If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.
~ Vincent van Gogh
I recently listened to a podcast where the speaker shared the mantra that helped him successfully complete important projects even while dealing with the chaos that life hurled at him.
Make before you manage.
Before tackling the noise of the day – answering texts or emails, plugging holes, juggling responsibilities – he carved out a little time to create something, anything. A doodle on a napkin, a scrappy first draft, ninety seconds of calligraphy.
Any bit of creating helped set a better emotional tone for the entire day. Even token efforts allowed him to reassure himself with “Hey pal, don’t worry; you did produce something today.”
- This week’s artist is – Joshua LaRock – whose work I stumbled across in the article below about finding common ground between artists and collectors. See even more on his website and instagram!
- Elizabeth Gilbert Jerome would have been 200 today!
- In the podcast mentioned above, it was suggested to read about the Makers’ vs Managers’ schedule and read/listen to Neil Gaiman’s Make Good Art commencement address.
- Here’s a set of free tutorials for painting the seasons with gouache.
- You can watch Charles Schulz draw Charlie Brown here.
- What artists want to paint and what collectors wish to buy do not always look the same. Here’s one artist’s musing on finding the common ground between the two.
- What works for artist Daniel Sprick.
- Here’s some work from the foremost sculptor in the medium of mashed potatoes.
- Recently found: a message in a bottle at an archaeological dig left there in 1825 by an archaeologist.
- 1 dataset, 100 visualizations.
- The surprisingly scientific roots of monkey bars.
- If you want a cozy fireplace video in 4k – this one from NASA is 8-hours long and is actually a rocket engine (in a fireplace).
- Just for fun, today is “Answer the telephone like Buddy the Elf day.”
- Why did the artist cross the road? To sketch the other side.
Fun Fact: Auguste Rodin’s famous sculpture “The Thinker” was originally part of a larger piece called “The Gates of Hell,” which depicted scenes from Dante’s “Inferno.”- Head to the Durango library for the free Word Honey Poetry Workshop – come write and create original works! All are welcome. Today from 6-7:30.
- Christmas tree drop-off and recycling began on the 13th and runs through Jan 31. Drop off at Santa Rita Park. Residents may drop off natural trees free of ornaments, tinsel, bases, and metal screws and nails at the drop-off site near the large playground area in Santa Rita Park. There will be signage posted to help direct residents to the right area. The trees will be recycled into mulch available to the public at Greenmount Cemetery early next spring.
- 3rd Avenue Luminaria Display – the Boulevard Neighborhood Association (BNA) will be placing 1200 luminarias in the 3rd Avenue median on Christmas Eve. Bring the family for a drive and enjoy this Durango tradition with best holiday wishes from the BNA. Tuesday from 5-10:30.
- 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.
- With just a week until Christmas, a gift certificate is the perfect present for the art lover or DIY enthusiast in your life—and a handy last-minute option for you, too! Whether they’re dreaming of new art supplies or a custom frame for a cherished piece, you can choose any amount to make their creative wishes come true. Stop by or call today.
The psychological difference between zero acts of creation and one act of creation, no matter how small, is really impossible to overstate. Zero to a little bit? Those are two different worlds.
If you’re lucky, sometimes that one idea, one sentence, or horrible first draft can turn into something bigger. But the point is to be able to say to yourself, even for five minutes, “Hark! I am a creator, not just a janitor of daily nonsense! Here is proof that I can – and will! – do more than just manage the minutiae of life.”
No matter how brief and unpolished, you are a creator – the world needs your art!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew
P.S. – Ready to create every chance you get? After testing hundreds of supplies, we’ve narrowed down what needs to be in our Curiosity Kit. (Sign up here for the chance to preorder.) It’s compact but capable. Need tutorials? We’ll have them for everything in the kit. Only got 10 minutes? You can still make art. We can help!
P.P.S. – Next week, we’ll be open till mid-afternoon on Tuesday (Christmas Eve) and then closed on Wednesday (Christmas Day). Back on Thursday for our regular hours.