The Important Work of Doing Nothing 

Relax, recharge, and reflect. Sometimes it’s OK to do nothing.

~ Izey Victoria Odiase

I feel like I often mention the importance of margin, of taking time out for ourselves. I don’t think that the importance can be over-stated, however, and will continue to mention it – as a reminder to myself, if nothing else! Recently I’ve been hearing mentions of fatigue: covid-fatigue, news-fatigue, cabin-fever, etc. All of which I certainly understand. There might be a limit to what we can do at the moment, but we still have to build margin into our lives – take a break from daily life to recharge.

• This week’s artist is – Oye Diran – whose work I recently ran across. He describes his portraits as “conceptual with a degree of minimalism and fantasy.” Check out his website and instagram for more!

• M.C. Escher was born 122 years ago, today! Though I love his work, there is a time and place for it. An eye doctor that I used to frequent had some of his stair case prints on the walls in the waiting room… After having your eyes dilated is not the right time and place!
• Join in the Spark Series conversation via zoom tomorrow evening from 6-8pm. This month’s topic is marketing and promotion – including stories, advice, and open conversations from local creatives!
• Studio & is open! Swing by to visit. They’re open Mon, Wed, and Friday from 11-5pm and Saturays from 12-5pm.
• We all need at least one useless pursuit in our lives. Which is part of why Winston Churchill painted.
• How’s this for a piece of art… or a company’s org chart!
• What to do when you’re disappointed in an artist’s work? Here’s one take.
• There’s a few more days to play BID Bingo! This fun game is running until the 20th, and there are $2,500 in prizes!
• Here is  one person’s “why” to keep a diary.
• How else would you present the idea of how to be a poet, but in a poem?
• If poetry is a bit too ephemeral for you, here’s how to make a bronze statue.
• The book of the week is – The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield. It’s been a few years since I’ve read this, but the idea of The Resistance has stuck with me over time. I recently heard a discussion about this book – one of the panelists loved it and thought that he should read it at least once a year, or once a project. Stuck on a creative project? Get your digital or paper copy and learn how to break through the resistance.

The Important Work of Doing Nothing I feel like I often mention the importance of margin, of taking time out for ourselves. I don’t think that the importance can be over-stated, however, and will continue to mention it – as a reminder to myself, if nothing else! Recently I’ve been hearing mentions of fatigue: covid-fatigue, news-fatigue, cabin-fever, etc. All of which I certainly understand. There might be a limit to what we can do at the moment, but we still have to build margin into our lives – take a break from daily life to recharge. This week’s artist is – Oye Diran – whose work I recently ran across. He describes his portraits as “conceptual with a degree of minimalism and fantasy.” Check out his website and instagram for more!M.C. Escher was born 122 years ago, today! Though I love his work, there is a time and place for it. An eye doctor that I used to frequent had some of his stair case prints on the walls in the waiting room… After having your eyes dilated is not the right time and place!Join in the Spark Series conversation via zoom tomorrow evening from 6-8pm. This month’s topic is marketing and promotion – including stories, advice, and open conversations from local creatives!Studio & is open! Swing by to visit. They’re open Mon, Wed, and Friday from 11-5pm and Saturays from 12-5pm.We all need at least one useless pursuit in our lives. Which is part of why Winston Churchill painted.How’s this for a piece of art… or a company’s org chart!What to do when you’re disappointed in an artist’s work? Here’s one take.There’s a few more days to play BID Bingo! This fun game is running until the 20th, and there are $2,500 in prizes!Here is  one person’s “why” to keep a diary.How else would you present the idea of how to be a poet, but in a poem?If poetry is a bit too ephemeral for you, here’s how to make a bronze statue.The book of the week is – The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield. It’s been a few years since I’ve read this, but the idea of The Resistance has stuck with me over time. I recently heard a discussion about this book – one of the panelists loved it and thought that he should read it at least once a year, or once a project. Stuck on a creative project? Get your digital or paper copy and learn how to break through the resistance. There is always more work to do, projects to complete, and tasks on the list. I’ve realized that somebody who’s tired and needs a rest, and goes on working all the same is a fool. ~ Carl Jung I recently heard the concept that humans are like batteries – they need recharged! A vacation generally makes us feel better – we come back energized and much more able to get to work. What a difference a break makes! If you’re working from home, it’s different now – without that separation between work and home lives – a break is even more vital! Be sure to make time for yourself in whatever way works best for you. Turn off your electronics, get out in nature, go for a walk, do something creative. Making art can recharge and energize you – you need your art! Cheers! Matthew & the Art Supply House crew P.S. – Thanks for reading! If you like this newsletter, please forward it to a friend.If you’d like to receive a weekly newsletter in your email, you can subscribe below.