The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam has a new exhibition up chronicling the the Restoration of Van Gogh’s “The Bedroom” using Gamblin materials. Painted in Arles, it is one of the paintings Van Gogh was most proud of and among the most beloved of his works. The Van Gogh Museum says: “Old gaps in the painting, caused mainly by water damage in Van Gogh’s studio, were carefully repaired using stable materials…The colours have gained a new intensity and the painting looks much clearer. It is now a much better reflection of the artist’s original intentions and can once more be admired by the public.” Check out the timelapse video of…
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News Flash for Early Adopters… 18 New Prismacolor Pencils
Prismacolor will launch 18 additional colors in early November of 2011. Once the colors launch fine art dealers will be able to offer their customers a total of 150 colors in the Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencil line! These colors were selected based upon specific feedback received by Prismacolor from artists throughout the United States concerning gaps in Prismacolor color offering. It is critical that Prismacolor research color trends in order to ensure that the fine art dealer can offer their customers a large, relevant color range of professional grade colored pencils. Prismacolor just concluded an Artist Advisory Council event and will share findings from that event in future editions of…
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Letraset AquaMarkers Getting Great Reviews!
Recently Letraset AquaMarkers have been getting excellent reviews on the Craft Critique website! Read the entire review here: Craftcritique AquaMarker They love the super reasonable price point, the blendability, the twin tips, and the portability of the sets packaging. They also made a great “How-To” video available on Youtube: httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JjAOLBIThY One complaint they do have is that the AquaMarkers are not easy to find – so that means retailers are going to want to get ahead on this one and stock this product that is quickly gaining consumer demand! Get on board with this hot product now while it’s on What’s New promotion for 60% off the assortment! Click here for the AquaMarker Deal…
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Industry News
Leonard Green & Partners, owner of the Sports Authority and Jo-Ann Stores, has announced sweeping changes in the senior leadership at both chains. At the Sports Authority, CEO David Campisi has been replaced by Darrell Webb, formerly the head of Jo-Ann Stores. At the craft and fabric chain, Travis Smith, the company’s interim CEO, will formally take over the helm. Elmer’s has reorganized its sales structure. Best wishes to Alan Braun who has left the company where he served as a sales manager responsible for key accounts in the art materials industry and mass markets. Joe Mannix, who has been with Elmer’s for over 6 years and has extensive market and category knowledge, will be taking over…
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It’s Happening at NAMTA!
Are you a member of NAMTA, our one and only International Art Materials Trade Association? If so there are some big things brewing that you’ll be hearing about over the next few months. If you aren’t a member, perhaps it’s time to take another look because NAMTA is a lot more that just an annual convention. In these times it can provide you the retailer with the tools and connections to not only survive, but to thrive. You’ll recall that, for the first time in several years, NAMTA conducted a major membership satisfaction survey in March and shared the results in April at the Phoenix Trade Show and Conference. In response…
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Birth of a Spray Can
Looking for material to use on your website or store blog? httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoLdPoBM1fs&feature=player_embedded
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Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish!
