Art Materials Retailer Q1 2023

Imitation of Life

Iwas watching a Sunday morning news program recently when one particular story caught my attention. It was about using artificial intelligence to create artworks.

CBS correspondent David Pogue spoke to a software designer named Aditya Ramesh, who works for a company called OpenAI (a 2015 start-up of Elon Musk and others). Ramesh created an artificial intelligence program that creates original artwork in whatever style you like.

The software has been fed something like 600 million paintings, including everything from the Renaissance masters to unknown contemporary strivers, and it can draw from that vast pool to mimic any technique you desire. Just give it a subject and a style – say a girl on the beach in the style of Renoir – and it will paint you an “original” picture.

The program is called DALL-E, which is a play on the name of Salvador Dali and the Pixar robot WALL-E. Other AI programs performing a similar function include Midjourney and Stable Diffusion, and more are surely on the way. Nor is artificial intelligence confining itself to the visual arts. There are programs that compose music, produce poetry and write fiction.

These days, it seems like you can’t turn on a radio, TV or other medium without hearing something about artificial intelligence, but do you really understand what the term means? If not, you’re in good company, because I can’t find a clear and specific definition. Here’s what Oxford had to say about it: “The theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making and translation between languages.”

As you can see, there are holes in that definition. What, for instance, does “normally” mean in this context? I have found various other definitions, but all of them seem vague, subjective or overly broad. Basically, if a computer is doing something that strikes you as human, you can call it artificial intelligence.

Obviously, the whole field raises a raft of questions when it comes to the creation of artworks. The first one that comes to mind for many of us is what effect the programs might have on the employment opportunities of working and future professional artists. Will a lot of that

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work get sucked up by machines?

Those of us who care about the art materials market would certainly want to ask how these “paintings” would be rendered. Are they digital creations that only exist on electronic screens, and if so, are people expected to scroll through their art collections the way they do their Facebook messages? Are they going to hang flat-screens all over the house?

I also think that paintings would lose something without paint, and I’m not sure how AI would address that issue. Robot painters, perhaps. I’m picturing R2-D2 in a beret.

Thus far, professional artists themselves haven’t been too concerned about losing work, confident in their ability to produce something that cannot be replaced by virtual reality. What they are more concerned about is the likelihood that they could be robbed of their intellectual property rights.

Artificial intelligence applications require an enormous amount of data on an ongoing basis, and much of that data is coming from open source content on the Internet. “Open source,” however, does not mean the same thing as “free.” Users must sign an agreement which may prohibit the resale of code that is copied from the open site. In spite of that, artists are afraid that AI companies will ultimately make huge profits on software that is based on artwork of people who were not paid anything.

The same basic situation applies to AI writing applications that create articles, essays or whatever, written by computers in the style of whomever you want. The bestknown player in that space is an app called ChatGPT, which also happens to be owned by OpenAI.

That company, along with Microsoft, GitHub, Midjourney and Stability AI, is currently the subject of classaction lawsuits that allege unauthorized use of proprietary materials. I won’t comment on those proceedings, partly because the technology is way over my head, and partly because I’d prefer not to become part of a lawsuit myself.

I am intrigued, nonetheless, by the basic question that underlies much of the debate about artificial intelligence: To what extent is it okay for one artist to copy the work of another?

You can consult a lawyer, but my understanding is that it is permissible to make a reproduction of a painting, so long as you don’t try to sell it as an original. That is called art forgery and is illegal. In terms of copying the style of another painter, there is nothing to stop you. You can paint an original landscape in the style of van Gogh and sell it, so long as you don’t sign his name to it or otherwise try to convince the buyer that he painted it.

I’m not a painter, but I am a writer, of sorts, and the same basic principle applies. In most cases plagiarism is not technically illegal but it can end a career or become part of a lawsuit. Writing in the style of someone else, on the other hand, is usually acceptable and sometimes even considered laudatory or amusing.

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When I’m reading for pleasure I tend to gravitate toward detective fiction, where copying styles, along with specific characters, has become a genre unto itself. I recently read a new Sherlock Holmes novel, despite the fact that Holmes’ creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, died nearly a century ago. The author of the new book has written 23 Sherlock Holmes novels – way more than Doyle himself – and dozens of other writers have written hundreds more.

In fact, Sherlock Holmes is the most portrayed fictional character on stage and screen, and most of those productions have little to do with Doyle’s work. As far as style goes, however, there is one writer who is copied more than Doyle or anyone else.

Raymond Chandler virtually invented the sort of noir, hard-bitten private detective that became such a cliché in post-war American fiction. Chandler’s hero, Philip Marlowe, has served as the model for countless imitations over the years, and has been portrayed in films by such distinguished tough-guys as Humphrey Bogart and Robert Mitchum.

Every year, there are contests to see who can write the best story in the style of Raymond Chandler, but of course most of the contestants exaggerate to the point

of caricature. The novelist Robert B. Parker, a very successful detective writer in his own right, went so far as to finish a book that Chandler had started 40 years earlier.

I read it, and I have read the work of many popular authors who were heavily influenced by Chandler. Some of them are very good and worth reading on their own merit, but in my opinion, nobody has ever quite captured the essence that made the original so compelling. Technology is constantly and ever more rapidly improving, and I have no doubt that artificial intelligence will gradually take over some of the more mundane facets of art creation. In other words, they will become the tools used by the artists of tomorrow. The soul of artwork, I believe, will remain a very human function.

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Creativation by NAMTA Show Issue Q1, 2024

Ad closing – January 26

Publication – March 1

About Fahy-Williams

Founded in 1984, Fahy-Williams Publishing specializes in magazines, directories, e-newsletters and other promotional material for a wide variety of niche markets.

It also publishes

Textile Artist Ariel Adkins (@artfullyawear) uses Jacquard’s

Textile Color & Neopaque to recreate famous works of art as wearable art pieces.

Creativation by Namta is Back!

growth of Creativation by Namta as we welcome all from the fine art, craft and creative materials industry,” Munisteri said. “The support we have experienced from all of our members has been incredible and a key reason that we continue to grow Creativation by Namta and improve it every year.”

What’s New in 2023

This year ’s show will have a handful of new features for participants to enjoy. Artist Blake Barrios of Blake Barrios & Rebellium Studio will bring his love of philanthropy, vision and expression to life, through the creation of hand-painted wine bottles using oil paints. Barrios will have a short presentation on Saturday evening, April 1 at the welcome reception and will be at the Namta booth on Sunday, where one of his painted wine bottles will be raffled off.

On Sunday, April 2 there will be a general session that will present the results of the 2023 Creative Products Consumer Study. This study – the first updated market overview since 2018 – will examine the consumer journey at every stage to understand artists’ and crafters’ behaviors and preferences. The session will also have a leadership panel featuring CEOs from major manufacturers and retailers.

Creativation attendees will also have the chance to participate in a “giving back” on-site mural project. The event was developed and produced with a community organization based in Columbus.

A slight change from last year is that Demo Ally has been moved to the center of the show floor. As its name suggests, Demo Alley will feature demonstrations as well as make-it-and-take-it sessions.

Education

Before the trade show April 2 through 4, Creativation by Namta will host education workshops and seminars March 31 and April 1. The education component includes demonstrations, lectures and more. Here are a few highlights. (For a full list of educational sessions, visit namta.org.)

Friday, March 31

A Columbus Retail Store Tour, hosted by Rich Kizer and Georganne Bender, kicks off the educational programming. Participants will receive a master class in visual merchandising by visiting retailers across the city. Kizer and Bender will then share insights of how to translate those examples into applicab methods for your own business. Bring comfortable walking shoes. Cost is $25.

Everyday Cardmaking, hosted by Sizzix Creative Designer Alexis Trimble, attendees can participate in three projects featuring the latest Sizzix releases and beginner mixe media techniques. The cards, which can be taken home, will utilize new wildflower florals, timeless icons and acrylic paint create uplifting messages. Bring a smock or apron. There is no cost to attend.

The Media and Events Landscape: Driving Growth, a panel discussion hosted by Pyle Creative Studio’s David Pyle and Carrie Kilmer, will look at how media and events have evolved due to social media growth and online learning. The panel will discuss where in-person events fit in the market and how to take advantage of media and events. Cost is $30.

Saturday, April 1

Elevate Your Business with Short-Form Video, hosted by Erin Reed, is a business seminar on how video marketing has expanded over social media and how short-form allows consumers to engage with brands. Short-form video captures the attention of potential customers while providing entertainment or educational content in brief bursts. Cost is $30.

