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Abstract

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    </div><h2 id="78ce">Nature Art by Observation &amp; Connection (5 stories that wowed me!)</h2><p id="555a">I was struck by <a href="undefined">Diana Lotti</a>’s “Finding Shelter” photo the second I saw it. She initially sent this submission as a freestyle piece long before I announced the Nature Art challenge and I asked her to save this story for the Spring challenge.</p><div id="9b01" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/finding-shelter-e7792baa0316">
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            <h2>Finding Shelter</h2>
            <div><h3>Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Nature Art”</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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    </div><p id="47d3"><a href="undefined">Hollie Petit, Ph.D.</a> discovered this unusual stone path during a run. The universe directed her towards it and during the process, Hollie found the answer to the title and photo for the cover of her first non-academic book. Hollie was drawn to nature art and made a connection with it.</p><div id="6057" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/creating-my-path-e5f9ad601fff">
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            <h2>Creating My Path</h2>
            <div><h3>Spring Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Nature Art”</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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    </div><p id="a321"><a href="undefined">CARMEN F MICSA</a> discovered a rock serpent labyrinth created by someone else and took a photo. It was gone the next time she visited the beach because it “slithered away.”</p><div id="a45b" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/circle-of-rocks-or-coiled-serpent-6874f9df44d1">
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            <h2>Circle of Rocks or Coiled Serpent?</h2>
            <div><h3>Spring Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Nature Art”</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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    </div><p id="9baa">Love the way <a href="undefined">pockett dessert</a> captured the sunlight in the gap of the rock tower and the beautiful poetry she created to balance the sunset photo.</p><div id="77f0" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/love-sunsets-surrender-to-the-light-a12bee9d69bb">
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            <h2>Love, Sunsets, Surrender To The Light</h2>
            <div><h3>Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Nature Art”</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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    </div><p id="24e5">Finally, <a href="undefined">Randy Runtsch</a> was blessed with perfect timing, wildlife, and nature art with a human touch when he landed this beautiful shot, “Bird Embellishment.”</p><div id="4782" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/sometimes-timing-is-everything-3c313b413609">
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            <h2>Sometimes, Timing is Everything</h2>
            <div><h3>Spring Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Nature Art”</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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    </div><h1 id="0137">“Freestyle” Stories</h1><p id="1b24">We received many great photos of nature (not “nature art”) which worked well for our freestyle section, which may explain why we published more Freestyle over Monthly Challenge submissions over the past two months.<i> If you missed the Nature Art Challenge deadline (June 30, 12noon, Pacific Standard Time), I encourage you to get outside, create with your hands and elements of nature and submit them to our “Freestyle” section because I’d still love people to get a taste of this experience.</i></p><p id="06d1">For the “Freestyle” category check out the 25 latest stories under the <a href="https://medium.com/six-word-photo-story-challenge/freestyle/home">“Freestyle”</a> tab. For all freestyle stories, check out this <a href="https://medium.com/six-word-photo-story-challenge/tagged/freestyle">tab</a>.</p><h1 id="dc15">Editor Picks by Ellie, Sandi &amp; Vidya for Freestyle Stories</h1><p id="d37f">Ellie, Sandi, Vidya, and I enjoyed reviewing all the freestyle stories. For May &amp; June highlights, we each selected stories that resonated with us in some way.</p><p id="295b">Here are <b>19 “Freestyle” stories </b>that wowed for different reasons — (in no particular order) out of about 125 freestyle <a href="https://medium.com/six-word-photo-story-challenge/tagged/freestyle">submissions</a> <b>to this publication this May and June</b>.</p><h1 id="3ce1">19 stories that wowed Freestyle:</h1><h2 id="ed3b">Ellie’s Freestyle Picks</h2><p id="e643">Goats make me happy and it’s not every day you see four of them sleeping on a wall. Love the natural monochromic style of this photo by <a href="undefined">Jillian Amatt - Artistic Voyages</a></p><div id="6932" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/we-love-kids-when-they-have-four-legs-28770babc0bc">
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            <h2>We Love Kids When They Have Four Legs</h2>
            <div><h3>Six Word Photo Story: Freestyle</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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    </div><p id="db22">Love the angle <a href="undefined">Penny Grubb</a> took this photo with the garden wall taking up half of the shoot and the gorgeous landscape on the other half.</p><div id="7254" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/before-the-emergence-of-global-trade-d5f89464ad1e">
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            <h2>Before The Emergence Of Global Trade</h2>
            <div><h3>Six Word Photo Story Challenge: Freestyle</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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    </div><p id="dfc5">You can’t go wrong photographing Paris but I love the sky just as much as the skyline in this photo by <a href="undefined">Kasturi Patra</a>.</p><div id="c885" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/when-paris-wished-me-happy-birthday-412b5108863f">
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            <h2>When Paris Wished Me, “Happy Birthday”</h2>
            <div><h3>Six Word Photo Story: Freestyle</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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    </div><p id="790c">First of all, I love tree photos and this one by <a href="undefined">Emma Tiger Lee</a> is stunning with the flowing water underneath giving that floating image.</p><div id="a937" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/floating-tree-51d1bb815b75">
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            <h2>Floating Tree</h2>
            <div><h3>Six Word Photo Story: “Freestyle”</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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    </div><p id="0e58">This photo by <a href="undefined">L Burton</a> is one I would want printed and framed. The duck’s peek-a-boo face makes me smile.</p><div id="2f1b" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/pe-eking-duck-143c815d2eb7">
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            <h2>Pe-eking Duck</h2>
            <div><h3>Six Word Photo Story: Freestyle</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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    </div><p id="0fef">I knew nothing about damselflies until <a href="undefined">Sarah-Jane W. 💙</a> post. I love how the blue pops in this photo with the black background. Beautiful!</p><div id="1ba9" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-damselfly-a-totem-for-purity-and-protection-bf97f8236f1a">
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            <h2>The Damselfly: A Totem for Purity and Protection</h2>
            <div><h3>Six Word Photo Story Challenge: Freestyle</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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    </div><h2 id="aaa2">Sandi’s Freestyle Picks</h2><p id="7ae7">Here a bum, there a bum, everywhere a bum! Boys will find anything that looks remotely like a bum … I think it’s hard-wired into them. <a href="undefined">Bingz Huang</a>’s son is no exception — he found this table “bum”.</p><div id="3a12" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://readmedium.com/through-the-lens-of-humor-fc31c8c621a8">
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            <h2>Through the Lens of Humor</h2>
            <div><h3>A Six Word Photo Story: Freestyle</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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    </div><p id="42bb">In <i>Moon in the Palm</i> <a href="undefined">Vishal Mehta</a> asks “What is missing — bicycle or broom?”

I feel like I should see a witch first, but the 80’s child in me will always see E.T.</p><div id="86e7" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/moon-in-the-palm-4e16c7482051"> <div> <div> <h2>Moon in the Palm</h2> <div><h3>Six Word Photo Story: Freestyle</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*Hkt95Q0Z7eNaByNQErSLWg.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="b4f5"><a href="undefined">Ian Hanson</a> delighted the eyes with his stunning photo in <i>Girl With Backpack.</i>

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</p><div id="cd08" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/girl-with-backpack-6831f10579c1"> <div> <div> <h2>Girl With Backpack</h2> <div><h3>Alone on a bridge: Freestyle</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*5Zl0pskIDp9EtRoaGVMttA.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="b396"><a href="undefined">Stephen Reed</a> set out to prove the early bird does indeed get the worm with <i>Blue Hour Beckoned Me One Spring Morn</i>.</p><div id="7b90" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/blue-hour-beckoned-me-one-spring-morn-fb8021e6d370"> <div> <div> <h2>Blue Hour Beckoned Me One Spring Morn</h2> <div><h3>Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Freestyle”</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*Q4y1AmpP4OArn2tsM-4oOA.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="2bb4"><a href="undefined">David Acaster</a> found two flowerpot people — who looked suspiciously like they were up to no good!</p><div id="a7e3" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/inside-an-english-country-garden-288e983cd5cb"> <div> <div> <h2>Inside An English Country Garden</h2> <div><h3>Six Word Photo Story Challenge: Freestyle</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*N9jLw6W3Xn6o6mrulJ5plA.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="9967">Who could go past the idea of a golden Christmas decoration in a bonsai? <a href="undefined">Lisa McAully</a>’s daughter had a festive take on the golden visitor gracing their bonsai.</p><div id="5ffb" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/little-gold-sculptures-show-up-in-australian-backyards-heres-why-f4a4d15a7851"> <div> <div> <h2>Little Gold Sculptures Show Up in Australian Backyards. Here’s Why</h2> <div><h3>Six Word Photo Story: Freestyle</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*BvdmJbf-gWHE0FxE_5vo_w.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><h2 id="81d2">Vidya’s Freestyle Picks</h2><p id="aeab">Loved <a href="undefined">James Jordan</a>’s post about daily lillies. What caught my eye was the gorgeous photo (<i>may I print this for my wall, please?</i>) and the takeaway that we need to make space for freshness in life, always.</p><div id="059b" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-daily-life-of-a-flower-5095d397fb4b"> <div> <div> <h2>The Daily Life Of a Flower</h2> <div><h3>Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Freestyle”</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*rKjGucFIHUuF_bf7NeqgbA.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="14fb">I am always enthralled by community projects and this one by <a href="undefined">David Acaster</a> is fascinating. The eye-catching photo and the description are so heart-warming!</p><div id="c1e6" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/reclaim-recycle-and-reuse-b393a2b78904"> <div> <div> <h2>Reclaim, Recycle and Reuse</h2> <div><h3>Six Word Photo Story Challenge: Freestyle</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*nM2WrIz10I13c8u9MsZd6w.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="55fd">As a sucker for heart-shapes — I spot them in the strangest of places, I found <a href="undefined">Jillian Amatt - Artistic Voyages</a>’s ants so charming. I applaud her for catching that moment because in seconds, that shape would change. Love rules, eh?</p><div id="e2de" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/finding-love-in-the-strangest-places-3d43e1e679ad"> <div> <div> <h2>Ants Make Love On The Kitchen Floor</h2> <div><h3>Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Freestyle”</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*EzOQwEBdAFE87AV-01vS2Q.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="e799">Call me selfish, but I cannot <b><i>not</i></b> include <a href="undefined">Randy Runtsch</a>’s photo of my all-time favorite artist, Prince — I have been watching its progress on Instagram and was thrilled to see the almost finished project in Randy’s photo.</p><div id="6e9b" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/prince-returns-to-minneapolis-706c48a0cd26"> <div> <div> <h2>Prince Returns to Minneapolis</h2> <div><h3>Six Word Photo Story Challenge: Freestyle</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*TuFCzGS8uAXW5tlzNLmWjw.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="c918">I know the joy that comes with receiving a new bicycle — this photo by <a href="undefined">Tooth Truth Roopa Vikesh</a> brought back many memories of my childhood when even a hand-me-down was precious!</p><div id="46ad" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/smile-someones-getting-a-new-bicycle-58656d9437df"> <div> <div> <h2>Smile, Someone’s Getting A New Bicycle</h2> <div><h3>Six Word Photo Story: Freestyle</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*fZg83ft_dPUPCEgbYwuCaA.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="cdf0">Loved this story of the laburnum tree from <a href="undefined">Linda Acaster</a> where she recounts the story of their aging tree in full bloom and ends on a hopeful note — thanks to their neighbor nurturing the parent tree’s offspring.</p><div id="1f19" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/sun-specs-at-the-ready-a6b1d835461e"> <div> <div> <h2>Sun Specs At The Ready!</h2> <div><h3>Six Word Photo Story: Freestyle</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*I6uJlU4ZZk61zMwvemG9Mg.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><h2 id="6e2a">Mary’s Freestyle Pick</h2><p id="8053">“Seeing Beauty” was a lovely piece by <a href="undefined">Anne Bonfert</a> where she photographed flowers that resembled the shape of a heart, with her freestyle story that sent a message of love.</p><div id="b7dd" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/its-about-seeing-beauty-and-joy-in-nature-9633c1fb2ed5"> <div> <div> <h2>It’s About Seeing Beauty and Joy in Nature</h2> <div><h3>Photo essay: “Freestyle”</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*lZ4sE65vQ-UmkCYqHssKEg.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="2c8d"><b>Note: </b>This article officially ends the Spring “Nature Art” Challenge and no further submissions will be accepted. <b>Stay tuned for the new July Challenge which will be announced on July 2, 2022!</b></p><p id="6328">If you don’t want to miss any future Six Word Photo Story Challenges, please follow me at <a href="undefined">Mary Chang Story Writer</a>, my publication, and<b> </b>subscribe to my stories by hitting the “green envelope” button next to my profile<i>.</i></p><h1 id="6170">Stay tuned for the July Six Word Photo Story Challenge!</h1><p id="e582">I’ll be celebrating Canada Day on July 1st, so it will be posted in this publication on<b> July 2, 2022. </b>Get those cameras clicking or dig into your photo archives! <b>If you’ve read this far — here’s a hint for July — it will brighten your day!</b></p><p id="bb8f"><i>If you’d like to be added as a writer and submit to Six Word Photo Story Challenge, please read and follow the <a href="https://readmedium.com/submission-guidelines-layout-82c1dd9fc6f7"></a></i><a href="https://readmedium.com/submission-guidelines-layout-82c1dd9fc6f7"><b>submission guidelines</b></a><b>. Note: </b>Formatting guidelines are unique to this publication <b>— </b>please read the <a href="https://readmedium.com/formatting-your-six-word-photo-story-f7640a61657b">formatting guidelines</a> thoroughly.</p><p id="76ce">— Village hugs, <a href="undefined">Mary Chang Story Writer</a> — Creator &amp; Editor of SWPSC, and the editorial team, <a href="undefined">Ellie Jacobson</a>, <a href="undefined">Sandi Parsons</a>, and <a href="undefined">Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles</a>.</p><h2 id="d9b0">About the Writer</h2><p id="69f7">Mary Chang is the editor of the Six Word Photo Story Challenge <a href="https://medium.com/six-word-photo-story-challenge">publication </a>— inspired by her original 6-Word Photo Story Summer Challenge <a href="https://marychang-10894.medium.com/the-6-word-photo-story-summer-challenge-e7c77e18d142">writing prompt</a> (2021) on Medium. She’s also a writer, parent, and fitness enthusiast who takes a good photo sometimes — and loves creating monthly challenges.</p><p id="bc7b"><b><i>Fueled by cartwheels, laughter, and encouraging people to shine</i>.</b> Read her blog at <a href="http://www.marychangstorywriter.com/">www.marychangstorywriter.com</a></p><p id="03f5"><b>If you have been inspired by the Six Word Photo Story Challenge publication,</b> <b>please support my writing and editing efforts by buying me a $3 coffee by using this link:</b> <a href="https://ko-fi.com/marychangstorywriter">https://ko-fi.com/marychangstorywriter</a>. Gratitude for your kindness.</p><p id="321e">Or you may use my referral link below, if you’d like to purchase a Medium membership for the year.</p><div id="c38f" class="link-block"> <a href="https://marychang-10894.medium.com/membership"> <div> <div> <h2>Join Medium with my referral link — Mary Chang Story Writer</h2> <div><h3>As a Medium member, a portion of your membership fee goes to writers you read, and you get full access to every story…</h3></div> <div><p>marychang-10894.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*dV6hlsPRD-P1IDnM)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>
“Nature Art” Photo & petal letters created by Mary Chang Story Writer

Photography, Nature Art, Spring Prompt

“Nature Art” Six Words & a Photo: May & June Conclusion

SWPSC: “Nature Art” & Freestyle Stories — Spring Conclusion

Petals transformed into letters shall disappear.

I collected these petals to create the name of our Spring challenge realizing that it would be a good way to capture the meaning of “nature art” according to my expectations for this prompt. It was created by human hands (mine) playing outside (nature’s fallen petals and a twig) and it’s not meant to last (will eventually be blown away and disappear). No harm was done to the environment, no tools were used — just a few minutes of creativity that brought me joy in interacting with nature by making art together.

Spring “Nature Art” Challenge Conclusion

Big thanks to our editors, Ellie Jacobson, Sandi Parsons & Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles for their ongoing efforts in handling submissions for the past two months. Special shout out to Ellie for her “Kitty Lizard Back” story, to Sandi for her “Plume of Feathers” story and to Vidya for her “Chow Time!” story.

Thank you to all the contributing writers this month for using your hands and imagination to create nature art in many beautiful forms or sharing pieces that you discovered during your outside explorations.

The Spring “Nature Art” prompt was a challenging one to meet! To this date, I’m not sure if the prompt or rules were too complicated, whether the writers didn’t understand what I was looking for in terms of expectations, or if they simply didn’t have time to participate. I’d love it if readers can leave a comment, and give me some insight into this.

