Perfectionism is not a quest for the best. It is a pursuit of the worst in ourselves, the part that tells us that nothing we do will ever be good enough—that we should try again. No. We should not. ~ Julia Cameron
I recently came across the quote above that really stuck with me. In short, she says, “Perfectionism is not a quest for the best. It is a pursuit of the worst in ourselves.” How true is that? So often, we think striving for perfection is a sign of humility, but really, it’s pride in disguise. We don’t want to finish something unless it’s flawless, and that can paralyze us from moving forward.
What if, instead, we allowed ourselves to say, “This is pretty good. Let’s keep going.”? Imagine how freeing that would be! We could take a step back, let our creativity breathe, and stop holding ourselves to impossible standards.
- This week’s artist is – Jessica Masters – whose work I saw in International Artist Magazine. For even more, check out her website!
- Gertrude Partington Albright would have been 150 on Friday!
- The New York Times has been doing challenges every Friday where you sit and look at one piece of art for 10 minutes. Last week featured a woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige called Great Bridge: Sudden Rain at Atake. (This is a piece that Vincent van Gogh had in his personal collection and painted a version of himself.)
- Last week I shared about a previously unknown 12 minute Mozart piece being recently discovered. You can listen to it here.
- The youtube channel Great Art Explained discusses Vincent van Gogh’s final painting.
- Kodak and the invention of popular photography. (a video)
- The above leads to the 2024 astronomy photographer of the year. And the shortlist entries and runners-up in the different categories.
- Relatedly – Earth will temporarily have a ‘mini moon’ for two months.
- Here’s the 2023 Wildlife photographer of the year grand title winners.
- These are Nikon’s Small World in Motion photo contest winners.
- Here’s the 2024 Natural Landscape Photography award winners.
- Finally, here’s the 2024 Ocean Photographer of the year winner.
- I drove up to Silverton recently to check out the Aspen leaves and stumbled across the Silverton Camera company. They sell new and vintage cameras, do repair, give classes, and even have film!
- Why was the paint angry at the brush? It always felt pushed around.
Fun Fact: The concept of the “artistic genius” was popularized during the Renaissance, shifting the perception of artists from craftsmen to individuals with unique talents and visions.- This weekend is the Super Amazing Extraordinary Biggest Little Art Show in Durango on Saturday, October 12th from 10-6 in the Newman Building (downstairs, formerly Rose Duds). Refreshments will be served. Featuring small works by Cindy Coleman, Miki Harder, Mariah Kaminsky, Elizabeth Kinahan, Allison Leigh-Smith, and Amy Vaclav.
- The 2025 Snowdown kickoff party is tonight from 5:30-7:30 at Public House 701 (701 E. 2nd Ave). The theme is Snowdown, The Board Game Edition: It’s Your Move.
- Tonight’s also the Writers & Scribblers Writing Group at the Durango Library from 6-8. An open heart is an excellent hook, but how do writers achieve that? Why do some characters grab us so quickly? At our workshop this month, we’ll share tips and tricks to get your readers glued to the page. W&S is a group for writers of all kinds to learn, practice, and share the art and craft of writing. No registration necessary!
- Also at the Durango Library, Crafternoons (for Adults!), from 4-5 on Thursday. Crafting isn’t just for kids! Crafting isn’t just fun, it’s fundamental for mental health, relaxation, and happiness! Come and explore their awesome craft supplies each month. Follow a suggested project or free play and create your own masterpiece! This space is reserved for adults (17+)
- Join the Good Food Collective for the 16th Annual Apple Days Festival brought to you by EsoTerra Ciderworks. The festival celebrates our region’s apple abundance, helps feed our community, reduces waste, and saves the bears! Head to the Durango Farmer’s Market on Saturday from 9-1 where you can press apples into fresh local cider, eat tasty treats, participate in the apple pie-eating contest, and enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities. Freshly pressed, local cider will be available for a suggested donation. All proceeds support Apple Days and The Good Food Collective.
- There’s a free family event at Durango Fire & Rescue Station 1 (182 Sheppard Drive) on Saturday from 9-1. Learn about Smoke Alarms, make them work for you. Also including, free drinks and hot dogs. Bring your car for a free inspection by NAPA. Spray water from a fire engine hose! Talk with firefighters and police officers about fire safety in your home. Kids can meet Sparky the fire dog and get free ice cream. Look for the big firefighting training tower.
- Wanted, Youth Entrepreneurs for the Durango Youth Makers Market. It’s coming up soon, on Saturday October 19th, 2024 at Buckley Park.
- It’s the time of year when there are lots of live music events, open mics, live jam sessions, etc, scattered about the area throughout the week. There are too many to list here, so if you’re looking for such things, head over to WhatsHappeningDurango.com.
- 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, Picasso & Vino, 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.
- We’ve got candle wicks and wax on hand, perfect for crafting your own beautiful candles! Come check them out and get everything you need to spark your next creative project.
This week, let’s ditch perfectionism. Take that project, that idea, that dream—whatever it is—and make progress, not perfection. Because the world doesn’t need your perfect art—it just needs YOUR art!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew
P.S. – We want everyone to make art. So we’re putting together a kit of supplies and guides on how to use them – enabling everyone to make art, no matter where they are, no matter how much time they have available. Want to be the first to know and see behind the scenes? Sign up for the waiting list.