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Artspiration

Keeping it simple

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.
~ Confucius

Once upon a time, I made a simple 1-sheet book that was a series of stick figure drawings. They explained my “artist’s business plan”. There were two arts – make art and sell it. Sure, there are a lot more details required to make a living (marketing, customer base, accounting, cost-of-goods-sold, bookkeeping, blah, de, blah, etc). Ultimately, that’s really the plan, stripped down to the absolute core essentials.

  • This week’s artist is local artist – Rebecca Koeppen. I didn’t show any of her flowers, but they’re gorgeous. Be sure and check out her website to see more of her amazing pastel work – and check out her great painting titles (something I’m horrible at)!
  • The Scrapbook Nook has a full schedule of upcoming classes! Stop by tomorrow at 1 to make an album that is perfect for Colorado Winter photos. Friday at 1 the Coloring Guild will be meeting, if you want company as you color. Then join in Saturday at 10 to make a fun banner for Valentines! Tuesday at 1 you can make a batch of spring inspired cards. Finally, next Wednesday at 11 is an open class if you want to come and work alongside others.
  • The 2020 Powder Hounds Art Auction‘s boards are scattered about town (we have 2 at the store) You can place your bid here (and find out where the boards are currently located) – 100% of the proceeds will be donated to LPCHS.

  • The Durango Photography Club‘s January meeting is Thursday from 6:30-9pm at the TBK Bank Community Room. Have you been considering entering your images in an exhibit or competition but aren’t sure about printing and material options? In a continuing series following November’s program, Putting on a Gallery Show, DPC member Wink Winkler will discuss printing and framing resources, both local and online.
  • If you haven’t yet made it out to see Patrice DeLorenzo‘s new show, Soft Spoken – it will be up until February 8th at Olio in Mancos (114 West Grande Ave).
  • Lexis Loeb‘s show, The Importance of Remembering, is on display at the Recess Gallery in Studio & during the month of January.
  • The Durango Friends of the Arts will hold a membership meeting from 10:00 a.m. to noon on January 16th in the Sunlight Room at the Community Rec Center, 2700 Main Ave. Open to the public.
  • Some thoughts on time. I love the idea of time as a spiral, which I was introduced to in the book Dinotopia.
  • Your output depends on your input.
  • The Looking Glass Art Show is still up at the Smiley Cafe Gallery until January 30th, if you haven’t stopped by to see it yet. All paintings are for sale with 30% of sales going to support Durango’s Creative District.
  • Here’s a brief appreciation of John Baldessari.
  • This article takes a look at Norman Rockwell’s career – how much money he made and how he could have made even more. If you’re looking to make a career from your artistic practice – there might be some helpful info in there.
  • Here is a tutorial with some advanced pencil stroke how-tos.
  • There’s a Paint and Sip paint party on Monday at Eno Wine Bar and Cocktail Lounge from 6-8pm. Join Heather Freeman for a fabulous time!
  • This article points out two websites that are great for gesture drawing. I have also used this third site.
  • This week’s featured product line are the Barnwood Frames! The company who makes these actually sources old barns and outbuildings to find their materials. So while they can be custom made (we also keep standard sizes on hand) the materials may look different than our sample due to the nature of the raw materials used.

We try to keep the simple goal in mind at the Art Supply House, too. Our core goal? To help people. Sure, we do that by providing art supplies and custom framing, by offering information and assistance, searching for materials that are a good value for their cost, and when we share our passion for creative endeavors. Ultimately, you need to create your art – the world needs you to create – we’re just here to help and greatly appreciate the opportunity to do so!

Cheers!

Matthew & the Art Supply House crew

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