You cannot spend the day in deliberation.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Of course the artist thinks things through. Sometimes we debate every mark before making it. Question, examine, weight the options. Explore potential new avenues. At a certain point, this virtue (like all others) can become a vice.
- This week’s artist is – Emma Tildesley – a botanical and nature artist who specializes in watercolor and colored pencils. Check out her website and instagram for more!
- Alexander Calder might have been 124 on Friday (it depends on which birth date you use).
- This year, July has 5 Saturdays in it – which means that customer appreciation day is coming up soon (on the 30th!) Is your bag ready?
- Here’s advice on packing and shipping 3D art and 2D art. (We work with The Mail Room when we have to ship something).
- A friend is working on a commission piece (and normally doesn’t do so). This article with advice came to mind.
- Have a road trip planned this summer? Here is a look at some giant roadside attractions you might want to keep an eye out for. I’ve only seen one of these in person.
- “Hello, artist. Nice art you have there. You know what would make it better? Crabs.” Here’s a cheat sheet on drawing crabs.
- This recent newsletter had a great overview of smartphone vs dedicated camera.
- Monday kicks off the Women’s Resource Center’s Scavenger Hunt – to celebrate their 35th birthday! If 14 interactive challenges that should take about 1-2 hours sounds like fun, get more info (and tickets) here.
- Strathmore Papers had a good article about watercolor granulation, if you’re interested in such things.
- The 87th annual Durango Fiesta Days are coming up. Here’s more info and ticket access.
- 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 tomorrow’s concert at Buckley Park and Friday at Fox Fire Farms. See what else is available here.
- July is World Watercolor Month. We didn’t stock up just because of that, but one of the things we always try to have available are a variety of books to help everyone advance in their creative pursuits. We have some fun watercolor/gouache books if you’re looking to learn something new. There’s even one that helps us remember that there are no excuses!
Sometimes we have to stop researching new materials, reading details of (color) theories. We have to get up and be active – we have to get busy creating. If you’re anything like me, you can think yourself in a circle – become paralyzed by the pursuit of the perfect. Perfect approach, materials, tools, concepts, etc. Though the action of creating the next step will become more clear.
As a reminder, the world needs your art – which means you need to make
it!
Cheers!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew