Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.
~ Sam Levenson
I was recently listening to a conversation with an author. He just finished a new book. He spent about 500 hours writing the first one, and close to 2,500 hours on this most recent one. His standards have changed over time, as have his viewpoint on what constitutes “enough” work.
- This week’s artist is – Iris Scott– whose work I recently read about. When I read about a finger painter, this isn’t the work that first came to mind! To see even more, check out her website and instagram!
- E.E. Cummings would have been 129 on Saturday!
- As the seasons and leaves change, here’s some inspiration in case you want to try artistic leaf raking.
- This is a fun letter from Lego to Parents, in the 1970s.
- Here’s quite a large drawing of the moon by Steeven Chapados.
Fun Fact: There are more possible iterations of a game of chess than there are atoms in the known universe.- Stumbled across this breakdown of a mechanical pencil.
- Continuing with the theme of school/office supplies – here’s an article on using ballpoint pens in our art.
- I’d never heard of Beethoven’s conversation books – which he used to converse with people after he lost his hearing.
- It seems that I’ve been hearing about aphantasia in recent times.
- There’s a lot of live music around town. Check out WhatsHappeningDurango.com to find who, when, and where.
- Drop by Guild House Games on Monday from 6:30-9 for the free, weekly Chess Club.
- Seeing Elaine dancing being added to this thrift store painting tickled my fancy bone. (And then I was curious so I watched more of Dave’s posts.)
- If you’ve ever wondered how Big Ben works – here’s a look inside the clock tower.
- Have you heard about the art market pop-up in November?
- Community Harvest days are still happening. Various locations, Thursdays from 5-7.
- Friday from 5-7 is an open house at The Subterrain which I’ve heard described as a new and immersive art venue, providing the area with something completely unique. As well as entertainment like no other.
- There’s an open mic night at EsoTerra Ciderworks (558 Main Street) tonight, with sign-ups starting at 6. Hosted by Leigh and Ryan, providing a professional Bose sound system, mics and all cords. Just bring your instrument and desire to perform!
- There’s a solar eclipse happing on Saturday, with Peak eclipse at 10:35am!
- The Bayfield Public Library is having a viewing party from 10-11am. Bring a blanket or chair and gather together to enjoy a festive eclipse watching party in the Library Park! We’ll have free glasses available and kids activities as well.
- Free annual apple pressing at the Animas Valley Grange (7271 CR203) Saturday from 11-1. Bring your own apples and a jug! Donated apples and pears in good condition are welcome until noon.
- If you’re a beginner/intermediate acoustic music player looking to play more – head to the General Palmer on Tuesday from 5:30-7:30 for the Slow Bluegrass Jam. This weekly jam is welcoming to all players, with a focus on slower tempo improvisation solos and chord changes. If you can play the I, IV and V chords in G, D and A then you know enough to play at this jam!
- There are classes/workshops/projects available at the Dancing Spirit Center for the Arts, Let’s Letter Together, the Scrapbook Nook, Create Art and Tea, Durango Sustainable Goods the 4 Corners Gem and Mineral Club, 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.
- Just in case you want to try some Japanese style art or writing – we have these phenomenal inks and papers to play around with. This isn’t all, of course, but it’s a wonderful way to start or to expand into something new!
The more time we’re willing to spend working on something directly correlates to the quality of the end result. Maybe the longer drawing is not more accurate than the quicker one, but it shows more details. Here’s a video where the artist painted the same image in 1 hour, 10 hours, and 100 hours. There’s a dramatic difference in the results, with the primary variable being time spent working.
We don’t all have to spend 100 hours (or more) on each piece that we create – but if we aren’t happy with the results we’re getting, spending more time working could be an answer! No matter what your creative time-frame is – the world needs you to spend time on your art!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew