| Ask not if you are worthy of your goals, ask instead – are your goals worthy of your life? ~ John Assaraf |
I’ve been doing some version of an annual review for almost a decade. Basically, I just ask myself what went well this year, what didn’t, and what I want to achieve next year. This is not a formal process that I go through, but simply a matter of mulling over the questions for a few weeks and discussing with my wife as we work together to make an actual list of goals. It’s also a great time to look back at the year and realize that we’ve (normally) done far more than we realized.
- This week’s artist is – William Matthews – whose work I was just recently introduced to. He is best known for his depictions of working cowboys, but also paints landscapes and other types of work. Be sure and check out his website for even more examples of his work!
- Before we dive into this week’s busy schedule of events – if you’re thinking about getting something custom framed for a gift, don’t delay! Spots are already filling up as we approach the holidays. December 11th is the last day to get a custom order placed with a guarantee for Christmas delivery. That’s just next week!
- It’s a busy weekend, with so many activities centering around Noel Night on Friday.
- Swing by R Space and the Rochester on Friday for their arts/crafts sale.
- The 16th annual Festival of Trees is Friday, from 12-5 at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad’s Grange Hall.
- Maria’s Bookshop will be hosting a Holiday Book Drive out in front of the shop on Noel Night! Stop by from 4:30-9 to make a donation for a local nonprofit to stock their library this holiday season!
- Sorrel Sky Gallery will be having an opening reception Friday evening from 5-7 for photographer Tony Stromberg’s one-man show. If you don’t make it by Friday, the show will be up through December 31.
- The Animas Museum will be holding their Old Fashioned Christmas Bazaar from 5- on Friday and 9-3 on Saturday. Here’s some more information.
- Check out reception for the Looking Glass Collective’s Winter Art Show at the Smiley Cafe Thursday evening from 5-7. More info available here. .
- The Durango Arts Centers’ Winter Solstice Invitational Artisans’ Market is running until December 23, 2019. Stop by Monday-Saturdays, from 10am-5pm.
- Just in case you haven’t already found all of your gift and holiday items, the Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair will be at the County Fairgrounds this weekend, from 2-7 on Friday, 9-5 on Saturday, and 10-2 on Sunday.
- What pictures of horses can teach us about art.
- You may know Carol Meckling from Studio &, who recently moved to Hawaii. She illustrated a book about the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly that was written by her sister-in-law and it’s now available. Check out Mariposa’s Wish.
- Project Merry Christmas is offering gift wrapping in the Durango Mall from Thanksgiving till Christmas.
- BID and the Strater Hotel are offering a free gift wrapping station from 12-3 each on the following Saturdays and Sundays: Dec 14-15, Dec 21-22. Head to the Strater Hotel lobby and enjoy cookies and cocoa while guests are waiting. Wrapping is old fashioned style, with brown paper and string, then they stamp each package with the Christmas Town stamp, using red ink.
- One artist’s answer to a question about needing college for a freelance art career.
- Audio artists – use your powers for good.
- On Sunday, the Classic Film Series continues with a free White Christmas Sing-Along, presented by Durango Film and the Animas City Theater. Doors open at 5:30 and the show starts at 6.
- The final art contest of the year is still running, for about a week longer. Use your favorite art materials to show us what you’re most grateful for! Contest runs until December 13th. Can’t wait to see what you share with us!
- This week’s featured products are created by our very own Lexis Loeb! She designed the sticker a month or two ago and we just got the greeting cards in this week. There’s currently only one place in the world that you can pick them up, if you happen to be curious.
It’s common for people to make new year’s goals/resolutions, which is not what I’m referencing in the opening paragraph above. A goal can easily just be an idea that fades after a short time. A plan includes a timeline and action steps required to achieve it. I’m considering setting a plan for creating art in 2020, but haven’t quite come up with the details. What about you, have you come up with any goals for next year, and a plan to achieve them?
Cheers!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew
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