| Little moments can have a feeling and a texture that is very real.~ Ralph Fiennes |
Life is pretty busy – between work, scheduled company, a toddler, garden preparation, and some new baby chickens. With everything that is going on it’s easy to get caught up in the daily routine and stop to smell the proverbial roses. The things that stand out when I reflect on my days are not the big tasks, but the small moments. My daughter’s smile, sipping coffee in the morning while watching the fire in the wood stove, chatting about life with my wife, strolling around the gardening and imagining how it will look in a few months.
- This week’s artist – Jake Weidmann – the youngest master penman (living, and ever to receive the title.) It seems like I run across his work every few years and am surprised that I haven’t shared it before. His calligraphy is amazing, but he also draws, paints, and sculpts. I haven’t seen it yet, but his TedX talk is now on my to-watch list. Be sure to check out his website and instagram for more!
- Here’s a free watercolor and gouache online workshop.
- This Van Gogh painting hasn’t been out in public since 1887, but is now!
- In a creative slump? Your sketchbook can help you escape.
- The Durango Arts Center’s new show just went up. Here’s more info.
- Artists weigh in on why its such a blessing to be an artist.
- Here’s an interesting conversation about different artists time-management, with a focus on how much time they spend making art.
- This is an interesting list of the 25 greatest art heists of all time.
- Interested in adding to your knowledge base? Skillshare (an online learning community) has their annual membership available at 40% off from now until the end of March.
- One of the art coaches that I follow is Alyson Stanfield. She has a Salespage Blueprint Workshop that you may find helpful as you sell your art online (it includes templates).
- I really enjoyed this podcast interview with Steven Pressfield, author of The War of Art. (Here’s the transcript if you’d prefer to read.)
- The idea of using a multi-year journal as a type of commonplace book really resonates with me.
- This search engine looks at public domain images from museums.
- It’s pretty neat to see how chalk is made.
- Though we don’t offer alpaca fleece, it’s fascinating to learn more about it.
- We recently received some more notebooks. The Alice in Wonderland ones a pretty popular, but I like the eyes peeping out on the left. 😀 We’ve also got some new pads and other fun papers!
Thinking about the little things that make up my life brings to mind a quote by Bruce Barton, “Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things. I am tempted to think there are no little things.” Happiness and joy result in the quietude of life. We can use our art to point to the important things in our lives, to share them with others or to intentionally highlight them for ourselves. Your art makes the world, yours and the wider world, a better place. The world needs your art!
Cheers!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew
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