Dear MacPherson’s Customers, The purpose of this letter is to give you an update on Kolo and our current stock levels. In 2009 and 2010, we experienced major supply problems with several of our factories, both American and Asian. During the economic downturn, our distributors also had to watch inventory very carefully so there was little room for service problems. I am happy to report that all our core products are now up and running again and the problem factories were successfully replaced. We are going very deep in inventory on all of these product groups. Demand has picked up tremendously over the past six months. To help streamline the business, we discontinued several products like the Cortina, the Riva, the…
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Check Out the Art Alternatives Web Site Redesign
Have you visited the new Art Alternatives website? Relaunched in February this year, the new Art-Alternatives.com is better than ever with full size color photos and information on all of our items, project sheets and ideas, an event calendar, easel assembly instructions, videos, product safety information, a store locator, FAQs, and much more!
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Industry News
Big changes to report at industry group iAMart, as facilitator Dave Thompson phases out over the next few months to gain back some time for his family and his rep group duties. Moving gradually into the role of facilitator on a full time basis will be Marilyn Hajjar, the groups’ president and the manager at Arch in San Francisco, CA. ColArt is back from another awesome NAMTA show & boy did they raise money for a cause – artsie style! They would like to thank everyone who participated in the raffle and donated at the show; together they raised $3200! 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross…
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TheKidBelo Explains the Graffiti “Process”
Check it out! TheKidBelo (aka David Brunning) from Calgary, Canada takes us through the “process” in this riveting video. The Art of Graffiti from David Brunning on Vimeo. The Art of Graffiti from David Brunning on Vimeo.
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Gamblin Gamvar Picture Varnish in a 2 oz. Jar
The ideal varnish for contemporary painters. Now simpler, smaller and at a lower price point. Gamvar was developed through a collaboration between Robert Gamblin and conservators at Britain’s National Gallery, The Tate, The Getty and America’s National Gallery of Art. Many of the most priceless works of art in these museums’ collections are preserved and protected with Gamvar. Gamvar goes on water-clear, stays water-clear, richly saturates colors, and may be safely removed for cleaning with Gamblin’s Gamsol. It is THE choice for painters tired of the plastic look and excessive gloss of syrupy varnishes, or the harsh solvents and working properties of damar-based varnishes. Gamvar Picture Varnish in the 2…
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You Are Invited to the 1st Annual Jay Shapiro Arts Legacy Gala
The Jay Shapiro Legacy Arts Foundation has been set up as a non-profit entity to help students in need of financial assistance that wish to pursue a career in the visual arts in the local metro Atlanta area. There’s a a kick-off event on May 12th at the Mason-Murer Gallery (an Atlanta Fine Art Gallery) that hopefully will not only raise awareness of the foundation, but also raise money for this great cause. Please feel free to pass this information along. There you will find information about the foundation and information about the event as well.
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Call For Entries; Grafix/Duralar Pad Design Contest
Encourage your customers and staff to submit their artwork! Be featured on Grafix redesigned packaging. Grafix is excited to announce that its pad covers are getting a makeover. With your help, the new packaging can offer as much creative inspiration as the film inside. Dura-Lar Film Whether you work with inks, graphite, colored pencils or paints, Dura-Lar offers an alternative surface to create your best work ever – so let’s see it! Please email your artwork created on Dura-Lar to marketing@grafixart for consideration. For more details, Click Here!
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Industry News
Jim Schmitz, president of Strathmore’s parent Pacon, announced the acquisition of Baywood Paper Limited, a paper converter located in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Baywood converts private label paper for the Canadian and US Retail and Educational Markets. The business was started by the McCormack family over 30 years ago and has realized excellent growth and success during that time. Deirdre Cullingford and Brian McCormack, who led Baywood through the years, have agreed to a long term consulting arrangement to continue to manage the Baywood business and its 75 employees. After 12 years as the head of Germany’s LYRA company Andreas Blaul has left to form a product development consulting company called Blaul Consult GmbH. In…
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ColArt Namta Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Crisis Fundraiser
ColArt, the makers of Winsor & Newton and Liquitex, will be holding a raffle to auction off a large mural to raise money for the Japan Crisis. The mural will be painted in the ColArt booth during the show and 100% of the proceeds will be matched by ColArt and then donated to the Red Cross to the Japan relief fund. This 6’ x 15’ mural will be painted by ColArt’s Resident Artist, Jimmy Leslie using Winsor & Newton Oil Colour and Oil Bar and is titled Desert Motel which is very fitting for the NAMTA 2011 location! Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the ColArt booth…
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Enkaustikos Hot Sticks Sneak Preview!
You are the first! Enkaustikos will be unveiling Hot Sticks to retailers this April at the NAMTA 2011 show in Phoenix, AZ. In all of the excitement of preparing their product for its NAMTA debut, they decided to start a little viral marketing campaign. Get a sneak peek now of this exciting launch of HotSticks from this exclusive YouTube video.
