| Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. ~ Søren Kierkegaard |
Art can be a solitary pursuit – working by ourselves in our studio. Yet, we are not alone. Our artistic ancestors are there. Da Vinci and the Mona Lisa are ancestors of all oil painters. Michelangelo’s David lead the way for sculptors of all types. Albrecht Durer’s Praying Hands is an example for all of us who draw.
- This week’s artist is – Gavin Rudy – a local artist who visits the store. He’s always fun to talk to and I finally remembered to ask to see more of his artwork so that I could share it with you. Check out his website for even more (like photos, videos, and prints)!
- William Hogarth would have been 325 tomorrow (Thursday).
- This is a fun look at Hooper’s Early Sunday Morning.
- In photos for the week, here are underwater ones, space ones, and microscopic ones.
- If you liked the tiny photos, maybe the world’s smallest 3d printed printing press would be interesting.
- Here’s an infinite page of random images from the Met (click through to learn more about each piece).
- Want something more utilitarian? Here is the ultimate manhole cover website.
- A friend recently shared this article about making watercolor paints
- from plants (featuring this company).
- If crayons are more your speed, here are directions to make them at home.
- 7 artists interpreted 8 works of art ranging from Matisse and Van Gogh to more contemporary artists in a variety of media. Opening reception for the Pastiche art exhibit will be tomorrow (Thursday) from 5-7, upstairs in the Smiley Building. There will be food, drinks, and ART!
- Author event and book signing: Andrew Gulliford Bears Ears: Landscape of Refuge and Resistance at Maria’s Bookshop tomorrow (Thursday) at 5.
- There are classes/workshops/projects available at Create Art and Tea, the Durango Arts Center, Let’s Letter Together, the 4 Corners Gem and Mineral Club, 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
- If you made it in on Saturday for our 20th anniversary celebration and customer appreciation day, you should already have one of these stickers. If you missed out for some reason (or need more than one) they’re now for sale at the store! Kristen made these happen – from the general idea of “we should have an anniversary sticker” to design and quality control of the final product. In case you weren’t sure, we really believe that “The world needs your art.”
In our studios, we feel not just the presence of past art masters, but all the artists who followed since. The parade of people, doing what human beings have always done – people just like you and I. People with the same vices and virtues found today – teaching us, advising us, cautioning us with their example. Fortunately, we can choose our ancestors, via the mediums we use, whose work and techniques we study.
Our artistic ancestors are supposed to inspire us, protect and reassure us. They give us company. With the advantage of hindsight we can look backward to learn from those who came before us as we live our lives forward. Our lives, our art, can be better because of our artistic ancestors. The world will be a better place because you make your art!
Cheers!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew