| No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.~ Aesop |
It’s already been a pretty dramatic week. No matter what the results are, the question to ask yourself is “What are you going to do? What’s your plan?” You have to have one. You can’t just wing it. You can’t just expect to know what you’ll do if you’ve never considered it. As Seneca said, “all the terms of the human lot must be before our eyes.” Even the bad ones. Especially the bad ones. So, no matter what the results might be, take a minute to think about the range of possibilities that the next few days might bring. The purpose of this exercise is not to worry, but rather to prepare, to reaffirm your principles and to come up with a plan for how you will respond to what fate has placed in front of us.
Feeling overwhelmed? Keep on reading for some suggestions for alleviating anxiety.
- This week’s artist is – Anna Rubincam – a stone carver. She might be a bit mad (as are all artists who turn it into a profession). A Continuous Shape is a mini documentary following the creation of one of her pieces. Be sure to check out her website and instagram for more!
- We’ve been really busy in the frame shop at the Art Supply House – if you’re thinking about giving a custom framed piece as a holiday gift, get your appointment scheduled for before November 14th to make sure we can get it done on time!
- Ever wonder how pieces of frame moulding are made (the wood part of the frame)? Here’s a video for one style.
- Animas Trading Company is hosting a Weekend Marketplace this Saturday, from 11-4. Swing by to see featured local artists and vendors selling hand-crafted goods!
- The 7 Rivers Farmers Market is running for the 2nd annual Indoor Winter Farmer and Artisan Market every Tuesday from 12-3 pm at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. They started running yesterday and will be there through April 27. Swing by for products from local farmers, bakers, cheese, artisan and craft vendors.
- Mesa Verde’s Fee-Free day is coming up next week, on Wednesday. They waive their entry fees several times each year in an effort to encourage everyone to visit the park. I still have 10 National Parks to visit to say that I’ve been to all of them, but Mesa Verde isn’t one of them.
- Here’s a crosshatching tutorial, if you want to learn or need a refresher.
- Prefer painting to drawing? Here are 10 tips to keep in mind when making brushstrokes.
- This is the history of Dover Publishing. There are some interesting details in there, and I’m thankful for the work they did for the every day reader.
- Here’s a fun video that shows the construction process of a bridge in 1357.
- A friend recently shared the Forbes Pigment Collection with me and it was too fun not to pass along. (That friend is also the newest team member at the Art Supply House!)
- This carpenter is building, and giving away, mini mobile shelters to the homeless near him.
- Apparently Friday (November 6th) is Fountain Pen Day. I never need an excuse to pull out a fountain pen for the day’s use. Now I just have to decide what color ink to use…
- Has the news cycle gotten you stressed out? Here are some tips for protecting your mental health and cultivating hopefulness:
- 1. Get exercise and enough sleep, if you can. Go outside for a walk or bike ride in the fresh air. Do your best to get enough sleep today and all week long. Taking care of your body will also help your mind.
- 2. Reduce caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco consumption. Caffeine stimulates your central nervous system. Alcohol and tobacco change the serotonin and other neurotransmitters in your brain. Both can negatively impact your anxiety.
- 3. Practice deep breathing exercises. A lot of people have heard of deep breathing exercises, but may have never actually tried it! Studies have found that deep breathing helps balance the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary bodily functions and may help ease symptoms of stress-related disorders and mental health conditions such as anxiety, general stress, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Download the Calm or Headspace apps for free and try the breathing exercises they offer.
- 4. Turn your phone off for a bit. It’s hard to disconnect, and while it’s good to stay informed, you don’t need to be glued to Twitter or refreshing news apps all day. Decide what time you’re going to check the news and turn your phone off and do something else until then (see previous tips!). Don’t feed the beast!
- 5. Find a way to make a difference. Helping others is a great way to fight hopelessness. Is there an issue you became particularly passionate about this year? Take some time to research ways to get involved with local activist groups, nonprofit organizations, or current elected officials.
- 6. Practice kindness. One of the most powerful ways we have to connect with others is through acts of kindness. Expressing kindness is one of our most important ways of building social bonds: it’s how we survive. Putting kindness into action will help make the world a better place, two people at a time (both yourself and the other person).
- 7. Make some art. Working on a creative practice is one of the quickest ways to enter “the zone,” a mental state where everything else falls away and you focus only on the work at hand. Creating is a form of active meditation that can help to reset your mental and emotional state.
I think that number 7 says it all. Focus on what you can control. Have fun and play with art supplies. Remember Picasso’s quote about remaining childlike. Make your art, then share it. The world needs your art!
Cheers!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew
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