles in apple juice, in water, or even in soapy water (but be careful not to drink the soapy water..!) Do you notice any differences in the mixtures? What is it like if you hum instead of blow?

"It's a really creative one, that I just could not have thought of!" Lemn Sissay

The Shape of You - Jess Thom

“I'm Charlotte. I'm 46 and I live in Faversham, Kent. I love to see shapes and patterns everywhere I look."

Spend a few minutes inventing your own shape. Give it a name, and explain the name you have chosen and any special meaning. Is it angular, rounded, 2D or 3D? How many sides does it have - or does it not have sides at all? Fill a page with your chosen shape - either one big one, or lots of them, either the same size or different sizes.

If you have time, decorate your shape! Fill it, or surround it with colour, images, texture, pattern, or text.

"This challenge got me thinking and inspired me!" Jess Thom

Kintsugi - Yomi Adegoke

This challenge is from Lucy, 27 from Nottingham. Lucy's challenge is inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi, which is based on the idea that things are made more beautiful by their flaws. Broken pottery pieces are sealed back together with liquid gold, highlighting the ‘scars’ that become a part of the design.

Can you fix or find a new use for something broken to show it is better now than before?

"This challenge resonated with me the most..and I'm really, really looking forward to doing it. I love the idea of finding uses for things that are apparently broken. I think it's amazing in terms of sustainability, and I also love the idea that nothing is ever truly worthless." Yomi Adegoke

The January Challenge. Day 13

The January Challenge. Day 13

Lemn Sissay's challenge. I love art.

Design a logo that says “I <3 ART.” Your logo could be a celebration of the creative things that you enjoy - from fashion to fine art, exploring to baking, and anything and everything in between. You can download and print the 'I <3 ART' template here - or design your own. 

Can you add doodles, words and shapes to your logo that capture your creativity?

Le altre sfide: