Why art-work? Let’s art-play!
It can be easy to let our creative pursuits become serious. Striving for a realistic rendering of our subject matter, or making sure we use the materials in exactly the “proper” way. It is invaluable to master our craft, fully explore and understand the materials and how different variables affect the results. There is definitely a time for that – but not always.
- This week’s artist is – mienar – who is officially Miena A.R. I first saw her background and environmental work. It’s easy to forget how much art surrounds us, and the teams of people who create different projects. Mienar’s backgrounds are only a piece of a larger composition, while also being a complete piece on their own. For more, check out their website and instagram!
- Jean Hans Arp would have been 136 on Friday.
- It’s fascinating how this grid illusion allows us to “see” color in a black and white photo. Here’s the linked article with more details and examples.
- Here’s a free online sketching and drawing workshop.
- Appreciate wood? You might find the wood-database a helpful reference.
- I find it fascinating what people collect and categorize (like the wood database above). Here’s a chronological Gallery of Physical Visualizations.
- Ever struggled to remember and then change your password? You’re not alone.
- The Banned Books art contest is accepting entries from teen artists until tomorrow (the 15th). More info available here, and we have fliers/entry forms to be picked up at the Art Supply House.
- I picked up my 4×4″ canvas from the Pine River Library in Bayfield for their community art show. If you’d like to participate in their gallery of mini canvases, pick up your canvas at the library and return the finished piece by the end of this month.
- Friday is the Autumn Gallery Walk, from 5-8. What a fabulous lead-in to the Autumn Arts Festival on Saturday and Sunday.
- Also Friday (if you’re going to be checking out the Gallery Walk) are two new shows at Studio & – Jon Bailey’s Meld (reception from 5-9) and Sadie Magnifico’s Sit Still a Minute in The Recess Gallery.
- This year is the Art Supply House’s 20th anniversary! We’ll be celebrating during the last Saturday of October (which is also a customer appreciation day). Do you have your bag ready?
- The Durango Open Studios Tour is coming soon – in mid-October. If you’d like to participate as an artist or just visit, you can learn more here.
- The Animas Valley Grange‘s Animas Valley Community BBQ & Potluck is Saturday, and everyone is welcome. Lunch starts at noon. The Grange will provide burgers, hot dogs, lemonade, ice tea and corn on the cob. Please bring a side or dessert and your lawn chairs. There will also be music, croquet, bean bag toss and other kids’ yard games. From 11-2.
- Sunday is Open Mic night at Mountain Monk Coffee (spoken word, comedy, music, and creative experiences) with a 5:30-sign-up, from 6-8pm.
- Every Monday, from 6:30-9, head over to Guild House Games for Chess club. Free, drop in’s welcome. Upstairs at the Main Mall.
- There are classes/workshops/projects available at Create Art and Tea, the Durango Arts Center, and the Scrapbook Nook. 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
- There’s live music scattered about town all week. (Like Friday at Fox Fire Farms.) See what else is available here.
- Did you know framed art can leave ghosts? This is a piece that we reframed over a year ago, but gives a great example of “ghosting” where the artwork off-gasses and leaves a reversed image on the glass. The color-image on the bottom is the original piece with a mat. The black and white image above is a piece of black paper underneath the original glass placed upside down on it, letting the “ghost” be more easily seen. Framing can be full of details – this is a fun one that not everyone stumbles across!
Even if creativity is our career, we need to play – or we risk burning out. Worse, we risk turning our happy place into drudgery. It doesn’t necessarily have to be an even work/play balance of time spent. A little bit of play can keep us able to work for quite some time. It also doesn’t have to be something completely different – if you’re always doing commissions, play with a project just for fun, just for yourself. Whatever balance looks like for you, at this time, make it happen! Don’t forget, not only does the world need your art, but so do you!
Cheers!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew