Self-Imposed Embargoes

Favourite Art Shops in Paris / Creative Fortnight #19

Before we get started: this is the last chance to get 20% off the whole year of my Substack! Merci for considering!

Light in front of the Louvre

Self-imposed embargo has always worked well for me. I do not buy more tea if I already have plenty of tea - no matter how rare, precious, or cheap it is. Until I cook at least five recipes from the last bought cookbook, I cannot buy a new one. And I do not buy new watercolors until I actually go through the ones that I already have or finish the project or concept I started. Now, this is the territory where I catch myself negotiating - with myself:

'Look at this Luxembourg park green or this Yellow Sonia; it almost has your name on it. Literally. Yes?'

‘NO.’

'Ok, what if I tell you a new concept - a watercolor map of an imaginary city? You know you have already tried that and it worked, and you love it, but this time we buy a new SPARKLY color?'

‘NO.’

It’s always very lively in my head - between art supply buying negotiations, food planning and year…