February Newsletter

The Dating Game

In this issue...

  • The Dating Game
  • Upcoming Workshops
  • Ongoing Events

I’ve been writing a lot about how uninspired many of us have been feeling lately, and I’ve attributed it to external events that have been sapping our energy over the past year(s). But there’s another reason you might have lost your creative juju, and it’s far scarier: you’re no longer interested in your medium.

 

Here’s how the scenario goes…

 

For years, you’re so enthralled by your art that you can’t wait to get into the studio; then, suddenly, it loses its appeal. No matter how many times you explore new techniques, manufacture or remove boundaries to try and stimulate ideas, take refresher workshops, etc., your medium just doesn’t do it for you anymore.

 

To make matters worse, you feel like, if you give up “what you do” after investing months or years of your life, your time will have been wasted. You worry that you may never find another medium you’re as good at or enjoy as much. And, oddly enough, you feel guilty leaving your “old lover” behind.

 

Rest assured, it happens to many artists. And it’s not the end of the world. In fact, it can often be the catalyst for trying something completely different—and finding a whole new partner!

 

I don’t know if it’s a cultural or human thing, but, for some reason, most of us feel the need to work towards excellence, whether in our jobs, our personal life, or our art. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as long as it motivates you to excel. If, instead, it causes you to doubt your self-worth, or to keep doing something that doesn’t bring you joy (especially if it involves your art!), it’s time to rethink why you’re striving and consider readjusting your goal.

 

There are all sorts of terms for folks who have multiple interests and creative pursuits: polymath, Renaissance man (or woman), multipotentialite, etc.  And there are all sorts of articles that celebrate the quality. I found Jeff Goins’ The Importance of Changing Mediums: Why We Need More Polymaths in the 21st Century particularly interesting. “The great artists," Goins explains, “…get bored with just one medium.”

 

So, the next time you’re struggling to get out your paintbrush, or sewing machine, or knitting needles, or whatever it is that used to bring you joy, challenge yourself to try something completely different. And, if that doesn’t get you excited either, move onto another medium. I promise you that, eventually, you’ll find something else that makes your heart sing. It may take a while, but the journey itself will be fun, and, in the end, I’m confident you’ll fall in love again!

 

Purple Crayon makes it easy to re-enter the creative dating scene. In addition to offering space to see if you and another medium are a good match, we have some great workshops coming up.

 

In February, there are still a few seats available for Terrilynn Dubreuil's Introduction to Watercolor: Paint Your Pet on Tuesday afternoons. The class starts THIS Tuesday, 2/2,  however, so, if you're interested, you'll want to register right away. With Terrilynn's playful teaching style, you're guaranteed to have a blast, whether your goal is to actually paint your pet or just learn to paint!

 

If watercolor doesn't interest you, we've got two other mediums to "interview."

 

As a follow-up to her popular Mixed Media and Collage class, Kate Corcoran will be teaching Assemblage: Adding Dimension to Your Mixed Media Art on Mondays, 3/15-3/29. (You don't need to have taken Kate's Collage class to take this one; it's open to all levels.) We're also thrilled to welcome back another one of our favorite instructors, Camille Daunno, who will be teaching Introduction to Acrylics on Tuesdays in April, 4/6-4/27. 

 

While I can't guarantee any of these mediums will be "the one," I can promise you'll have fun dating around.

 

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

​—​​​​​​Pam Robbins, Owner

Upcoming Workshops

Introduction to Watercolor: Paint Your Pet (Online)

Tuesdays, 1:30-3:30 PM EST, 2/2-2/23

Wash—watercolor wash, that is!—away the winter blues with this fun introductory watercolor class, and create an expressive painting of your favorite pet while you’re at it! Local artist Terrilynn Dubreuil will teach you the basics of watercolor in this playful four-week course. No previous drawing or painting experience necessary!

 
More Info

Assemblage: Adding Dimension to Your Mixed Media Art (Online)

Mondays, 1:30-3:30 PM EST, 3/15-3/29

Whether you’re new to mixed media art, or you’ve been working with it for a while, you’ll have a blast playing in this all-levels assemblage art class. Join Mixed Media artist Kate Corcoran as she shows you how to turn trinkets, knickknacks, and other found objects into dimensional, cohesive art pieces that tell a story. No previous mixed media experience necessary!

 
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Introduction to Acrylics (Online)

Tuesdays, 1:30-3:30 PM EST, 4/6-4/27

Contrary to what most people think, acrylic painting is a lot easier to learn than watercolor—and a lot more forgiving. That’s why it’s the perfect medium for first-time painters! Acrylic paint blends beautifully, dries fast, and, if you make a mistake, you can simply cover it up! No previous drawing or painting experience necessary!

 
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Online Girls' Night (or Day) Out

Scheduled by Request

Just because you can't see your friends and family in-person right now doesn't mean you can't play with them. Purple Crayon's private online arts and crafts "parties" allow you to gather safely with the ones you love. And, unlike our in-person workshops, both women and men are welcome to participate, so everyone in your "family" can join! To ensure a great experience, only a few of our workshops are being made available online, so please contact us if you think you might be interested.

 
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Ongoing Events

Studio Tours

Are you looking for an affordable space to make art and connect with other women artists? Due to COVID-19, we have temporarily suspended our Saturday Open Houses, but you can contact us to schedule a private tour and meet some of our amazing members. A limited number of memberships are still available.

Zentangle® Art Club (Online)

Fridays, 3:00-5:00 PM

If you love doing Zentangle®, but struggle to make time for a regular practice, this art club is for you! Each Friday, Zentangle artist Amanda Smith will take you on a new Zentangle adventure. It won’t take long before your mind settles, your to-do list melts away, and you get into the zone, weaving structured patterns into beautiful, one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Basic Zentangle skills required. The Club is open to the public for a nominal fee and free to PC members.

 
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Creativity Circles

Creativity Circles, which are open to PC members only, are scheduled times each week when at least one other member has committed to being at the studio. Circles are currently scheduled for Thursdays from 1:00-3:00 PM and Saturdays from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM. We also have a Stitching Circle on Thursdays from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM. 

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