JMC READING NOOK

“WE READ TO KNOW WE’RE NOT ALONE.” — WILLIAM NICHOLSON

The purpose of the JMC Art Challenge is to promote self-care through the use of creativity.

Art can be created in any medium: poetry, illustration, painting, etc.

All art must be submitted and posted anonymously. The rights to the art for the purpose of reproduction belongs to JMC for the protection of the submitter. You may not copy or sell any art featured in the gallery. Once submitted, your art will be added to the gallery by the end of the month.

ART SELF-CARE TIPS

Collage your emotions. Creating a collage is a great way to work through your emotions, whether you're feeling happy, sad, or something in between. It's also a quick and easy way to express yourself and process your feelings — it doesn't have to be perfect! Grab some old magazines, cut out images that represent how you're feeling, and arrange them on a piece of paper until they tell the story you want to tell. You can even use different colors and shapes to help convey the message you want to get across.

Practice mindful drawing. Practicing mindful drawing is a great way to calm your mind, get in touch with your feelings and emotions, and improve your focus. It's also a great way to connect with nature and see things from a different perspective. And best of all? It's fun! It can be as simple or complex as you want it to be — you can start with quick sketches, or spend hours trying to capture every detail. You can also use photos or other images as a guide for your drawings. If you're feeling stuck or unsure where to begin, try this exercise: pick an image (or take one) from Google that interests you and set a timer for 15 minutes. Start drawing! Don't stop until the timer goes off — that's when you'll take a break. Then do another 15 minutes later on in the day or week if you want!

Use art as a release. Art is a powerful way to release negative emotions. If you have something that's been bothering you, let it go by creating art about it. Using paper and pencil, create a visual representation of what you wish to release. This can be anything from regrets about past relationships to trauma from a car accident, or even the tension that builds up from sitting at a desk all day. After creating your piece of art, take it to the sink and set it on fire. As the paper burns, imagine that you are fully releasing whatever ‘stuff’ it represents into the fire. Breathe deeply, and remember that you are sealing yourself up afterward — perhaps taking time to set new intentions for yourself. Then create a new page with words and images that illustrate how you want to feel instead of what you don't want anymore. Post this page in a place where you can see it on a regular basis so that it's always top-of-mind!