Archives of the Art Dog Blog from MacPherson's

Maxine & Bill

There is a changing of the guard at Swain’s in Glendale, CA. Owners Bill and Maxine Lambuth have sold this Southern California single location powerhouse of art, gift and toy products to long term managers Karl Wiest and Rich Noble. The transaction was completed on Friday, February 26th and the Lambuths in structuring the deal have made it possible for the business to continue and thrive. Congratulations to all!

Canson and the Louvre Museum in Paris, France have inked a new 4-year agreement to actively support art created on paper. Canson sees it as a great opportunity to better promote the rich history of the world’s oldest paper maker while the Louvre will benefit through support that will make possible a major exhibition on “Paper and Artists” in 2011. This will include a section devoted to papers developed by Canson for major artists such as Picasso, Matisse, Van Gogh and Warhol. Pictured are Stéphane Hamelin, President of Groupe Hamelin, and Hervé Barbaret, deputy head of the Louvre Museum at the signing of the partnership February 11 in Paris.

Jef Bakker, Managing Director of European Subsidiaries for ColArt based in Holland, has left the company to pursue new opportunities. He had been with the company for 14 years.

Exciting news!  Faber-Castell recently received its first ever ADDY award for a video on the now famous PITT artist pen line.  Produced with Think Media, a local video production company, the video features Creative Academy artist Don Colley doing life drawings around the city of Cleveland – on an RTA train, at the West Side Market, and in Public Square.  Done in a bold and vibrant style, the 4.29 minute long video captures the excitement of the city as inspiration, while showing off the versatility of PITT artist pens for on-the-go artwork.  As Don remarks in the video, “this is the one tool that gives me the biggest range of things I can do!”  Check it out!

The ADDY Awards are the largest and most prestigious world-wide advertising competition with more than 60,000 entries annually.  These awards represent creative excellence in all forms of advertising, and Faber-Castell is thrilled that its Life Drawings “On the Go with PITT artist pens” video received Bronze recognition from among all 2009 submissions as a brilliant audio and visual piece in the Video & Sales presentation category.

Chip Festa

Graphaids Art & Digital Supplies has been named the official retailer partner for the 6th Annual Learning & Product Expo: Art! Pasadena.  The Artist’s Magazine, Watercolor Magic and The Pastel Journal, published by F + W Media will continue to be the magazine sponsors of the expo. Learning & Product Expo: Art! Pasadena will take place October 22-24, 2010 at the Pasadena Conference Center and adjacent Pavilion. Graphaids, owned by the Festa family, has five locations in the Greater Los Angeles area: Culver City, West Los Angeles, Westchester, Agoura Hills, and their newest location, Long Beach. “We are thrilled to be a part of this event that serves the local community of artists in Los Angeles.” said Chip Festa.

Susan List joins the Strathmore Artist Papers Marketing team as a Marketing Manager. Previously she was Director of Corporate Marketing for Creative Converting. She is a UW-Madison graduate with a degree in Journalism, and also completed their Marketing Excellence Certificate program.

Strathmore Artist Papers has introduced a new 500 Series Marker Paper which is sure to be a vital asset to artists and designers for creating layouts, rough comps  and renderings.  The pad features 100% cotton paper, providing a quality work surface specifically designed to handle heavy coverage from felt tip markers without bleeding. It is also suitable for use with pencil, charcoal, pastels and pen & ink.
It is the perfect tool for designers and graphic artists as the smooth surface ensures fluid lines and showcases vibrant colors without fading or feathering. The pad cover features artwork by student Katherine Cantrell and demonstrates how the paper brings life to marker sketches whether it is for the hobbyist or for a professional’s design portfolio. Ask your MacPherson’s Sales professional for all the details.

Strathmore Marker

Check out the red-hot “Stop the Cherry Picking Madness” promotion on the two most popular Sakura product lines  through March 24th. Never before have we seen an extra 20% on the ever popular Micron Mega Display #SK30075 and the super hot Gelly Roll Mega Display #SK57909!  The Micron Mega display features the complete line of top selling Pigma Micron Pens and is only 15” wide!  The Gelly Roll Mega, updated in 2009, features every Gelly Roll pen from the inventor of gel ink and is now only 16” wide!  You can sell Sakura’s two best selling product lines in less than 3 linear feet of shelf space.  The display racks are included free and drop shipped directly from Sakura’s warehouse.  Sakura lists Mega Dealers on their website to let consumers know where they can find the complete selection of Microns and Gelly Rolls! Ask your MacPherson’s sales professional for all the details.

Gelly Roll Mega Display, SK57909

Micron Mega Display, SK30075

A recent article in the New York Times written by entrepreneur and picture framer Jay Goltz explores this timely question. Most of us in the industry, and in particular our retailers, are wondering if it is worth it to take ourselves away from the business for 3 days, and incur travel costs to attend NAMTA in Indianapolis this year in April.

Namta 2009, Louisville, KY

After all, according to statistics released by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), trade shows are suffering an average 15-20% loss in 2010. Jay Goltz makes a compelling case for attending and the core of his argument is that there appear to be two big things things happening in retail. One is survival of the fittest. In our industry, many art stores have closed, and many more will close as leases expire and owners reach retirement, leaving more business for the surviving retailers. The other thing that is happening is evolution. Many shops are adapting, getting into giclee printing, offering classes, getting out of art classes, or expanding their offerings to include more categories such as toys, stationery, framing and gifts. At least this described people going to trade shows. Jay makes the case that it is easy, in this kind of economy, to get caught up playing defense and not know when to stop. You can cut spending too much, or for too long, and the negative consequences will not show up for a year or two. Large companies can cut back on research and development or marketing and look better in the short run. In the long run, they can fall behind the competition. There is a fine line there somewhere.

This quote from the article really grabbed me:
“Trade shows are an opportunity to take some classes, find new vendors, have face time with existing vendors, see new product, and talk to people who do what you do but don’t compete with you. I can’t tell you how many insights I have gotten from casual conversations over the years with people who are standing in the food line, on the trade-show floor or in the restaurant after the show. I have made friends with a couple of people I meet every year and with whom I compare notes, share ideas and brainstorm.”

If you are on the fence or perhaps have already crossed NAMTA off your calendar for this year, it would be well worth your time to read the full short article, put your businesses’ future first and reconsider. (Are Trade Shows a Waste of Time by Jay Goltz).

NAMTA is bucking the trend of sinking trade shows. Here are a list of reasons to put this year’s show back on the top of your “to do” list:
“With 144 exhibiting companies confirmed for 345 booths at NAMTA’s Art Materials World™ 2010 in Indianapolis, we are beating the national trend,” says NAMTA’s Director of Meetings and Convention, Rick Munisteri. “In fact, with the show still seven weeks away, we are only off 7% from last year’s final numbers in both exhibitors and booth sales.”

In addition to the exhibition, NAMTA’s Art Materials World™ will feature five keynote speakers, nine educational sessions and countless peer networking opportunities in Indianapolis, IN, April 14-17, 2010.

Topics covered at Art Materials World™ include:

• Maximizing support from your vendors
• The essentials of paper
• The art of hand-made fine art brushes
• Optimizing the web for your retail success
• How classes can boost profits
• Understanding encaustics
• Creating a cohesive printmaking department
• Profit from fine art and photography
• How to introduce art into an ordinary household
• Straight forward solutions for uncertain times
• Targeting today’s youth
• Academia and the Art Materials Industry
• Embracing new merchandising in the new economy

For more information and to register for Art Materials World™ 2010, visit Namta Show Attendee Info.

Introducing Gamblin Relief Inks… Finally, the Relief Inks printmakers have been searching for.

Gamblin Artists Colors is proud to offer printmakers a balanced palette of Relief Inks with an incomparably high pigment load. Gamblin Relief Inks give printmakers and monotype artists the intense colors, working properties, and the archival quality they can count on. Gamblin Relief Inks print with unparalleled intensity, brilliant undertones, and sensitivity to printmakers’ most finely detailed marks.

The NAMTA survey showed that printmaking inks are currently one of the fastest growing categories in art materials. With Gamblin’s inks, retailers can offer a compelling value to printmakers and compete with brands that emphasize direct sales.

