| It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see. ~ Henry David Thoreau |
How we choose to look at life plays a big part in what we end up seeing. The cynic will always see things to complain about. The optimist will see the glass half full. We must guard against seeing with rose tinted glasses. But isn’t it better to find the beauty or positive in things rather than always defaulting to the negative?
- This week’s artist is – Daniel Bilmes – whose work I had to check out after hearing him on a podcast (here’s the audio and video versions). It was fascinating to hear him describe his process and how he arrived at it, then to see his work. Be sure to check out his website and instagram for even more!
- Creatively stuck? Try making ugly art, or bad art.
- Or try these 4 drawing exercises that help with a hard day – you can work along with the video.
- I am old enough (and grew up in a small enough town) to have used physical card catalogues, paper encyclopedia sets, and hardbound dictionaries. I definitely believe that browsing is research. Muse still not showing up? Go, browse, and see what you discover.
- Maybe you need to break the rules of art to rekindle your inspiration.
- Here are 4 ways to create a sense of movement in your artwork.
- Meow Wolf’s new exhibit in Denver, Numina, is open (tickets here). Here’s a preview and bit of behind-the-scenes view. There are a couple of local artists who had at least a small part in working on this. 😀
- I feel like a lot of drone photography (birds-eye-view) feels very similar. Not so those photos shown in the 2021 Drone Photography Awards gallery.
- There is also a lot of live music scattered around town. See who’s playing where here.
- Don’t want to come in to town? Head out to Fox Fire Farms from 6-9 on Friday for live music. Pack your own picnic meal – get a drink at the winery.
- If you know any students who might be looking for after-school classes/workshops for any students, here’s an overview of what the Durango Arts Center is offering.
- In case Ignacio is more conveniently located, the Dancing Spirit Gallery also has classes and workshops for students.
- Just in case that’s not enough, Artsy Crafty Studio on 3rd Avenue also has classes and workshops.
- Seed Studio is currently enrolling classes for kids of all ages.
- Last week’s order included some various wood options – we brought in some wood boxes in different shapes and sizes, some more carving options, and wood burning kits and materials.
I’ve heard that the only real sign of life is growth – and growth requires pain. Sometimes we try to avoid the pain of life, sometimes we avoid it to such an extreme that we give up on life. Ultimately, we decide whether our lives are good or bad, ugly or beautiful. We find what we seek – so looking for beauty helps us find it. Looking for good helps us find it.
I try to err on the side of optimism and cheer. Part of this is my personality and part is practice. I have a few favorite comic strips that I read each day to bring a chuckle. I try to pay attention without overindulging in the news (being informed feels different than being caught in the news cycle). I aim to pause and enjoy the nature around me at least daily.
Sometimes our creative pursuits help us focus on and highlight the good and beauty around us. Sometimes they help us work through the negative we experience – which can help enable us to experience the positive. No matter what form it takes, the world needs our art!
Cheers!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew