The simplest things are often the truest.
~ Richard Bach
Have you ever felt stuck or gotten overwhelmed in your creative pursuits? Or maybe in your life, but then it carried over to creating. One potential solution to that is to go back to basics. Pick up a yellow #2 and a legal pad or composition notebook – they equally well for doodling and writing. Grab some charcoal and newsprint. Pick up a fallen branch and a pocket knife. Tear scraps of paper and get a glue stick. See what you come up with.
- This week’s artist is – Julianne Jonker – whose name came up multiple times. See even more on her website and instagram!
- Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier would have been 210 on Friday!
- Gouache seems to be re-emerging. Here’s an explanation of what it is.
- Here’s a guide on preparing canvas for oil painting.
- This video shows extreme close-ups of everyday objects (including a pencil, pen, and fountain pen).
- Rob Stephenson is currently visiting and photographing all 350 neighborhoods in NYC.
- Here were last year’s winners of the Close-Up Photographer of the year, Ocean Art Underwater Photo contest, and Northern Lights Photographer winners.
- Just for fun, today is “Hug Day” – a special occasion that encourages people to express their affection through the simple act of hugging. This day reminds us of the power a hug has to make us feel connected, loved, and supported. Hugs can lift our spirits and bring comfort, making this day a heartwarming celebration for everyone.
Fun Fact: Paul Cézanne painted the same mountain, Mont Sainte-Victoire, over 80 times, each time capturing different light, atmosphere, and angles.- Soup for the Soul – today through Friday, starting at 11:30. Enjoy a bowl of handcrafted soup at one of 16 participating restaurants, and $5 per bowl goes directly to Hospice of Mercy, helping provide compassionate end-of-life care in our community. List of participating businesses here.
- Want to discover how to eliminate debt and build wealth simultaneously? Head to R-Space Coworking Space tonight from 5:30-7 for this free workshop. No matter where you’re starting from, this workshop will empower you with tools and knowledge to break free from debt, maximize the impact of your money, and achieve your financial goals.
- The Writers & Scribblers Writing Group is a group for writers of all kinds to learn, practice, and share the art and craft of writing. Tonight from 6-8 at the Durango Library.
- Durango Library’s Crafternoon is tomorrow (Thurs) from 4-5:30. Go make charming matchbox gifts, personalize a matchbox for your hearth or bathroom, create a tiny shadowbox, or build drawers to organize your tiny miscellanies. For adults only. This is bilingual event (Spanish/English).
- Durango’s Winter Bike to Work Day is Friday. Join the city of Durango in celebrating sustainable transportation with Winter Bike to Work Day 2025! Bike, walk, carpool, roll or ride Durango Transit to multiple stations throughout Durango.
- The Subterrain’s hosting a Paint Your Partner party Saturday at 5. Bring anyone with you and paint each other’s portraits. Cost includes all supplies, a canvas to take home and one drink each. Please note this is NOT an instructional class. All ability levels encouraged to participate.
- 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, Picasso & Vino, 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.
- Want to elevate your writing experience? Upgrade to a TSWBI fountain pen. You’ll get compliments while you’re doing paperwork – it helps upgrade an ordinary task into an experience. Whether you’re journaling or writing out your grocery list, a TSWBI fountain pen adds a touch of elegance to your daily writing. Swing by to check out some options today!
- The before vs after transformation of this piece was quote dramatic. Of course, coming in rolled up in a tube is not the best look for any piece of art. So we stretched it, added a triple stacked frame (two frames and a fillet) and it turned out great. Of course, as we so often say – starting with great art makes our work easier! (The artist is Mark Maggiori, whose work we featured back in 2020.)
It’s easy to fall in love with great creative supplies. A fancy pen or only the best paint brushes. Only artist quality paints. And having the right tools can help elevate art. But there’s something about going back to whatever you started with. Have you forgotten how smooth charcoal can feel on newsprint? Or the creamy feel of tempera paint on your fingers?
Creative pursuits don’t have to be fancy to be meaningful. They just have to be. Keep going – the world needs your art!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew
P.S. – Ready to create every chance you get? After testing hundreds of supplies, we’ve narrowed down what needs to be in our Curiosity Kit. (Sign up here for the chance to preorder.) It’s compact but capable. Need tutorials? We’ll have them for everything in the kit. Only got 10 minutes? You can still make art. We can help!