Our theme 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.

Nuestro tema para marzo es la PERSPECTIVA. Fue elegido por nuestro capítulo de Fargo e ilustrado por Fred Gaye Wremeo.

Todo acto creativo es un intento de compartir una perspectiva única sobre alguna parte del mundo. Lo que uno ve, y cómo lo ve, determina sus creencias. Entonces, ¿cuál es su punto de vista? ¿Y cómo lo plasma en su trabajo? ¿Cuál ha sido la última pieza musical, escrito, ilustración o película que le ha abierto una nueva ventana al mundo? 

Una de las innovaciones artísticas más impactantes fue la perspectiva lineal, ampliamente atribuida a Fillipo Brunelleschi a principios del siglo XV. Este avance permitió a los artistas crear la ilusión de espacio tridimensional en un lienzo plano, allanando el camino para el arte ornamentado y la arquitectura del Renacimiento. Hoy, parece que nos encontramos en otro precipicio con las imágenes y vídeos generados por la inteligencia artificial (IA). No sabemos cómo esta tecnología artística emergente moldeará nuestras perspectivas. La máquina ya es capaz de evocar emociones reales. Pero nosotros somos los únicos que podemos entender esos sentimientos.

Porque ver el punto de vista de otra persona es algo exclusivamente humano. Considerar otra perspectiva fomenta la empatía, y todos necesitamos desesperadamente más empatía. Recuerde que contemplar un problema desde múltiples ángulos

Our theme for February is NATIVE

It was chosen by our Honolulu chapter and illustrated by Jack Soren.

Where you are from shapes who you are. Where you call home influences your worldview. Understanding the traditions of your ancestors can help answer the question, “where do I belong?” Your connections to a place and the past should rightfully be a source of great pride. 

The unique customs, art, and languages of native cultures make the tapestry of human civilization more vibrant. Yet many indigenous communities have faced marginalization, land dispossession, and cultural erasure. How much have we lost and what can be preserved? 

By respecting and celebrating the traditions and achievements of native people everywhere, we can discover a deeper sense of connection and unity. What does our history have to teach us? What can we learn from each other?

Nuestro tema para febrero es  lo NATIVO. Fue elegido por nuestra sucursal de Honolulu e ilustrado por Jack Soren.

De dónde eres da forma a quién eres. El lugar al que llamas “hogar” influye en tu visión del mundo. Entender las tradiciones de tus ancestros puede ayudarte a responder la pregunta “¿A qué sitio pertenezco?” Tus conexiones con un lugar y el pasado deberían ser fuentes legítimas de un enorme orgullo. 

Las costumbres, el arte y el idioma únicos de las culturas nativas hacen más vibrante el tapiz de la civilización humana. Sin embargo, muchas comunidades originarias han tenido que enfrentar marginalización, desposesión de sus tierras y supresión cultural. ¿Cuánto hemos perdido y qué se puede preservar? 

Respetando y celebrando las tradiciones y los logros de personas nativas en todos lados, podemos descubrir un sentido de conexión y unidad más profundo. ¿Qué tiene para enseñarnos nuestra historia? ¿Qué podemos aprender unos de otros?

QUICK FIRE QUERIES :: DAUCHÉ

Our series of random questions that dig a little deeper into the minds of the people holding the mic…

So, Dauché, what’s your current book or podcast obsession? 
The Homecoming Podcast by Dr. Thema Bryant

What phrase do you find yourself repeating all too often? 
“You got this!” 

Favorite taco shop? 
Lolitas

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? 
“Don’t dim your light for anything or anybody”

Who or what inspires you? 
Family, Friends, Music, Art, Nature, Sports, everything. 

Favorite coffee shop in San Diego? 
The Mental Bar

What’s a secret talent of yours?
Dance

What’s your go-to karaoke song?
“Pyramids” - Frank Ocean 

What’s your favorite thing about the San Diego community?
The genuine love, support, & connections through art/music. 

Our theme for January is RISE.

It was chosen by our Tampa Bay chapter and illustrated by Miss Crit.

The sun must set before it can rise. So, remember, every setback can be overcome. Each new challenge compels us to tap into our reservoirs of hope and determination. To live a fulfilling life, we must not wallow. We must rise. 

The phoenix rising from the ashes is such a juicy metaphor. The mystical bird’s fiery demise symbolizes the destruction of old expectations — and how it’s always been done. Every creative act is a transformation. Each new project is a rebirth. 

We rise from everything that came before. That’s why “rise up!” is a rally cry for the oppressed. But we should all be shouting, because our personal and collective empowerment are intricately linked. The rise of different voices creates a richer and more vibrant society. The goal is not reaching the top, it’s lifting each other up. 

Together, we rise higher. 

QUICK FIRE QUERIES :: Koy Suntichotinun

Our series of random questions that dig a little deeper into the minds of the people holding the mic…

Hey Koy, what’s your current book or podcast obsession?

Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins

What phrase do you find yourself repeating all too often?

Wannabe rather than nobody!

Favorite taco shop?

It’s not a taco shop but my favorite Mexican restaurant is called Chuchees in La Mesa. It’s a place specializing in smoothies and tortas and I used to always get a Hawaiian torta and a chamango after community college.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

There are some lessons you can only learn by actively working towards your goals rather than preparing.

Who or what inspires you?

Any hand painted sign I find anywhere, even if it looks kind’ve bad.

Favorite coffee shop in San Diego?

Provecho! Coffee Co. in Barrio Logan.

What’s a secret talent of yours?

Cooking eggs without it sticking on a stainless steel pan.

What’s your go-to karaoke song?

Officially Missing You by Tamia

What’s your favorite thing about the San Diego community?

I appreciate the intimacy and the hybrid small town / big city vibes of it all compared to LA and the Bay Area.

November’s theme is Rhythm.

Our global theme for November is RHYTHM. It was chosen by our Basel chapter and illustrated by Patrizia Stalder.  

What rhythms set your pace? A celestial rhythm is pulsing all around us. The earth spins. The sun rises and sets. The moon pulls and releases the tides twice every day. The seasons loop each year. Natural, constant patterns of back-and-forth. But we also live amidst the unnatural rhythms of flickering fluorescent lights, pinging notifications, and vehicles idling at traffic signals. Rhythm can light you up or burn you out. 

Rhythm is the heartbeat of creativity. It provides the structure we crave; a framework for ideas to take shape. By recognizing patterns and breaking them, we can find our unique voice. 

Rhythm serves as a catalyst for the power of a dancer’s movement. The pacing of a poet’s sentences. The cadence of an actor’s voice. The timing of a comedian’s punchline. The strokes of a painter’s brush. The meter of a musician’s notes. All that creativity just keeps going and flowing. Rat-a-tat-tat. Tap into your own rhythm and follow wherever it takes you. 

How do you keep your own beat? Listen to your breath. Listen to your heart.

—

El tema elegido para noviembre es el RITMO. La elección estuvo a cargo de nuestra división de Basilea e ilustrado por Patricia Stalder.

¿Qué ritmos guían tu andar? Un ritmo celestial palpita a nuestro alrededor. La Tierra da vueltas. El sol sale y se pone. La luna influye sobre las mareas, que suben y bajan dos veces al día. Las estaciones se suceden año a año. Son patrones naturales e inmutables que vienen y van. Pero también vivimos rodeados de los ritmos artificiales del parpadeo de las luces fluorescentes,

el zumbido de las notificaciones y el ronroneo de los vehículos en los semáforos. Los ritmos pueden darte vida o consumirte.

Es el pulso de la creatividad. El ritmo aporta la estructura que anhelamos, un marco para que florezcan las ideas. Cuando reconocemos los patrones y los desglosamos, podemos hallar

nuestra auténtica voz. 

El ritmo hace de catalizador de la fuerza de los movimientos de una bailarina. El compás de los versos de un poeta. La cadencia de la voz de un actor. El manejo de los tiempos de un comediante antes del remate. Los trazos de un pintor. La métrica de las notas de un músico. Toda esa creatividad que sigue creciendo y fluyendo. Tac-tac-tac-tac. Conéctate con tu propio ritmo interno y síguelo a donde te lleve.

October’s Theme is Endurance.

Endurance is the unwavering flame that burns within us, illuminating a path through darkness and uncertainty. It is the quiet strength that emerges when challenges test our limits, urging us to push beyond what we thought possible. Endurance is not a mere moment but a relentless spirit that whispers, “keep going” when the world feels heavy.

Life’s journey is marked by peaks and valleys, and it is endurance that sustains us during the uphill climbs. It teaches us that setbacks are not defeats but stepping stones towards growth and resilience. With each obstacle we conquer, our spirits grow stronger, and our determination becomes unshakable.

In a world that values instant gratification, endurance is a reminder that the most rewarding victories are born from patience and perseverance. It is the ability to rise, even when we fall, and to embrace the transformative power of persistence. So, let us celebrate the tenacity that resides within us, for in the face of adversity, it is endurance that leads us towards the summit of our potential.
Our Timisoara chapter chose this month’s exploration of Endurance and Ana Kun illustrated the theme.  

El tema de octubre es la resistencia.

La resistencia es la llama inquebrantable que arde dentro de nosotros, iluminando un camino a través de la oscuridad y la incertidumbre. Es la fuerza calma que surge cuando los desafíos ponen a prueba nuestros límites, instándonos a ir más allá de lo que creíamos posible. La resistencia no es un simple momento, sino un espíritu incansable que susurra: “sigue adelante” cuando el mundo se siente pesado.

