March's Theme is PERSPECTIVE

Our theme for March is PERSPECTIVE. It was chosen by our Fargo chapter and illustrated by Fred Gaye Wremeo.

Every creative act is an attempt to share a unique perspective on some slice of the world. What you see — and how you see it — shapes your beliefs. So, what’s your point of view? And how are you putting it into your work? What was the last piece of music, writing, illustration, or film that opened a new window on the world for you?

One of the most impactful artistic innovations was linear perspective; widely credited to Fillipo Brunelleschi in the early 15th century. This breakthrough enabled artists to create the illusion of three-dimensional space on a flat canvas, paving the way for the ornate art and architecture of the Renaissance. Today, it feels like we are at another precipice with AI generated images and video. We don’t know how this rapidly emerging artistic tech will shape our perspectives. The machine is already capable of evoking real emotions. But only we can understand those feelings.

Because seeing someone else’s point of view is uniquely human. Considering another perspective fosters empathy. And we all desperately need more empathy. Remember, looking at a problem from multiple angles generates more possible solutions. So, change your perspective and you can change your world.

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 March:

Perspective by Deborah Chi in Brooklyn, New York.

It is a 60 x 42” acrylic paint, watercolor, markers & color pencils. Here’s my description: I wanted to draw the viewers beyond a 2-dimensional surface and access beyond what is “seen.” I believe our sight should be negotiated, questioned as we deepened our perception and sense of reality.

Lumpectomy by Barbara Stauffer in Washington, D.C. USA.

Inspired by Art Nouveau tradition of celebrating and romanticizing the female body, Lumpectomy uses the visual language of the period to celebrate the beauty and resilience of the female body and provide a different perspective on the scars caused by surgery. Coil built using white stone ware, the piece measures about 16" high x 14" in diameter.
See more work on Barbara’s site.

Healing in Monet’s Pond by Irene Karthik in London, United Kingdom.

This is an oil painting that I painted to depict the multiplicities of what we see and observe. The colour theme and pond was inspired by Monet’s famous lilies. All other additions to this painting are originally by me. Each of us see a different aspect of life or emotion highlighted, depending on our perceptions and experiences. When I read about the theme, this was the painting that came to my mind. It is in a way a visual metaphor for the complexities of perspective, the way we are all part of the same world yet experiencing it so differently.
You can see more of Irene’s work on Twitter.

Lessons In Grief by Tonesha Sylla in Houston, Texas.

This is a podcast episode and personal reflection of what my husband and I experienced through our grief journey’s as we both lost our fathers in 2020 non-covid related. Listen on Spotify.
See more work on Tonesha’s site.

Janus by Clarissa de Oliveira in New York, USA / Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Vector illustration - Janus is the two-faced god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doors, passages, frames and endings. Here the reading of perspective goes beyond the concept of two dimensions or a limited number of points of view.

On Resilience: Relational, Spiritual, Attentional by Sarah Teresa Cook in The Dalles (in the Columbia River Gorge), Oregon.

In short, resilience is the key tenet in my creative work–it is the backbone of my perspective, whether I’m working on my own writing projects or supporting clients with theirs. I think it’s a vital quality to think about in terms of creative health. As an ex-social worker turned self-employed creative mentor, I’m excited to share my perspective.

Because here’s the thing about resilience: it isn’t refusal. Resilience doesn’t expect you to tough things out or fake it till you make it. It does not ask you to deny or avoid, to grow invulnerable skin, or to conquer or battle anything.
(Look at all those words of negation! And aggression! I have no space for such vocabulary in my life anymore. Do you?) Read the rest on Sarah’s substack.

Downtown Fargo by Dennis Krull in Moorhead, Minnesota.

This is a photo of Downtown Fargo that I captured. This months theme of Perspective is what this shot is about. I am 5’ 20" (6’ 8") and this shot is from a perspective that I do not see often - street level. Rarely do you find the streets of Downtown Fargo empty and when they are, it is a whole different look (perspective) of the city.
See more work on Dennis’ site.

Pink Benches by Corinna Scott in Portland, Oregon.

The artist statement is as much a part of the piece as the photograph is. Together the image and statement create commentary on perspective of social art.
See more work on Corinna’s site.

