When you’re younger, it’s easy to underestimate how fleeting the days can be. Each choice matters. Each day matters.
When you’re older, it’s easy to underestimate how much opportunity you still have. Don’t talk yourself out of it. It’s never too late to start.
~ James Clear
Of course, we talk about creative pursuits. Drawing, painting, sewing, writing poetry, making music, learning to dance. The quote above is true for all of those things. When you find something that resonates within you, pursue it.
This week’s artist is – James Cook – a typewriter artist. For even more, check out his website and instagram!
- William Harnett would have been 176 on Saturday!
- Durango Open Studio Tour artist registration is open! Deadline is tomorrow (August 8). Click here to learn more & register.
- Studio & Gallery announced an opportunity for regional and national artists. They are seeking submissions for a Juried Exhibition with the theme “ON THE DAILY: Coffee & Tea”, asking artists to explore the interpretations on this theme and submit up to four pieces for consideration. This exhibit is open to all artists working in any traditional or contemporary media. Here’s the prospectus. Deadline to apply: August 23.
- Four Corners Writing will select ten (10) works of short fiction, ten (10) works of nonfiction, and twenty (20) poems for publication in the anthology, both in trade paperback and e-book. The anthology editors for 2024 are Chuck Greaves (Fiction), Mark Stevens (Nonfiction), and Lisa C. Taylor (Poetry.) Please read the following guidelines carefully before submitting your work for consideration: They are currently accepting submissions, with a submission deadline of September 1, 2024, after which no further submissions will be considered. Early submission is both encouraged and appreciated. All submissions must be in Word (.doc or .docx) format, double-spaced, 12-point, Times New Roman font. Please include a brief (two or three sentence) bio in italics at the end of your submission. Submit your work as an email attachment to: fourcornerswriters@gmail.com, and please indicate either “Fiction,” “Nonfiction,” or “Poetry” in the subject line.
- The Pine River Library is showing their sixth Community Art Show, which will be up through September. It highlights 13 local artists and includes a variety of media. Go check it out and enjoy the creativity of the rich artistic community that calls our area home!
- Here are 13 self portraits – interesting to see how different people see themselves.
- Here are 9 more self portraits.
- Want to create something for posterity while also improving your handwriting? Try journaling. (I think the posterity piece works for sketchbooks too. If you write in them, so would the handwriting component.)
- Rulers of the ancient world.
- James Hoffman went next level with this video What Does a Great Cup of Coffee Taste Like? (even if you’re not a coffee drinker it’s a fun watch)
- While watching Elisha Zepeda design book covers reminded me the importance of sketching out different concepts before diving into a project.
- Similarly, watching Allan Peter’s redesign of the Paris Olympic logo.
- What kind of shoes do artists wear? Sketchers.
Fun Fact: In 2014 at Milan’s Brera Academy, an Italian student shattered the leg of an early nineteenth-century sculpture – a replica of the ancient Greek statue “The Drunken Satyr” – when he crawled onto the figure’s lap to take a selfie. The fiasco was recorded on video by the museum’s security cameras.- The County Fair is this week! I won’t be working there, but be sure to go check out the art exhibits upstairs. Today through Sunday at 2.
- The Word Honey poetry workshop is tonight at 6 at the Durango Library.
- Crafternoons (for Adults!) since crafting isn’t just for kids! Crafting isn’t just fun, it’s fundamental for mental health, relaxation, and happiness! Head to the Durango Library tomorrow from 4-5 and explore their awesome craft supplies each month. Follow a suggested project or free play and create your own masterpiece! This space is reserved for adults (17+).
- There’s a community knitting and crochet group that meets at the Pine River Library on Sundays from 2-4. All are welcome! Whether you have been knitting and/or crocheting for years or you would like to learn, they are happy to have you and will do their best to help you get started.
- It’s the time of year when 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 love our Angelus leather paints – though we think they sell themselves short by focusing so much on leather. They’re a great acrylic paint that works well on so many different materials. Kristen made samples on plywood, leather, canvas, and denim. Even though we’re discontinuing the rack of individual bottles (so get them at a discount while they last) we brought in sets so that we have at least some on hand. Come by and check them out!
There are a zillion reasons not to start creating. You’re not ready enough, you need that one other widget to help out, or, or, or. You have to make the time (you can do it, you’re capable and creative!) You have to commit. Anticipation is so often worse than anything that actually happens once you get started and into the groove. So start! Now is the right time for your art to exist in the world!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew
P.S. – August has 5 Saturdays. So the 31st will be customer appreciation day. Do you have your bag ready?