Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can.
~ Danny Kaye
The train tracks are less than 100′ behind the store. So we hear the train go by on a daily basis. Inspired by those trips and the time of year, here’s a poem:
Santa’s Artful Journey on the Train
Chugging through the snowy night, the Polar train takes flight,
Past the mountains, under stars, shining oh so bright.
Santa’s aboard with a twinkle in his eye,
Bringing art supplies for girls and boys, beneath the winter sky.
With brushes, paints, and pencils too,
He fills their dreams with hues so true.
And even charcoal, dark and bold,
For those slightly naughty, but still pure as gold.
“Even a lump of coal,” he winks with glee,
“Can sketch a world of dreams, you see!”
So every child, with art in hand,
Creates a winter wonderland.
As the train whistles by, near and far,
Each child’s a little artist star.
Thanks to Santa’s artful cheer,
Creativity blooms this time of year!
- This week’s artist is – Peter Brown – aka Pete the Street. I’m not sure where I first ran across Pete’s work, but today’s the day that I share! I particularly enjoyed his advice to emerging artists – “My best tip, I think, is to be fanatical. Paint like a nutter.” I also liked the chance to peek over his shoulder and look at his sketchbooks. To see even more, check out his website or instagram!
- Regarding holiday hours the next two weeks – we’re going to be open our regular hours and closed our regular weekends. So we’ll be closed Sunday Christmas Eve and Sunday New Year’s Eve – as well as Christmas and New Year’s Day (Mondays).
- It seems appropriate that Noël Coypel would have been 395 on Monday!
- To coddiwomple is to travel purposefully toward an as-yet-unknown destination.
- I thought about that a lot – 24 authors write about one thing they’ve thought about a lot over the past year.
- Two small Rembrandts are on public display for the first time in 200 years. Small – perhaps his smallest.
- A look at the coolest library on earth.
- Here are the 2023 winners of the big picture photo competition.
- If you know anyone who wants to learn to make music – this is for them.
- This list of self-care habits is really just great advice for kids of all ages.
Fun Fact: Da Vinci wrote his notes in mirror-image cursive. His notebooks are filled with over 7,000 pages of his observations of the world.- Here are Owls at the Met. An instagram channel dedicated to a librarian at the MetMuseum on a quest to find as many owls in The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection as possible!🦉🏛
- I think it’s interesting how things make sense (or don’t) based on context. I ran across this article on benefits of self-discipline just after reading this article about the productivity trick that both Eminem and Benjamin Franklin used. Without context, I wouldn’t have shared the second article or even read the first.
- Manna’s Annual Christmas Brunch is Monday from 9-1. All meals will be no-cost and can be served as grab-and-go or enjoyed on their campus. The dining pavilion will be open to the public for anyone wanting to eat at Manna. They welcome anyone in our community to come pick up a meal for themselves, their family, neighbors, or friends. Check their website or social media for updates on the Christmas meal menu, volunteer opportunities, and meal delivery.
- There’s still a Slow Bluegrass Jam at the General Palmer on Tuesday from 5:30-7:30, in case you’re a beginner/intermediate acoustic music player looking to play more. 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 Center for the Arts, Let’s Letter Together, the Scrapbook Nook, Create Art and Tea, Durango Sustainable Goods 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.
- We’re completely biased (of course) but we think that art supplies make great gifts. Whether you’re looking for something big (like an easel and complete painting studio set up) or a stocking stuffer (a new eraser) – we’ve got you covered. Since we’re closed on Sunday, we’re not going to be a great help for last-minute shopping – but until then, swing on by and we can help you find what the creatives in your life will enjoy!
It’s a silly poem above. But that’s part of the goal. It was fun to write – to just play with words and see what comes out. Art can be, but doesn’t have to be, serious. No matter what sort of mood you’re in – the world needs your art!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew
P.S. – December happens to have 5 Saturdays this year – which mean that the final Customer Appreciation day is coming up at the end of this month! Do you have your bag ready?