Inspiring words from Steve Jobs, arguably the biggest cultural influence of our times. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc&feature=player_embedded#! “No one wants to die, even people who want to go to Heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet, death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be. Because death is very likely the single best invention of life. It’s life’s change agent; it clears out the old to make way for the new. Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise…
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An Appeal for Help…
Long time industry personality and Seattle based rep Ben Edwards is asking for your compassion and help. His two beautiful granddaughters suffered a horrible accident recently in which they were severely burned. Ben is asking the art materials community to aid in raising funds for their medical expenses. Ben worked in the past for Seattle Art and Crescent and now is with Daniel Smith. Fundraiser for the Strode Sisters Please Help Brooklyn and Addison Brooklyn was at Harborview for 24 hours while Addison was a Harborview patient for 48 days and endured 3 skin graft surgeries to her face and hands. Grandpa Ben is skydiving with one of the amazing Harborview Burn ICU nurses (Jenny a skilled skydiver) to raise funds for his grand-daughters medical expenses…
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Industry News
Billionaire entrepreneur Charles Wyly, former chairman of arts and crafts retail chain Michaels Stores Inc., died Sunday August 7th after suffering injuries in a car crash in Colorado. He was 77. Wyly and his brother, Sam, bought a controlling interest in Michaels in 1982; Affiliates of two private investment firms, Bain Capital Partners LLC and The Blackstone Group LP, bought the majority of Michaels’ common stock in 2006 for about $6 billion. Wyly was involved in numerous philanthropic efforts in Dallas. Outside business and philanthropic circles, the Wyly brothers are known for their contributions to Republican political candidates and causes. Our condolences go out to the Wyly family. Anne Marie Moesch, Senior Product Manager…
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Chartpak’s Marketing Priorities: Introducing the new Grumbacher Academy Acrylics
Finally, an artist products manufacturer who understands both the artist and retailer! Chartpak has developed a line of Grumbacher collegiate acrylics that maximizes the color gamut with the fewest number of SKUs -48 colors. Retailers will have increased turns as the line has virtually all “A” and “B” selling items. You will not find different values of the same or similar hue in our line. What you will find are 48 highly pigmented colors. Chartpak reformulated its existing 24 colors and added 24 new colors with a new single base, so that the flow and drying are more consistent. Most importantly, all 48 colors have an ASTM lightfast rating of “1” or excellent. Even professionals can use Academy Acrylics with confidence knowing of the high level of…
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Golden Primary Marketing Priorities: New Introductory Grounds Set
In Support of the New Introductory Grounds Set Merchandising the New Introductory Grounds Set Did you know that many GOLDEN Gels & Pastes make great grounds for drawing media as well as wet media? Colored pencil, pastel, charcoal, these are just some of the common drawing materials that work great on top of many GOLDEN textures. To help artists discover a broad range of options, GOLDEN has put together this Introductory Set of products that offer exciting surfaces when used as grounds for drawing or painting. This set fits perfectly in both the GOLDEN Acrylic aisle and in the Drawing aisle. Cross-merchandising this set will grow not only day-to-day interest in the largest range of Gel & Pastes offered to artists, it should…
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Style Up Your BTS With the STABILO Sneaker Contest!
Don’t forget to order the STABILO Point 88 Sneaker Contest promo kit – available now in all MacPherson’s warehouses under item number SWSHOEPROMO. It contains 2 promo posters and 2 packs of sneaker cards – all you retailers need to do is put up the posters and put the cards out, and make sure to stock STABILO Point 88 pens. That’s it, it’s that easy! The contest has an entry deadline of Sept. 30th, 2011 so retailers will want to get the promo kit and put up the posters and cards ASAP to take advantage of the promo for as long as possible. For more information on the promo please visit the link MacPherson’s…
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Golden News Round-Up August 2011
In 2008 the Sam & Adele Golden Foundation began its commitment to providing living and workspace opportunities for artists, with the development of an artist in residence space in a hundred year old barn located on Bell Road, just a 5 minute walk from the GOLDEN facility. On August 20, the Foundation will proudly be opening its doors to the public for a preview of this new artist residency space. Visitors will have a chance to tour the building while enjoying live music from the band, “Caravan of Thieves.” SAVE THE DATES – August 19 & 20 – for events at Golden Artist Colors August 19, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm : VELOCITY : Larry Poons VELOCITY is an exhibition of selected…
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Chartpak Marketing Priorities: Quality Grumbacher Artist Brushes/Tremendous Value
Chartpak‘s discounts on brushes are the deepest in the industry and MacPherson’s is offering an incredible drop ship deal of 70/25%, free rack and free freight through 9/24/11 for BTS. The Grumbacher company started its tradition of excellence as a manufacturer of quality brushes. The company’s founder, Max Grumbacher, started his brush business at his kitchen table in New York City in 1903. He sold the brushes door to door. His brushes were renowned for their high quality and his business quickly grew. He hired additional brush makers, trained them and incorporated his business in 1905. The dedication to selling quality brushes is still the guiding principal for the Grumbacher brush brands. Venerable brands like Gainsborough, Degas, Goldenedge and Bristlette have been staples of artists for…
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Industry News
End of an Era Hot off the press, Blick Artist Materials has inked a deal to buy Portland, OR iconic independent retailer Art Media. Founded in 1974 by Dave Moser, Kathy Christian, Gail Vines and David McNiven it has grown over the years to three stores located in Portland, Beaverton and Happy Valley. Within the next 6 months Blick will open a super store close to the current Art Media Portland location. The Beaverton store will be upgraded and remodeled. All three of the Art Media owners plan to work for Blick. The Happy Valley store is slated to close before the end of 2011. With regret and sadness Kathy Brennan and…
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ColArt Market Priorities: Artist Outreach Program
On June 16, 17 and 18th, the Collective Art Tank of Asbury Park, N.J hosted the annual training meeting of the Winsor & Newton and Liquitex Artist Outreach Program (AOP). The location was ideal in that Winsor & Newton and Liquitex are sponsors of The Collective Art Tank; supporting artists by offering affordable studio space, samples of art materials and technique based demonstrations. The eighteen artists in the Liquitex program are located across the United States and Canada and perform product related demonstrations at colleges, retail stores and art organizations. Their annual meeting is an opportunity to gather together to discuss new art materials, best practices for effective demonstrations and to brainstorm new ideas (not to mention lots of laughing and eating).…
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Market Priorities: The New Strathmore Mixed Media Papers Break New Ground
Strathmore Artist Papers™ recently introduced new Mixed Media Fine Art Pads to meet the needs of a large and growing segment of consumers. According to research, “9% of all art pieces created are considered mixed media/collage.” Mixed media is described as a “new and growing segment of the artist market.”* The program is another example of Strathmore’s commitment to develop innovative new products that help grow the market and create in-store news and excitement for retailers. Mixed Media is also popular among “crossover consumers,” defined as crafters crossing over to art materials and techniques. Strathmore Mixed Media Fine Art Pads are specifically designed to meet the growing consumer demand for paper that offers true performance for both wet and dry media. They combine the characteristics…
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Announcing Gamblin’s Fall BTS 2011 Buy-Get Promotion
Buy any four tubes of Gamblin Artist Grade oils, receive a free 37ml tube of FastMatte Titanium White For the third year in a row, Gamblin has put together a fantastic buy-get promotion to help you drive foot-traffic and sales. To help get even more artists through your doors, Gamblin will be featuring this promotion on its home page and Facebook page during August and September. Why not take advantage of this no-cost program and promote the offer to your community of artists through your web, email, Facebook,Twitter and other communications? Gamblin’s FastMatte Buy-Get promotion enables retailers to offer a FREE 37ml tube of FastMatte Titanium White to painters that purchase four or more…
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Industry News
Congratulations to Olivia & Judd! The picture says it all! Congratulations to Judd Meininger and Olivia Plyler who were married two weekends ago. Sharpie and Prismacolor parent Newell Rubbermaid has tapped Unilever executive Michael B. Polk as its new president and CEO. Polk, 50, has been a Newell Rubbermaid director since 2009, and was most recently president of global foods, home and personal care at Unilever. He will succeed Mark Ketchum, who announced his retirement plans earlier this year. Ketchum intends to remain a director until the company’s next board elections in May 2012. Nebraska Book Co., an operator of a nationwide chain of college bookstores, sought bankruptcy protection with a pre-arranged plan supported by noteholders…
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Stillman & Birn: What Artists are Saying
Here’s a selection of Artist’s blog posts giving tons of reasons Stillman & Birn’s innovative journals are taking off! Blog: Hudson Valley Sketches – 04/26/11 This is a Stillman & Birn 6×8″ Delta Series sketchbook. I’ve done several multi-media pages in it of this type, and it’s handled all the abuse spectacularly well. It’s very heavy paper with a heavy layer of sizing, and just enough texture, so my fountain pens seem to like it as well. As you can see from the color brilliance in the sketch above, this paper really allows the color to sit up on top and show itself well. There is no show-through from one page to the next, and the paper doesn’t buckle…