Greetings, Cole here.
Last week I was telling someone I wanted to look at more art, and knew this is what I needed to write about this week. I wanted to find different kinds of art and get inspired. It’s easy to look at Instagram and Pinterest and get caught up in the algorithms.
The algorithms tend towards a kind of visual hegemony, showing you things they think you’ll like until everything you look at looks the same. Don’t get me wrong, of course I still like looking at Instagram and seeing what my friends are working on. But searching for art there doesn’t always give me what I really want: I want variety, I want art I haven’t seen before, and I want art that was made a 100 years ago!
Diversifying the platforms I use has been one approach to find more art. Instagram is a staple, but I've also explored Pinterest, Flickr, Blogspots, Tumblr, DeviantArt, and ArtStation. Getting off platforms with an algorithm is great. I’ve randomly found blogposts by artists that I like by exploring the web. A lot of blogs are inactive now because of Instagram, but it’s still a good way to get away from your usual preferences and look at older work from artists. Curated accounts and blogs are also a great way to see new art. You can join online art communities, forums, or Discord servers that will provide you with an opportunity to connect with like-minded art enthusiasts.
When I was in art school studying illustration, fellow students and friends would trade books and artists names. I would go to the library. The culture of exchanging art considered "cool" among fellow students was a pivotal part of my art school experience. This communal exploration opened up doors to artists I might never have encountered otherwise. The act of physically trading books created a tangible connection to the art and fostered a sense of discovery beyond the digital realm.
The library played a crucial role in my artistic exploration. The sheer wealth of art books available provided a treasure trove of inspiration, ranging from old masterpieces to contemporary works. Physically flipping through pages I found the artworks that can’t be found on Instagram.
Looking at and seeking out other forms of inspiration from various sources, online and offline makes me happy. This helps my artistic perspective become more well-rounded. I love keeping up with all my friends on Instagram but need the continual reminder to explore elsewhere.
Wishing everyone an inspiring viewing of art this week.
Best Regards,
Cole Lyons
OPEN STUDIO
Open studio is happening twice a week. Sign up and read more here Ulna Open Studio Info!
Students currently enrolled in a class may attend Open Studio for free.
Mondays 1 pm-4:30 pm & Wednesdays from 5 pm – 8:30 pm
Email Drew with questions: drewdinesart@gmail.com
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2024 CLASSES:
Most of the next sessions of Ulna classes begin at the end of February. SIGN UP NOW to reserve your spot!
*new offering*
Dried Flower Wreath Workshop with Solstice Flower Works
Instructor: Alex Hale
Dates: March 30th
Times: Saturday, 1:00pm – 3:30pmIntro to Painting (Thurs PM) Feb/Mar/April
Instructor: Cole Lyons
Dates: February 29th- April 4th
Times: Thursdays, 5:30pm – 8:30pmIntro to Landscape Painting (Tuesday PM) Feb/Mar/April
Instructor: Cole Lyons
Dates: February 27th- April 2nd
Times: Tuesdays, 5:30pm – 8:30pmIntuitive Drawing (Saturday AM) Feb/Mar 2024
Instructor: Lettie Jane Rennekamp
Dates: Saturdays, February 24th – April 6th (no class March 30th for Spring Break)
Time: 10:00am – 1:00pmIntuitive Ink Work (Saturday Afternoon) Feb/Mar 2024
Instructor: Lettie Jane Rennekamp
Dates: Saturdays, February 24th – March 9th
Time: 1:30 pm – 4:30 pmAbstract Play (Saturday Afternoons) March
Instructor: Lettie Jane Rennekamp
Dates: March 16th & 23rd
Time: 1:30-4:30Friday Night Figure Drawing (Mar 30)
Instructor: Sarah Levy
Date: Friday, March 30th
Time: 5:30-8:30Intro to Painting (Sunday Afternoons) April/May
Instructor: Jolyn Fry
Dates: April 7th- May 12thIntro to Painting (Sunday AM) April/May
Instructor: Jolyn Fry
Dates: April 7th- May 12th
Times: Sundays, 10:30am – 12:30pm
ULNA COMMUNITY EVENTS
If Not Now, When?
Mark your calendar, the next Radius opening will be Friday, March 8th and Lettie Jane’s Deeper Drawing class will be exhibiting work they’ve made during the 6 week long course. Artists include:
Tobin McDermott, Emily Plummer, Nora Harrington, René Barnhard, Bryna Shields, Jim Hull, Clara Stemwedel, Abigail Pierce, Rachel Jones, Zephyr Pfotenhauer
Cole, Lettie Jane, and Jolyn here to say THANK YOU for being part of our community.
My favorite version of finding new art and artists is going to the Pearl Room at Powell's and finding a book about an artist I've never heard of, and reading for a while -- and then going and finding a book about an artist they reference or were in community with. If you are after an analog!