| A multitude of bad ideas is necessary for one good idea. ~ Kevin Kelly |
Last week I talked about refilling one’s creative well – about making the time to seek out inspiration via reading, looking at other art, going on walks in nature, or participating in other acts of self-care. These acts serve to refill the creative well from which inspiration is derived. Even with the well full, however, our ideas don’t always pan out.
- This week’s artist – Bisa Butler – is an artist whose work was shared by a friend and I just had to pass it along! Her quilts are beautiful and I love her artist’s statement – highlighting the untold stories of regular people. Be sure to check out her website and instagram for more!
- Know anyone looking for a job? We’re looking for a new framer. We can teach framing if someone brings interest and enthusiasm.
- If you need an excuse to go to Animas Chocolate, Cindy Coleman‘s pastel paintings will be on display from May 2-31.
- Here are 99 bits of unsolicited advice. Remember that they’re more like hats than rules – if one doesn’t fit, try on another. If those aren’t enough, here are 68 more.
- It can be fun to watch a timelapse of an alla prima painting.
- Don’t know what to create next? Here are 6 ideas to get you going (they say paint, but you can use the list as inspiration for any type of art).
- Here are 12 creative ways to display art.
- If you’ve ever struggled to figure out where to focus your energy in the studio or in your business, you should check out Alyson Stanfield’s Artist Planning Sessions. From May 18-21, she’ll help you select 3 focus projects and create your custom plan to stay on top of your projects. If you sign up, the Art Supply House will get a small commission.
- These kinetic sculptures are pretty amazing.
- If you read online a lot, here are some tool recommendations to make it easier.
- Just a heads-up, one of our 5th Saturday customer appreciation days is coming up this month, on the 30th!
- The Durango Farmer’s Market will be open this Saturday – kicking off their 25th year!
- Kristen just finished these Angelus samples. She used their character designs on a variety of materials to show how well the paints work. We agree that Angelus leather paints are doing a horrible job of marketing – they specify leather, limiting themselves. The images below are on leather, wood, canvas, and denim. Each one turned out wonderfully. If you’re looking for some acrylic paint, don’t overlook Angelus!
Sometimes the ideas we come up with are duds. The duds often seem to appear right after we’ve created a great piece. Auggh! As frustrating as those disappointing pieces are, it’s helpful to know that everyone creates them and it’s just part of the creative process. I once heard an artist say that he had a garage full of “bad” art (he was his greatest collector) and that it took a garage worth of bad paintings to “arrive” at making “good” art. Sometimes we can sketch out an idea and realize it’s bad. Other times we have to make it to realize that it won’t work – but that experience informs future projects and helps to make them better. We can always grow as an artist – don’t fear filling a garage with duds, that’s part of the creative process! Without those learning experiences it may be impossible to achieve your potential as an artist. Never forget – the world needs your art!
Cheers!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew
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