My heart is a little broken that I didn’t see more nature art submissions. My hope was to inspire writers to get outside and play like they did when they were kids, create with their hands by building something with nature, not worry about the outcome, and enjoy the thoughtful process.

Whenever I make a piece of nature art, I focus. It either gives me joy, becomes an instant therapy session, or turns into a fun activity I do either solo or with my son. I was hoping participants would experience something similar, and if you did, please share your thoughts in the comments!

Editor Picks by Mary for Spring Nature Art Challenge

I enjoyed reviewing all the stories and selected 13 stories (out of 70+ submissions) for the Spring Nature Art Challenge that stood out, truly captured what I was looking for, met expectations, and where it seemed that the writer experienced a sense of joy, focus, or enlightenment either by creating or observing nature art.

For the “Nature Art” category, check out the 25 latest stories under the “Monthly Challenge” tab. For all stories in this category, check out this tab.

Nature Art Created by the Authors (8 stories that wowed me!)

I was impressed by the “Bridge” submission from Osan Fernando where she built a bridge outside which was made of twigs. I can only imagine the time and precision it took to find the sticks, create a plan, delicately place them into place and balance them. Check out Osan’s other stories that embody nature art.

I was delighted by Dr. Preeti Singh’s “Yellow Leaves” piece. She was collecting leaves to make nature art while playing in the garden while the children there were glued to their laptops. She managed to catch their curiosity and pull them away from their screens. The kids were inspired by watching Dr. Preeti and began collecting leaves and creating their own nature art.

Loved the simplicity of Shereen Bingham’s “Natural Vase” piece — giving life and purpose to an old maple tree.

Amazed by the patience and dedication it took Nicole Anders to build this magnificent rock tower on “Pebble Beach.”

I thought of Maui the moment I saw Robin James’ “Petal Heart” story. She found a bunch of petals on her morning walk and created this wonderful heart.

Loved Lisa McAully’s “Sand Sculpture” she built and the story that teaches a life lesson.

Amanda Jean’s “Seaside Heart Art” and family day at the beach lifted my spirits when I read her story.

K. Barrett’s piece — love the letter “M!” I appreciate the patience it took K to create this letter before it floated away. Thanks for introducing me to the artwork of Andy Goldsworthy. Readers, Goldsworthy is an amazing nature artist and his philosophy towards his artwork (temporary and made outside with nature) is what I envisioned for this challenge — but on a much simpler scale.

Nature Art by Observation & Connection (5 stories that wowed me!)

I was struck by Diana Lotti’s “Finding Shelter” photo the second I saw it. She initially sent this submission as a freestyle piece long before I announced the Nature Art challenge and I asked her to save this story for the Spring challenge.

Hollie Petit, Ph.D. discovered this unusual stone path during a run. The universe directed her towards it and during the process, Hollie found the answer to the title and photo for the cover of her first non-academic book. Hollie was drawn to nature art and made a connection with it.

CARMEN F MICSA discovered a rock serpent labyrinth created by someone else and took a photo. It was gone the next time she visited the beach because it “slithered away.”

Love the way pockett dessert captured the sunlight in the gap of the rock tower and the beautiful poetry she created to balance the sunset photo.

Finally, Randy Runtsch was blessed with perfect timing, wildlife, and nature art with a human touch when he landed this beautiful shot, “Bird Embellishment.”

“Freestyle” Stories

We received many great photos of nature (not “nature art”) which worked well for our freestyle section, which may explain why we published more Freestyle over Monthly Challenge submissions over the past two months. If you missed the Nature Art Challenge deadline (June 30, 12noon, Pacific Standard Time), I encourage you to get outside, create with your hands and elements of nature and submit them to our “Freestyle” section because I’d still love people to get a taste of this experience.

For the “Freestyle” category check out the 25 latest stories under the “Freestyle” tab. For all freestyle stories, check out this tab.

Editor Picks by Ellie, Sandi & Vidya for Freestyle Stories

Ellie, Sandi, Vidya, and I enjoyed reviewing all the freestyle stories. For May & June highlights, we each selected stories that resonated with us in some way.

Here are 19 “Freestyle” stories that wowed for different reasons — (in no particular order) out of about 125 freestyle submissions to this publication this May and June.

19 stories that wowed Freestyle:

Ellie’s Freestyle Picks

Goats make me happy and it’s not every day you see four of them sleeping on a wall. Love the natural monochromic style of this photo by Jillian Amatt - Artistic Voyages

Love the angle Penny Grubb took this photo with the garden wall taking up half of the shoot and the gorgeous landscape on the other half.

You can’t go wrong photographing Paris but I love the sky just as much as the skyline in this photo by Kasturi Patra.

First of all, I love tree photos and this one by Emma Tiger Lee is stunning with the flowing water underneath giving that floating image.

This photo by L Burton is one I would want printed and framed. The duck’s peek-a-boo face makes me smile.

I knew nothing about damselflies until Sarah-Jane W. 💙 post. I love how the blue pops in this photo with the black background. Beautiful!

Sandi’s Freestyle Picks

Here a bum, there a bum, everywhere a bum! Boys will find anything that looks remotely like a bum … I think it’s hard-wired into them. Bingz Huang’s son is no exception — he found this table “bum”.

In Moon in the Palm Vishal Mehta asks “What is missing — bicycle or broom?” I feel like I should see a witch first, but the 80’s child in me will always see E.T.

Ian Hanson delighted the eyes with his stunning photo in Girl With Backpack.

Stephen Reed set out to prove the early bird does indeed get the worm with Blue Hour Beckoned Me One Spring Morn.

David Acaster found two flowerpot people — who looked suspiciously like they were up to no good!

Who could go past the idea of a golden Christmas decoration in a bonsai? Lisa McAully’s daughter had a festive take on the golden visitor gracing their bonsai.

Vidya’s Freestyle Picks

Loved James Jordan’s post about daily lillies. What caught my eye was the gorgeous photo (may I print this for my wall, please?) and the takeaway that we need to make space for freshness in life, always.

I am always enthralled by community projects and this one by David Acaster is fascinating. The eye-catching photo and the description are so heart-warming!

As a sucker for heart-shapes — I spot them in the strangest of places, I found Jillian Amatt - Artistic Voyages’s ants so charming. I applaud her for catching that moment because in seconds, that shape would change. Love rules, eh?

Call me selfish, but I cannot not include Randy Runtsch’s photo of my all-time favorite artist, Prince — I have been watching its progress on Instagram and was thrilled to see the almost finished project in Randy’s photo.

I know the joy that comes with receiving a new bicycle — this photo by Tooth Truth Roopa Vikesh brought back many memories of my childhood when even a hand-me-down was precious!

Loved this story of the laburnum tree from Linda Acaster where she recounts the story of their aging tree in full bloom and ends on a hopeful note — thanks to their neighbor nurturing the parent tree’s offspring.

Mary’s Freestyle Pick

“Seeing Beauty” was a lovely piece by Anne Bonfert where she photographed flowers that resembled the shape of a heart, with her freestyle story that sent a message of love.

Note: This article officially ends the Spring “Nature Art” Challenge and no further submissions will be accepted. Stay tuned for the new July Challenge which will be announced on July 2, 2022!

If you don’t want to miss any future Six Word Photo Story Challenges, please follow me at Mary Chang Story Writer, my publication, and subscribe to my stories by hitting the “green envelope” button next to my profile.

Stay tuned for the July Six Word Photo Story Challenge!

I’ll be celebrating Canada Day on July 1st, so it will be posted in this publication on July 2, 2022. Get those cameras clicking or dig into your photo archives! If you’ve read this far — here’s a hint for July — it will brighten your day!

If you’d like to be added as a writer and submit to Six Word Photo Story Challenge, please read and follow the submission guidelines. Note: Formatting guidelines are unique to this publication — please read the formatting guidelines thoroughly.

— Village hugs, Mary Chang Story Writer — Creator & Editor of SWPSC, and the editorial team, Ellie Jacobson, Sandi Parsons, and Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles.

About the Writer

Mary Chang is the editor of the Six Word Photo Story Challenge publication — inspired by her original 6-Word Photo Story Summer Challenge writing prompt (2021) on Medium. She’s also a writer, parent, and fitness enthusiast who takes a good photo sometimes — and loves creating monthly challenges.

Fueled by cartwheels, laughter, and encouraging people to shine. Read her blog at www.marychangstorywriter.com

If you have been inspired by the Six Word Photo Story Challenge publication, please support my writing and editing efforts by buying me a $3 coffee by using this link: https://ko-fi.com/marychangstorywriter. Gratitude for your kindness.

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