| He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson |
So often, it isn’t failure that kills our dreams (that’s the most common guess). Nor is it procrastination (though that’s a reflection of the main problem). The most common dream killer is fear. Fear of rejection, failure, ridicule – these stop us from even getting started.
- This week’s artist – David Zinn – I’ve seen David’s work before and love the fun nature of it. I really enjoyed hearing about some of the thoughts behind his work, shared in this video. He also presented at a TedX event, if you’d like to hear more about his process and thoughts behind it. Be sure to check out his instagram for even more!
- The Art Supply House’s first Customer Appreciation Day of 2021 is coming up soon, January 30! Be sure to have your bag ready!
- Just for fun, watch a costumed person destroy the drums at a children’s music concert. The description says the video has “been clinically proven to help with depression.” It certainly is fun to watch!
- This artist is selling $100 portraits and making her living doing so.
- Edouard Manet’s 189th birthday would be on Saturday, the 23rd.
- Saturday is also “National Handwriting Day”.
- Couriers of Hope is a project well worth looking at, for the concept, the message and the art! You can virtually visit the show in the gallery.
- Do you find yourself starting and not finishing things. Here’s a guide to sticking with your projects to the end.
- I love seeing how artists work – these videos on Robert McGinnis’s process is interesting to see.
- Speaking of process, here’s a guide to using graphite underneath colored pencil.
- This is Hayao Miyazaki’s creative process in 43 screengrabs.
- We have a wide variety of brush types – so if you’re looking for a great travel brush, start by looking at some sort of water brush. These hold water in the handle, so they’re perfect for painting on the go. I always have one with me when traveling so that I’m always ready to paint, quickly and as cleanly as I get.
Fear can present itself in many different ways. Perfectionism is a kind of fear. We can be afraid of being rejected or ridiculed – but can learn that these are temporary events that quickly pass and are forgotten. Procrastination can be a fear of wasted energy.
We can overcome our fears. Perhaps we need to cure our ignorance and learn more about the things we fear. Maybe we need to face them head-on and learn to deal with rejection through experience with small, inconsequential challenges. Whatever we need to do, we must persevere in creating our art. Making art helps us to be the best version of ourselves, and the world needs us. The world needs your art!
Cheers!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew
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