Disney is a master at providing quality entertainment and marketing that entertainment effectively. The countdown to the June 24th theatrical release of Cars 2 has started and will include increased marketing by Disney. The Cars franchise is one of Disney’s best and has some of the most recognized animated characters by young children. Cars 2 will be even more popular than the first Cars movie that opened in 2006!  To take advantage of the Disney marketing and the excitement surrounding Cars 2, Walter Foster is introducing a new Learn to Draw Cars, item FODC32M, that includes a brief story synopsis, art tips from professional Disney animators, characters from the new Cars 2 movie as well as…

Strathmore Artist Papers™ recently introduced a number of exciting enhancements to their fine arts pad program to satisfy consumer needs and meet retailer demand for strong art brands. An expanded product offering, inspiring packaging and new pad features offer retailers more sales opportunities. New pad features are designed to address consumer needs and emerging trends as well as improve the shopping experience: •  Easy-to-use flip over covers on selected paper types allow sheets to stay in the pad, yet tear out cleanly. •  All wire bound pads now feature actual size sheets when paper is removed at the micro-perforation or trimmed at the wire binding. •  Larger size pads now feature a landscape orientation for improved presentation at retail • …

Derwent Inktense is unique.  Dry, it delivers pure vibrant color, but when completely washed out it is transformed into a translucent ink-like paint.  The paint, when dry, is permanent and can be worked over. Expanding on the tremendous success of Inktense Pencils, Derwent has introduced Inktense Blocks. These new chunky Derwent Inktense Blocks bring a whole new colorful and exciting dimension to drawing and painting.  They are extremely versatile and can be used wet or dry, on their own or with other media.  They are also perfect for creating fine lines or broad strokes of color. They combine beautifully with the Derwent Inktense Pencils and Outliner which are perfect for very fine detail and outlines.  The non-soluble outliner pencil is particularly useful as it allows you to draw outlines that are permanent, even when water…

GOLDEN Introduces New Grounds Set – Order Now! 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, we’ve put together this Introductory Set of GOLDEN products that offer exciting surfaces when used as grounds for drawing or painting. The set will be launched as part of the GOLDEN BTS promotion, with an introductory list price of $14.99, producing economical purchase prices for both retailer and consumer. Discounts (BTS and everyday) apply to this introductory list price. This set fits perfectly in both…

The Montana Cans Across America tour video is now available online! Check out US sponsored Montana artists Wane and Sever, Montana founder Ruedione, and SMASH 137 from Switzerland as they travel, paint, and eat their way through the American Midwest. Don’t forget to re-post through your social media channels! httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9A9itRUvbQ&feature=channel_video_title

We had a couple of cancellations so we have a few seats available at our big, fun Dealer Workshop in June. It’s being held in Berkeley, CA on June 16th & 17th. If you are interested in attending send us a message at allears@macphersonart.com. We’ll take care of lodging and all meals – you just need to get yourself here. But hurry! We need to know by Monday, 5/21!

X-ACTO Foam Board Cutter is one of the best tools around! Check out this Elmer’s You Tube video and add the link to your own website: “How to Cut Elmer’s Foam Board to Fit Your Projects” httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sfh9D3gDh4c Then cross merchandise these cutters near your foamboard display!

Winsor & Newton’s Artists’ Oil Bar “Re-Launched!” • Complete NEW range of 50 colors that harmonizes with the AOC range • Softer formula for easier application • New PET packaging for each bar • New display and hanging sign for greater store impact • Each new asst comes with 50 free half stick samples of French Ultramarine • Unique POS Testing Center! • Promo +20% through 12-15-2011 W&N Oils, Mediums, & Varnishes (OMV) Uniquely Re-packaged! • Visually distinctive body shape stands out on shelf! • Recyclable PET bottle reduces risk of breakage offering greater appeal in the education market • New label easily communicates benefits and use • Universal use of…

Support for Williamsburg Oils Matures Under GOLDEN Leadership From the beginning, Williamsburg Handmade Oil Colors was guided by Carl Plansky’s desire to create the richest and most beautiful colors imaginable. It was then and remains today a painter’s paint in every way, infused with a painter’s sense of touch and tone. Because so many artists have embraced Williamsburg Handmade Oil Colors, it is clear this paint has moved past Carl’s initial vision into something ultimately owned by the artists who use and depend on its unique expression of color. Manufactured in the United States, under the committed stewardship of Golden Artist Colors, Williamsburg Handmade Oil Colors continues to be made by dedicated paint makers in small batches. Offering one of the most extensive…

This new extra strength formula holds almost anything together, like paper, wood, fabric, ribbon, buttons, gems, craft materials, foamboard, cardboard, some plastics, some metals and much more! It also goes on smooth and dries clear! It is safe, non-toxic, and washable as well as acid-ree and photo safe. To learn more about it, check out this Elmer’s X-TREME™ You Tube Video: httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-Jf3BnG0Eo&feature=channel_video_title X-TREME™ Glue in available in open stock (item#EL-E584) and in display trays of 24 (item#ELE-584TR) Ask your MacPherson’s sales contact for all the details.

Pat Jennings of Central Art in St Petersburg, FL forwarded a thought provoking blog post. Led by founder Bill Tikos, The Cool Hunter celebrates creativity in all of its modern manifestations. It has become the world’s most-read culture and design site,  a leading authority on all things creative and a truly global hub for what’s cool, thoughtful, innovative and original. This particular posting has been widely read and has created quite a buzz amongst city planners and public works departments around the world. Here is the complete text: Some city councils get it, others don’t. Tapping the creative talents of street artists, illustrators and graphic designers is an effective and cool…

The Color Wheel Company presents, The Magic Palette Color Matching Guide visits NAMTA 2011! Ken Haines, owner of The Color Wheel Company, and Dee Solin, painter and creator the Magic Palette products, visited many of the exhibitors at NAMTA to create this demonstration of the Magic Palette Matching Guide. As we walked through the show we used the Matching Guide to isolate and identify colors used in vendors booth, art displays, demonstrations and even personal attire. All the Magic Palette products are available from MacPherson’s. This was fun and introduced the product to many of the attendees. Look for The Magic Palette Color Matching Guide visits The Big Apple !!…

You may not have been able to visit the show this year or maybe you just like to get others’ take on what they saw that was noteworthy. Our sales and merchandising teams turned in their picks for the best of the show and here they are! Art Alternatives Black Canvas was total hit at the show. Available in both Studio and Gallery profiles as well as canvas panels. We’ll have stock in our DCs around September. Art Alternatives Multi-Media Sketch Books These 48-page visual journals with soft covers and heavy-weight, lightly sized drawing paper were designed especially for art class, but are also a great sketch journaling accessory. Low,…

It’s never too soon to be planning to make the Fall Back to School Season your store’s best ever. MacPherson’s recognizes the importance of aligning with the art professors and offering pre-made kits is a great way to help students start their first day of an art course with everything needed on the supply syllabus. Why not let MacPherson’s build the kits so you can concentrate on strengthening your relationship with the art instructors through more one on one face-time?  Our online kit‐building process turns your tedious kit process into an efficient turn‐and‐earn proposition. • Kit contents and kit names will be saved for your reordering convenience • All kits come individually packaged in an appropriately…