• Industry News

    NAMTA Orlando May 2012 Round-Up

    The Golden online color mixing was very cool…Visit the beta version of the online color mixer here: Color Mixer Princeton Catalyst is a “Big Wow”! Catalyst was one of the big hits of the show and most stated they see lots of applications for the colorful paddle tools and innovative brushes; especially for painting large or thick. The tools are made of a special dishwasher safe rubberized material and the brushes are the first of synthetic hair with flag ends for holding and controlling paints.  Princeton’s Catalyst display looks amazing and NAMTA customers ordered like crazy. Some retailers with growing cake supply business, will likely bring in the Catalyst as it is perfectly suited to…

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    New Strathmore Hardbound Art Journals – Fine Art Papers in Finely Crafted Books

    Strathmore Artist Papers™ introduces Hardbound Art Journals, offering artists the quality fine art papers they want in hardbound books. “We listened to artist comments in forums, discussion groups, blogs and other social media and discovered unmet needs”, states Sue List, Marketing Manager.  “Our new Hardbound Art Journals give artists the choice of high quality drawing, watercolor, mixed media and toned sketch papers they’ve been searching for in hardbound formats.” Artist-friendly features include a range of popular sizes, a durable Smyth-sewn binding that allows pages to lay flatter, a sophisticated lightly-textured matte cover in dark chocolate, and a color coded, removable packaging band that communicates paper information and leaves behind no residue. The offering is made with 400 Series/Best and 500 Series/Premium quality papers to provide…

  • Industry News

    Industry News

    Michaels Stores, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has established an interim Office of the Chief Executive Officer to provide ongoing leadership and continuity for the business in the absence of CEO John Menzer who suffered a stroke in April. The Office of the CEO will be filled by Lew Klessel, Managing Director with Bain Capital Partners, LLC, and Charles “Chuck” Sonsteby, Michaels’ Chief Financial Officer. Klessel and Sonsteby will temporarily assume the responsibilities of the CEO and will report directly to the Board of Directors. Michael Miller of the Eastman’s rep group in Southern California is happy to announce that his wife Julianne gave birth to a baby boy on May 7th.  His name…

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    Announcing Catalyst Tools by Princeton

    At NAMTA this year, the Princeton booth was buzzing with the news of the new Catalyst line of Blades, Wedges, and Polytip™ Bristle. The full range is incorporated in a stunning 48″ retail cabinet that was awarded best POP display at the show. Designed to move more heavy-bodied paint, Catalyst Blades, Wedges, and Brushes offer fresh new way for artists to interact with many creative mediums. The tools, made of heat resistant silicone, can be used with encaustics, oils, acrylics, and even in food crafting. Catalyst Blades are mounted on artist brush handles, offering a blend of tradition and innovation. Catalyst Wedges are ergonomically designed to fit in your hand allowing a direct…

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    New General Sketch & Go Drawing Kits, just in time for Summer!

    General Pencil is excited to announce 5 new Sketch & Go™ Drawing Kits, just in time for Summer trips and art classes. They are ideal for travel, nature drawing & hikes, drawing on-the-go, observational drawing and more! GENERAL’S® new Sketch & Go™ Kits are created for artists of all levels; from aspiring, beginning, intermediate and advanced artists or those who are just practicing their skills. They contain everything needed to draw anywhere, right now! Artist Pencils, Pencil Travel Bag, Drawing Journal, Artist Eraser, Sharpener, Pencil Point Protectors, and a HOW-TO-DRAW Project & Technique Booklet.  Featuring Step By Step Art Lessons with Artist Sean Dye, such as Draw A Seascape, Lighthouse, Vineyard, Cityscape,…

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    New Strathmore Toned Sketch for Light or Dark Media

    Strathmore Artist Papers™ announces new Toned Sketch recycled papers, designed to meet consumer demand for toned paper in pad and sketchbook formats that are suitable for sketching with light and dark media. The new line was developed in response to research Strathmore conducted that indicates that while existing toned papers are suitable for pastel paintings and finished art, they are not suitable or practical for sketching, conducting quick studies, experimenting or journaling. Strathmore 400 Series Toned Sketch provides artists with unique sketching and drawing possibilities. Toned paper eliminates a “value” that would otherwise need to be rendered. Artists create shadows and highlights using a range of light and dark drawing. Warm tan and cool gray papers are custom engineered and toned specifically for sketching with light and dark media. Kraft and…

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    Gamblin Helps Build your Community (& Your Sales)

    At NAMTA in Orlando this year Gamblin offered a mini-seminar for retailers visiting their booth. Here is the outline of the compelling program they presented: Gamblin has led the industry in developing simple, compelling programs and content retailers can use to build their community of artists and build their sales. Below are some easy things you can do, right now, to build your community and your sales. Building your community | Share content. Save time. You want to talk to artists about more than just special deals, but don’t always have the time to create fresh content every day. No problem. We can help. With just a couple of clicks, you can engage and inspire your painters…and drive foot-traffic…

  • Industry News

    Industry News

    The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is pleased to announce that Rene Haag, owner of Blaine’s Art Supply in Anchorage, AK will be honored as one of the nation’s top state small business winners in Washington D.C. May 20-25, 2012 for the National Small Business Week Awards. Congratulations Rene! Read the entire press release here: Blaines Small Biz award 2012 Congratulations to Nick Gallo (Blue Rooster Art Supplies in Los Angeles), his wife Sheryl and their son Seiji on the birth of twin girls April 11th. Naomi Marie and Keiko Rose are both healthy; Seiji loves his 2 new sisters and has been a very good boy!  Nick reported “The days are bleeding one…

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    Breaking News!! Don’t Miss the Hit of the NAMTA Show: Liquitex Sprays!

    You heard it here first, ColArt will be pre-launching (pre-book) the LIQUITEX SPRAYS at NAMTA! Stop by ColArt  booth #631 to see this amazing innovation in artist color and pre-book your order for this unique new (water-based) spray color! Liquitex Professional Level Spray Paint Spectrum: 100 Colors Properties: Highly Pigmented, Water-based Technology Finish: Matte Caps: Standard cap ideal for detail work or filling in; skinny caps and fat caps also available Size: 400ml Low Odor Uniquely low odor, Liquitex Professional Spray Paint is formulated using revolutionary water-based technology. Durable and Permanent Durable, permanent and lightfast, Liquitex Professional Spray Paint is ideal for interior and exterior use. Brilliance 100 vibrant colors matched to the Liquitex color spectrum.…

  • Industry News

    Gamblin FastMatte Alkyd Oil Colors: Expanded 24-color range available now!

    Gamblin is pleased to announce the expansion of its award-winning FastMatte Alkyd Oil Colors from 8 to 24 colors. With this expansion, all FastMatte colors will be available in both 37ml and 150ml sizes and a new display will house the full range in a compact, 16″-wide footprint. Developed in collaboration with oil painters and introduced in 2010, FastMatte has become America’s leading fast-drying oil. Take your painting further. Inspiration shouldn’t have to wait. With FastMatte, artists can stay in the flow and take their paintings further, faster than ever before. The fast drying rate means artists can use color and texture freely, and add layers without stopping, waiting or…

  • Industry News

    Prismacolor Brush Marker…THE WAIT IS OVER!

    Fashion illustrator and artist Steven Broadway showcases how to get the most out Prismacolor’s brand new product, the Brush|Fine Art Markers in his fashion illustrations. Steven takes you through his illustration focusing on the flow and technique of the new tool! Find out more information on Brush|Fine at www.prismacolor.com and be sure to check out all of Prismacolor’s videos by subscribing to our channel! httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvdsPa6melA&feature=relmfu