El camino de la vida está marcado por altibajos, y es la resistencia la que nos sostiene durante las subidas cuesta arriba. Nos enseña que los contratiempos no son derrotas, sino trampolines hacia el crecimiento y la resiliencia. Con cada obstáculo que superamos, nuestros espíritus se fortalecen y nuestra determinación se vuelve inquebrantable.

En un mundo que valora el placer instantáneo, la resistencia es un recordatorio de que las victorias más gratificantes nacen de la paciencia y la perseverancia. Es la capacidad de levantarnos incluso cuando caemos y abrazar el poder transformador de la persistencia. Entonces, celebremos la tenacidad que reside en nosotros, porque ante la adversidad, es la resistencia la que nos lleva hacia la cima de nuestro potencial.
Nuestro capítulo de Timisoara eligió para este mes la exploración de la resistencia y Ana Kun ilustró el tema.

September’s Theme is Simplicity.

In the design traditions of Scandinavian and Japanese minimalism, the paring down of possessions creates a greater sense of tranquility and ease. Simplicity invites us to imagine how rich we might feel when we make do with less. 

But put another way, what if we imagined simplicity not in terms of absence but essence? In a world of confounding variables, layers of additional nuance and context, and the mind-boggling complexity of systems upon interdependent systems, simplicity drives us to get to the deep core of the matter. The etymological roots of simplicity refers to a single, indivisible nature. The heart unifies the whole. 

Where can you exercise restraint and streamline excess? How will you find clarity amidst chaos? 
Our Gothenburg chapter chose this month’s exploration of Simplicity and Jessica Jämting illustrated the theme.     

El tema de septiembre es la simplicidad. 

En las tradiciones de diseño del minimalismo escandinavo y japones, la reducción posesiones  crea un mayor sentido de tranquilidad y sencillez. La simplicidad nos invita a imaginar qué tan  abundantes nos podemos sentir cuando nos las arreglamos con menos. 

Pero dicho de otra forma, ¿qué pasaría si imaginamos la simplicidad no en términos de ausencia  sino esencia? En un mundo de variables confusas, capas de matices y contexto adicionales y la  asombrosa complejidad de sistemas sobre sistemas independientes, la simplicidad nos impulsa a  llegar a la profunda esencia del asunto. La raíz etimológica de la simplicidad se refiere a una  naturaleza única e indivisible. El corazón unifica el todo.  

¿Dónde puedes ejercer moderación y racionalizar el exceso? ¿Cómo encontrarás claridad en  medio del caos? 
Nuestro capítulo de Gotemburgo eligió la exploración de la simplicidad de este mes y Jessica Jämting ilustró el tema

#CMSimplicity #CreativeMorningsSD #CreativeMornings #CMSD

QUICK FIRE QUERIES :: a.t. furuya

Our series of random questions that dig a little deeper into the minds of the people holding the mic…

Hey a.t., what’s your current book or podcast obsession?

All things Adrienne Maree Brown.

What phrase do you find yourself repeating all too often?

“If you aim at nothing, you hit nothing” auntie from Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and “Futbol is life” - Dani Rojas Rojas, Ted Lasso

Favorite taco shop?

Rosaritos in Flinn Springs

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

“You can love the organization/company but it will never love you back.”

Who or what inspires you? 

Transgender youth

Favorite coffee shop in San Diego? 

Mixed Grounds in Barrio Logan

What’s a secret talent of yours?

Impersonations of friends and colleagues and flower arranging

What are your go-to karaoke songs?

Waterfalls, TLC and Wonderwall, Oasis

And finally, what’s your favorite thing about the San Diego community?

Grassroots organizing

“Pride is a celebration of our truest, radiant selves and a defiance against those who expect us to dim our own light. We live in a world that often encourages us to take up less space, to conceal the parts of ourselves that can’t be easily commodified or consumed. Or worse, what we reveal exposes us to oppressive actors and systems who steal away our dignity.

Pride is a powerful affirmation of authenticity. It gives us the grace to show up as ourselves and live in alignment with our values. It embraces every shade of our longings, our regrets, and our hopes — these beautiful and powerful things that make us who we are.

Pride is when you stand tall and say, “This is who I am.” Pride is when you reclaim the parts of your identity that others might have scorned. Pride is when you raise your voice in defense of someone who is powerless, saying “Enough.” Because that someone might just be yourself. How will you unfurl yourself fully? How will you extend safety and solidarity so that we all may be unapologetically ourselves?” #CMHQ

Our Palm Beach chapter @CM_PalmBeach chose this month’s exploration of Pride and Kayla Griffin illustrated the theme.

#CMSD#CMPride#CreativeMornings