Ditch the Brayer, hosted by Ranger Industries

Designer Dina Wakley, focuses on unique gel plate printmaking techniques and methods that don’t use a brayer. The workshop will allow participants to play with several techniques – including using paintbrushes, fingers and stencils – to create interesting effects on tags, cardstock and collage paper. Cost is $30.

Increase Sales and Build Loyalty Through Enhanced Staff Training, hosted by Royal Talens North America

Art Education Director Jeff Olson, will present new ways to empower your team’s learning, which will lead directly to increased sales and customer loyalty. The business seminar will showcase an online education platform that features technology customized for the creative learner. Cost is $30.

selection of social events and networking opportunities. This year features a welcome reception on Saturday, April 1; the Next Generation Happy Hour for members ages 45 and under on Monday, April 3; and the fifth annual corn-hole tournament right on the show floor.

The biggest social event of the conference, however, is the President’s Reception on Sunday, April 2 at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) where participants can enjoy a feast for the senses.

The Conspiracy Band and Dueling Pianos will provide live entertainment. The Conspiracy Band, which has been performing for 30 years, provides a wide mix of music that will appeal to all music lovers.

Guests at the reception will have the chance to explore all three levels of COSI and its exhibits on life, the ocean, gadgets, energy and more. In addition, animal ambassadors from the Columbus Zoo will be available to greet visitors. Attendees will be adequately fed and watered with the Progress Dinner. They can also enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and a full open bar. Sweet treats include nitrogen ice cream in the Space Gallery or even a root beer float at the dinner.

Transportation will be provided from the Hyatt Regency Columbus for this special evening.

Explore the Creative Side of Columbus

by Victoria Ritter

From Scioto Mile to the Short North Arts District, there is a plethora of artistic sightseeing opportunities in Columbus for NAMTA Conference attendees to enjoy. A 2021 study by international art gallery SINGULART named Columbus the third most creative city in the U.S. As members gather for the conference, they might spy eye-catching public artworks around the city. Listed are 10 sculptures, murals and more around Columbus, some within just a short distance of the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

CCAD ART sculpture

Located on the campus of Columbus College of Art and Design, the 100-foot metal structure frames the city’s skyline with art. The sculpture was designed by Ric Petry, now the director of graduate studies at CCAD, and was installed in 2001.

Scioto Lounge Deer

Three bronze anthropomorphic deer sculptures can be seen lounging along Scioto Mile. Designed by Terry Allen and installed in 2014, the deer strike casual poses including leaning on the railing of the Rich Street Bridge, sitting along the bank of the Scioto River and lounging in Genoa Park, offering a gentle reminder to take time to enjoy your

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Tap into Creativity with Columbus’ Craft Stores

Feeling inspired? Columbus offers a selection of shops that cater to a range of artistic needs.

Blick Art Materials, 6486 Sawmill Road. The family-owned business offers an assortment of art and craft supplies and unique gift items.

Columbus Clay Company, 1080 Chambers Rd. With ceramic engineers on staff and a supply of the best clays, glazes and supplies, the store is happy to provide the quality service you deserve.

Crafts Americana Group, 1250 Boltonfield St. This shop provides a wide selection of knitting, crochet and sewing supplies and more.

Franklin Art Glass Studios Inc., 222 E. Sycamore St. With nearly 100 years of experience, the studio offers art, sheet, accessory, and dichroic glass types as well as tools to create your own artwork.

On Paper, 743 N. High St. From stationery and office supplies to embossers and calligraphy sets, this shop is dedicated to expression through fine printing.

American classic. Located off the corner of East Lincoln and North High streets, the mural takes “American Gothic” and turns it on its head. As a bonus, the mural is on the side of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, the opportune place for a sweet treat.

John W. Galbreath Bicentennial Park fountain

A centerpiece of the Bicentennial Park is the 15,000-square-foot fountain that shoots more than 1,000 jets of water, accented by lighting, fog effects, interactive elements and curved metal sculptures. Surrounded by a performing arts stage, restaurant and pavilion, it’s the perfect place to people watch.

Arnold

Fans of Arnold Schwarzenegger are in for a treat. Right by the convention center is a life-size bronze statue of the bodybuilder, actor and statesman

striking an impressive pose. But why is his likeness in Columbus? Not only did Schwarzenegger win the 1970 Mr. World contest there, but also in 1976 founded what would become the Arnold Sports Festival in the city.

