You have to have room to experiment. Failure is just another word for growth.
~ Twyla Tharp
When you were a kid building sandcastles, you didn’t stress if they collapsed.
You just played—dug, built, knocked things over, tried again. No pressure. No perfection. Just curiosity.
That kind of creative space? You still need it.
So if you’ve been wondering how to try new ideas without losing your voice—think of it like this:
You’re not abandoning your style. You’re building a sandbox for it to grow.
🎨 Featured Artist: Laurin McCracken
- This week’s spotlight is on – Laurin McCracken – is a realist watercolorist whose work is largely influenced by the Dutch and Flemish still life painters of the 16th and 17th centuries. See even more on his website!
🧠 Creative & Curious Links
- Lucas Achtschellinck would have been 326 on Monday!
- Here’s a guide to drawing birds.
- May 8th at 3:30, there will be a live online event with Robert Gamblin – sharing about colors and other materials and techniques artists find most useful and share stories and insights from his own studio practice and his 45 years at Gamblin. Here’s the link to join in.
- Haven’t shared Thomas Dambo‘s huge wooden/recycled trolls in some time – but they always bring me a smile.
- Here’s an article about seven Canadian landscape painters who influenced painting and the visual arts.
- There are times when it’s ok (or encouraged) to be a disappointment.
- Just for fun, Monday is “National Limerick Day“. Read or write your own five-line limericks to enjoy the humorous, simple formula that has entertained children and adults alike for many generations.
Fun Fact: Edgar Degas was not fond of painting outdoors, unlike many of his fellow Impressionists, and preferred to work in his studio from memory or sketches.
📍What’s Happening Around Town
Here are a few ways to get inspired outside the studio this week:
- Manna’s Annual Garden Plant Sale is this weekend, Friday from 12-6 and Saturday from 9-5.
- The Durango Gallery Association’s Spring Gallery Walk is Friday from 4-7.
- Watch the Inside Out movie, for free at the Durango Public library Friday from 5:30-8. Pizza and snacks provided. Crafts and snacks at 5:30. 6-7:45 is the movie.
- The Farmer’s Market will be at the TBK Bank Parking lot Saturday morning.
- Bayfield Farmers Market will also be open Saturday from 8-9.
- Yarn Meetup at the Durango Library, Saturday from 1-3.
- 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, the Durango Library, 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.
🖌️ Featured Art Supply:
- We’ve loved the line of Sta-Wet palettes for years (they’re amazing for our dry climate) and are excited to get in the handy palette (the smallest size). If you know someone who paints with acrylic and is frustrated with the fast drying time, these palettes are a must-have!
🖼️ Behind the Frame:
- It’s so satisfying to be able to combine many meaningful objects into a cohesive, singular piece. There are often technical questions “how do I mount this so that it’s not altered or damaged and so that it will stay right where it’s supposed to be?” Which can also be fun puzzles to solve.
The voice you’re afraid of losing? It shows up—even when you’re experimenting.
All you need is a container:
→ A secret persona to play in private.
→ A labeled mini-series to try things in public.
Make room to mess around. Give your creativity space to breathe.
Because the world needs your art—especially the kind you make when no one’s watching.
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew