“Things that Spark Joy” | Quick Creative Prompt and Fine Art Examples

Today, we’re focusing on happy things because there’s a lot happening in the world that isn’t happy. We can’t always control what’s going on around us, but we can attempt to redirect fear and channel anxious energy through creative expression. Making art about things that spark joy won’t necessarily fix any problems- it could provide enough of a distraction to help us feel better for a little bit.

The Creative Prompt:

“Make art about something that sparks joy.”

[Note: the prompt is not “make art that sparks joy” because the art itself doesn’t need to bring joy.]

Benefits of the Creative Prompt:

If you’re like most people, you probably think about things that sparks joy, but only briefly, without giving them the time and space to improve your mood. When you make art about things that spark joy, you are forced to focus on joy- there’s no way around it!

This creative prompt requires you to spend time, energy, intention, and creative juice on joyful things, which is a worthwhile endeavor for most people. The more you give to the thing that sparks joy, the more you get! Plus, when you’re finished, you can put your art somewhere you will see it regularly and be reminded of joyful things every time you walk by.

Suggested Instructions:

Assemble your art supplies | Choose whatever art supplies you have on hand and want to work with. This creative prompt is an opportunity to engage in a new medium or practice something familiar. Maybe try collage, crosshatching, watercolors, or oil pastels.
Reflect on what sparks joy | Maybe you know what you want to make right away. Great! Go ahead and skip the rest of this paragraph. If you are coming up blank, ask yourself these questions: When was the last time I laughed really hard and what was I doing at the time? When do I feel safe and what contributes to that feeling? What excites me and what can I capture about that experience?
Position items and/or your body | You can collect physical items that spark joy to display and make a still life. Or you can move your work station to a place where you can observe things that sparks joy (sit near your sleeping cat, walk down to the beach, go to the kitchen where your favorite food is kept). If you are imagining the thing that sparks joy in your mind, give yourself some time to close your eyes and see a clear mental picture.
Work with what you have | There are so many ways to approach this activity. Make this prompt work for you by using whatever creative skills you possess. Maybe you trace or outline the thing that sparks joy. Maybe you create blobs that match the color of the thing that sparks joy. You could put the thing that sparks joy in a fantasy landscape. You could personify the thing that sparks joy, or make it super big, or cover it with glitter or feathers. Give it a thought bubble and add some words. This creative prompt isn’t that serious, I promise ❤️.
Try not to worry about the outcome | I know it’s challenging to stay neutral towards the final product, but any expectations will distract from the creative process. Remember (!), this activity isn’t about creating exceptionally skilled art to exhibit for an audience. We are creating art for the experience (and joy) of self-reflection.