Columbus Love and Columbus Color Wall

The difference between these two murals is night and day – literally. The Columbus Color Mural pops in the light with a myriad of hues and geometric shapes. Meanwhile, the Columbus Love mural, which appears monochromatic

during the day, reveals a neon “Love” message once the sun goes down. Both murals are located between East Main and East Cherry streets, just a block east of South 5th Street and are popular photo spots.

Blockfort Mural

Situated at 162 N. 6th St., this colorful canvas was created by a group of artists including Adam Brouillette, Thom Glick, Daniel Rona and Jen Wrubleski. Each contributed their own style. Spectators are treated to scenes that meld into each other: a farm, urban landscape and beach. No matter what section speaks to you, the whole thing is a colorful spectacle.

Makers Monument

A short walk north from the convention center will bring you to this 20-foot crystalline sculpture which is perforated with the shapes of items that have been made in Columbus throughout the city’s history.

Topiary Park

Figures of people dressed in their 19th-century best, a

connecting mankind to the gods. Meanwhile, Hodan Mohammed, a local Somali woman, represents the journey of new Americans in the city. The artwork can be seen going south or north on High Street. Each way showcases a different aspect.

a Community Crafting

by Victoria Ritter

Nestled in New Paltz, N.Y., located about halfway between Albany and The Big Apple, is a unique fine-art-andcraft store that’s been in operation for more than 60 years. Zack Delfavero, new owner of Manny’s Art Supplies, calls the shop “a New Paltz miracle,” crediting the community for supporting the store through the decades. He recently shared the history of Manny’s and what makes the shop stand apart.

Filling a Local Niche

Oil painter Manny Lipton founded Manny’s Art Supplies in 1962 as a solution to the lack of local art stores. Lipton began by selling art supplies and books

to students attending State University of New York (SUNY) New Paltz, just a block away. The inventory slowly evolved to focus on just art and craft supplies. “Manny was very much a businessman and filled any need that our town had,” Delfavero said. “There are so many stories of Manny diving into a pile of books and coming out with exactly what customers needed.”

When Manny retired, his daughter Marilyn became the owner. Last April, she sold it to Delfavero and his wife, Amanda. While the Delfaveros are not members of the Lipton family, they worked at Manny’s for the past decade. The couple met while studying at SUNY New Paltz, where Delfavero received a

Manny’s Art Supplies gets a fresh look while remaining true to its customers.

Amanda and Zack Delfavero

printmaking degree and Amanda earned a sociology degree.

Today they and their two employees work hard to meet their customers’ needs.

When Lipton owned and operated the shop, it had floor-to-ceiling shelves and posters hanging from the ceiling. Since taking ownership, the Delfaveros removed the towering display units and repainted the walls, which makes the 3,000-square-foot interior look and feel bigger. “We haven’t expanded, but everybody who’s come in during the past couple of months thinks we have because the space has opened up to better display the products,” Delfavero said.

Manny’s is an old-fashioned operation: mannysart.com is information only, checkout is a calculator and a cash register and inventory is taken with a pen and paper. With an estimated 50,000 SKUs, year-end inventory management presents one of Delfavero’s biggest challenges. He hopes to install a POS system sometime soon.

Navigating the Market and Trends

Another challenge for Delfavero is competing with big box stores and online vendors. However, Manny’s has a tried-and-true trick up its sleeve: it offers exclusive products, plus unique and hard-to-find items that become hot sellers. Examples include body products – soaps, body and room sprays and scented rollers made by Amanda – and handmade collage greeting cards. One of the most popular items is an “artist mystery bag” that contains a selection of products that are unknown to the customer. Some bags have drawing supplies, others have painting products and others still may have a combination of items.

Delfavero hopes the bags inspire customers to explore different art and craft techniques.

Most of Manny’s inventory is supplied by SLS Arts Inc. and MacPherson’s. However, to differentiate their mix from other stores that carry the same brands, the Delfaveros search for unique items from small, niche companies whose values align with theirs, including ones that are eco-friendly or companies that donate to charitable causes. “We

Explore Art with Search Press

want to use our position owning this store to do good things whenever we can,” Delfavero said.

Among its vendors are The Crafty Kit Company based in Scotland, Natural Art Paints from Oregon and fine-art manufacturer ROSA from Ukraine.

In addition to offering paints, charcoal, colored pencils, clay, easels and canvases, printmaking items, spray paint and more than 200 different kinds of sketchbooks, Manny’s devotes about one-sixth of the store to craft products. It includes sewing and embroidery supplies, miniatures for model makers, fabric paint and beads. “People love our craft supply collection,” Delfavero stated. “There’s nowhere else to buy yarn in New Paltz. It’s nice that people can come here to get sewing supplies and yarn without having to travel.”

He says that art supply trends are long-lasting; Posca and paint markers, for instance, have been popular for a while. Crafting trends, however, change more frequently. In the past year, the Delfaveros have seen interest increase in diamond art kits –similar to Paint by Numbers, just with rhinestones – and needle felting.

and distributor shows in the future. “We’d like to bring our presence out there as much as we can and also learn about what the world has to offer to us,” Delfavero said.

More Than a Store

Delfavero believes familyowned art supplies stores like Manny’s are special. He’s grateful for the way they operate as creative outlets for members of their communities, and provide quality in-store experiences while building trust with customers. He affably considers Manny’s to be a “very weird, strange store” where customers leave their stress at the door. He has heard shoppers yell in delight when they find a particular item and has seen others dance to the music being played over the speakers. “We’ve only owned the store for about a year, but it’s been such a fun year,” Delfavero stated.

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As new storeowners, the Delfaveros have not travelled to many tradeshows to shop product ideas – they recently attended their first one, NY NOW Winter Market in February – but they are open to attending Creativation by NAMTA

A large percentage of Manny’s customers come from SUNY New Paltz; some patrons visit every day. The lulls that occur during academic breaks are filled by tourists and die-hard artists and crafters who drive from out-oftown, even New York City, to shop at the store. No matter if they’re serving regular customers or newcomers, the Delfaveros strive to make sure they leave happy.

“Helping people out with anything that they ask for, it’s a true connection that people remember and think about,” Delfavero said. “You really can’t get that anywhere else.”

Cutting Edge Art

Ohio printmaker Gina Santora uses Flexcut tools to create unique prints

by Victoria Ritter

Flexcut Tools was founded in 1986, initially named Falls Run Woodcarving. Based out of Erie, Pa., it began as a custom carving shop and woodcarving school; it added manufacturing operations in 1992. Today, the company designs, manufactures and distributes more than 300 products for woodcarvers and printmakers.

Artists across the world use Flexcut products to create everything from wooden sculptures and detail work to custom stamps. Among those artists is printmaker Gina Santora of Cleveland, Ohio.

Santora first tried linocut printmaking in middle school and continued to make prints when she was in high school. She founded her business,

Ridge + Roots, as a passion project in 2019. That same year, after researching palm tools, she began using Flexcut products. “I chose Flexcut because of their attention to detail in creating their tools, and that they are made in the USA,” she said. “They are super helpful and responsive to their customers as

The designs created by Santora are inspired by nature, her experiences hiking and climbing, places she’s seen in her travels as well as social justice themes. In addition to being an artist, Santora is a professional counselor and art therapist at a men’s addiction

“I fully believe art should be accessible to everyone, and you don’t

When designing a linocut print, Gina Santora will draw the image using Procreate and transfer it to a block.

One of Gina Santora’s larger prints (11” x 11”) is “Equilibrium,” featuring natural elements melded together in a fluid design.

Artful Behavior

have to be ‘good’ to make things – the beauty is in the process,” Santora stated.

Santora is proud of her larger prints, which also happen to be the more popular of her designs. “Equilibrium” features four elements incorporated into a mandala. “From the Ashes” reimagines the mythical phoenix with botanicals intertwined in its feathers. Likewise, “Soaring” depicts an owl with flowers in its wings and talons, representing intuition and wisdom.

“I’ve been working on a larger 12- by 18-inch block that is representative of the changing of the seasons that I am super excited to finish.”

Cleveland, Ohio native Gina Santora started her own business, Ridge + Roots, in 2019. She sells handmade block prints, printmaking sets, journals and more.

Ridge + Roots is operated online through ridgeandroots.com.

Santora doesn’t have a gallery or brick-andmortar store, but attends annual local art fairs in Ohio.

