The days can be easy if the years are consistent. You can write a book or get in shape or code a piece of software in 30 minutes per day. But the key is you can’t miss a bunch of days.
~ James Clear
I recently ran across the idea that the only superpower known of is being consistent. Do anything consistently for a long time (meaning multiple years), you’ll be good at it. The follow up to that idea was not to worry about quality until you’ve mastered consistency. Writing or drawing something crappy every day beats the heck out of creating once every few months when you have a brilliant insight. It’s not that quality doesn’t matter – but quantity needs to come first. It’s not “quantity over quality,” it’s “quantity, then quality.”
Last week I wrote about how it can be a game of millimeters. How one tiny change can make a difference. Sometimes you don’t know the change to make until you’ve tried a lot of times. Without that experience, you won’t learn which tweak to make.
- This week’s artist is – Joe Paquet – whose work I ran across some time ago. For even more, check out his website and instagram!
- José Guadalupe Posada would have been 172 on Friday!
- What works on kids – works on kids of ALL ages. After all, humans are humans.
- In case you have something to hang on the wall, here’s a guide to drywall anchors.
- What a fun, personalized project. Matt Stevens is envisioning his favorite movies as old books, just for the fun of it.
- If you’re looking for classes/workshops, here’s one list of such things scattered about the US.
- Here’s a watercolor portrait painting demo.
- And an oil portrait painting.
Fun Fact: Originally, the Louvre in Paris was a fortress built in the 12th century before it was converted into an art museum in 1793.- This is an archive of modern illustration.
- I’m pretty sure it’s an unwritten rule that you have to have a dog if you live in Durango (which is, of course, part of the reason I don’t live in town). In that spirit, here’s a compendium of words and phrases that refer to dogs.
- Here are last year’s travel photography of the year winners.
- Apparently, if you photograph hummingbirds with their wings backlit by the sun, they turn into tiny, flying rainbows.
- This woman spent 500 days in a cave.
- LPYS’s 10th annual Unchain My Heart youth art showcase is coming up. It’s a night dedicated to celebrating the talented youth in our community and raising awareness for their work support and advocate for youth struggling with challenges in school, court, or at home. Join in for a silent auction, art, music, food, drinks, and community fun. All proceeds go to LPYS. Get tickets and learn more here.
- Planning Ahead – Melinda Malone will be providing guidance in April’s Quilting Class at Bayfield’s Pine River Library. The class is free but students are required to provide their own supplies and have use of their own sewing machine. It runs all Wednesdays in April from 1:30-3:30.
- We’re in the middle of Snowdown, so there’s all kinds of events and activities going on around town.
- Technically, this is also going to be the first Friday of the month, so there should be some art events tucked in between Snowdown festivities.
- The RedBall Express is a local fundraising event organized by the Rotary Clubs of La Plata County. All proceeds from the event support Rotary projects in La Plata County and local programs for people in need or at risk. Adoption tickets are available for a $5 donation that allows the participant to adopt two of the red balls. The first two balls down the course win that adoption ticket holder $5,000. The second pair wins that adoption ticket holder $2,000, and the third pair wins that adoption ticket holder $1,000. Friday at 5pm.
- The Art Guild of Create is now open to supporting emerging businesses. They are renting art studios similar to the Art Collective at the Smiley Building. The Art Guild of Create hopes you will stop by to see the spaces and share a cup of tea to hear their story. Find more info at their website at: www.CreateArtandTea.com
- Head to Lola’s Place every Sunday afternoon (from 2-5:30) when Guild House Games brings loads of board games for your pleasure! Compete in your favorite game or try a new one! Meet new friends and enjoy a taco and beverage! It’s so easy…just show up and they’ll do the rest!
- There are classes/workshops/projects available at the 4 Corners Gem and Mineral Club, the Bayfield Library, Create Art and Tea, the Dancing Spirit Center for the Arts, Durango Sustainable Goods, Let’s Letter Together, the MakerLab, the Scrapbook Nook, 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.
- After popular request, we’ve brought in some bulk packs of the canvas panels. If you were one who asked – they’re here! If you aren’t…. they’re still available!
I’ve spoken to a lot of aspiring artists. A common topic is creating a body of work. This seems to be considered as if it’s going to be one long project. In reality, it’s much easier to work on small pieces of the project over time. Figure out how to work on the project, consistently, and you might be surprised at what you can accomplish.
Not worried about making a body of work? Consistent effort still adds up over time. Hone your craft, even if that’s just playing with art supplies. Whatever your creative pursuit, the world needs your art.
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew