| What man needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him. ~ Victor Frankl |
I recently listened to a podcast with Donald Miller and wanted to share a few thoughts from it. Donald references Viktor Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning, and says that meaning comes from having a project you deem so important that requires you to show up, such that you love getting to work on it.
- This week’s artist is – Eva Pacheco and her students – who crocheted this colorful “tarp” that covers more than 500 square meters. They’ve been adding new squares to it for three years, expanding the area that it covers. The city used to hang a tarp but wanted something more colorful and eco-friendly as their awning.
- I love watching artists represent the same thing, seeing how their personalities come out. This was a great painting session with James Gurney and Roger Bansemer.
- A bit of color theory (with examples) from Gamblin paints.
- Do you question your tools? I struggle with the balance of trying new technologies while not getting distracted by them.
- I mentioned the Godfather Notebook last weekend – as a sketchbook for an artist’s project. Over the weekend I ran across this list of “external brains” for different types of professions. I would definitely consider my sketchbook as part of my external brain. It’s a trusted place where I can store important information – like experiments, concepts, and ideas.
- Have you seen the “new” Vermeer? After a recent restoration, the full original painting was visible, after more than 300 years.
- Here’s a free, online drawing 101 course.
- Banksy went on a spraycation.
- This short line painting video is quite calming to watch.
- Create Art And Tea is hosting First Friday events – art openings for a cause. Join pastel artists Juanita Nelson and Rebecca Koeppen on Friday, from 5-8. Come see their works, enjoy some light refreshments, and help support San Juan Citizens Alliance.
- If you haven’t visited the Art Market at 11th Street Station, this Sunday is the last market of the year. Swing by on Sunday from 10-2 to see a variety of local artists selling their work.
- There is also a lot of live music scattered around town. See who’s playing where here.
- Don’t want to come in to town? Head out to Fox Fire Farms from 6-9 on Friday for live music. Pack your own picnic meal – purchase wine at the winery.
- Looking for a hands-on activity? Check out the DAC’s Ceramic Saturdays.
- If you’re into motorcycles (riding, watching, or as a subject for your art making), then check out the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally this weekend.
- I hate to repeat from week to week – but we’re loving the new Golden Paints! Doesn’t this corner look great!
Donald goes on to say that people need meaning in life – without it they distract themselves with pleasure. Meaning is further defined as an actual feeling, provided by three things:
- a project to work on
- an optimistic perspective of your suffering – ie: a challenge provides an education and doesn’t just take you down/out
- a community to share your experiences with
Personally, art feels like an example of this – there is always a project to work on, and no matter how much I know and improve there will be more for me to learn and skills to develop. Any mistakes that I make (mild suffering) provide lessons for future projects – hopefully each project is better than the one before it, at least in some way. We have a great creative community here in the Durango area and there is always someone I can reach out to for advice, to share my current work-in-progress, or to see what they’re working on for inspiration. Our creative pursuits make us better people, and the world needs the best version of us that we can be. The world needs your art!
Cheers!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew