Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.
~ William Morris
Whether you’re a weekend dabbler or a full-time maker, chances are you’ve gathered more than just inspiration over time. Half-used sketchbooks. Brushes that haven’t touched paint in months. That pile of fabric you swore you’d turn into something amazing. We accumulate tools and materials with the best intentions, but slowly, silently, the excess starts crowding our creative space—and our minds.
- This week’s artist is – Susan Hediger Matteson – a localish artist (contact info came from a card picked up at some event.) See even more on her website!
- Alice Cooper would have been 100 on Tuesday!
- Smarthistory leads a video tour of Hieronymus Bosch’s “The Garden of Earthly Delights.”
- Videos of artist Amy Sherald in “Everyday Icons” and “Extended Play“.
- In case you haven’t heard of Rachel Ruysch, check out her work. She was renowned during her lifetime for her original style, painted during the Dutch Golden Age (along with Frans Hals, Johannes Vermeer, Rembrandt, Jan Steen, and more).
- Unseen Thomas Kinkade paintings – beyond the kitsch. (Also, he co-authored the first edition of this guide to sketching.)
- Looking at historic portraits’ hairstyles for sitter identifications.
- Here’s a video of an HBO magic special by Ricky Jay and his 52 Assistants.
- Just for fun, tomorrow is “Independent Artist Day“, a day to recognize the significant contributions of independent artists to our cultural and artistic landscapes!
Fun Fact: The Great Wave off Kanagawa, created by Japanese artist Hokusai, is one of the most reproduced and recognizable artworks in the world. It was part of a series called “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji.”- The Durango Library’s Toddler Storytime is tomorrow from 11-11:30. Join in for stories, songs, rhymes, & other fun activities! Perfect for children ages 1-2.
- Similarly, they have Baby Time on Friday from 11-11:30. It’s tailored for babies from birth-12 months together with their favorite adult! Enjoy 15-20 minutes of early literacy activities followed by a playgroup. Sing songs, bounce to action rhymes, and share stories, providing a rich environment for babies to hear language and interact with others.
- Durango Winery has a Sip & Stich – Craft and Wine time on Thursdays from 4-6. Bring a craft to work on and get 25% off glasses of locally produced wine. They ask that you bring no projects involving glitter or paint.
- The Durango Ragtime and Early Jazz Festival is this weekend, from Thurs-Sunday. You can learn more and get tickets on their website.
- It’s the first Friday of the month, so the ArtRoom Artist Social is happening at the Smiley Building at 5:30! All are welcome to come talk, laugh, inspire, peruse an open studio, enjoy snacks and purchase local art if inspired.
- The Lost Goat Tavern (used to be the Billy Goat Saloon in Gem Village) is hosting Lost Goat Market Days starting Sunday from 10-3. Local vendors will be offering: Seedlings / Plant Starts, Pinto Beans, Ham Hocks, Handmade Wooden Patio Chillers, Farm Fresh Eggs, Soy Free Bacon & Sausage. Plus all of the favorites! .
- Head back to the Durango Library on Tuesday from 6-7 for a DIY Bodycare class. Making your own body care items is economical, environmentally friendly, and FUN! In this class you’ll learn how to make your own bath salts and deodorant and you’ll go home with a customized jar of both! Space is limited, please register in advance!
- 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.
- It’s easy to overlook, but we have a variety of larger paper sizes. Full sheets of watercolor papers in different grains and weights/thicknesses. Printing paper (like the BFK Rives), Chromia paper, and more. There are also some larger pads tucked in these racks – new mixed media pads, drawing, bristol, and the classic newsprint pads. If you want to stretch out, we have some paper for you!
- Some framing projects call for a little extra care – white glove handling. When you’re working with delicate pieces or archival prints, even the oils from your fingertips can leave a mark. It’s a small detail, but one that preserves the piece’s integrity, down to the smallest detail.
This is part of the beauty of spring. It’s a natural reset. A time to clear out what no longer serves your art, so you can make room for what does. And this month, there’s a way to let go that also lifts others up. Our Spring Clean Art Supply Drive is officially on. If you’ve got unused or gently used supplies—paints, pencils, paper, tools—we’ll gladly take them off your hands and pass them along to nonprofits and community organizations. What no longer fuels your creativity might be exactly what someone else needs to ignite theirs.
So go ahead: declutter your studio, honor your process, and give your unused materials a second life. Someone else out there might be waiting for the exact thing you’re ready to release. Make room in your life to make more art, the world needs it to exist!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew
PS. – This month is our Spring Clean art supply drive. So if you have materials, tools, or other supplies that you aren’t using – we’ll take them. Then we’ll pass them on to nonprofits or other organizations who can use them to improve other’s lives.