Showcasing the creations that were made during CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS Pen Pals Project Session #6 ~ From June. 13th to June. 26th 2021.
With only 24 to 48 hours as the turnaround goal for each piece, Creatives challenged themselves to create in a quick timeframe using their Match’s piece for inspiration.
Creatives participants were matched in a back-and–forth creative expression for two weeks. The prompt for this Round was ‘Over The Moon,’ and all interpretations of this & anything in-between.
The Creative Pen Pal journey reveals much more than artistic pieces alone ~ This experience can be a tool for self-reflection. Shared experiences and friendships blossom along the way. Like connecting with a great piece of art, connecting with a new person can be daring, frustrating, surprising, comforting, and awakening.
For professional or emerging artists, this project serves as an exciting chance to develop and expand in their artistic discipline or to try a new medium.
For others, having a Creative Pen Pal is a much-needed break from the social isolation that the COVID-19 social distancing restrictions have been imposing.
Either way, taking part in an online social activity group has many benefits, including increased well-being and social connections.
For many, it’s an exercise in personal growth ~ trusting strangers to contribute to a shared goal. Something beautiful begins to grow as the creative conversation takes on a life of its own and a new unspoken understanding and connection emerges.
All this culminates in a linear exhibit showcasing each unique conversation followed by an artist group chat over zoom. Creatives are encouraged to discuss their emotions and inspirations for each piece and their creative process. We share tips and advice about all things creative.
Please send us a message to learn how to get involved.
Enjoy the exhibit.
Visit: http://www.bewhimsiartloft.ca
How to be A Creative Pen Pal
Free to participate.
You will be randomly matched with someone and one of you will create an art piece and the other will reply to it and you will do this as often as you’d like to in a call and response over 2 weeks.
You are encouraged to create brand-new works in response to your Match’s creations and vice versa. If you are adding directly on top of or to your Match’s pieces PLEASE ask them if they are in agreement first. You are encouraged to respond with an original concept inspired by their replies.
You can create about your feeling and experiences during COVID or strike up friendly conversation using creativity and see where the exchange leads you.
What to Expect TIME-LINE:
14 days
DAY 1:
I draw the Matches randomly LIVE on FB Page and Group Art By Rhiannon Barry.
Everyone receives an email from me with details connecting you to your partner that day.
Day 2-14:
You create in a call and response style:
Step 1) Artist 1 creates an origional piece within 24 hours, to kick things off, and sends a cropped picture or short video of their art to Artist 2.
Step 2) Artist 2 looks at the piece and creates something new inspired by it within 48 hours and sends a picture or short video of it to Artist 1.
Step 3) Artist 1 looks at the piece and creates something new inspired by it within 48 hours and sends a picture or short video of it to Artist 2.
And so on until there are an even amount of pieces made by both artists. I will send an email to remind you when the last day is coming up.
(Basically everyone is creating new pieces inspired by the last one they received from their match. That way your pieces are having a creative unspoken conversation.)
Day 15:
At the end of 2 weeks one of you will label all individual the docs. in the creative conversation in the order of when the works created and with the correct # and Artist’s name and put them.in one FOLDER. See Example:
1-B.FISHER
2-S.JONES
3-B.FISHER
4-S.JONES
5-B.FISHER and so on…
*Using Drop Box or Google Drive is recommended to send your DOCS. together in 1 FOLDER. 💙Taking this step makes it easier for me to keep your pieces sorted from other Matches.
DAY 16, 17
I upload all of the “conversations” to an online exhibition on http://www.BeWhimsiArtLoft.ca and share the link with all of you so you can share with friends and family.
In the end, you will likely have made anywhere between 4 to 10 pieces each. If you create more than 4 each, that’s fine. If you only create 3 each, that’s fine too; LIFE HAPPENS, so do not make more than your partner and please wait for them to get back to you before creating again. Some of your back and forth may be quicker than 48 hours, so that would mean you will likely produce a higher amount of pieces. Just let you and your match’s vibe lead the flow.
What happens if my Match drops out?
If you are ghosted (receive no messages or direction of intentions longer than 3 days) reach out to your match first. If still no response, reach out to me and I will rematch you. Always try with your Match first. Please remember that LIFE HAPPENS. Sometime there are bumps in this creative road and you just gotta hang in there with kindness and understanding.
Reducing Anxieties
I know some people will be anxious about creating an awesome piece in this time limit but that’s the point! It’s about connecting with others in a new way. TO challenge YOUR IMAGINATION AND GROW 🙂 Whether you only have 20 mins or have 4 hours to create we still want you to participate! All styles and skill levels are welcome. This is not about producing a masterpiece.
It’s important to remember that everyone likely feels a bit of anxiety when exposing their work to someone. You are on this journey together. Reach out to your partner with questions. You can lean on each other’s interpretations of this project.
I chose 24 hours for the first piece because it’s a nice challenge for Artist 1 as well it acts as a speedy kick-off for you both! I chose WITHIN 48 hours or less for the remaining turnarounds If you want to send something back within a shorter time, please feel free to go for it! Because this is supposed to help relieve stress and not meant to add to it, I wanted to give even the busiest people enough time for creating. I know some people are more active and may still wish to participate, others may want to take their time, depending on their chosen medium, but I also wanted to keep a bit of momentum going; 48 hours seem doable. REMEMBER, you can create a small piece in a sketch pad, take a photo and digitally enhance it, write a poem, or perhaps create a small sculpture or even something more significant if you have time to complete it. If you know you need extra time, just let your Match know.
Send your info to: artbyrhiannonbarry@gmail.com
Name
Email
City/Province/Country
Social Media Handles:
Facebook Handle
Instagram Handle
Website (if you have one)
The Benefits!
I hope you will form a connection and engage with your Match in friendly conversation as you exchange your pieces and discuss how and why you made the pieces. You are not obligated to divulge your reasons behind any pieces if you do not feel comfortable to. We want this to be a welcoming and perhaps a healing social opportunity for ALL during these challenging times!
Be Whimsi Art Loft 