After completing the April Art Challenge, I realized how much I enjoy participating in different challenges and contests.

The best part of participating is the large amount of growth I see in my work in just a matter of weeks. By forcing myself to create more in a shorter time span, I am faced with lots of roadblocks that I have to tackle in order to complete the challenges. These roadblocks ultimately lead me to find solutions to problems I had previously avoided and that leads to growth and a greater understanding of what I can achieve with paper art.

Below are some challenges that I am participating in for the month of May.

PVAA Monthly Show – Textual Encounters

The first challenge I decided to participate in was the Pomona Valley Art Association’s Monthly Art Show – the due date was June 7th.

May’s theme was Textual Encounters. For this show, I decided to complete my unfinished light box, with the tree silhouettes, that I had been working on for a while. The background for that light box is one of my favorite that I’ve created.

Instead of the original ideas I had for the characters, I opted to add a Hansel and Gretel type of feel to the light box. I also decided to frame the front of the box with trees.

Overall, I was very pleased with the end result; however, if I could go back, I would make some minor changes to highlight certain elements more. For instance, before I glued down the layers, I would cut a hole to allow light to peek through the front and illuminate the lantern in the girl’s hand, the crow in the floor, and the owl in the tree. Those are some elements that could have added so much character to the light box, but instead they are lost in darkness. Lesson learned.

I also started working on June’s Monthly Art Show theme – Vintage/Nostalgia. I will have an update on that light box in my next Weekly Paper Art Update. That light box is due June 2nd.

#Mermay Art Challenge

The next challenge I decided to participate in was the Mermay challenge going around all over instagram. I decided to go with the first list that I found and pick some of the prompts (about 10) that I thought would go well together to create a cool light box.

With this challenge, I have not been great at creating the elements when they are supposed to be posted online. Since the April Challenge was so hectic and I am taking on other projects and other work, I decided not to be so hard on myself. My ultimate goal is just to finish the light box by the end of the month.

With this light box, I have decided to make it almost entirely out of vellum paper to create the translucent look of the sky and water. This decision has definitely come with it’s own set of challenges, but it has also been rewarding. I think the end result will be a very cool light box, that will be completely different to anything I’ve ever made.

#SCBWIDrawThis – Naked

The last challenge I decided to participate in for this month, is SCBWI’s (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) Draw This challenge, with the theme for this month being naked.

For this challenge, I decided to create a light box based on a previous art piece I had created using photoshop.

This light box was also different than any other light box I’ve made in the past, since pretty much all of the inside layers are made out of vellum paper.

Although I’m close to completing it, I really don’t have an idea as to what it will look like in the end. These art projects always seem to morph into something else. But I’m excited – I think it might end up being one of my favorites. This one is due on May 20th.

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Have you ever participated in a challenge or show? What was your experience like?

Make sure you check back and follow me on Instagram (@WhimsicalStoryBooks) to get sneak peeks, updates, and opportunities to win some of my art.