| It is Nature who makes our artists for us, though it may be Art who taught them their right mode of expression. ~ Oscar Wilde |
I’ve been thinking a lot about my garden recently. There are no seeds started, and barely any are planned, but the energy is starting to grow. In an interview I heard that growing a garden helps to heal – not only the quality of the food that comes from it, but the process of connecting to the place where you live, taking time to pay attention to something outside of ourselves, and of getting hands dirty and literally connecting with nature. I love the winter time, but am also excited to go on more hikes, tend some plants, and generally get out in nature more this summer.
- This week’s artist – Ilze Aviks – was suggested to me by a customer. She’s a local fiber artist who has workshops and workbooks available for those who want to learn more about making their own fiber artwork. Be sure to check out her website for even more!
- The Rocky Mountain Uke Fest is on Monday.
- It’s easy to overlook the fact that maps are drawings and thus a form of art. These maps cover more than just geographic locations. I think it’s fun to look through visualizations of various data (like time).
- Speaking of time, this warty pig might be the oldest drawing in the world.
- If that’s not old enough, maybe this tree that lived 16 million years ago will suffice.
- Always a good reminder – nature can be as engaging as a video game.
- Fun concept – a crane lifting a crane lifting a crane lifting a crane lifting a crane.
- Can you convince an AI that you’re the best artist?
- By now, you’ve probably seen this 10-billion pixel scan of Girl with Pearl Earring.
- I thought it was fun to look through unusual apples from around the world.
- Here are some artists’ recommendations for favorite art books.
- This is New Mexico’s Shades of Gray photography show. (While it’s at a gallery, you can just enjoy perusing the photos and not have to purchase anything – maybe grab a beverage and spend thirty minutes checking them out.) The Scary Tree caught my attention.
- Norman Rockwell’s 107th birthday would have been today.
- Here’s one artist’s answer to the question, what does your artwork aim to convey?.
- If you’re looking for studio space, email Tim Kapustka. There are 2 spaces available at a shared, large, industrial space in Downtown Durango. $300/month, minimum 6 months plus 1 month deposit. It’s an opportunity to work in an open, communal, creative, shared space with other artists – you’ll have your own designated studio space with access to shared equipment and tools.
- Here at the beginning of fiber month, we’ve received a restock of yarns! There’s a variety of colors, textures, blends currently on the shelves. If you’re looking for a project during the pending snow, this might be a great place to start!
It can be interesting to think about the message we’re trying to convey with our art. Many artists have a clear thought they want to share. Many don’t. It’s pretty rare that I have a particular message to convey – most often I’m capturing something that has captured my attention, or studying it more closely through the practice of art (similar to the answer given above). Related to the opening paragraph above, working in the garden has a similar affect on me – it causes me to slow down and stay focused in the moment, as a form of active meditation. I recently stumbled across this quote:
Art should be like a holiday: something to give a man the opportunity to see things differently and to change his point of view.
~Paul Klee
I also appreciate this approach – art can be a form of time/space travel, transporting someone to a different world, time, location, etc. You can do this too – your art can transport someone somewhere/when else. The creative process can be a form of active meditation for you, and the end results can help someone else step out of their daily life as a mini vacation. Your art can change the world. The world needs your art!
Cheers!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew
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