The Magic of Art Challenges

I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but I have to reiterate the fact that I LOVE the calls and challenges that Stampington puts in the backs of it's magazines and on the website.
I remember very specifically that in Kindergarten my favorite part of the day was when the teacher asked us to draw something in our journals. She usually gave us a theme and all the way through high school it was the most relaxing time I had throughout the school day.
And now I know exactly why that always was. Because it was calling me to do exactly what I wanted to do, it was fulfilling the desire I had to create everyday.
So I appreciate very much that this company comes up with ways to challenge me as an artists while they find ways to find new techniques and designs. It's good for all of us.
I don't go looking through the challenges because I want to be published, I do it because it's such a fun part of my month. Every month when I see the new Somerset magazine, whatever it may be..Sew Somerset, Somerset Life, Somerset Studio. I know that the creative juices will start flowing without fail.
If you are at a point in your creating where you are ready to see what level you can take it to next, see what materials you can work with next. I encourage you to give it a try. Take one of their challenges and see what you come up with. Your creation might blow you away!

This coffee filter fluff tree was created for "The magic of Coffee Filters" call for artwork for Somerset Life. As Artists I think we always second guess our creations after we are done with them. We let them sit and we will pick at it and critique it until we no longer like it.
When I create for these challenges I send them off fairly quickly. And months later, sometimes a year later, when I hear or see that it has been chosen for publication. I have a new found love for the creations. & I wonder why I thought it was so bad.
Not all projects will be shared with our huge art community but that it certainly not the point of turning your projects in. It's fulfilling the desire we have to create everyday!