avatarRavyne Hawke

Summary

Artique introduces "Beauty In Harshness" as its monthly theme for July 2023, inviting creators to explore and express the contrasting beauty found in challenging environments through various artistic mediums.

Abstract

Artique's Monthly Theme for July 2023, inspired by the extreme weather conditions in Oklahoma, challenges writers and artists to find and depict beauty in less than ideal circumstances. With the theme "Beauty In Harshness," participants are encouraged to create poetry, short stories, photo essays, or music lyrics that reflect this concept, accompanied by their own artistic interpretations. The theme is a response to the harsh, dry heat of Oklahoma summers and the equally challenging cold of winters, both of which create unique patterns and colors in the landscape and impact local wildlife. Artists are also provided with specific prompts, such as exploring dryness, the color palette of parched or frozen terrains, stillness, and the resilience of wildlife in extreme weather, to inspire their submissions. The initiative aims to foster creativity and community, with Artique committing to publish and provide feedback on the works submitted under this theme.

Opinions

  • The author perceives beauty in the harsh, dry conditions of Oklahoma's summer and winter months, noting the unique color variations and patterns that emerge.
  • There is an emphasis on the importance of community support during challenging times, as seen in the efforts of

ARTICLES| WRITING PROMPTS| ARTIQUE

Artique’s Monthly Theme For July 2023

A little inspiration to tempt your muses

Parched Earth — Image created by Ravyne Hawke using NightCafe — Abstract, Impasto, Landscape

Welcome, me lovelies! It’s that lovely time of the month again — time for a new Monthly Theme! July is one of the hottest months here in Oklahoma. The air is dry in the mornings and humid by mid-afternoon — such a contradiction! Every living thing is parched as water is in short supply. A few neighbors are designated food and water stations for the strays and wildlife — we are the smallest. We do what we can with our limited incomes. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the water in water drums disappears, and bird baths dry up.

While replenishing a drum of water recently, I saw beauty in the dryness. The shades of color, the patterns of cracked designs, and the stillness from the day’s heat. And I got to thinking; this happens in the harshness of winter, too — shades of color in the frozen earth, patterned cracks in snow and ice, and the stillness that comes with a frigid day. These thoughts led me to this month’s theme:

Beauty In Harshness

HOW TO USE THE THEME

  1. Write poetry, short fiction, photo essay, essays, or music lyrics based on the theme. Make sure your own artistic creation accompanies each submission.
  2. Select a Writing/Art Spark and center your piece around it.
  3. Remember to tag your work appropriately and also use ‘Monthly Theme’ as one of your tags if your work is centered around the theme.

WRITING/ART SPARKS

  1. Create an Artistic Expression exploring dryness.
  2. Create an Artistic Expression by exploring the shades of color in dry or frozen terrain.
  3. Create an Artistic Expression exploring stillness.
  4. Regardless of the Season — Summer or Winter — create an Artistic Expression by exploring the wildlife around you. How do you see them coping with the harshness of the weather? Can you find beauty in those scenes?

There you go, me lovelies — some sparks to get your creative juices flowing. Feel free to do art pieces, take photographs, explore using AI Art, or even write some lyrics. You can write poetry, personal essays, or photo essays to accompany your Artistic Creations. We look forward to publishing your work and giving you feedback!

Ravyne Hawke, EIC

Writing Prompts
Monthly Theme
Inspiration
Artique
Artistic Creations
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