Possibility is not a luxury; it is as crucial as bread.
~ Judith Butler
I recently ran across this comic and just had to share:
Sometimes, the joy of creativity isn’t about making anything at all. It’s just about being surrounded by inspiration, feeling that spark of endless potential. There’s a unique thrill in having all the colors, textures, tools that you could want right at your fingertips, isn’t there?
- This week’s artist is – Nate Riggs – who just happens to work at the Art Supply House. Music, playlists, stickers and more are available on his website and instagram!
- William Merritt Chase would have been 175 on Friday!
- Here’s an article about natural earth pigments – why and how they’re becoming synthetic. (Sorry I wonked up the link last week – corrected for today.
- The Durango airport has a Call for Artists out. Here’s more info.
- After stumbling across an article on taking better photos, the rabbit hole resulted in common photo mistakes to avoid.
- Plus smart phone tips like taking better photos and better outdoor portraits.
- In addition to tips for better selfies.
- Finally, there was also a normal person’s guide to buying an old film camera.
- Value does the work, color gets the credit – 4 quick fixes for your values.
- Two values.
- The strange theft of a priceless Churchill portrait.
- This quote by Jessa Crispin makes me think of the value of collecting (but not necessarily using) art supplies: “Is reading Faulkner going to make you a better person? Absolutely not, but the whole universe wants you to be optimized, productive, monetized. And sitting around and reading a work of art when it is not your job to do so is a rebellious act that insists I am a human being, actually, and not a cog, not a good little worker, not a cozy girl eating the slop that is fed to me. And developing the parts of myself that are unproductive, ugly, and a drain on resources is a beautiful act of rebellion.”
- These little character sculptures by Aman Khanna are so fun!
- Riding a bike on a moving train looks like a side-scrolling video game in real life. The sign does say to stop there, after all…
- Who’s the king of the pencil case? The ruler.
Fun Fact: Henri Rousseau, a self-taught painter, was a customs officer for most of his life, only painting in his free time. His vivid jungle scenes were inspired by trips to botanical gardens and listening to travelers’ tales.- There’s a Word Honey Poetry Open Mic at Maria’s Booskhop today from 6-7:30. Read an original work or come to support local poets.
- Thursday evening from 4-6 little ghosts and goblins will fill the streets of Downtown Durango for the Children’s Halloween Event, a fun and safe option for kids to trick or treat in costume at participating merchants in downtown Durango. It’s for children 10 and under, accompanied by an adult, and in costume.
- It’s also the 10th annual Nightmare on Elk Street Haunted House, Once Upon a Time! Costs $10 and the funds go to local community programs at the Elks Lodge. (Elks Lodge – 901 E 2nd Ave) Thursday from 6-11.
- November is starting on Friday – so it’s also time for the First Friday! Celebrate Durango’s creative side! Find live music, original performances, featured artist showcases, and artisan pop-up markets all across town. Learn more about events happening this month at local-first.org/first-friday. Friday from 4-7 at various locations in Downtown Durango.
- Saturday, from 1-3, the Durango Public Library will host Round Dance 101, a special event in collaboration with the 9-R Native American Education Program and the Native American Parental Advisory Committee. This informative session will explore the significance of the Round Dance, providing valuable insights into its historical and contemporary relevance within Native American cultures. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn the Round Dance steps and join the dance circle, fostering a sense of community and connection. The event includes the special guest speaker Jessie Waskahat, a member of the Cree Nation from Frog Lake, Alberta, Canada. Refreshments will be provided. Following the workshop, everyone is invited to participate in the 4th Annual Round Dance & Native American Art Market on December 7th at Durango High School, from noon to 11:00 PM. This gathering promises to be a vibrant celebration of community, culture, and artistic expression.
- 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.
- We’re fans of the Rhodia line of notebooks – and are excited to have a fresh batch on-hand. Gridded, lined, and dot grids – there’s something for everyone. Need a new notebook? Swing by and check them out!
When we collect art supplies, it’s like we’re gathering moments of “what if?” Each paint color, blank page, skein of yarn is a little invitation to imagine. And isn’t that, in itself, a kind of creative act? Just enjoying our supplies – no pressure to produce anything, no expectations. Sometimes, the act of simply having these things nearby is a form of self-care and a reminder of the abundance of creative ideas just waiting to happen.
So if your shelves are filled with beautiful, untouched supplies, that’s okay! Let’s celebrate the joy of those unmade possibilities, the colorful “maybes” and “could bes” that add so much richness to our lives. Just having them around is part of the creative journey.
Even if it’s a curated selection of tools and supplies, the world needs your art!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew
P.S. – Ready to create every chance you get? After testing hundreds of supplies, we’ve narrowed down what needs to be in our Curiosity Kit. (Sign up here for the chance to preorder.) It’s compact but capable. Need tutorials? We’ll have them for everything in the kit. Only got 10 minutes? You can still make art. We can help!