You often feel tired, not because you’ve done too much, but because you’ve done too little of what sparks a light in you.
~ Alexander Den Heijer
Do you feel stuck – doing the same creative thing without any growth? Then it might be time to throw out the rule book (at least for a bit). The rule book is the same, predictable guide that you keep following without joy in your heart.
- This week’s artist is – Abbey Weitzeil – is not only an artist, but a 4x Olympic swimming medalist. She uses art as an escape, as a way to balance out her life. Between training and swimming, her life is pretty structured and artistic pursuits give her something to look forward to throughout the day and the mind shift serves as a rest.
- I love this concept – artists and museums collaborating to explore how historical painters would have painted.
- Strathmore has a free intro to watercolor video series available.
- Got stuck watching some Lynda Barry on youtube. Here’s an intro to Sumi Ink.
- And this “homework” is a great way to let your mind wander and send some time in your sketchbook. Follow a wandering line. There’s no telling how many of my homework/note pages in school had some version of this in the margins.
- Here are some entries into the Wildlife Photographer of the Year. I liked a lot of them, like the flying chimps.
- If those are too serious, here are the Comedy Wildlife Photography awards (like the bear playing hide-and-seek).
- A collaboration between Disney and Dali, Destino. From wikipedia: Destino is an animated short film released in 2003 by Walt Disney Feature Animation. Destino is unique in that its production originally began in 1945, 58 years before its eventual completion in 2003.
- What’s old is new again – tiny houses back in the day were upside down boats!
- Food for thought: Why Schopenhauer thought music is the greatest of all artforms.
- And here I thought some of my art projects in college were involved… this student’s 407-piece hand-carved clock literally writes the time.
- Need to move a little? Lively (A Boutique) has Free Yoga Fridays from 8:30-9:30. Sign up to reserve your space at www.livelyaboutique.com (BYO mat and water bottle!)
- This weekend is the friends of the Library book sale. Books are $10 a bag or $1 a pound and all proceeds go to the Durango Library. Friday and Saturday from 10-3.
- The Durango Arts Center has a lot of things going on – classes and workshops for kids of all ages. Check them out here. Maybe the Art of Painting or Pots & Pints.
- In case Ignacio is more conveniently located, the Dancing Spirit Gallery also has classes for students and workshops for adults (like 4 weeks of handmade holiday crafts.)
- Create Art & Tea has events throughout the month. (Like an intro to oil painting on Saturday.)
- Just in case that’s not enough, Artsy Crafty Studio on 3rd Avenue also has classes and workshops.
- The ScrapBook Nook has a class or workshop scheduled almost every day of the week.
- I watched this video about using a Pentel Pocket Brush Pen and had to grab one for myself to play with. We’ve got a few of these and some other brush pen options on the shelves – in case you’re interested in trying them out for yourself (the ink is a rich black, not washed out as the photo below shows). At the end of the video Austin demonstrates re-filling the cartridge. I have been doing this with my fountain pens for years.
Maybe throwing out your rule book means you return to a past technique, or try something completely new. A friend recently realized they had been trying to focus too much – looking back at past art projects made them (re)realize they were a multi-media artist. For them to start enjoying their creative process they needed to embrace their materials, not to continue diving deeper into one at a time.
In a book I’m reading about the learning process, Vincent van Gogh was given as an example of an experimenter. He was said to have no talent, especially as a draftsman, so he wasn’t accepted into any of the schools of his time. He worked his way through book courses – really worked, completing all of the assignments before starting back at the beginning and then doing them all over again. He took advice from artist friends, completing 30 or 100 pieces using their techniques or materials. From all of that intense practice he learned what worked for him and what didn’t. By experimenting both deeply and widely, he was able to create a style that was uniquely his.
One of the worst things for creative people is to not be creative. Denying one’s creative and artistic expression is a certain path to sadness, depression, and even poor health. Perhaps you need to rise before dawn or become a night owl. You have to make time for your projects and personal work. Maybe you sacrifice some sleep, but your creative work can energize you in a different way. As always, the world needs your art – and so do you!
Cheers!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew