Archive for June, 2018

Industry News – June 2018

Saturday, June 30th, 2018

New Officers at iAmArt

iAMart is a coalition of independent, locally-owned art-materials stores committed to helping artists of all experience levels succeed by helping them purchase the best supplies for their individual needs.

  • President: Nick Gallo of Blue Rooster Art Supplies
  • Vice President:  Victor Davis of Spokane Art 
  • Treasurer: Scott Rote of Herweck’s
  • Secretary: Jessica Dumitru of Art Creations 
  • Vendor Chair:  Dan Ebert of Central Art Supply
  • Asst. Vendor  Chair:  Luke Randall of Endeavors
  • Membership Chair:  Kate Mitchell of Arch Art and Drafting
  • Past President: Kathy Brennan of Preston Arts Center

Art Community Rallies Around Walnut Studios After Fire

Oftentimes retailers in the art business have the privilege of forming relationships with local artist collectives, non-profits and studios. One of the organizations Curry’s works with in Toronto, Walnut Studios, experienced a fire on May 19th. Thankfully nobody was injured, but the fire has displaced the 45 artists who rented studio space out of this facility. At least 22 artists lost artwork as well as art materials housed on the premises. Curry’s has offered the artists $5,000 in Gift certificates to help them restock their studios and continue their studio practices. Donate to their GoFundMe and learn more about the artists here.

Powerful Engagement Tools: Art Demos Videos from Strathmore

Saturday, June 30th, 2018

When engaging with customers and artists, well-curated content and interactive video are the king and queen contenders. Strathmore is excited to share 3 new art demo videos made by professional artists Minnie Small, Lena Danya, and Graham Smith. These three artists have earned the title of influencer – someone who has access to a large audience and impacts purchasing decisions by sheer virtue of their authenticity. The best part? You are free to download these videos and use them in your stores, on your website and on your social media channels. This is a royal lineup of content and video that will drive engagement and ultimately help sell products.

The How and The Why:  Engagement with Content and Video

Good content is the backbone of driving interaction with your customers in today’s online and social world. Inviting, informative content helps answer questions, influences purchase decisions, gets people in the door, encourages loyalty, opens dialogue and sells products. You can never share enough relevant, quality content!

If content is king, video is its majestic queen. In the last couple years, video has become the powerful driver of relevant, engaging content:

  • The average user spends 88% more time on a website with video
  • Viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video versus 10% when they read it in text form
  • Businesses who use video grow revenue 49% faster than non-video users
  • 64% of consumers make a purchase after watching branded social videos
  • Social video generates 1,200% more shares than text and images combined

(Source: Word Stream)

Overview of New Strathmore Videos & How To Utilize Them

Strathmore collaborated with professional artists who are also major social media influencers to create stunning demos on 3 of our newest papers.

1.) Toned Blue Mixed Media Demo With Artist Minnie Small

Download Video Here 

Minnie is a professional artist with over 267,000 YouTube Subscribers (Semi Skimmed Min) and 55,000 Instagram followers (@semiskimmedmin). She used gouache, colored pencils and white gel pen on the Toned Blue paper to show what it can do.

About the Paper

400 Series Toned Mixed Media

Paper Weight: 184 lb. (300 g/m2)
Surface: Medium

This heavyweight mixed media paper in NEW steel blue, warm tan and cool gray is toned specifically for use with light and dark media. It also combines characteristics of a watercolor paper and the finish of a drawing sheet, creating a paper that performs well with all wet and dry media.

Perfect for finished artwork, it is the perfect hybrid of two of our most loved papers: 400 Series Toned Sketch and 400 Series Mixed Media. These papers are 100% recycled with 30% PCW, acid free and proudly made in the USA.

All Toned Mixed Media papers are available in glue bound pads in the following sizes:

  • 6″ x 8″ (SM462-406 Blue, SM462-206 Tan, SM462-306 Gray)
  • 9″ x 12″ (SM462-409 Blue, SM462-209 Tan, SM462-309 Gray)
  • 11″ x 14″ (SM462-411 Blue, SM462-211 Tan, SM462-311 Gray)
  • 18″ x 24″ (SM462-418 Blue, SM462-218 Tan, SM462-318 Gray)

2.) Oil Painting Paper Demo With Lena Danya


Download Video Here

Lena is an oil painter with 368,000 YouTube subscribers (Lena Danya Art) where she posts art demos, time lapses and tutorials. She also has 80,000 Instagram followers (@lenadanya) and is a great resource and inspiration for oil painters.  Lena creates a beautiful fine art portrait on the 400 Series Oil Painting paper and shows her process along with the features of the paper.

About the paper

400 Series Oil Painting

Paper weight: 215lb (350g/m2)
Surface: Linen texture

Strathmore’s new 400 Series Oil Painting paper in pads provides artists with a convenient alternative to canvases and boards. It is perfect for use with oil paints or oil pastels, with no gesso is required to prevent oil saturation. The paper is pre-primed in the manufacturing process so you can simply tear out a sheet and start painting. The linen surface mimics canvas with the right texture to help blend and hold layers of paint. Ideal for finished art pieces.

Available in:

3.) Heavyweight Mixed Media With Graham Smith


Download Video Here

Graham is a professional illustrator with over 20 years of experience in creating images for clients like Blue Moon Brewing Company, Boston Globe, Sony, Worth Magazine, General Mills and Levi Strauss & Co. He delivers a knockout piece on the Heavyweight Mixed Media paper, showing what this sheet can do.

About the paper:

500 Series Heavyweight Mixed Media

Paper weight: 350lb (570gsm), 3 ply
Surface: Vellum

Strathmore’s super durable, extra heavyweight 3-ply Mixed Media is a 100% cotton surface is internally sized for wet media and has a durable vellum finish for drawing techniques. It is excellent for watercolor, gouache, acrylic, graphite, pen and ink, colored pencil, marker, pastel and collage. It is archival, lignin free and made in the USA.

Available in 3 pad sizes with glue binding for clean and easy sheet removal:

  • 6” x 8” (SM584-6)
  • 9” x 12” (SM584-9)
  • 11” x 14” (SM584-11)

More Tools Available on Strathmore’s Website

Take advantage of this free content by adding it to your website and social media channels. You can also find more videos and lifestyle imagery to use for free in the Retailer and Distributor section of our website.

In-Store Paint Pouring Demo

Saturday, June 30th, 2018

by Mia Fesmire, MacPherson’s Account Manager in Southern California

Summer is a great time to showcase the pouring trend – unstructured time lends itself to spontaneous art, and it is a project that works indoors or outdoors for kids and adults alike. We recommend merchandising several options of acrylics and pouring mediums to fit every budget in one location in your store. Check out videos on YouTube, which are easily shareable on your social media accounts, and don’t forget to provide finished examples next to the merchandise so interested customers can easily identify what they need. 

Paint Pouring Demo

Materials you need:

Steps:

  1. Create a steady surface for placing your surface of choice on top of the solo cups. We use 3 cups for an 8” x 8” primed wood panel. This creates an elevated platform so that the paint can pour over the sides of your chosen surface.
  2. Prepare your paint with your pouring medium. Remember that each product contains specific instructions, and the ratio will depend on the thickness of the paint you are using! Typically the ratio is 30% paint to 70% medium.
  3. We like to use squeeze bottles to prepare plenty of paint for multiple pours at one time. You can also store the paint for an additional project in the future.
  4. To prepare your pour, select 3 – 5 colors and layer the paint in a small cup (you’ll need about 3 oz. of paint for an 8” x 8” panel). Place the panel on top of your cup and flip them together. Balance the panel on the other Solo cups and lift the cup straight up. Tilt and maneuver the panel to create effects as desired.
  5. Drying time is about 24 hours.

Extra Tips:

  • Different consistencies in the paint will create cool effects!
  • Many YouTube videos recommend the use of silicone. This product is not suitable for pouring with children, and safety precautions should be taken if used, including proper ventilation. The long-term effects of silicone in artwork is unknown, which may result in your artwork not having archival quality. Silicone may also affect the stability of the colors in acrylic paint. If a customer is looking to make “cell” effects, we recommend using a straw to blow and manipulate the paint or adding additional drops of color onto the pour before tilting and spreading.

New Video Details Unique Product Application from GOLDEN

Saturday, June 30th, 2018

Encaustic painting is popular, but somewhat complicated to set up. Achieve the look of Encaustics using GOLDEN Matte Gels and Mediums – no heating, fusing or waxy clean up necessary. Share this new video with your customers or follow along to create an in-store demo! Learn how with this new video in the Video Library. More videos coming soon, so please check back!

Achieving an encaustic look with Golden Matte Mediums from Golden Artist Colors on Vimeo.

Jesse Lane Introduces Derwent Lightfast

Saturday, June 30th, 2018
Original post can be found on the Derwent Blog

Derwent is proud to announce the launch of the Derwent Lightfast range. After being announced in January at CreativeWorld, artists and retailers were abuzz with excitement about our latest range.

Boasting 100% lightfastness, the oil-based pencils have a smooth and creamy finish with a beautiful laydown of rich colour.

To celebrate, Cindy Wider has interviewed Jesse Lane, award-winning coloured pencil artist who was commissioned to create the inspiring eye image that adorns our latest range. Find out how Jesse started out as an artist, his passion for coloured pencils and the Derwent Lightfast range in the latest Derwent Blog!

Jesse, could you tell us when you first realized that you enjoyed creating art as a child and were you supported in your decision, if so by whom?

I think I always enjoyed creating art, but I wasn’t very good at it. When I was 14, my art teacher told me I was the worst in the class. The following year, I made friends with the art kids at school and that was when I really got into coloured pencils. I started with little self-confidence.

As my dad was a former graphic artist, I gradually improved when I got him to critique my work, whereas previously I never always let him.

People refer to the ability to do art as a gift, especially when they see someone young doing it well. But the truth is, art was never a gift for me. It was something I had to work for. I did have a gift, though: people around me who encouraged me. I went to a high school with a great art department, not just a few art classes. I now have a supportive fiancee and encouraging parents, which is rare. You can control your talent with practice, but it can be much harder to control your environment.

What journey have you been on as an artist. For example when did you first begin to create art as an adult? Did you study at all and if so where? How was that experience?

During the first few years I practised rendering ability. Then I tried to create a style for my work using lighting and colour. I studied animation at Texas A&M University, but quickly decided that wasn’t what I wanted as a career. I began taking more drawing classes and trying to turn animation assignments into drawing ones.

At the time it was frustrating, but it got me thinking for myself instead of sticking to class assignments. Many artists can render well, but don’t know how to think originally.

You were commissioned to create the artwork on Derwent Lightfast tins. What makes Derwent Lightfast Pencils a tool you enjoy using?

As a coloured pencil artist, I applaud Derwent for making an entire range of 100% lightfast coloured pencils.  Lightfastness has traditionally been a concern for both artists and art collectors alike. It’s testament to them that they’ve listened to and understood the needs of creatives.

The Lightfast range is the brand’s first fully oil-based pencils. A good balance is struck between soft and hard meaning that I can create a fine point without worrying about the pencil snapping but still maintaining the smoothness of a creamy, soft pencil.

The pencils themselves have a classy appearance with a varnished, bare wood.  The neutral tone allows the coloured ends to stand out, making it easier to quickly locate colours while working – a bit help especially when you’re working on a piece of art at the size I am!

How do you manage to create such detailed texture with a coloured pencil?

People are most interested in my technique for drawing skin-tones.  I work from general to specific.  This is quicker and much simpler than trying to draw details from the start.

I begin by applying large blocks of colour.  I work in shades of tans, beige, creams and browns.  This establishes the values of my subject.

Next I begin to work in colour — adding pink, purple and yellow, or a brown that has a hint of red in it.  These patches of colour are often smaller but create a basic texture..

Lastly, I capture the tiny details. Even if skin lacks wrinkles, it’s always splotchy.  I add tiny splotches of colour to create an organic appearance.  With these splotches, my colours get more saturated.  I find the previous layers help mute the intensity of the later colours and keep the skin unified, while providing variety.

 

For artists just starting out on their creative journey, what are your top tips?

  1. Be intentional with your time and have a schedule. You can’t always expect others to fit into your schedule, but it helps if you establish one for yourself.
  2. I have gone back and forth with the idea that I should draw more and sleep less. While there have been times I’ve had to embark on drawing marathons (once, for 61 hours straight), it’s not a good idea. I would rather have less time and be able to think clearly, than more time when I can’t perform well.
  3. Quantity doesn’t make a successful fine artist. Quality does. Show up at your best and give your full attention to the art with the time you have. No distractions.
  4. Treat every piece like it’s your next best piece. You grow most when you challenge yourself, like in the gym. While you do want every piece to be your next best, it doesn’t mean it will be. But there’s a positive correlation.
  5. We all have that one piece that we don’t like very much, but everyone else seems to enjoy. So make the best of every piece, because while you may not value it, others might and it could greatly help you.
  6. Accept critique, it helps you know where to focus. You learn more with mistakes than successes.
  7. Stay Inspired! When I was young, there were people who had much more talent than me… but I stayed inspired, kept on the same path with colored pencil and eventually reached beyond them.
  8. Use the full range of contrast. Don’t be afraid of black or using the white of the paper.
  9. The more you can plan ahead, the more time you’ll save and the better your work will be.

Is there anything else that you would like to tell me about your art journey so far and your inspiration to create art, that I could include in your interview to inspire others?

It’s not a story of triumph, but more of an empowering realization when something terrible happened in my art career.

In December of 2016, I had my first solo show, Face Reality, at RJD Gallery. The morning after the exhibit closed, the gallery was destroyed by a fire. I was devastated. I lost five major pieces that together, took over 1,000 hours to create. I had to start over. I literally had to Face Reality.

I felt small and the challenges seemed overwhelming. But as much as the fire upset me, every day I still had the option to go into my studio and create new work. I think it was important for me to acknowledge the loss and draw inspiration. Sometimes triumph isn’t having some sort of amazing comeback, but pushing through unfortunate situations and getting through to the other side. Sometimes stubbornly persisting is the most important thing someone can do.

The silver lining is: the gallery and my work were fully insured. RJD reopened in a larger and more beautiful space, and last year was its best year ever.

Derwent would like to thank Cindy Wider for her collaboration on this interview.

You can find more about Jesse at:
Website: jesselaneart.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jesselaneart/
Instagram: @jesselaneart

You can find more about Cindy at:

Website: drawpj.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CindyAWider
Twitter: www.twitter.com/CindyWider
Instagram: @cindywider

Jackson the Art Dog

Saturday, June 30th, 2018

Meet Jackson, this month’s Art Dog! His human is Susan Smith from the Art Coop in Champaign, IL. A pup with an appreciation for the arts, Jackson is rocking an official Art Coop t-shirt while strutting his stuff at a recent store gallery opening. The in-store gallery showcases local artists and non-profit groups throughout the year; this most recent show featured longtime employee and fine artist Jason Patterson, who has his last day with Art Coop in the coming weeks. He uses dry media on canvas and, until his departure, they are having a 20% off sale on “Things Jason Patterson Loves” – pastels, pencils, charcoal, spray fix and canvas.

 

Studio Designs: The Prime Drawing Table with Shelf

Saturday, June 30th, 2018

Retailers and customers will love the price and style of the Prime Drawing Table with Shelf by Studio Designs. This modern and sleek drafting table is available in a sharp White/ White or Silver/Black finish, making it an eye-catching yet practical addition to any space. It features a 35.5” wide by 23.5” deep top with a 23.5” wide, slide-up pencil ledge to keep pencils or markers from falling while tilted. The 31.75” wide by 4.25” deep bottom shelf keeps extra supplies close.

Start small…

Because it is small enough to fit in a bedroom, spare room or apartment, this table is the perfect solution for emerging artists or students looking to create in a small space. The low price-point invites novices to upgrade from a standard desk or table and invest in a drawing table that relieves back pain, reduces eye strain and encourages the creative process.

Or go big…

The Prime Drawing Table With Shelf is the perfect starting point for creating a customizable drafting table. Add a lamp or  table tray to the back or on either side of the tabletop for intentional light and additional organization.  Add a chair or storage cart, transforming a spare room into a fully functional art studio!

The Prime Drawing Table with Shelf will be available to order from MacPherson’s warehouses in early July, stock in DC’s in late July/ early August.  It will be sold exclusively to Art/Craft retailers only from now through December 31st, 2018.   Available in White/ White (Item # SX10115) or Silver/Black (Item #SX10116).

Legion: Stonehenge Aqua Coldpress

Saturday, June 30th, 2018

Making possibilities a reality is why Stonehenge Aqua came to be. Watercolor is all about possibilities. Because it’s not just about beautiful paint. There’s another factor: a wonderfully, whimsical element – water. Together, they allow for form and flow, chaos and connection, beauty and structure.

 

Image and painting by: Jenna Rainey (@jennarainey)

Stonehenge Aqua is as finely crafted as it is affordable. Performing way beyond its price point, it has been tested to its limits and as it turns out, it has no limits.

Wet-on-wet or wet-on-dry, it has a wonderful crispness that anchors beautiful work across every task and technique. With Stonehenge Aqua, blending is effortless, lifting is no longer a chore. It welcomes masking while never relinquishing the control you both demand and desire. Bright colors dry bright. It’s flat paper that dries flat.

Artist Jenna Rainey is not afraid to test the limits of Stonehenge Aqua. “I mostly work wet on wet, with wet on dry also in the running. I love blending and diffusing color with wet on wet though! It’s magic!” Her favorite? It’s the Stonehenge Aqua Coldpress 140. “The surface and texture of the paper is really important to me. I like clean and smooth coverage with the majority of my strokes, so both hotpress and rough paper don’t lend too well with what I like to achieve. It’s also important to me that the pigment lifts well off the paper.”

Image and painting by: Jessica Park (@jeshypark)

Artist, Jessica Park, also uses Stonehenge Aqua Coldpress 140lb.  “I prefer paper that is 100% cotton, and textured for my wet on wet washes. For professional work, I want paper that is of archival quality. This ensures that my clients are receiving paintings that will last for years without changes in coloration.”

Coldpress or Hotpress, Stonehenge Aqua is everything an expensive paper is without the expense. Because every artist deserves every possibility.

Sheets are available in size 22”x30” coldpress 140lb & 300lb and hotpress 140lb.

MacPherson’s Dealer Workshop – A GOLDEN Success!

Tuesday, June 26th, 2018
By Bill Hartman Director of Sales at Golden Artist Colors, Inc.

Thank you to MacPherson’s personnel for hosting an incredible workshop in Las Vegas. Their detailed organization and preparation led to a very valuable event. The demonstrations were interesting and informative for all. The team at GOLDEN was pleased to see so many retailers in attendance. Having such commitment and enthusiasm from our retail partners in support of all three GOLDEN brands is appreciated tremendously!

New GOLDEN Staff in Customer Service & Sales Departments

I am pleased to announce the addition of 3 new employees joining the Customer Service and Sales staff here at GOLDEN.

Taralyn Loewenguth has joined us as our new Customer Service Supervisor. Tara comes to us from Hartwick College, where she served as the Dean of Student Life and Chief Conduct Officer. Tara has an extensive background in academia, with a strong foundation of both interpersonal, training and leadership competencies matched with systems, processes and procedures.

Joining Tara in Customer Service is Megan Smith as a Customer Service Representative. Megan has been promoted from within GOLDEN where she recently served in the Label painting department of Marketing Production. Megan is currently working towards a degree at Empire State College and is due to graduate this calendar year.

We also welcome Drew Hartman as a sales representative for the Mid-Atlantic region including the states of NY, NJ, PA, MD, DE, VA and Washington, DC. Drew comes to us from the Grimstad, Comerford Group where he has served as a field merchandiser for the last 3 years supporting Blick locations in Boston, Philadelphia, and the greater Metro NYC area. Drew studied at SUNY Buffalo and has spent two summers with us at GOLDEN during his summer breaks.

Drew will be reporting to Seth Golden, as Seth will be expanding his responsibilities and developing management experience while also maintaining his current responsibilities in California, Hawaii, and Nevada.

Tara Loewenguth tloewenguth@goldenpaints.com 800-959-6543
Megan Smith msmith@goldenpaints.com 800-959-6543
Drew Hartman dhartman@goldenpaints.com 607-437-4175
Please join me in welcoming our new team members!