http://www.artstyles.org/and-art-supplies/
There are many things aspiring artists need to make their mark on the world; inspiration, an audience, and a medium. However none are so integral and yet so overlooked as art supplies. The roof of the Sistine chapel, the statue of David, the Mona Lisa, the Statue of Liberty… none of these works of art would be possible without a great deal of time, effort, and importantly but often forgotten, supplies.
So what do you look for in art supplies? Well that depends greatly on what the medium you work in is. If you’re a painter, you need brushes, colors, palettes, and of course canvass. A sculptor would take one look at the list and write it off as useless. If they were working in metal, they would need clay and tools to work it, as well as the means to form a mold. If they were working in stone, they’d need the block of rock to work on, as well as chisels and hammers.
Yet, making a work of art for the ages isn’t on everyone’s to do list. Many of us don’t have the time, let alone the talent and determination to create a masterpiece. Yet we still crave creative outlets. For us, painting or sculpting are hobbies, but they’re hardly the only means of expression we have. Scrapbooking has become a great outlet for those who feel crafty, but don’t have another outlet. It involves taking photos or bits of memorabilia and making them into their own little works of art. Think of it as a photo album deluxe edition.
Scrapbooking has its own set of art supplies. Instead of paints and brushes, it requires paper to be both canvass and paint. To work in paper as not just a canvass but a medium you need things to shape the paper. In this case a paper cutter, scissors, or even electronic cutting machine fit the bill quite nicely. You can also decorate the paper with stickers, stamps, or even markers. This art form hasn’t invaded art galleries just yet, but it has received recognition on a local level, and it’s far more often about personal gratification than recognition anyway. And really, isn’t that the point?
Jennifer R. Scott has been writing for over ten years on a broad range of topics. She has a background that includes such diverse areas as environmentalism, cooking, animal care, and technology. If you would like more information on art, please visit Art Supplies, a site dedicated to supporting the aspiring artist.