Our theme for September is REFLECTION. It was chosen by our Oklahoma City chapter in Oklahoma and illustrated by Aditi Heins.

Just like an echo is a reflection of sound… and how a camera lens focuses reflected light to form a photograph… our subconscious reflects on our experiences to form our beliefs.

Without reflection, there can be no personal growth. Learning from our past yields greater wisdom and happiness. But don’t let self-awareness turn into self-absorption. Take heed of the Greek myth of Narcissus, who fell in love with his own handsome reflection in a pool of water.

Reflecting on difficult moments can be painful but also healing. When our Oklahoma City chapter selected this theme, they mentioned a reflecting pool at the site of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that was designed to help people reflect on how they were changed by that tragic event.

Pondering the world around us and following our curiosity adds depth to our creative work. As William Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, the purpose of acting is “to hold as ‘twere the mirror up to nature.” While George Bernard Shaw said, “you use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul.” (Although Bertolt Brecht countered, “Art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it.”)

Reflection turns our traumas and triumphs into lessons. It’s how we can create a vision for a brighter future.

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 September:

Reflections #3 by Maria Velez Campagna in Mooresville, North Carolina.<

Acrylic painting of a sunset reflected in local lake, my perfect place to reflect and find peace. It was a beautiful calm evening but there is tension between the warm colors of the sunlight and cool blues of the lake.

You can see more work on Maria’s site.

Boots N Cats N Boots N Cats N (Dance Beat) by Susan Derrick in Bainbridge Island, Washington State.

I am a perennial dance student. I love the communal energy, inclusivity, and collective joy that I feel in dance studios and in the nightclub dance scene. My Dance themed painting series is inspired by the movement, music, lights, fashion, and euphoria I experience in dance culture.

Evoking joy is as simple as shining a light on a sphere covered in mirrored tiles. Disco balls do not merely reflect light; they have become the source of a multifaceted and multilayered metaphor for community, escapism, inclusion, even safety in nightlife.

You can see more work on Susan’s site.

Breakdown to Breakthrough by Enuma Igweatu in Phoenix, Arizona.

This episode of the Thrive With Her podcast (with guest, Faith Morrison) is inspired by the theme of reflection as it delves into the deep, often painful process of self-examination and growth. By exploring the necessity of confronting life’s messiest chapters, we offer listeners a chance to reflect on their own journeys and find strength in their struggles.

Perfection is an Illusion by Molly Chidsey in Portland, Oregon.

Recently, I have been exploring my relationship with my inner dialog, a voice that is often more critical than supportive. Can you relate? I decided to create a new series of watercolor and calligraphy designs to lift up phrases of affirmation I have personally found helpful to rewriting my own inner narrative. Hand-lettered calligraphy (Procreate and Apple Pencil) over hand-painted watercolor and oak fall ink I made myself from a tree in my backyard.

You can buy a print of this piece and learn more about her work on Molly’s site.

Reflections on the Universe by Colleen O’Brien in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada.

New Painting, 36”x36”. I am reflecting on how earth is rotating around the sun, at the same time that the sun is rotating around the center of the Milky Way Galaxy.

You can see more work on Colleen’s site.

The Warrior Who Surfs by Kacie Lyn Martinez in Costa Mesa, California.

I reflected on the Warrior Archetype over the winter, and what I learned from it helped me complete a 100 day surf challenge. Here’s the blog post and corresponding original art I made in collaboration with photographer Aaron Bernard.

You can read the lessons learned from the 100 day surf challenge Kacie’s blog.

14h/2h by Colette Pomerleau in Berlin, Germany.

This work connects with the theme of “Reflection” not only through obvious visuals, but because the location of the photo - Las Vegas, NV, is my hometown and a place where deep reflection comes into play. A city in hyper flux has bred an individual also in hyper flux, and I’m still not sure if that’s good or bad.

You can see more work on Colette’s instagram.

Reflection by Ada Bucur in Vancouver, Canada.

This is an illustration inspired by a photograph I took in a park during the spring season. The image of this girl holding her dog in her arms to carry it from one stone to another moved me with its beauty, stemming from the simplicity and naturalness of the gesture. This moment was further enhanced by their reflection in the water.

You can see more work on Ada’s site.

Contribute to Ζωή (life), a poem by Cavafy by Danai Batskou in London, UK.

Reflection on the journey that is called ζωή (life).

Learn about the poet Constantine P. Cavafy.

Reflection by AAE. RUSSELL in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Photograph taken of the visual reflection in my cup of coffee - as I reflected about my life.

You can see more work on instagram @aae.russell.

MOAI by Paige Donner in Paris, France.

It is a chapter of a book. MOAI is a Japanese (Okinawan) word that connotes support group and old friends - this is a reflective chapter on how this concept is essential for wellness, for immigrant assimilation, and for health and longevity.

Once the book becomes available, you can find it on on Paige’s site.

Unlocking the Power of Reflection by Marie Schumacher in Portland, Oregon.

Reflection gives our brains the space and time to add new information to its existing pathways of knowledge. Without the opportunity to reflect on lessons learned, our minds struggle to attach new knowledge to the knowledge we already have. Reflection also helps us sketch out our future plans with intention and perspective. In reflecting, we pinpoint areas of improvement while the memories of our experience are fresh. And putting our reflection into action is a key part of its power.

You can read the rest on Marie’s site.

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.