Art Prompts for Autumn

Autumn is a time of cool weather, holidays, and coziness. For some people, this is a welcome relief from the heat of summer. But for others, the fall marks the beginning of a difficult time of year—less sunlight, seasonal depression, or difficult memories.

Autumn is a time when trees cast off the dead leaves. Plants enter a season of fallow waiting before the new growth of spring. With those ideas in mind, here are three prompts for art making to help you check in with yourself as you transition into fall:

1. Make a piece of art depicting things you’d like to cast off or let go of this year. Use images, colors, shapes, or even words to represent the things in your life you’re allowing to fall away.

2. Make a piece of art about parts of your life you’d like to give yourself permission to put on hold. This art could depict rest, hibernation, or a fallow season.

3. If autumn and winter are difficult seasons for you, make a piece of art that represents a safe, warm space. You might include images that remind you of summer, happiness, and wellbeing.