Gamblin now proudly offers merchandising displays for their full line of Relief Inks, Etching Inks, and modifiers. Now is a great time to clean up your store’s Ink aisle and partner with a brand you can trust.

The Relief Ink product line consists of 10 colors ranging in list price from $12.95 to $19.95. Gamblin offers two opening assortments. For the many retailers who already carry the Etching Inks, Gamblin offers an add-on assortment of the Relief Inks complete with merchandising display, samples, and color charts for a list price of $623.40. Please order item GBRINK.

GBRINK

For those of you who are new to Gamblin’s Inks, they offer a full assortment of Etching Inks & Relief Inks complete with merchandising display, samples, and color charts for a list price of $1763.65. Please order Item #GBERINK.

Assortments are on promotion in the Spring Buyer’s Guide at 40/20% (52%) and will drop ship with free freight directly from Gamblin. Order your assortment now for shipment on March 15th.

For more information, samples, color charts, and/or full assortment contents please contact Gamblin directly or your MacPherson’s sales rep.

Check out Chartpak’s great deals in MacPherson’s Spring Promo for 2010. (2-16-2010 through 5-29-2010)

OPEN STOCK

• Grumbacher Finest and Academy Watercolors at 60/5%
• Grumbacher Golden Edge and Academy Watercolor Brushes at 50/40/15%
• Grumbacher Basic & Master Color Sets at 50/15%
• Grumbacher Everyday Sets at 50/15%
• Grumbacher Watercolor Pan Sets at 50/10/5%
• Grumbacher Brush Sets at 50/40/15%
• Pelikan Watercolor Sets at 50/10/5%
• Koh-I-noor Watercolor Wheel at 50/10/5%
• Koh-I-noor Gioconda Graphite Pencils and Gioconda Art Sets at 50/10%
• Koh-I-noor Gioconda Pastel Pencil Sets at 60%
• Koh-I-noor Toison D’or Extra Soft Pastel Sets at 50/35%
• Schmincke Horadam 15ml Tube Watercolors at 50/10%
• Schmincke Horadam Watercolor Sets at 50/10%
• Schmincke Watercolor Mediums at 50/10%

DROP SHIP

• Grumbacher Color Assortments at 50/35%
• Grumbacher Brush Assortments at 70/25%
• All Grumbacher Color and Brush Assortments include the new, beautiful plexiglass displays, and free freight.
• Schmincke Horadam 15ml Watercolor Assortment at 60%
• All Schmincke Assortments feature a free rack, and free freight.

Please contact your MacPherson’s sales rep, or Steve Rossney (srossney@cox.net) for details.

With great sadness we must report the passing of John Ward, owner of National Art in New Orleans, LA. He was killed in a traffic accident during a Mardi Gras celebration early in the morning on Sunday, February 14th, 2010. Times Picayune Story details Our hearts goes out to his wife Nathalie, and daughters Charlotte and Isabelle.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon with a Funeral Mass at 12:00 noon on Friday February 19th at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor at 2701 State Street in New Orleans. Interment will follow at Hope Mausoleum on Canal Street. In memory of John Michael Ward, donations may be made to the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation at www.saveourlake.org.

John Ward

Paula Puleo

Paula Puleo has joined Michaels as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, reporting to John Menzer, Chief Executive Officer.  Paula will be responsible for leading and driving Michaels’ Customer Engagement Strategy. She most recently served as Executive Vice President – Strategy & Enablement, with RAPP, a Dallas-based Marketing Firm. Reporting to Paula are:  John Rowe, General Manager – Strategic Marketing; Anthony Price, Sr. Director – Marketing; Jennifer Rawls, Sr. Director – Ad and Promotional Planning; Michael Duncan Director – Creative; and Renee Davis, Assistant to the Chief Marketing Officer.

Speedball Art Products has announced that it acquiring the Bienfang Artist Paper line from Elmer’s Products effective March 1, 2010. Bienfang was started in an artist loft in New York’s Soho 80 years ago by Sebastian Bienfang. Included in the transition will be all Bienfang paper pads, sheets and rolls including Graphic 360, Parchment 100 along with Bienfang Watercolor Brush Pens.

Kimberly Bolduc joins the Canson, Inc. Marketing team as the Fine Art Paper Product Manager. Previously she worked for The Getty and The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). She has her B.S. in Business Administration from Northeastern University and studied new media at Bond University in Australia. She will bring knowledge in social media advertising, blogging, consumer outreach, lead generation, and PR management to the Fine Art Paper Product Manager position.

Newell Rubbermaid, parent company of Prismacolor maker Sanford, posted a fourth-quarter profit on cost-cutting and lower raw materials prices but said its outlook was clouded by a currency devaluation in Venezuela.

Recently MacPherson’s employees stepped up to give generously in support of the relief efforts in Haiti. The total amount MacPherson’s people gave was $4,195 which was matched dollar for dollar by MacPherson’s for a grand total of  $8390, $5600 went to the American Red Cross and $2790 went to Save the Children.

Following 26 years of dedicated service, Maxine Harnish has announced her retirement from Tara Materials, effective Friday, February 19th. Maxine started at Tara Materials in 1984 as a Customer Service Representative. She was promoted to National Accounts Manager in 1995 and later promoted to Director of National Accounts in 2005.

Marty Furman, COO at Pentel has resigned and has joined a company out of the industry in a similar capacity.

Marty Furman

Preston Arts’ Louisville, KY store was featured on its local public television show (KET). Check it out! (Note: the Preston story begins approx 21 minutes from the start.) Preston Arts

Preston Arts in the News

Ken Haines of the Artist Colorwheel Co. wants us to take note of a new art form called “Fly Art”.

The big race

High Ho Silver!

GOLDEN OPEN Acrylics DVD Still Available
In early November, in appreciation for your support of the OPEN Acrylics line, GOLDEN provided you with complimentary OPEN promotional kits. The kits contained three sample-sized OPEN Mediums and an OPEN Acrylics DVD. Artists that bought 6 tubes of OPEN qualified for a free OPEN Now Kit. While the OPEN Now Kits are no longer available, the OPEN Acrylics Introductory DVD remains an item that is available through your GOLDEN support dollars. Contact your MacPherson’s sales representative for ordering instructions.

Just Paint #22 is Now Available Online and in Print
This issue focuses on the innovative Digital Mixed Media products from GOLDEN. The feature article written by Michael Townsend from Technical Support Services focuses on photography and the role of GOLDEN Digital Grounds. Amy McKinnon, also from Technical Support, writes about the possibilities of experimental mixtures with DMM products. Included in this issue is an article about the launch of five new Heavy Body Acrylic colors and an interview with Mark Golden and Technical Services Supervisor, Sarah Sands. The Sam and Adele Golden Gallery (SAGG) Director, Jim Walsh, walks readers through the progression and significance of the SAGG space and its importance in the fine art community. Lastly, Just Paint gives readers the opportunity to learn about a new color tool from GOLDEN – The Tint and Glaze Chart (aka ”the drawdown poster”.) The poster is an incredible reference to show artists how very subtle differences in color, tints or glazes makes all the difference in how these pigments react and move in color space.
To see these articles, go to Articles
Sign up to receive Just Paint electronically: Just Paint Sign Up

If additional printed copies of Just Paint are required for in-store presentation or staff distribution, contact your MacPherson’s sales representative for ordering instructions.

GOLDEN is Growing its Working Artists Program
GOLDEN is looking for acrylic painters in these locations who want to join the GOLDEN Working Artists team:
• Baltimore, MD / Washington, D.C.
• Boston, MA
• Capital Region of NY (Albany area)
• State of Louisiana
If you know of a professional artist who may be interested in more information, please direct them to our site:
Golden Working Artists Program

Reminder: 2nd B-T-S Promotional Advertising Period ended on 2/15.

If you have any questions about any of the above information, contact your MacPherson’s sales representative.

• Prismacolor will launch a new 45-color Prismacolor Marker display early this summer. This display is the newest addition to Prismacolor’s ongoing Universal Display program. We will have more details next edition.
• The current 45-color Prismacolor Marker display ZSA174 is discontinued effective immediately.
• Those of you waiting for new merchandise kits for the Prismacolor Marker tower or Drawing and Sketching displays, Prismacolor will get those out as soon as possible. The new kits are in the Sanford DC and now scheduled to ship on Monday, February 15th. Please contact your representative or Dan Canny directly to obtain one or both kits. dan.canny@sanford.com

• Prismacolor will offer two Value Packs this BTS in addition to a consumer rebate, further details will follow in subsequent Art Dog Blogs and from your MacPherson’s representative. Here are the Value Pack details:
• The 48ct, SA3598 Prismacolor Pencil will come with a set of the SA14172, Fine Line Illustration Marker Set valued at $11.50 MSRP. This is a 15% value at MSRP to your customers.
• The SA97, 24ct Prismacolor Marker Set in a carrying case, will come with an SA1738863, 8ct. Illustration Marker Brush Set valued at $23.00 MSRP. This is a 22% value at MSRP to your customers.

Congratulations to the Cray-Pas® Contest Winners!
Sakura of America would like to congratulate the winners, honorable mentions, and finalists in the 2010 Cray-Pas® Wonderful, Colorful World Contest! Thousands of K-8 students submitted artwork utilizing Cray-Pas® oil pastels, and 150 students were chosen as finalists. To view the artwork, go to Contest Winners, or visit MOCHA, the Museum of Children’s Art in Oakland, CA through March 15, 2010.

Sakura Contest Winner's Reception

The Winners!

Youjin Shin (1st place, 3-5 grade)

Yumi Arimizu (1st place, 6-8 grade)

Kaleb Moniz (1st place, K-2 grade)

Check it out, Art Dawg!

MacPherson’s creative team has done it again. If you are signed up you will receive a once a month email announcing the latest in new items and promos to to help power your store’s engine of success. Click on the image below to see what we’re talking about!

Natasha Nicholson-Bjerre

MacPherson’s is proud to announce the promotion of two amazing individuals on our team. Natasha Nicholson-Bjerre, our head of Human Resources, has become a Vice President in the company. In addition to her current people related role, she will take on new management and customer-facing responsibilities over the coming months. Natasha joined the company in 2005 and has eleven years of people operations experience. Natasha has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.

Also, moving up is Jim Semitekol as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at MacPherson’s.

Jim Semitekol

Jim’s new title recognizes his total involvement in all aspects of the Company’s business including the significant impact he is having on sales and logistics for all of our accounts. Jim joined the company in 2001 and is a man of many talents and interests. His fans admire his accomplishments as a professional guitarist and as a founder of our in-house band, One Night Stand.
Please join us in congratulating both Jim and Natasha on their promotions and wish them all them best with their new responsibilities.

JoAnn’s Stores Chief Operating Officer has been promoted. Travis Smith will assume the duties and title of President.

Travis Smith

Pearl continues to restructure. Additional stores have been added to a list considered for possible closings. To keep up to the minute on this story, check out this link:
Pearl Blow-Out Sale Store list

A number of personnel and organizational changes have been announced at Michaels and Aaron Bros:

Walt Asbury has accepted a new role as Business Unit General Manager – Papercrafting. Most recently he was Vice President of Special Projects (Next Gen). The former Paper crafting Manager, Kathy Lacks has left the organization. Tom Peterson the Vice President of Store Communications and Workload Planning is taking a new role as Vice President of Space Planning. On the supply chain side, Miki Ellers has been promoted to Vice President, Distribution Center (DC) Operations.

Matt Fischer has taken on a new role as Vice President – Supply Chain Optimization.

Mary Kuniski is expanding her role to include the support of Walt Asbury’s team as his Inventory Management partner. She will continue her work informing and educating the Michaels vendor community as the Vice President of Vendor Relations and will retain responsibility for the Database Control group.

At Aaron Brothers Katy Hanson has been promoted to Vice President, Marketing. Wendy Prebil has been promoted to Director, Visual Presentation at Aaron Bros.

Former Koh-I-Noor, Grumbacher and NAMTA President Tony Murray is back, helping the art supply industry as a business consultant. If you’re looking, you can reach him at eamcanfly@aol.com .

The Art Store, Des Moines, IA has resigned from Art Group America (AgA) membership and  Aboveground Art Supplies of Toronto, Ontario, Canada is taking The Art Store’s slot in the 12 member industry group. Fred Gold’s business is now in its 27th successful year in one of the largest and most competitive art supply markets in the world. We wish Joe Domeier well as he builds his business in a competitive Des Moines market.

Mark Snelling, husband of Linda Snelling, the former owner of Boutilliers in Burlington, VT, is running for Lt. Governor of that state. For details on the candidate check out his website: Mark Snelling for Lt. Governor

The deadline for the Second Annual Krylon Clear Choice Art Scholarship competition is fast approaching. Scholarship applications are due by March 1, 2010.  The program will award $12,300 in money, grants and art supplies to future artists and their schools, including five $1,000 scholarships and five $500 grants for winners’ high schools.

The scholarship program is open to high school seniors and college freshman and sophomores in the United States and Canada. Students are required to submit a portfolio, artist’s statement, letter of recommendation and transcripts. In addition to the $1,000 scholarships, the five recipients will receive a package of Krylon artist sprays and adhesives for use in their work worth approximately $70. Each of the high schools from which they have graduated from will be given a package worth $250, from which numerous art students can benefit. Ten additional students and their high schools will receive product gift packages as well.

Last year, Krylon reviewed hundreds of creative student portolios before awarding scholarships to the following five talented students: Arielle Chandonnet (Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL), Lily Jen (Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI), Bryanne Noritsky (Tyler School of Art at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA), Mario Winston (Western Oklahoma State College, Altus, OK), Danni Wu (College for Creative Studies, Detroit, MI).

Arielle Chandonnet - "Relax" Charcoal

To download the application form, to see more about the 2009 scholarship winners or for more information about the Krylon Clear Choice Art Scholarships, visit Krylon Clear Choice Scholarship Program

·         Canson’s new Art Boards feature a range of best-selling Canson and Arches® papers on rigid, archival backing.  The backing is composed of two-ply, 1.2 mm Canson archival white conservation board that is both acid and lignin-free.  The board is buffered, treated to resist mold, and compliant to ISO 9706—the standard for permanent paper.  The Art Boards provide artists with a stiff, strong working surface made to withstand the rigors of repeated use and a variety of techniques.
·        A significant benefit of using Canson Art Boards is that no mounting is required.  They are ready for framing without mounting, thus reducing added labor and cost.  Also, each board is UPC-coded for ease of sale and arranged on merchandising displays that make is simple for customers to choose the right texture and color of paper that best suits their artistic needs.  The product line includes an array of Art Boards that cater to different techniques and preferences:

·         The ultimate choice for watercolor, gouache or ink washes, Arches Watercolor Art Boards offer natural white, hand-made French watercolor paper in cold press, hot press and rough surfaces.
·         Montval Watercolor Art Boards feature cold press French watercolor paper, excellent for watercolor, acrylic, gouache or ink washes. Natural white.
·         Bristol Plate is an ideal foundation for pen and ink renderings or technical drawing, or work in hard pencil. It is a rich, natural white surface that is smooth and hard enough for detailed work.
·         Ultra-smooth Illustration/Comic Art Boards provide a brilliant foundation for ink, marker, felt-tip pen and pencil that stands up to erasing and scraping. Made without optical brighteners, these boards are extra white for superior contrast.
·         Black Drawing Art Boards deliver a dramatic surface for pencil, chalk and gouache. Very finely textured, the paper is acid free, and highly resistant to light and fading.
·         C à grain Art Boards provide a luxurious surface with pronounced texture for drawing that stands up to repeated erasing and reworking. Ideal for charcoal, Conté crayon or pastel, or very soft pencil.
·         Pure White Art Boards offer a luminous white, fine-textured surface perfect for detailed work in pen, pencil or colored pencil. Sturdy and erasable.
·         Versatile Canson ®Edition Art Boards provide a substantial textured surface that is excellent for drawing and multi-media expression. Available in vanilla and bright white.
·         The world’s most famous pastel paper, French-made Mi-Teintes® has a pronounced texture that holds substantial amounts of pigment, making this art board the ultimate foundation for pastel, charcoal or Conté crayon. In a wide array of lightfast colors.