Archives of the Art Dog Blog from MacPherson's

Monte

Asher Katz who leads Jacquard Products reports that their Production Manager R. Monte Weatherby, age 40, passed away May 27th at 12:15pm in Santa Rosa, CA from a blood infection. His passing was unexpected and a shock to all. He is survived by his two beloved daughters, Serenity, 13, and Grier, 6. If you wish to express your condolences or show your support, please write to asher@jacquardproducts.com or send mail to PO Box 425 Healdsburg, CA 95448. Jacquard will be happy to forward your messages to Monte’s family.

Francis Lyons and Kiyo Fujimoto have retired at Lyon’s Art/Graphaids in Long Beach California.

Kim Dunham

Alex Bailey reports that Kim Dunham has accepted a full-time position at Golden Paints as Education Coordinator and will be leaving A.R.B. Sales Group, Inc. in early July. Jean Beasley will take on  additional account management responsibilities in GA, SC, NC and TN.

Paul Bradshaw, Strathmore Artist Paper’s National Sales manager recently left to join White Birch Papers in Appleton, WI as their Senior Vice President.

Nitram Art, located in Pickering, ON, Canada, suffered a devastating fire at their manufacturing facility on June 12th. It will be at least a year before the factory can be rebuilt and their iconic Nitram Charcoal will resume shipping as all on hand inventory was consumed by the fire. No one was hurt and their community is already organizing a new building committee and donations are welcome as the property owner was uninsured. www.nitramcharcoal.com

Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld is joining forces with Faber-Castell in celebration of his love of drawing with the introduction of a $2,850 chest of drawing materials. It will be available in September.

InkJoy Gel Pens

Gel pens are the hottest new pens in performance & color!  They reduce smearing normally experienced with other gel pens and come in a large range of bright, fun colors.  They are available in two tip sizes and provide the ultimate smooth writing experience.  Watch for the fun commercials playing on TV through the end of the year.

And, Big News!  PaperMate InkJoy Gel has teamed up with Shawn Mendes, an international singer/songwriter named Rolling Stone’s Biggest Breakout of 2015 and 2016 People’s Choice Awards Breakthrough New Artist.  This national partnership includes the Ultimate Fan Experience national sweepstakes, concert tour sponsorship, and extensive PR and Social Media campaigns.  This partnership will drive immediate reach and engagement with the InkJoy Gel target consumer – teens & students.  Fans can win the Ultimate Fan Experience during his June through August concert tour that includes:  show tickets, meet’n greet passes, signed merchandise and InkJoy Gel Swag Bag.  Fans can also win the Ultimate Fan Experience during his album release from September through December that includes spending a day with Shawn spreading joy plus over 100 signed merchandise giveaways.  #SpreadJoy

GOLDEN Educator Residents & Top Finalists Announced!

Golden Foundation Artist In Residence Barn Opening, August 2016

Golden Artist Colors and the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2016 GOLDEN Educators Residency:

Isaac Alarid Pease

• from Albuquerque, New Mexico
• alaridpease.com
• Media Arts Collaborative Charter School

Jessica Clark

• from Fairmont, North Carolina
• jessicaclarkart.com
• Lumberton Sr. High

Bryan Wilson

• from Charlotte, North Carolina
• bryanwilsonstudios.com
• Northwest School of the Arts

Collectively, these educators have been teaching for over 30 years.

The residency is a partnership between the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers and Golden Artist Colors, who have partnered for a second year to offer an unprecedented opportunity for Art Educators with a student who received recognition in the 2016 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. The three selected educators are invited to participate in this two-week artists’ residency in a sylvan setting in upstate New York through the Sam & Adele Golden Foundation in July/August 2016. They will also each receive a gift certificate for $1,000 for GOLDEN paints.

Virginia McEnerney, Executive Director of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers said, “Golden Artist Colors is to be commended for making this exceptional opportunity available to outstanding educators. We were most impressed by the quality of the applications we received this year. Teachers are part of the lifeblood of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, and we are privileged to have this moment to show our appreciation for their efforts in the classroom as well as our respect for their work as artists.”

The Alliance partnered with the National Art Education Association to review the applications to the residency. In addition to the three residents selected, nine additional finalists were identified and they will also receive $1,000 gift certificates for GOLDEN paints.

Congratulations to the 2016 GOLDEN Educator Residents and Educator Finalists!

New Video on GOLDEN Facebook Page

In case you missed it, we recently posted an “unboxing video” on our Facebook page showing the contents of the new QoR 24 Set. “Unboxing videos” have been a phenomenon for a few years now, but they’ve seemed to explode in popularity recently. Be sure to check it out and share it with your customers!

Facebook Videos

The newest addition to the collection of “Artist How-To” series include 3 new videos created by artist Minnie Small. In these short 2-4 minute videos, Minnie explains her tips and techniques for creating artwork using gouache. This content is great for artists just starting out with gouache, or for those who have interest in the media but need a bit of guidance on where to begin. She also demonstrates a gouache painting while narrating with tips along the way.

The 3 videos available in the gouache “Artist How-To” set include:

Video 1: Introduction to Gouache 

Video 2: General Gouache Techniques

Video 3: Gouache Time-Lapse Painting 

All of these new videos are available on Strathmore’s YouTube channel.

You can also download the videos on the Vimeo site. Simply click the “Download” button below the video.

• Video 1: Introduction to Gouache
• Video 2: General Gouache Techniques
• Video 3: Gouache Time-Lapse Painting

To support consumers interested in learning about gouache, Strathmore has also created a new Art Blog posting with some additional information about the medium. The blog offers information about what gouache is, what tools and papers are needed to work with gouache, how to get started, and what gouache paint should be used for. Be sure to check out all of Strathmore’s Art Blog postings.

Additionally, Strathmore offers a quarterly newsletter which features an artist and their work in each publication, along with new product information, current consumer promotions, and frequently asked questions from StrathmoreArtist.com. It’s a great resource for artists and retail stores to keep up to date!

Along with the Artist How-To videos, Strathmore is proud to offer product videos, a brand video, archived years of Online workshop videos, and short videos answering artist frequently asked questions. All of the videos are now available on the Retailer and Distributor Tools area of Strathmore’s website! Follow Strathmore on social media to stay in touch with all of the tools available for consumer engagement and education.

Interested in learning more? Contact your MacPherson’s Account Manager for ideas of how you can drive more traffic and sales with Strathmore’s Video Series.

Cachet 101 featured artist Alex Castaneda continues to put his ideas in motion using Daler-Rowney art supplies on the NEW line of Cachet 101 Artist Pads. Alex has been using Daler-Rowney Cachet Recycled Earthbound Sketchbooks for the last 12 years, and when he heard about the new line of Cachet 101 pads, he was more than excited to create on it. The line features 26 SKUs (tape and spiral bound), covering the most popular techniques: Sketching, Drawing, Watercolor, Bristol, and Mixed Media in 108 lb., heavy-weight, and black paper (the fastest growing segment). The bold cover colors are eye-catching, and protect the high quality European Papers, which are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified, giving the customer the option of supporting responsible forestry. Cachet 101 offers affordable pricing for the best quality to artists and students.

Alex uses his sketchbooks as “visual diaries” as he interprets the world around him. Observe your own personal art style as you create a visual diary without judgment or rules. Sketchbooks are a great way to occupy your time, discover what inspires you, and develop your artwork.

Check out the video’s below as a great way to promote Cachet 101 on your Media Sites and your webpage:

7 different paper types:

1. Sketch 50 lb. (75gsm)
2. Drawing 70 lb. (120gsm)
3. Bristol 135 lb. (220gsm)
4. Mixed Media 108 lb. (160gsm)
5. Mixed Media Heavy Weight 169 lb. (250gsm)
6. Mixed Media Black 121 lb. (180gsm)
7. Watercolor 140 lb. (300gsm)

Cachet 101 End Cap Merchandising Solutions:

• Cachet 101 Assorted Papers End Cap
• Cachet 101 Mixed Media Gondola End Cap
• Cachet 101 FW in Motion End Cap with the Robert Simmons Acrylic Brush End Cap

Cachet 101 is available now! On Promo for Fall Back-to-School at 70% off.

Prix Canson exhibition in NYC! 
The Prix Canson, a prestigious annual drawing prize is partnering with The Drawing Center in NYC to exhibit the works of their 2016 finalists from June 22 through July 1, 2016. Canson held a private prize ceremony on June 21 to honor the winner. Past Prix Canson exhibitions have been held in major museums and galleries in Paris and Barcelona. This is the first Prix Canson held in the U.S. The winners represent the best artists today worldwide who work with drawing. 
The Prix Canson panel of judges consists of top museum directors, curators, and collectors in the art world.

2016 PRIX CANSON® FINALISTS, Learn More

• Ruby Onyinyechi Amanze Nigeria
• Bethany Collins USA
• Njideka Akunyili Crosby Nigeria
• David Shrigley UK
• Lucy Skaer UK

LOCATION & EXHIBITION HOURS:

The Drawing Center, 35 Wooster Street (between Broome and Grand Streets in SoHo) New York, NY.

Wednesday, June 22 – Friday, July 1. Every day including Monday & Tuesday from 12-6pm. Thursday 12-8pm.

Special Congrats to Canson’s NYC trip giveaway winner – Lori Inman from Cheap Joe’s will attend “An American in Paris” Broadway show and the special Prix Canson ceremony event.

Njideka Akunyili Crosby

Ruby Onyinyechi Amanze