In a manicured walkway on the island of Skeppsholmen, Stockholm, blocky pink benches invite you to pause, rest from the ordinary, and reengage with curiosity for what could be.
What moments of life and conversation have these benches held? How have they made people feel?
These benches are social art. They are using the emotional power of form and color to make us notice and feel differently from what we are used to expecting from a bench. As public benches, they invite community engagement through human interaction. This social art invites you to sit on it and eat a sandwich, make a phone call, or write in your journal.
Your bench could be pink, blue, yellow, purple, red or green. Your standard object could be art. Our public objects could be social art.

On Obsessions by Michelle Béland in London, United Kingdom.

I recently experienced a creative identity crisis after abandoning a novel project I’d been working on since 2022. I started making collages with my child one evening as a way to have fun and explore my creativity without the pressure of performance; this led to a series of collage poems and the realization I must follow the JOY when making art.

Perspective by Gabriela Basin in Barcelona, Spain.

In every viewpoint, a truth unfurls, Perspective is the lens through which the world twirls.

The Mamluki Lancet Mosque / Babnimnim Design Studio by Hunter Clement in Yarmouth, Canada.

A simple perspective drawing I did from a photo of the Mamluki Lancet Mosque.
See photos of the Mamluki Lancet Mosque.

Change Your Thoughts by Mike Brennan in New Jersey.

When you examine your thoughts and practice awareness, you can change your mindset and your perspective. Affirmations aren’t just goofy positive statements. They are you, reminding yourself, of the truth about yourself.

Telekinetic Tapestries At Beakerhead by Clare Gibson in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Perspective is defined as “a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view”. This film challenges traditional perspective that things can’t be controlled just with brain power and shows an exciting and innovative new device explores the use of a Brain Computer Interface device, the Think2SwitchTM, which allows users to control switch-adapted devices with their thoughts. This technology is revolutionary for inclusivity and independence in play for children withcneurological conditions which affect movement. The touching and hopeful film explores the value of this from one family’s perspective, as well as demonstrating the technology in action.
You can watch the film now.

Scars are Golden by Mary Kamerer in Charlotte, North Carolina.

This is a large (48” x 96”) diptych painting of a ceramic kintsugi bowl. Kintsugi takes broken pieces (mostly pottery) and repairs them using precious metals like gold. Those repairs make the pottery actually stronger than before This perspective puts the viewer “in” the bowl, helping one to connect with those experiences when you’ve felt broken, where your scars now make you stronger.
See more work on Mary’s site.

My heart by Alena Aichlmanova in Prague, Czech Republic.

My work enterprets a point of view that I try to keep, and a perspective that I would like others to have on our lives - the perspective of heart.

The Eye by DeQuilla Henderson and Roksolana Fursa in Dallas, Texas.

Perspective is seen from different viewpoints. The eye is symbolic of that. When I think of perspective I see eyes first.

Things I Heard While Dating by Emily O'Brien in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Life is all about perspective, romantic relationships included. A website with the hopes of one day transforming into a book, it intends to be a cathartic, fun and entertaining experience that builds connection around people’s failed moments at a romantic connection. The process of submitting a line is a gentle reminder that everything probably turned out for the best, no matter how contributors felt the moment things went awry.

Read more on ThingsIHeardWhileDating.com.

Liquid Universe in Color by Charla M Perry in Covington, Kentucky.

This is an abstract mixed media painting. It expresses the chaos in my world and transitioning from black and white to color. It is about growth and movement in a turbulent universe.

Keep the Flame Alive by Marne Meisel in New York, New York.

I created this artwork sharing my perspective to try to keep the fire lit within while facing life’s challenges.

Moonstruck by Albert Stern in Gainesville Florida.

Moonstruck is part of a series of digital illustrations about embracing the magic of the moon and thereby new perspectives.

Vegan Minded: Becoming a Steward for Animals, People, and the Planet by Christine Cook Mania in Bremerton, Washington.

Vegan-Minded is a creative non-fiction book, a memoir-in-essays. The personal essays are my perspective on living in harmony will all things: people, animals, and the planet. You can buy a copy on Amazon.
The book project was Christine’s capstone project for grad school. It couldn’t have been done without this program. Photo credit: Beth Mathews.

Mayila&Marleneby by Maria Louceiro in Berlin, Germany.

This image represents different perspectives.
You can see more of Maria’s work on Instagram @marialouceiro

Time Flees by Alicia Tapp in San Antonio, Texas.

My point of view of time that flies or flees. Loving someone one moment and then you blink and their memory is gone forever in a flash—So Sad. Figurative sculpture with clock parts, crushed glass, found objects.

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.