Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it.
~ Salvador Dali
A couple of weeks ago I mentioned the oil paper testing process. It was a lot of fun to have a low-pressure chance to just play around with some art materials. It’s easy for me to get caught up in the idea that I am either testing via color swatches or that I have to create a “finished” piece of some sort. Too much seriousness can drain the joy out of an otherwise restorative activity.
- This week’s artist is – Linda Anderson – a local artist whose work I happened across in a show at the DAC, then again at the Autumn Arts Festival. Check out her website and instagram for even more!
- Antoine Watteau would have been 338 on Monday.
- Here’s a list of Crayola crayon colors – since they were introduced in 1903, more than 200 distinctive colors have been produced in a wide variety of assortments.
- This article takes a good look at what might be keeping you out of the studio.
- Here are 50 ways to be generous (being generous makes you feel better, if you need a pick-me-up).
- Random short video, just for fun – Animal: What makes you truly happy?
- Here’s a microscopic look at vinyl record grooves.
- There’s a clothing/activity drive running all this month to help the 70+ children who are experiencing homelessness (ranging from infants to young adults.) With winter fast approaching these kids need some warm winter items. These kids also don’t have the luxury as many others do to attend local events such as games, the train, movies….Let’s help these kids stay warm and enjoy being kids. – This could be a great way to pass along some art supplies/games/etc to someone who would greatly appreciate them. More info available by contacting CCO.
- Tonight Snowdown‘s Bored of Directors is kicking off the 2023 event! See the unveiling of the poster, learn about and sign up for volunteer opportunities, and sign up your business or organization to host events. Free apps, cash bar. At The Roost, from 5:30-7.
- Friday, head to Buckley Park between 9-3 for Share the Love Cycle, part of Spoketober. It’s a Bicycle Recycle & Upcycle event that will benefit the Navajo Nation.
- Since Friday is also the first Friday of the month, head to Buck’s Parlor for a Pop Up to see local art (from 12-5) and to Create Art & Tea to see new local art from two friends (a painter and a potter) and help support a charity (from 5-7).
- Head to TBK parking lot on Saturday between 8-12 for the 14th Annual Apple Days Festival (a joint effort between the Good Food Collective and the Durango Farmers Market.) The festival celebrates our region’s apple abundance, helps feed our community, reduces waste, and saves the bears! We invite you to join us at the Durango Farmers Market 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!
- Also on Saturday, head to the Durango Library between 12-2 for Aquí Estamos/ Here We Are: Celebrating our young artists from the Latine Community! For the last two years, latine children, with the help of Kate Husted and Gyana Gomar, have been creating art and working with clay and medicinal plants of the region to express and explore their emotions. You can hear from the artists in their own voices about this experience.
- This year is the Art Supply House’s 20th anniversary! We’ll be celebrating during the last Saturday of October (which is also a customer appreciation day). Do you have your bag ready?
- The FLC Art Gallery presents the 2022 FACULTY BIENNIAL, featuring artwork by the Department of Art & Design faculty! Show is up until October 19th.
- There are classes/workshops/projects available at Create Art and Tea, the Durango Arts Center, and the Scrapbook Nook. 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
- Whether you’re getting ready for a Halloween costume, planning ahead for Snowdown, or just like masks…. we can help you cover your face! There is also a selection of face paint available, if you’d rather try a more direct route.
Following up on last week’s email – don’t forget to saunter, to play with your art supplies – just for the fun of it. Perhaps you play with colors, shapes, or motions. Noodle around with some material that you enjoyed as a kid (and haven’t touched since). There are certainly times when we make art for others, but we also have to create for ourselves. You need your art!
Cheers!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew