There are hundreds of paths up the mountain, all leading in the same direction, so it doesn’t matter which path you take. The only one wasting time is the one who runs around and around the mountain, telling everyone that his or her path is wrong.
~ Hindu proverb on the many ways to win
For some reason I was recently musing about similarities in nursing and art. My wife is a nurse. It seems that everyone I meet is related to or at least knows someone who is a nurse. With all of those connections, it also seems like most of them work in a completely different specialty. There must be thousands of ways to work as a nurse – and most of them don’t overlap in the least.
- This week’s artist is – Steve Keene – whose work I recently ran across. He is often considered the most prolific artist in American history. He’s completed more than 300,000 paintings so far! His website doesn’t tell much, but here are a few articles with more information. Here’s his instagram for even more!
- Robert Rauschenberg would have been 97 on Saturday.
- Chase Oldenburg on his 1961 “Ode to Possibilities“. I am for art.
- The art of sharpening pencils.
- 20-sided dice aren’t new. Here are some from ancient Rome.
- It’s interesting to look behind the scenes and consider what makes books valuable. How many of these cross over into visual art?
- Here is some generative art by Yann Le Gall.
- This year is the Art Supply House’s 20th anniversary! We’ll be celebrating during the last Saturday of October (which is also a customer appreciation day). Do you have your bag ready?
- The Hive has two events coming up: Spooky Saturday is from 12-2 – a chance to prepare for all hallow’s eve, costume Making Mask painting or help the Hive make spooky art for our Halloween carnival! Then Monday from 6-8 is game night
- Edward Aldrich’s exhibit, Wildlife Encounters is opening at Sorrel Sky Gallery. Reception is Friday from 5-7.
- 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.
- New accessories for painting have been trickling in over the last couple of months. Brush shaper has helped our brushes feel like new, and the heart-shaped cleaner has helped them stay feeling that way. A collapsible water cup minimizes storage and the easy-clean palette is less wasteful than some other options. We try to have helpful goodies for everyone!
Like nursing, there are myriad ways to create art. Millions? Also like nursing, people assume you can create whatever their project is. Have you had a conversation start something along these lines? “Oh, you’re an artist? Could you paint this portrait for me?” Only to have to respond with some version of, “no, I specialize in printmaking.” (At least people aren’t asking us to look at some spot on their skin!)
Creating art encompasses a vast array of options – techniques, media, subjects, etc. Visual, performing, musical, written, and more. Being an artist is a title that must be taken, not one that can be granted. No matter what type of art you make, the world needs it!
Cheers!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew