Archives of the Art Dog Blog from MacPherson's

Nora Faria, the spirit and inspiration behind Artel’s Art Center in Modesto, CA passed away on Sunday at the age of 57. She will be deeply missed by all of us at MacPherson’s who came to know her as smart, principled and generous. Her warmth and kindness were driven by a very big heart. Nora dedicated her life to art and was a proud supporter of Memorial Medical Center’s Art Therapy Program. She is survived by her husband Ed, son Aron, daughters Megan Faria and Galen (Jared) Martin, mother Ursula Gobets, brother Dennis Gobets and the pride of her life, grandchildren: Jonah Martin, 2 yrs, and Logan Martin, 2 mos.

The Faria family asks in lieu of flowers, please send donations to Community Hospice Foundation, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356, or Memorial Foundation’s Complementary Art Therapy Program, 1316 Celeste Dr. Suite 104 Modesto, CA 95355.

Please join the Farias in remembering Nora:
Sunday Memorial Service May 29, 2011 at 3pm
Allen’s Mortuary
247 North Broadway, Turlock CA, 95380
Reception to follow at the Faria residence.

With great sadness we report the peaceful passing of Mark Stanley Sethre of Allard’s Art in Fresno, CA from complications of juvenile diabetes. He was 56 years old. He was a talented woodworker and loved to create things for others. Mark loved the outdoors, often kayaking at local lakes. He also had a huge heart for animals, and loved spoiling his dog, Odis. He is survived by his mom, Gladia Stanley, father Bill Sethre and sisters Sheryl Johns, Tracey Spawn and Lisa Heard. There will be a memorial next Saturday 5/21 at 11am at Hope Lutheran Church in Fresno.  The family requests that remembrances be made to the American Diabetes Association

Keeton’s Office & Art Supply of Bradenton, FL is marking its 60th year as a community supporter and art, office and school supply landmark. In the words of the Bradenton Patch, “In a world increasingly inundated by corporate chains like Office Max and Staples, it can be refreshing to see the little guy dig his heels in and succeed.” Read the whole story here: Keeton’s 60th

Retail Sales Manager Frank Perry, President and CEO Brice Hoopingarner and Marketing Coordinator Cole Hoopingarner

We reported previously that ColArt would be moving its world headquarters from Wealdstone to a location nearer to central London. Local newspaper the Harrow Times recently reported that the new global headquarters will be based in Notting Dale Village, near the Shepards Bush and Notting Hill area of London, and the company hopes to make the move in November, following the closing of the factory in the late summer or autumn of this year.

Golden Artist Colors announces the promotion of longtime employee, Bill Berthel, to Human Resources Manager. Bill’s responsibilities include development and administration of personnel policies and practices, pay and job classification structure, programs for employee training and development, and employee involvement (teams, events, surveys).

Orval Swander and his partner Barbara Erdman closed their Red Swan Paint & Art store in Ocala, FL on April 30, 2011. They were in business for 22 years. So long, pardner!

The Craft & Hobby Association’s (CHA) Board of Directors announced on May 13, 2011 that their President and Chief Executive Officer, Steve Berger, has left the association. The Board of Directors will immediately begin a search for a new chief executive.

Everett Art Supply in Everett, WA has announced that it will be closing effective June 30, 2011.

Inspired to have his own entry in the Guinness Book of World Records for a “largest collection” artist Allister Lee assembled a huge collection of Black Markers of all brands, sizes and shapes. Read all the details of one man’s obsession at Design Milk: World’s Largest Collection of Black Markers

We mentioned last time that Debra Mumm from the now closed Art Colony in Palm Desert, CA was opening her own store called the Venus Art Studio.  She is now open for business and she’s already getting great press. Check out this article from the Desert Sun Newspaper and MyDesert.com:

Venus Art Studio

We had a couple of cancellations so we have a few seats available at our big, fun Dealer Workshop in June. It’s being held in Berkeley, CA on June 16th & 17th. If you are interested in attending send us a message at allears@macphersonart.com. We’ll take care of lodging and all meals – you just need to get yourself here. But hurry! We need to know by Monday, 5/21!

Creativity has gone mainstream, and today’s consumers are constantly looking for ways to learn and engage with others.  Capitalizing on this trend, Strathmore Artist Papers launched its Visual Journal Online Workshop Series and earned the 2011 Business Innovation Award at the Art Materials World trade show and convention on April 14th.

Through the creative use of technology, Strathmore designed the workshops to deliver both the educational and social benefits of learning, in an online classroom environment.  The Visual Journal Online Workshop Series has attracted more than 7,200 students.

The free series features workshops taught by experienced visual journaling instructors.  Each workshop includes educational content in the form of instructional videos, downloadable instruction sheets and inspirational tips from the instructor.

Social benefits include the visibility students have with others enrolled in the workshop and a variety of opportunities to engage with one another.  They can share art and photos and participate in discussions.  They are even able to “friend” each other and create their own student blogs.

When consumers learn and engage with others, it helps grow our market.  More consumers are attracted to art and existing artists are inspired to create more art, more often. Your MacPherson’s sales representative has all the tools and information you’ll need to help you start planning your own visual journal success story.

The Business Innovation Award recognizes individuals and businesses that innovate in the art materials industry and is sponsored by the International Art Materials Trade Association (NAMTA), American Artist magazine and Hart Business Research. Strathmore also received the Business Innovation Award in 2010 for its new product launch of Strathmore Visual Journals.

Strathmore collaborated with art instructors Pam Carriker, Linda Blinn and Roz Stendahl and Stevens 470 Marketing & Creative to develop the online workshops.

Interested in taking the workshop series yourself? Here is the link:

Visual Journal Workshop Series

X-ACTO Foam Board Cutter is one of the best tools around!
Check out this Elmer’s You Tube video and add the link to your own website:
“How to Cut Elmer’s Foam Board to Fit Your Projects”

Then cross merchandise these cutters near your foamboard display!

Winsor & Newton’s Artists’ Oil Bar “Re-Launched!”
• Complete NEW range of 50 colors that harmonizes with the AOC range
• Softer formula for easier application
• New PET packaging for each bar
• New display and hanging sign for greater store impact
• Each new asst comes with 50 free half stick samples of French Ultramarine
• Unique POS Testing Center!
• Promo +20% through 12-15-2011

W&N Oils, Mediums, & Varnishes (OMV) Uniquely Re-packaged!
• Visually distinctive body shape stands out on shelf!
• Recyclable PET bottle reduces risk of breakage offering greater appeal in the education market
• New label easily communicates benefits and use
• Universal use of CRC cap for safety and convenience
• Transit packaging improved for less waste, no cartons on any size
• Promo +20% through 12-15-2011 on both Full (84sku) & Short (50sku) asst’s
• New shelf strips and 3 hanging signs included with asst’s
• New packaging will be phased in throughout the year
• New assortments ship after August

Liquitex featured new merchandising POS for the both the Large scale “free-style” mural brushes and knives!
• Features cutting edge backing paper (header and 3 sections)
• Vertical and horizontal displaying format as all items are peg-able!
• Only 20 sku’s
• Ships 7/1/2011

New from Derwent;
• Inktense Blocks
• Tower Display Modules to custom merchandise all pencil ranges
• Black Book Sketchbooks in 3-sizes

Conte’s New Power Panel of the best selling 15 SKU’s was a show success!
• Complete stand-alone pre-packed asst with eye catching graphics
• Low $1,035.51 MSRP!
• Open-Stock Conte’ Pastel pencils will be once again available to ship 8/15/2011

Snazaroo!!
• 8 New Mini-Face Painting clam-pack sets & 3 New Stick sets to create an easy low cost retail face painting section in any store!
• All are peg-able for ease of merchandising

Ask your MacPherson’s rep for all the details!

Support for Williamsburg Oils Matures Under GOLDEN Leadership

From the beginning, Williamsburg Handmade Oil Colors was guided by Carl Plansky’s desire to create the richest and most beautiful colors imaginable. It was then and remains today a painter’s paint in every way, infused with a painter’s sense of touch and tone.

Because so many artists have embraced Williamsburg Handmade Oil Colors, it is clear this paint has moved past Carl’s initial vision into something ultimately owned by the artists who use and depend on its unique expression of color.

Manufactured in the United States, under the committed stewardship of Golden Artist Colors, Williamsburg Handmade Oil Colors continues to be made by dedicated paint makers in small batches. Offering one of the most extensive and unique lines of handmade oil paints in the world, including the famous Native Italian Earth Colors and custom blends, Williamsburg is competitively priced and now readily available through distribution.

And don’t forget the Golden Artist Colors’ Technical Support Services team. With extensive knowledge in both acrylic and oils, our extremely dedicated group of artists with decades of experience is always ready to assist you and your customers with our paints.

To further support the Williamsburg Handmade Oils line since the partnership just over a year ago, GOLDEN is introducing a number of new items and enhancements to the merchandising materials available, further warranting your interest in the brand. Here are some of the recent improvements:

• All oil color sets in retail-ready packaging
• New square, glass containers for the 2 oz., 4 oz., 8 oz., and 16 oz., sizes in order to better align the packaging for the Oil Mediums with the professionalism and prestige of the Williamsburg brand will begin shipping summer 2011.
• Standard configuration plan-o-gram options available for artist’s mediums and artist’s dry pigments
• Improved merchandising cabinetry
• Rack and shelf tags containing UPC codes
• Channel markers, shelf talkers & color strips to identify and dress gondola shelves
• Product labels updated to include a new font and additional languages
• New Wet Sample Program featuring 5 ml tubes in 17 representative colors (late 4th qtr)
• An updated color chart, available in both a printed and a hand-painted version
• Updated price list for all products
• New Williamsburg T-shirt (S-XXL)

For more information, contact your MacPherson’s Sales Representative, GOLDEN Sales Representative, or Williamsburg Technical Support at Golden Artist Colors by calling 1-800-959-6543.

This new extra strength formula holds almost anything together, like paper, wood, fabric, ribbon, buttons, gems, craft materials, foamboard, cardboard, some plastics, some metals and much more! It also goes on smooth and dries clear! It is safe, non-toxic, and washable as well as acid-ree and photo safe. To learn more about it, check out this Elmer’s X-TREME™ You Tube Video:

X-TREME™ Glue in available in open stock (item#EL-E584) and in display trays of 24 (item#ELE-584TR) Ask your MacPherson’s sales contact for all the details.

Pat Jennings of Central Art in St Petersburg, FL forwarded a thought provoking blog post. Led by founder Bill Tikos, The Cool Hunter celebrates creativity in all of its modern manifestations. It has become the world’s most-read culture and design site,  a leading authority on all things creative and a truly global hub for what’s cool, thoughtful, innovative and original. This particular posting has been widely read and has created quite a buzz amongst city planners and public works departments around the world. Here is the complete text:

Some city councils get it, others don’t. Tapping the creative talents of street artists, illustrators and graphic designers is an effective and cool way to make bland public spaces, old buildings, bridges and car parks new again, and to freshen up the concrete jungle.

It is also an effective way of keeping graffiti away. Plus it draws attention to the building or structure as “potential” not as something to be hated. Maybe it will even bring a buyer, a new occupant or additional creative ideas about how to revitalize the building? Anything but the current dilapidated state of abandoned spaces!

Street artists and muralists bring with them vibrant and a new perspective that architects or designers may not have. This does not mean that millions need to be spent to upgrade the buildings immediately, all you need is vision, courage, local creative talent and some colorful paint like these perfect examples here. Our subscriber list reads like the Who-is-Who of city councils around the globe. So here’s a challenge to you: You need to step up and change the face of your city. There are way too many ugly, run-down buildings, bridges, tunnels and walkways that can be completely transformed into exciting and fun environments with some creative input.

Fore the full blog post visit: Street Art Matters

One city that really gets it is San Francisco. As the the website San Francisco Mural Arts points out, “it is a virtual outdoor art gallery where city walls become the artist’s canvas and the unremarkable become works of art. And it’s free for all to enjoy.”
Check out SF Mural Arts, an online resource for those who are passionate about art and intrigued by the murals of San Francisco. Their website highlights a collection of murals visible on city streets, and includes photos, locations, and details about each piece. San Francisco Mural Arts

The Color Wheel Company presents, The Magic Palette Color Matching Guide visits NAMTA 2011!
Ken Haines, owner of The Color Wheel Company, and Dee Solin, painter and creator the Magic Palette products, visited many of the exhibitors at NAMTA to create this demonstration of the Magic Palette Matching Guide. As we walked through the show we used the Matching Guide to isolate and identify colors used in vendors booth, art displays, demonstrations and even personal attire. All the Magic Palette products are available from MacPherson’s. This was fun and introduced the product to many of the attendees. Look for The Magic Palette Color Matching Guide visits The Big Apple !! Coming Soon to the Art Dog Blog.

CW5180
COLOR MATCHING GUIDE
$ 15.99 retail
40/10% Discount, available now in all MacPherson’s DC’s