Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work.
~ Chuck Close
Sometimes we just don’t feel like doing a thing even though we know it is what we should do and it is good for us.
Just do it anyway. Get started. Don’t think about it. Just move your body and get going.
When you do it, you’ll feel like doing it.
- This week’s artist is – Wendy Wilkerson – a local artist whose work caught my as it recently came into the frame shop! For even more (and a bonus artist), check out her website!
- Allan Houser would have been 110 on Sunday!
- Here’s a simple guide to varnishing oil paintings.
- San Francisco’s Arion Press still uses decades-old machines to make beautiful books by hand. They do everything from scratch, even casting their own type. Here’s a video about them – and another one.
- Yo-Yo Ma performed Bach‘s Prélude from Suite No. 2 in Alaska for Earth Day.
- Here’s 20 minutes of Charles Schulz drawing Peanuts comics.
- This article’s about the best writing device – but I think the general concept applies to all creative pursuits.
- Like discovering random things? Try it out on the web.
- Here is Repin’s take on Impressionism.
- These are some great optical illusions!
- Whales have an alphabet!
- How do we know dogs are colorblind?
- The Hydrant Directory is a collection of colorful fire hydrants where “each hydrant has been processed into color palettes for free use by artists and designers.”
- Here’s a list of the highest known prices paid for paintings. Some private sales aren’t on here and there are dozens (hundreds?) of paintings held by museums that are basically priceless (the Mona Lisa, etc)
- What did the artist say to her boyfriend? I love you with all my art!
Fun Fact: The most frequently stolen book in history is the Bible, but when it comes to art books, Salvador Dalí’s illustrated “Divine Comedy” is among the most sought-after by thieves for its illustrations.- The Animas City Night Bazaar is tonight from 6-9 at Memorial Park. Except it’s Pirates night, so it’s a Bazaarrrgh! Art! Community-building! Performances! Live Music! Games! Contests! Fun for all ages!
- Saturday is the summer fun arts and crafts festival at the county fairgrounds, from 10-3. Huge Sale! Handmade/Homemade Items, Tumblers, T-Shirts, Skin and Hair Care, Unique hand poured candles, Native American Jewelry, Leather crafts and more! A sale you can’t miss!
- It’s the time of year when there are lots of live music events, open mics, live jam sessions, etc, scattered about the area throughout the week. There are too many to list here, so if you’re looking for such things, head over to WhatsHappeningDurango.com.
- There are classes/workshops/projects available at the 4 Corners Gem and Mineral Club, the Bayfield Library, Create Art and Tea, the Dancing Spirit Center for the Arts, Durango Sustainable Goods, Let’s Letter Together, the MakerLab, the Scrapbook Nook, Seed Studio, and the Durango Arts Center. There are a lot more things happening that I don’t include – so if you’re ever looking for something to do, start at WhatsHappeningDurango.com.
- We just got a fresh batch of Paperblanks in – and they finally have some sketch and mixed media paper! Sketchbooks in different sizes, pencil boxes – and all kinds of other goodies too! Swing by and check them out for yourself!
When you do it, you’ll feel like doing it.
Self-discipline is required to be a high performer. Because successful people do the right things, whether they feel like it or not. Soon however, they feel like it. And when it becomes a habit, they don’t have to think about it much, they just do it without a lot of mental struggle.
What do you need to be doing today?
(Hint: The world needs your art!)
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew
P.S. – We’re getting so very close to the 5th Saturday of June – customer appreciation day! Do you have your bag ready?
P.P.S. – We’ve got a paper pad rack for 18×24 to get rid of. If you need a rack, it’s free. First come, first serve.