Archives of the Art Dog Blog from MacPherson's

Pacon Corporation, parent company of Strathmore announced that it acquired certain assets of Carolina Pad and Paper International LLC’s Arts and Crafts Division. Under the terms of the agreement, Pacon acquired CPP’s Ghostline and UCreate branded product lines. CPP’s arts and crafts business will be moved to Pacon’s facilities in Appleton, Wisconsin. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

In news from MacPherson’s Marketing & Creative Department, we have welcomed some new faces over the past few months: Ryan Broussard is our new Brand Manager for Lifestyle brands POSCA and Montana. Krystal Willis has been promoted to Creative Manager. Meghan McLean is our new Graphic Designer, and Greg Houston is now our Photography Production Coordinator.

The MacPherson’s team also wants to send a hearty congratulations to our Marketing Director, Dionne Mallins on the birth of her son, Joshua Triptree. Dionne, her husband, David Triptree, and baby Joshua are all doing well.

Strathmore Artist Papers™ is pleased to announce that Peter St James of St James Solutions, Inc. will be representing the line in Canada beginning December 1, 2017. Peter has been in the art supply industry for decades. After graduating from McGill University in 1991, Peter started as a sales representative for Talens CAC, an Importer/Distributor of fine art materials in Canada.

Logan Graphic Products, Inc. US maker of high quality hand mat and framing tools is pleased to announce they have won a federal lawsuit against TCP Global (U.S. Art Supply), and its President, Dean Faucett  of San Diego, CA. In its multi-count suit, Logan accused TCP Global and Faucett of infringing Logan’s trade dress by importing, manufacturing, and selling Chinese-made mat-cutting equipment specifically designed to appear identical or nearly identical to well-known Logan products.

Dick Guiry, President of Guiry’s in Denver, Colorado, passed away last week. He had just turned 80. Dick took over the family business in 1962 and added Art Supplies to what was already a well-known paint and interior design store. His son Sean is now running the company. Guiry’s recently opened their tenth location in the Denver Metro area.

Dick Guiry is on the right, along with his daughter Tiffany Pedrett and son Sean Guiry

GOLDEN Working Artist Program Director, Patti Brady, will be retiring in December. Read the entire story in Golden’s November news in this issue of the Art Dog Blog.

A.C. Moore’s parent company has announced they have purchased Blitzy, a leading online retailer of arts and crafts products. They also announced they have made a major investment in Zibbet — one of the fastest-growing peer-to-peer handcraft online marketplaces. Read the whole story here.

Artograph announced it is  terminating its Minimum Advertised Pricing (MAP) policy as of November 1, 2017. In a letter to the trade, Artograph’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) John Davis said, “We are of the opinion that this situation is no longer sustainable in the current retail environment.”

National Art and Hobby in New Orleans has closed it’s doors for good after 90 years in business.

GOLDEN Working Artist Program Director, Patti Brady, Announces Retirement

It is with mixed emotions that we announce the retirement this December of Patti Brady, the Director of the GOLDEN Certified Working Artist and GOLDEN Artist Educator Programs.

An accomplished studio artist, Patti joined Golden Artist Colors in 1994 and embarked on building these innovative education programs artist by artist, market by market. Today 34 professional artists comprise the Working Artist Program, providing in-depth lecture/demos to audiences across the US and in several international markets. Patti also led the development of the GOLDEN Artist Educator Program, a network of over 180 independent workshop teachers who feature GOLDEN products in their events.

Furthermore, Patti has had several individual contributions which have helped generate artist engagement in numerous media outlets, including the writing of technical articles for the GOLDEN Just Paint newsletter, the development of various instructional videos, and authoring her acrylic text, Rethinking Acrylic: Radical Solutions for Exploiting the World’s Most Versatile Medium, published by North Light Books in 2008. Over time, Patti has become the face of the GOLDEN brand to many artists throughout the world.

In retirement, Patti is looking forward to more time dedicated to her work and travel. Please join us in thanking Patti for her service to the industry and wishing her the best in retirement. You can contact Patti and stay up to date with her work on www.pattibrady.com.

Strathmore has created two new bundle packages of product paired with paint for the 2017 Winter Back-to-School Season. These special offerings are intended to give retailers a unique opportunity to offer great products with easy shopping decisions for beginning artists.

Strathmore has paired 300 Series Canvas Paper along with Royal Talens Art Creations® acrylic paint sets for a limited time/while supplies last. Two versions of bundles are available. One bundle pack features 2 pads of 300 Series Canvas Paper white paired with one set of Art Creations 8-color acrylic paint set. The second bundle pack features 1 pad of 300 Series Canvas Paper white, 1 pad of 300 Series Canvas Paper black, plus one set of Art Creations 8-color acrylic paint. Each bundle is shrink wrapped together for individual retail, and have a unique part number/UPC assigned.

Strathmore WBTS canvas/paint bundle set features include:

• 115 lb / 187 gsm 300 Canvas Paper (white only, or white plus black).
• Canvas-textured paper for practicing techniques with acrylic paint.
• Glue bound flip over covers allow for easy sheet removal.
• Two pads of 9” x 12” paper per bundle (20 sheets total).
• Item number SM310-29 includes: 2 White Canvas 9×12 pads + 1 Art Creation Acrylic paint set.
• Item number SM310-229 includes: 1 White Canvas 9×12 pad + 1 Black Canvas 9×12 pad + 1 Art Creation Acrylic paint set.
• Shrink wrap packaging to hold all components together for easy retail.
• Unique part/upc labels to communicate consumer value.
• Great for beginning artists interested in trying a new medium or technique.
• Paper and paints that deliver on key performance needs, while being affordable for artists.
• Both sets have an MSRP of $27.25

Canvas bundle packs are featured on an introduction promotion while supplies last, which runs through Strathmore’s WBTS promotion November 13, 2017 to January 12, 2018. Learn how these new bundles can increase the productivity of your retail space by contacting your MacPherson’s sales representative today!

Technology, take a step back. A classic solution to keeping tabs on daily tasks is making a noticeable comeback! Physical study guides and planners are on the rise, and a new phenomenon called “bullet journaling” is taking over social media. Websites like Pinterest and Tumblr feature hundreds of thousands of ideas for customizing traditional journals into super-personal planners that keep every detail of life organized.

Everyone needs the right tools to make their planner their own, and Zebra Pen has the perfect product!  Zebra Pen’s Mildliner has been available in Japan for years and has been a big hit with the planner community.  There is a huge global demand for this product and Zebra Pen is excited to make it available to the wider art materials community this December through MacPherson’s.

The Mildliner was launched as a highlighter, but it is much more of a creative marker offering 15 unique pastel colors that display softly on paper, allowing consumers a broad array of colors for color coding and creative applications. From light yellow to a unique soft grey, the mild color attracts your attention, but doesn’t overwhelm you with color. The ink is water-based pigment ink which means it is acid-free, archival quality and water resistant for lasting impressions.  It is also translucent making it great for layering with the added benefit of not bleeding through.

It is double-ended, with a chisel and fine bullet tip, making it ideal for thick and thin lines. The Mildliner is great for hand lettering and embellishments, as well as everyday highlighting and underlining.  Whether you are using the Mildliner for studying for your next exam or in your new planner, it is sure to help you stay organized and express yourself in a unique way.

This December, the Mildliner will be available in an assorted 15 pack containing all colors in a reusable easel-back pouch.  (Item ZE78115).

ZE78115 – 15 Count Assorted Set, MSRP $29.85; Discount:  50% EC Plus

Get it now with the Holiday Buyer’s Guide promo at 55% off.

FREE 2oz Gamvar | WBTS Buy-Get Promo

What’s the promotion?

To help drive your foot-traffic and sales, we have put together a special buy-get promotion for you. Artists that shop with participating retailers will receive a FREE 2oz Gamvar Gloss with their purchase of $25 or more in Gamblin materials. This promotion is meant to be run during January and February, while supplies last.

How do I participate?

Just send an email to retailersupport@gamblincolors.com including your store shipping address, phone number, contact name, and email. At no charge, we’ll send you 25 bottles of 2oz Gamvar Gloss along with a rack sign explaining the buy-get to customers, and a varnishing tip sheet. Kits will ship-out to participating retailers in mid-December.
FREE 2oz Gamvar | WBTS Buy-Get Promo

Varnishing is trending

Why? Because varnishing with Gamvar is the easiest way to make your painting look better. Take a look on Instagram and you’ll find videos about varnishing with Gamvar that have hundreds of thousands of views.

Reminder! Winter BTS Promotions – Valid thru February 28, 2018

• Gamvar Gloss, Satin, and Matte – all sizes, additional 10% off net
• Gamsol – all sizes, additional 10% off net
• Ground – all sizes, additional 10% off net
• 1980 Oil Colors – all sizes, additional 10% off net
• Dry Pigments – additional 10% off net
On behalf of all 25 of us, thank you for supporting Gamblin, an independent and American colorhouse