One of my goals for 2026 is to create more art. In order to reach that goal, I’ve relaunched the Chronically Hopeful 52-Week Art Project. It consists of 52 prompts, one for each week of the year, to guide my creativity, keeping me focused and inspired. I’d love for you to join me!
This project is great for people who cannot make art every day. Having a fluctuating chronic illness means that I’m not always able to be creative, so I thought one prompt per week would be easier to manage than the one prompt per day that many other challenges provide. I cannot wait to get started – here’s to a whole year of colourful art!
Note: This project was initially launched in January 2020 with many people participating from around the world. This repost marks the relaunch in July 2026 – I hope you will join in the fun!
How The 52-Week Art Project Works
The 52-Week Art Project consists of 52 prompts, one for each week of the year. The prompts are divided into 4 sets based roughly around the 4 seasons, so each set will last about 3 months.
Each week I will create at least one piece of art, a painting or a drawing, inspired by the prompt for that week and I’ll share it over at my art account on Instagram using the dedicated hashtag #CH52art. So do follow me over there if you’d like to get notifications whenever I upload a new piece of art.
I’ll also post here on the blog, where I’ll describe my throughts, processes and supplies used for each piece. If you’d like to join me on this creative journey, I’ll leave some guidelines at the end of this page. I’d love to see your interpretations of each prompt!
In 2020 we had many participants sharing their creations each week. We started in January with a wintery theme. This time I’m starting in July, so it will be Summer for us here in the Northern Hemisphere.
Since July starts mid-week, the project will start in the last week of June, which the 27th week of 2026.
July, August & September Prompts
These prompts cover July, August and September, featuring bright, summery themes.
27. a day at the seaside
28. summer blooms
29. tropical island vibes
30. garden tea party
31. under the sea
32. sunset silhouette
33. mosaic
34. waves
35. nautical theme
36. abstract, using summer colours
37. party time
38. camping
39. fruit
October, November & December Prompts
These prompts will cover October, November and December and will feature warm autumn themes as well as end of year holiday themes.
40. a walk in the forest
41. pumpkins / harvest
42. leaves
43. cityscape / village
44. abstract, using autumn colours
45. branches with berries
46. Poinsettia flowers
47. wrapping paper patterns
48. wreaths
49. critters in winter
50. Christmas / fir trees
51. snow globe scenes
52. fireplace / cozy indoors
January, February & March Prompts
These prompts will cover January, February and March and will feature cool tones and some wintery themes.
01. patterns, use just 1 colour
02. snowy days
03. critters in the garden
04. people / faces
05. night sky / galaxy
06. stained glass effect
07. pine cones / seed pods
08. rainy days / puddles
09. symmetry
10. abstract, using cool tones
11. indoor / pot plants
12. jewels / crystals
13. waterfall / fountain
April, May & June Prompts
These prompts will cover April, May and June and will feature colourful Spring themes.
14. use 2 complementary colours
15. spring bulbs
16. floral wreath / crown
17. butterflies
18. blossom trees
19. abstract, using pastel shades
20. succulents
21. pets
22. clouds
23. flower meadow / bouquet
24. abstract, using bright colours
25. birds / nest / feathers
26. whimsical architecture
Would You Like To Join Me?
I would love to have you join me on this creative adventure! It will add to the fun as well as providing accountability and inspiration. Let me know if you’ll be participating, so I can come find your creations and feature them too.
You do not need social media or a blog to participate. You can either follow along without sharing your work, or you can upload a picture to the project gallery for that week. I will have the active gallery linked here on the blog. That way you can participate even without a social media account.
We are starting with the July, August, September prompts, which cover weeks 27 to 39 of this year with bright and summery themes. Week 27 starts on Sunday 28 June.
You will have a week to create and share your interpretation of each prompt, from Sunday morning to the following Saturday evening. I will post the week’s prompt on my social media and here on the blog. You can download the prompt lists above and keep them on your phone, if it helps.
Note: If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere and your seasons are inverted, feel free to use the prompts in the order that matches your seasons!
My requests if you choose to participate:
- Please share the prompt graphics so others can find us and join in too. You can tag me @ChronicallyHopefulArt or ChronicallyHopeful.com
- Use the hashtags #CH52art in your captions so that we can find each other. I will feature your creations on my IG stories if you use the #CH52art hashtag.
- If you’re participating and don’t have Instagram, but still want to share your art, there is a gallery below where you can upload photos of your creations. You’ll also find it on my weekly #CH52art posts here on the website.
- You can sign up for post notifications here on the blog, you can choose which topics to be notified on, so you only get emails when I post things you’re interested in and don’t miss anything.
What Medium Will You Use?
I will be using gouache, watercolours, pens and markers for my art project, but you can use any medium you love to use.
Whether it’s photography, fabric, clay, paint, beading, baking, quilting, or collage – the idea behind this project is simply to create.
My hope is that the prompts help to guide our creativity and inspire it, but they should not limit it.
Week 27’s Prompt Is: A Day At The Seaside
You may use any medium you like to interpret the prompt, then upload a photo of your creation to your social media using the hashtag #CH52art or upload it directly into the gallery at ChronicallyHopeful.com/ch52art for others to enjoy! Visit the gallery at any time to admire all the fabulous art.
I can’t wait to see what everyone creates!
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