Becca Hillburn

Gone Campin'- Patreon Newsletter April 8th (Patreon)

Published:

2024-04-08 22:45:02

Imported:

2026-10

Tags:

Patreon Newsletter backer newsletter backer update patreon update

Content

Hey Artnerds!

It's been a busy March/April! Lemme tell you all about what's going on!

Camping in the Woods:

We just got back from North Carolina! We drove up to visit with some of Joseph's family, attempt to clamber around the mountains, and check out some beautiful mountain streams.

As always, I packed thinking I'd make lots of art- some plein air watercolor, test out a bag I'd been holding on to, some waterbrushes from NAMTA. My little niece had other plans, though, and we ended up coloring, playing Mario Kart, and watching Bluey.

My friends who have kiddos in their lives can probably relate, but every time I pulled out work or art related things (my tablet, paints, sketchbook, even my notebook!) she wanted to see it/draw in it/color in it/paint with it. I LOVE her enthusiasm and encouraged it whenever possible, but it also meant I curtailed doing art-related stuff while on the trip, as there were some things I couldn't give her (ex: she wanted Krita on her iPad, and while Krita is available on iPad, she's 4 and it would have been too confusing for her to use). Any time I pulled out my watercolors, she wanted to paint with me, and I had some concerns, as I'm using professional-grade paints that may contain toxic pigments. She and her older brother are both interested in art, so when Joseph and I made a trip to Asheville to visit with friends, we hit up Cheap Joes and I bought art supplies for all three kids. My niece got a set of Prang watercolors and a waterbrush, so hopefully she can enjoy watercolor and her mom wont have to worry about toxic pigments.

I really want to encourage all three kids to enjoy art- whatever that means for them! It's nice to have someone to spoil with fun art supplies!

While we were there, we visited a really amazing artist Co-Op centered in Murphy. Located in downtown Murphy, the Co Op has studio and sales space for several local artists, a gallery space, and space for musicians to practice. They're affiliated with the local Appalachian folk art school, and it seems like a wonderful opportunity for artistic locals to what I'm looking for in terms of artist community.

Here in South East Louisiana, I have started to feel some of the same burn out I felt in Nashville, and visiting this Co-Op was a refreshing reminder of what I hope to do. Artists need spaces to belong- spaces to visit with other artists, spaces to showcase their work, spaces to create work, spaces to create community. While artists can certainly work on their own, I feel many of us benefit from communal spaces and getting feedback from other artists. For many, the internet scratches this itch well enough, but its not a perfect solution, and with the rise of AI, I feel many of us would benefit from having real world spaces once more.

NAMTA

Before our trip, I attended NAMTA's Creativation! I already shared some behind-the-scenes photos and upcoming art supply products with Patrons, and I'm working hard to edit the footage we recorded so I can share it with the world!

Currently, I'm working on screening the overall vlog. It's a three-hour vlog with lots of show floor footage and upcoming art supplies, and while I could get it mostly edited on the drive up to Murphy, I couldn't really make the corrections I had in mind while on the road.

I'm working on screening this tonight (Sunday) while I paint some of the photos I took during our trip to Murphy. I feel like sometimes I'm terrible at organizing information in a video format, but NAMTA's Creativation was a great experience for me, and I learned a lot, and I want to find ways to share it with other art supply nerds! I know many of yall enjoy just hanging out with me to a long vlog or video, so I think the 3 hour vlog will make many of yall happy. Still, I'm also going to share interviews we recorded on the trade show floor with various art supply manufacturers. I'm interested in finding ways to break up and present the information to appeal to more people!

NOLA Spring Garden Show

If things weren't busy enough, Joseph and I also attended the NOLA Botanical Garden Spring Garden Show. We just went for fun (and to shop), and if you've ever considered visiting New Orleans, I have to say that spring is THE TIME to visit.

I am a TERRIBLE gardener (far better with animals), but Joseph has a bit of a green thumb, and we've been trying to create a food forest in our yard. Since it's at the Botanical Garden, I took the opportunity to enjoy the garden and get some lovely spring flower reference.