Happiness is not a goal. It is a by-product of a life well lived.
~ Eleanor Roosevelt
This resolution-making season. By now, statistically, the gyms have been filled and attendance is already starting to taper off. Fortunately, you don’t have to travel anywhere or have any expensive equipment to make art. You can create with only a bit of paper and a pencil/pen/marker. Don’t think it’s too late to start planning for 2019 to be a creative year!
- This week’s artist is very local. Thomas Bloomberg comes into the Art Supply House regularly and I always enjoy chatting with him. This month, his show Dark Corners IV is up in Studio &’s Recess Gallery, so there is a perfect opportunity to see his work in person. To see an even wider range, you can visit his digital home at frontstrangeartcollective.com to see drawings, paintings, and read a bit about his process.
- Snowdown’s less than a month away. Are you ready?
- The Scrapbook Nook is back with their classes up and running for the new year. Saturday at 10 join the gals in making 4 cards and experiment with making stamps and dies in the process. On Tuesday at 2 you can make 4 more cards with some amazing paper and embellishments!
- Local creative Business spotlight – Colorado Clay – We have a few businesses in Durango that focus on supporting local creatives. Nick opened Colorado Clay last year to fill a gap here in Durango. He now offers classes, workshops, couples nights, clay parties, children’s classes (starting in just a few days!), and can help you fire you clay! Have fun and check out the beautiful space at 1315 Main Ave, suite 211 (across from Buckley Park).
- As a bit of inspiration – don’t let yourself be intimidated by your art heroes. According to Scott Berkun it’s easy to become paralyzed when you compare your in-process work with the work of the best performers in your field. “When we see work from our heroes, it’s easy to forget they once had skill gaps too. We imagine they were born with the abilities we know them for,” he writes. “We don’t see their many experiments, their uncertain output during the long years they developed the skills they’d become famous for.” It’s important not to allow comparison to paralyze you and prevent you from beginning. Every brilliant project begins with awkward first steps.
- Speaking of art heroes – have you seen any of Ansel Adam’s work that wasn’t the National Parks? Check out this photo time capsule of LA in 1939.
- Just as a head’s-up, we’re going to be holding 6 art contests in 2019. The first subject will be announced next week, so be on the lookout!
One of the goals with the upcoming contests is to encourage you to make more art. Or to step out of your normal routine and try a new medium or subject. 2019 is a new year and we’re aiming to make it a creative one!
Cheers!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew
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