When you eliminate the unnecessary, the necessary may speak.
~ Hans Hofmann
In my notes are a few lines about the “Lazy Genius” method. The philosophy behind this approach is neatly expressed by the phrase, “be a genius about the things that matter, and lazy about things that don’t.” This is a purpose-driven, practical, mindful approach to life that can also work in our creative pursuits.
One of the key principles of the method is the concept of “decide once.” This basically means to identify areas where we’re constantly using up brain power reinventing the wheel, deciding over and over again – and then choosing to simply decide once and stick with it.
In an interview, it was expressed like this: Just decide once in areas where you’re… really tired of making that decision or this is really stressful… [Ask yourself] is there a way that I could decide something just one time and see what happens?
- This week’s artist is – Helga Stentzel – whose whimsical optical illusions, created using ordinary things found around the house, caught my attention. I thought they were too fun not to share. I have always struggled with naming my pieces, so I also appreciated that aspect of her work. Check out her website and instagram for even more!
- André Kertész would have been 129 on Sunday!
- What you can learn about art from the Simpsons.
- If you like pens and are always searching for a new one (like us), here’s a list of the 42 best pens for 2023.
- An atlas of the United States for the blind was printed in 1837 before Braille was widely used, used embossed printing of lines, words, and symbols to be finger-readable.
- The Spider-Verse Lego scene was created by a a14-year-old animator. You can see more of Preston Mutanga’s work on his youtube channel.
- Apparently honeybees can distinguish between works by Monet and Picasso.
- Noh is the earliest theatrical art form in Japan and is still performed today. Developed in the 14th century, it often focuses on tales in which a supernatural being has transformed into a human and is narrated from the hero’s perspective. A core facet of the costumes is highly stylized Noh masks, which represent characters like deities, ghosts, and other figures, subtly emphasizing expression and emotion as their wearers turn in the light. Here’s a short documentary showing how a traditional Noh mask emerges from a block of cypress at the hands of an artisan.
- In another Japanese inspired piece, in this video shares a mesmerizing timelapse as artist Zak Korvin offers a look into the process of making a geometric crest of three birds. Drawing inspiration from Japanese mon, an emblem used to designate an individual or family, Korvin incorporates three birds in a circular motif that are drawn into the framework of a precise network of lines that he first traces in graphite using a compass.
- If you want to explore Mars, here’s a 5.7 terapixel mosaic image that covers 99.5% of the surface area, that you can navigate via a 3D viewer in your browser.
- I really enjoy reading about others’ creative journeys and processes. Sometimes I learn a new technique and sometimes I near a whole new approach. No matter what, I like to hear about different approaches. Here’s one artist’s journey from realism to abstraction.
- Sashiko Japanese Visible Mending
- The DAC Members’ Exhibit Grand Opening is Friday from 5-7.This Exhibit celebrates the works created by members. There are multiple medias in this show! Come out to get a first look at these talented artists’ works and talk to them personally about their pieces!
- Hear live music on Friday night’s at Fox Fire Farms! Music, food and wine. Free admission, seating on spacious lawn. Bring rain gear if there is a chance of rain. This week head out from 6-9 to hear Bo Depena.
- We’ll be closed on Tuesday for Independence Day. Though we’re taking a long weekend break, there’s a lot of other things going on:
- Taste of Independence and Pie Eating Contest on Saturday from 12-3. (Sign up here.)
- Watermelon eating contest at 11th Street Station on Saturday from 4-6.
- Movie in the Park at Buckley Park on Monday, from 7-9.
- So much more! Here’s a list (including the parade and drone show).
- There’s a lot of live music around town. Check out WhatsHappeningDurango.com to find who, when, and where.
- Drop by Guild House Games on Monday from 6:30-9 for the free, weekly Chess Club.
- If you’re a beginner/intermediate acoustic music player looking to play more – head to the General Palmer on Tuesday from 5:30-7:30 for the Slow Bluegrass Jam. This weekly jam is welcoming to all players, with a focus on slower tempo improvisation solos and chord changes. If you can play the I, IV and V chords in G, D and A then you know enough to play at this jam!
- There are classes/workshops/projects available at the Dancing Spirit Community Arts Center, Let’s Letter Together, the Scrapbook Nook, Create Art and Tea, the 4 Corners Gem and Mineral Club, Seed Studio, and the Durango Arts Center. 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.
- You may know that we love our Daniel Smith watercolor paints. After keeping tubes and dot cards on hand for a few years now, we finally brought in some sets and sketch kits. These provide a great way to test out the colors if you aren’t yet familiar with them. The sketch kit is also a great kit with a base set of colors and room to add more to fully round out and personalize your palette. Swing by and see why we love them so much!
The decide once principle can be used any number of ways. It could be to only watch or read work from people you’re already following (no new youtubers or instagrammers). Perhaps it means that you’re only going to work in one medium or create one type of art. Choose a single subject. This decision doesn’t have to be forever – it can be for a particular time-frame (1 month, 2 weeks, 1 year).
If it’s hard to sit down and create because you’re overwhelmed with options, limit those options to help narrow your focus. If you knew that for 1 month you would only allow yourself to portray avocados in black and white media it might be a lot easier to start work. With limits, our creativity can flourish. Then, next month, everything can be changed.
Whatever it looks like, whatever gets you creating – the world needs your art!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew