| A way to think about it is, innovation requires variation. And in manufacturing—six sigma, all that stuff—you’re trying to reduce variation.The fundamental manufacturing paradigm is to reduce variation, and the fundamental creative, innovation paradigm is to increase it. ~ Reed Hastings |
It seems like there are always dichotomies with tension between them (whether false or true). With my limited life experience, it seems like they are often both right…. depending on the goals being pursued. In the quote above – a lack of variation equates to more, better quality copy of each single product being created during manufacturing. Before that, when trying to determine what product to create, variations should be produced and tested as often as possible. Different goals, at different stages in the process, require different approaches.
This week’s artist is – Raf Grassetti – a digital sculptor. It can be easy to reflect “simpler times” of the past where there were just less options available. More tools provide the opportunity for some amazing works that wouldn’t have been previously possible. I can’t show the dimensionality of his work, but he has videos on his website and instagram!
- Anna Mary Robertson Moses would have been 162 today.
- I certainly hope my first kayak trip with my daughter is less eventful than this one! (6 minute animated short film)
- I recently picked up a couple of books about painting things that don’t exist and storytelling with art. I might have to look at fearsome critters for subject matter inspiration.
- Want to make art using snow and feet as your tools?
- Here’s a macro slow-mo video of what happens when you sharpen a knife.
- The James Webb telescope captured Jupiter’s rings in photos.
- Like illustration? Explore works and learn more history at the Illustration Chronicles. I enjoyed reading about the I Want YOU poster (but I’m probably biased since I inherited one).
- We have an art photographer/digitizer that we recommend – Renee Cornue, in case you’re looking for such services. She’s an artist herself – which is helpful in understanding the requirements we might have. Her studio is downtown, above Chimayo.
- The Pine River Library in Bayfield is calling artists of all ages and mediums. They will be hosting an community art show from October through December and are creating a small “gallery” of mini canvases as part of the show. They have a limited stock of 4″x4″ canvases available at the library to be picked up. Finished pieces need to be returned to the library by the end of September to be displayed during the show. One per person.
- September 17-18 is the Autumn Arts Festival (mark your calendars if you want to check it out.)
- 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 Durango Open Studios Tour is coming soon – in mid-October. If you’d like to participate as an artist or just visit, you can learn more here.
- The Banned Books art contest is currently accepting entries from teen artists and will be until the 15th. More info available here, and we have fliers/entry forms to be picked up at the Art Supply House.
- 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 Friday at Fox Fire Farms.) See what else is available here.
- We just got an order of kiln-fired clay in – so if you’ve been looking to pick some up, or want to try out making something with your hands… now’s a great time to grab a bag (or box!)
It’s important to know what goal you are pursuing, what stage you might currently be in (that can be so hard to see until you look at it retrospectively). Creatively speaking, if you’re trying to figure out what sort of thing you want to create, it’s a great time to try as many things as possible. If you have already narrowed down your subject/material/etc… then you can focus more on perfecting your particular craft. Then, don’t forget that you can move from one stage to another and find yourself needing to try variations out again. Until we’ve moved on, we are always works in progress! No matter what stage you’re in, the world needs your art!
Cheers!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew