It’s 2023 and I’m beginning a new Full Moon Art Challenge for the new year.
As followers may know, The Full Moon Art Challenge is a year-round art challenge where artists make a new work of art for each full moon. Instead of making a new piece every day, participating artists make a new work about every 28 days, using that month’s moon name as the art prompt.
All are welcome to participate, just make sure to use the hashtag #FullMoonArtChallenge2023 when you post your art. (For full directions and prompts, visit the event page.)
Last year, we used common North American moon names as the art prompts. This year, we’re using common Medieval/Celtic moon names, which makes this January’s moon the “Stay Home Moon.”
Another fun thing about this art challenge is that there is no mandatory medium. In 2022, I chose ink-and-watercolor as my medium because it was a favorite of mine and I hadn’t had the chance to work with it for awhile (although that certainly changed when I took more commissions.) You can find last year’s moon art in previous blog posts, or just watch the video slideshow.
The Art of the Stay Home Moon
While you can chose any medium you please (or even switch throughout the year) I’ve decided my personal medium for this year should be animation, as I haven’t done many animated things lately and I don’t want to get out of practice. I will be making each piece into an animated gif this year. Here’s my contribution for January, 2023:
Those lights in the windows were a challenge. They had to flicker bright enough to be seen, but not so bright that the house appears to be on fire. I think it’s close enough.
And if the gif doesn’t play, here’s an old-school static version:
About The Challenge
I like doing a once-a-month challenge, as it’s much more chill than daily art challenges. Dailies are about endurance, while weekly/monthly challenges are about planning – which sounds boring, but, in practice, it seems to suit a lot of people better.
Here’s a weird metaphor: if daily challenges are like outrunning a deranged murderer, monthly challenges are like escaping a shambling zombie – it’s too slow to catch up with you, so you only get caught if you don’t plan your strategy. Keep your wits about you and try not to fall behind.
By the way, the Full Moon Calendar for 2023 will stay in the shop until it’s listing expires. It’s not necessary to own a moon calendar to participate, but it won’t hurt either.
Next month’s moon is the “Storm Moon,” so be ready.
