It’s unrealistic to want a creative life with lots of freedom without any downside to it.
~ Chuck Klosterman
We call it artWORK, or our creative WORK. How easy to forget, even with that in the name, that sometimes we have to work at it. That sometimes it’s a slog to sit down and come up with ideas and create them. This is just part of doing something creative. “It can’t all be good, there has to be a downside to it.”
- This week’s artist is – Jo Hamilton – a “professional knotter”. She caught my attention with “subersive crocheted works” and I had to check them out. She crochets large-scale portraits and architectural landscapes, delineated with dangling threads. Be sure to check out her website and instagram for more!
- This is a neat look behind the scenes of the painters who create the art in movies.
- And here’s a different version of behind-the-scenes of art in a movie.
- For another take, here are Looney Tunes Backgrounds.
- I’m not a sculptor by any stretch of the imagination, but this insight into Michelangelo’s David is a great watch!
- If you like looking at the details above, you might also enjoy this look inside Lego figurines.
- This is part of the story of a 100-year old National Park Ranger.
- And here’s a man who has lived as a hermit for 40 years.
- There are some amazing photos in the Natural Landscape Photography Awards.
- Singing with Santa is Friday from 5:30-8 at TBK Bank’s parking lot. More info here.
- Need to move a little? Lively (A Boutique) has Free Yoga Fridays from 8:30-9:30. Sign up to reserve your space at www.livelyaboutique.com (BYO mat and water bottle!)
- The Durango Arts Center has a lot of things going on – classes and workshops for kids of all ages. Check them out here. Maybe the Art of Painting or Pots & Pints.
- In case Ignacio is more conveniently located, the Dancing Spirit Gallery also has classes for students and workshops for adults (like 4 weeks of handmade holiday crafts.)
- Create Art & Tea has events coming up soon if you have a long weekend to fill.
- Just in case that’s not enough, Artsy Crafty Studio on 3rd Avenue also has classes and workshops.
- The ScrapBook Nook has a class or workshop scheduled almost every day of the week.
- We just received a shipment of new notebooks. Included are these new designs, some in blank, some in dot-grid, and some dot-grid planners. Since it’s getting closer to next year, we thought these might come in handy. We love the paper, plus, look at the cover designs!
Everything has downsides. The good part of doing something creative is the freedom you have – the ability to do your own thing. But the downside can be self doubt, the grind of coming up with new ideas, the loneliness of working on your own. You’re not doing something wrong if you experience this, it’s just part of the package.
We can be thankful that we are struggling as we create. After all, we’re making artWORK. It can be fun, and beautiful, and messy, and frustrating, and oh-so-satisfying all at the same time. We’re getting to pursue our creative desires, to bring something new into the world. And your art makes the world a better place!
Cheers!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew
P.S. As always, we’re thankful for you. The Art Supply House wouldn’t be here without your support and feedback. And it wouldn’t be any fun if you didn’t come in. You help make the Art Supply House what it is! Thank you!