The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.
~ Walt Disney
When it comes to creative work, we all dream of finding that secret shortcut – the one thing that will suddenly unlock our potential or make the process easier. Alas, the real cheat code is usually the work we’re avoiding. It’s not the fancy new tool, the perfect inspiration, or the right mood. It’s sitting down and doing the work, even when it feels hard or uninspired. If you’re like me, you often imagine that the magic lies in someday being “ready” or finding a better, easier path, but the reality is, the magic is in starting now.
- This week’s artist is – Tom Dixon – a local artist who shows work down in Taos. He comes into the store to hunt for new materials to play with so we’ve been able to chat quite a bit recently as he’s trying new things. You can see some of his work on this website!
- Charles R. Knight would have been 150 on Monday!
- Jeremy Mayer challenges the notion that typewriters’ creative output is confined to the written word. The artist scours shops and trash bins near his Bay Area studio for analog processors in disrepair that he then disassembles, sorts, and reconstructs into metallic sculptures
- Or… Phil Vance creates these wonderful typographic portraits of notable people like Audrey Hepburn, Albert Einstein, and Johnny Cash constructed from hand-painted type consisting of their own words.
- This group on Flickr shows just how fantastically designed Japanese manhole covers are.
- Art historian discovers long-lost portrait of Henry VIII in background of social media post.
- An art student stole a coin from the British Museum – and dropped it in a donation box.
- The IPPAwards 2024 winning photographers.
- Here’s a guide to using and making ink and pens.
- The magic of making books (literally).
- And here’s a woman who deconstructs 100-year-old books to restore them.
- The confetti illusion in use at the grocery store. (Or why are oranges sold in those red net bags?)
- 5 linguistic illusions that will make you go “wait, what?”
- Paper types ranked by likelihood of paper cuts.
- Why did men wear powdered wigs in the past?
- Relatedly? Why were old bridges covered?
- It’s sad how Wile E. Coyote is remembered for his violence, and not for his brilliant paintings of tunnels.
Fun Fact: Michelangelo carved his famous statue of David from a single block of marble that two other sculptors had abandoned, considering it too flawed to work with.- A free household hazardous waste collection will take place at the La Plata County Fairgrounds this Friday from 12-2 and Saturday from 8-1. This event takes place every two years. For details about what items can be dropped off during this event, visit https://bit.ly/3NbE6YG.
- Friday evening is the Downtown Balloon Glow (weather permitting). Hot air balloons will light up the sky in Downtown Durango at the balloon glow in the 500 block of Main in front of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot. Arrive around 6 to see balloons inflate and the glow starts approximately 6:30. Visitors will be able to be up close to see the balloon pilots in action. Kids will love seeing all the colorful balloons! The balloons will come down around 7:30 pm, weather permitting. The event is weather dependent, so cross your figures for a storm and wind-free evening.
- The Durango Youth Makers Market is this Saturday at Buckley Park from 1-4. It’s a place where families may unleash their creativity at one of the many art stations like ceramics, felting, painting a community mural or creative culinary or poetry workshops to musical improv and more for FREE!
- 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.
- Last week we received our biggest book order yet. We’ve scattered them throughout the store, as close to their related materials as possible. So if you’re looking for some project ideas, inspiration, a new coloring book, or just something to read – swing on by. Odds are good we’ve got a book you’ll love!
If you’ve been dreaming about creating something – stop waiting for the perfect moment. The world doesn’t need your ideas locked in you head; it needs them out there. Don’t let “someday” be a wall between you and your creative goals. The real power comes when you stop imagining and start doing. Even one small action today can set the whole process in motion. (This is part of why I so strongly recommend building and keeping a sketchbook habit.)
The path to your best work is already in front of you – you just need to take the first step. The world 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.