Artful things

Art supply guilt

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Well…it’s something anyway

Do any of you artists out there ever feel guilty about all the art supplies you have that you never use for anything? I do.

I’ve collected a lot of paints and paper over the years. The problem is, I don’t use most of them.

Occasionally I go through the art supply trunk I have in my living room to see what’s in there. Herein lies madness.

Inevitably, once I look in there I begin to feel guilty that I never use that stuff.

So, today was an exercise in trying to figure out how to use some paints and some paper that have been gathering dust for a good while.

Using not the best paper, I thought I needed to do something basic that would not require lifting and layering. (Trust me this paper couldn’t have handled that.)

I was also using paints I never use. Challenge enough.

So here it is. Something I never do (for a good reason) and one whole sheet of paper and a few swipes of paint used up. whoopee.

The hardest part of this was wanting to scream at these supplies and resisting the urge to add details. oh…who am I kidding? The entire experience sucked. This is not what I do.

Got that out of my system. Now back to landscapes.

What do you do with your extra supplies?

6 responses to “Art supply guilt”

  1. Charles Yallowitz Avatar
    Charles Yallowitz

    I write, so I just have notebooks. My son has a collection of art supplies while he sticks to using his iPad. I stay out of his process.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Ionia Froment Avatar
      Ionia Froment

      I do the same with my kids. I do prod them a little once in a while to do something else besides stare at a screen. I bet those old notebooks are useful.

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      1. Charles Yallowitz Avatar
        Charles Yallowitz

        Some are and some are written in a language I no longer understand. I try to prod the teenager, but he gets surly. I let him figure it out.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Julian Froment Avatar
    Julian Froment

    I think it is always difficult because we collect a huge array of supplies with any creative pursuit, but then find those that work for us and our style and have all these things that do not fit into that. I think it is a great idea to use them for something as then it provides more room for those things that you do use. Great post. I like the whale too.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Ionia Froment Avatar
      Ionia Froment

      Wait…do you have a bunch of instruments you never use?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Julian Froment Avatar
        Julian Froment

        I do. I am going to start using them soon to make videos of all the weird and wonderful instruments that live under the bed. Explore the sounds that they can produce.

        Like

Colorful comments appreciated

● About Me
Watercolor illustration of an empty easel and painting supplies overlooking a lush river valley.

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I’m Ionia, the creator of this art blog. I love seeing the work of other artists and being part of the art community. I am a watercolor artist primarily, but dabble in other mediums. Thanks for visiting!

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