October and art have been hooking up for years to produce the love children we call Inktober, drawlloween, and drawtober. In fact, every month of the year has art and writing challenges for creative minds to take on and share, such as the upcoming NaNoWriMo in November. 

Bob Jones is of course filled with artists of all degrees of talent, dedication, and sleep deprivation. In a survey done with a group of students at Bob Jones, 9 out of the 19 surveyed had participated in Inktober, and only 2 of those had participated. Lily Hughes, a BJ freshman, said, “I would absolutely love to try it out, if I knew more about where to find the necessary information.”

Inktober is a challenge that began in 2009 by illustrator Jake Parker. The goal is to make a drawing-using ink pens, ink and brush, or anything ink related- each day of the month. Every year there is a new prompt list to help inspire artists, but it is not necessary. Many artists only complete ink drawings they think up, or create their own specialized prompt lists. Through an official Inktober website, as well as their many social media outlets, the Inktober team gives prompt lists and share participants’ works through #inktober.

For those who have participated, Inktober has been a positive experience. “I think it has been a lot of fun,” said junior Kylee Henrie. “I’ve learned a lot about drawing and the daily practice has made an improvement on my art.” Artists are able to explore new mediums, styles, and the struggle of keeping up to the deadlines.

Of course, there’s no reason to keep Inktober all to the “good” or “talented” artists. Gracie Poehlman, an Inktober participant for the past two years, said that what makes Inktober so compelling is the fact that “you can do it. It doesn’t have to be this huge 81/2×11 image, it can be something about the size of an index card.”

The month may be over, but that only means that anyone is able to explore what has been done. Being inspired is not limited to one month, and you are not limited to one month. Even though October is coming to an end, continue the love story, and be an artist.