| Water supports all our endeavors, from the simple task of making paint flow, to sustaining life. It is the common denominator that all humanity shares. ~ Sharon Crosbie |
It’s only natural that water catches our attention. Of course, it’s one of those rule-of-three requirements for life. We’ll only live for 3 days without it (3 minutes without air, 3 weeks without food – roughly speaking). Whether it’s the sound of a babbling brook, view of a waterfall, feel of a river flowing past, or expanse of a lake, or motion of the sea – water captures our interest. I am fascinated by the moving stillness of water in a stream – how it holds its basic shape yet is always moving as it rushes past.
- It’s always a treat to see work from this week’s artist – Caryl Goode – come through the frameshop (and the artist herself, not just her work!) I was recently perusing the shelves at Maria’s Bookshop and saw some of Caryl’s prints available and realized that I hadn’t shared her work with you. Check out more of her work and be sure to read the story behind each piece.
- Classes at the Scrapbook Nook are moving right along, even with their expansion/remodel under way! Join the girls on Thursday at 1 to learn how to make your own paints and more! Play with pastels at 10 on Saturday. And don’t miss the chance to build up layers while making your own album on Tuesday at 1!
- I’m not sure I understand art history (even after minoring in it during college) but this makes for some interesting reading – 25 images that define? contemporary art.
- Did you know that Bob Ross made it into the Smithsonian? (Also, they dug up all of his paintings, that aren’t for sale!)
- Need some inspiration? Leonardo da Vinci says to look at a wall, especially one “spotted with stains or has a mix of stones.” Use it as a springboard for your imagination and as a “way to stimulate and arouse the mind to various inventions.” In his advice for young artists: “You may discover in the patterns on the wall a resemblance to various landscapes, adorned with mountains, rivers, rocks, trees, plains, wide valleys and hills in varied arrangement; or again you may see battles and figures in action; or strange faces and costumes, and an endless variety of objects, which you could turn into complete and well-drawn forms. The effect produced by these mottled walls is like that of the sound of bells, in which you may recognize any name or word you choose to imagine. . . . It should not be hard for you to look at stains on walls, or the ashes of a fire, or the clouds, or mud, and if you consider them well you will find marvelous new ideas, because the mind is stimulated to new inventions by obscure things.”
- Enjoy live music and silent films on Sunday, from 2-4 at the Henry Strater Theater. Adam Swanson will screen and accompany FOUR short two-reel comedies featuring a variety of stars of the silent period. What better place than at the Strater? Family friendly and snacks available. Grab your tickets today.
- The Animas City Night Bazaar is coming up next week, Wed the 31st from 5-8. Food, live music, artisans, vendors, and more! Join in the food fun at 3057 Main Avenue in the parking lot behind A Smile by Design. More info here.
- Speaking of food, have you ever explored a grocery store?
- The Kirk James Blues Band will be tucked away in the Rochester’s Secret Garden for their summer concert series. Swing by on Wednesday evening from 5-7 for some live music. There’s a $10 cover charge that benefits a variety of non-profits.
- Ever been curious about botanical printing? Tricia is teaching a workshop in Telluride over the first weekend in August! Learn more and reserve your spot here.
- Our new art contest is live! Since the summer finally arrived, get out there and create a piece that features a local landmark or landscape. Head over to our website for more the details…
- In honor of July being National Watercolor Month, this week’s featured products are the Koi Creative Art Color sets! They’re great travel sets, complete with an included waterbrush filled with fun metallic and fluorescent colors. Just add water and paper and you’re ready to paint, wherever you happen to be!
Working with water can be a fun challenge, at least for some. Watercolor is very descriptively named – water with a bit of color in it. While you can try to control it, you are guiding the water (and color) where you want it to go and hoping that it reacts in the way that you expect. Like life, the flow of water and paint can be uncontrollable and crazy but they provide a freedom, an escape, therapy, and joy!
Cheers!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew
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