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Industry News
University Art has been honored with Palo Alto, CA’s coveted Tall Tree Outstanding Business of the year award. Congratulations to UA who has been supporting local art for decades since 1980. Tall Tree awards have been conferred on individuals and businesses (or nonprofit organizations) that have demonstrated “exceptional civic contributions and service to the community.” University Art was selected “based on their local impact, breadth of contribution, diversity of individuals impacted, timeliness and originality of contribution,” according to the nomination form. “A comfortable space in the core downtown, it is well-known for its generosity and genuine interest in our entire community,” Tall Tree nominator Barbara Gross wrote of the retailer. University…
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Clever New ProMarker & AquaMarker Sets!
The new ProMarker and AquaMarker 12 Sets provide base selections of essential ProMarker colors in a conveniently packaged ‘one-stop’ format. Accessibly priced and packed with added value, they’re the perfect entry point for new ProMarker retailers. These new cleverly packaged sets offer 12 colors plus one FREE blender marker in a clear clamshell carrying case that can serve as a permanent storage solution. They also come with a “how-to” tip sheet! See all the new ProMarker and AquaMarker sets at NAMTA in the MacPherson’s/ Letraset booth # 817.
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Come Check Out the NEW Montana BLACK Markers and Inks at NAMTA!
Montana BLACK Markers and Inks are the HOTTEST new product line to hit the Urban Art category in 2011. A full range offering aluminum-cased, paint-based and dye-based markers with various tips are complimented by an offering of fluid inks. Suitable for use on canvas, objects, and outdoors, this new extension of the Montana BLACKline is sure to expand the possibilities for Urban Art! Be among the first in the US to preview this new product range at the Montana booth # 1141 at NAMTA!
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Princeton Brush News April 2011
Announcing Neptune™ Brushes by Princeton Princeton has done it again. Almost 20 years ago, Princeton gave artists a synthetic version of sable that was almost the equal of fine Kolinsky and is still the standard for performance amongst its rivals. “When we set out to create a new synthetic version of squirrel we developed a brush that may actually outperform the natural version.” says Howard Kaufman, owner of Princeton Artist Brush Co. “We spent seven years developing the the hair and blending technique for this range. Experts in natural hair have been have been fooled that this is actually a synthetic.” Neptune™ is Princeton’s thirstiest brush ever delivering oceans of color to…
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ColArt College Art Initiative Takes Flight
ColArt Americas visits the Savannah College of Art and Design During the week of January 10th 2011, Savannah, GA became the destination for ColArt’s annual sales meeting. The location was chosen because the Savannah College of Art and Design is one of the premier art colleges in the United States. As the manufacturers of leading fine art brands, such as Winsor & Newton, Liquitex and Conté a Paris, ColArt offers products that inspire artists to create their own masterpieces. Meeting with faculty and students from SCAD, provided the entire Marketing and Sales teams at ColArt the opportunity to hear ideas on how they can better meet the needs of today’s…
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Gamblin’s March 2011 News
If you haven’t already, it’s high time to get your FastMatte on. Listen to what painters are saying about Gamblin’s FastMatte Alkyd Oil Colors… “Gamblin has started something in art materials with this paint and it may turn out to be revolutionary…I feel I can now recommend an alkyd oil paint and it is Gamblin’s FastMatte.” – Thomas Jefferson Kitts “They blew my mind. I was very impressed. I was totally on a high the first day I painted with them. Painting on top of them the next day was very satisfying. I paint in layers and glazes. I was able to take the painting very far, very fast, for…
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Great Deals on STABILO Point 88!
Point 88 has proven itself Europe’s number one fineliner over the years, and is quickly gaining popularity in the US as well! Make sure your store is stocked with this favorite of students and professionals alike! Available in a variety of eye-catching assortments and clever sets at a very special NAMTA-only discount. Stop by the MacPherson’s/ STABILO booth #819 to see them in person.
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Lefranc & Bourgeois – Hottest Deal Under the Phoenix Sun!
Stop by the MacPherson’s/ Lefranc & Bourgeois booth #817 at NAMTA to check out the Flashe 125ml and Lefranc Oil 40ml lines and take advantage of the best discount ever on these assortments!
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New Products from MABEF for 2011
Stop by the MABEF booth #814 at NAMTA to learn more about the NEW Lugano Double-Mast Studio Easel Plus and NEW Arm Bracket attachments for the Giant Field Easel. Plus learn how to sign-up to get the hottest pricing ever on five best-selling MABEF easels!
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Come Join the Celebration – 50 Years of RGM Italian Painting Knives
RGM is marking its 50th anniversary in 2011 with all kinds of exciting things at NAMTA! Kick start the celebration on Wednesday April 13th at 4pm in the RGM booth #812 with Italian prosecco, treats, and cake. While you’re there, preview some of RGM’s newest innovations for 2011, and get great deals on ALL RGM products! 2011 New Age Palette Knives – FUTURA Version Just awarded 2nd Place for Innovation at the Creativeworld Show in Frankfurt, Germany, the new 2011 New Age Knives will take painting to the next level with their unconventional smaller shapes, allowing for unique effects and finer details. Shown in the new neon soft-grip handled “FUTURA”…