April's Theme is SPICY
Our theme for April is SPICY. It was chosen by our Tucson chapter and illustrated by Sophie McTear.
Oh yeah, that’s hot!
When you’re cooking, spices add flavor, depth, and complexity to an otherwise plain culinary dish. Spicy foods interact with receptors in our mouth and can trigger sensations of heat and even pain. Can you handle it? Being open to trying new and bold tastes is a good lesson for bringing daring and originality into all of our creative endeavors. As they say, “variety is the spice of life.”
Spicy can also be exciting and suggestive. A spicy comment or joke is provocative or controversial. Such “spicy takes” often challenge conventional beliefs and ignite strong, passionate reactions from people.
So, how can you make your work and approach to life spicier? Let’s bring the heat!
INSPIRATION FROM OUR COMMUNITY:
Each month, we ask the readers of our Weekly Highlights newsletter to submit creative work inspired by our global theme.
Here are the featured submissions for April:
The Carolina Reaper by Jon Sabutis in San Diego, California.
I wanted to take the theme of “Spicy” to the maximum extreme: This is an image I created by blending a skull with a hot chile pepper, a sort of metaphorical play on the name of the world’s hottest chile pepper: The Carolina Reaper.
If It’s Not Spicy I’m Not Hungry by Emily Hazel Miner in Tucson, Arizona.
Inspired by the varied and delicious cuisine found throughout the city of Tucson, this artwork brings a flavorful, humorous punch to the theme of “spicy,” celebrating our city’s vibrancy and culture.
Spicy by Mike Brennan in Branchburg, New Jersey.
The concept for this digital illustration came from thinking about this question: How would an alien react to a chili pepper?
Recovery Coach for Sobriety and Spiritual Companion by Anne Marie Cribbin in Washington DC.
A short personal essay on recovering taste buds as a part of the sober journey and finding creativity in the kitchen with two zero-proof cocktail recipes included.
When I first embarked on my journey of sobriety, I never imagined that one of the most delightful discoveries would be the reawakening of my taste buds. It was like uncovering a long-lost treasure buried beneath layers of numbness and habit. Suddenly, flavors burst forth with newfound intensity, igniting a passion for creativity in the kitchen that had long been dormant. With each sip of a carefully crafted zero-proof cocktail, I found myself celebrating not only my newfound sobriety but also the joy of nourishing myself with flavors that truly nurtured my soul.
Read the rest of Anne’s essay including the delicious drink recipes and see more of her writing on her site.
Gifted by Alena Aichlmanova in Prague.
This work is a white pencil drawing on a black paper and it represents thoughs that can be considered spicy or even hot. Here they are put in in a decent way, using lace patterns.
BREAKING BOUNDARIES by Melissa Azizi in Australia.
This is a feature documentary which explores the point-of-view of African-American rhythmic gymnast, Nastasya, as she grapples with being the only black girl in Team USA. We think it relates to ‘SPICY’ because Nastasya’s mere presence in this sport is spicy, her choice of music is personal and reflects her spicy characters. Dina Burlis, Director. You can watch the trailer online.
Be your own spicy superhero by Danai Batskou in London, UK.
‘I am the storm, the lightning, and the thunder.’ My latest artwork is a superhero painting. To join me to unleash the spicy superhero within. Let’s ignite a movement of self-belief and resilience through the transformative power of art. DO -Embrace your inner strength and become your own hero. Through vibrant colors and dynamic strokes, this painting serves as a powerful reminder that each one of us has the ability to overcome obstacles and make a difference in our own lives.
Want to see your creative work featured on our blog? Subscribe to our Weekly Highlights newsletter to find out when submissions for next month’s theme are open.