To create a linocut print, she draws the intended image using Procreate on her iPad. “This allows for changes to be made easily, such as resizing,” Santora explained.

She then transfers the design to a block and begins carving, cutting away areas that she doesn’t want to appear in print. Like a sculptor chiseling a work of art

from stone, the image comes to life on a raised surface, ready to be inked and printed. “I love to listen to audiobooks and just sink into the process of carving as it feels very meditative,” Santora said. “Once completed, I choose a paper that I feel complements the design and begin printing.”

To make the groves, Santora mainly uses Flexcut’s micro palm set. She favors the 1-millimeter V-gouge, which helps her carve small, intricate designs in her blocks. When she carves, she creates V- or U-shaped gouges, depending on the detailing needed. “I choose a U-gouge for a softer or more subtle line quality, while a V-shaped gouge I use for outlining, and a sharper line. U-shaped gouges are also good for leveling or clearing our areas you wish to not be seen.”

In addition to her prints, Santora sells printmaking guides, and beginner materials sets for aspiring printmakers. She has also curated a collection of Flexcut tools in an all-around set for a variety of needs in the carving process – available on her website.

Santora is impressed by how economical Flexcut’s tools are as well as their quality. She has often featured and credited the company’s products on Facebook alongside her own prints. “There are other tools on the market that do not stand the test of time or are incredibly expensive/inaccessible,” Santora said. “I also enjoy the feel of the tool – both their standard and premium palms have a great feel to the handle, and the wider base of the metal gouge – is more comfortable when carving for long periods of time.”

To watch the full process of Santora carving a print, visit her Instagram page @ridgeandroots. For more information about Flexcut and to browse its products, visit flexcut.com.

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MILDLINER from Zebra

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The Art & Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) helps retailers supply what customers are shopping for. With 60,000 products already evaluated, it’s easy to find certified, safe supplies that fit your customers’ needs. acmiart.org

Matte Frisket

Film from Grafix is a .002-inch matte film with an ultra-removable adhesive on a polyester base. It’s great for airbrushing, retouching, stencils, rubber stamping, watercolors and masking. grafixarts.com/products/ frisket-film/

Pro Artist Tape

White from Pro Tapes & Specialties is a premium flatback tape that removes cleanly, tears by hand and is pH neutral. It’s also printable with markers, pens and pencils.

Contact Steve Espinal, 1-800-345-0234 ext. 133 sespinal@protapes.com

Flexcut’s Micro Tools and Palm

Tools are ideal for both print makers and wood carvers. Profiles range in size from 1mm to 4mm, whether it’s linoleum or wood. flexcut.com

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Fabriano 1264 Pads from MacPherson were developed to cover all drawing, sketching, illustration, watercolor and mixed media techniques. More than 40 paper pad SKUs with bold, eye-catching cover designs are available. macphersonart.com/product/FR7119100A

Nicker Poster Colors from Pinnacle Colors have a densely pigmented gouache-like texture. They are used in Studio Ghibli and are also perfect for dip pen calligraphy, brush lettering and painting. pinnaclecolors.com

Frida Kahlo Coloring

Book from Today is Art Day lets you recreate some of the most famous artwork by Frida Kahlo. Printed on thick, high-quality paper, this book allows you to use any medium. todayisartday.com sales@todayisartday.com

The Portable Painter Micro

Portable Painter is ultra-light and compact, perfect for travel. With the new Expansion Pans it can even hold up to 16 colors. Stock up on both as a combination or as pans alone.

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Colorex Markers

Pébéo are rechargeable watercolor ink markers with an innovative refill system and a double-ended brush tip. Ideal for illustrating and calligraphy. Contact Victor González, vgonzalez@pebeo.net

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Deep Ocean Green Soapstone

from Sculpture House, Inc. is a smart choice for beginning stone sculptors as well as more experienced carvers. A beautiful stone when polished to a high sheen. sculpturehouse.com customerrelations@sculpturehouse.com

The handcrafted Mini TitaniumFused Carving and Trimming Double-End Tool Series contains a thin layer of titanium nitrite fused to the surface, creating a stronger, more resilient cutting edge than conventional carbon steel blades. The Soft Foam Sleeve delivers excellent comfort and grip. Seven double-end tools in a variety of blade shapes. Length: 6” (152mm) xiemtoolsusa.com

White bristle synthetic brushes

from Zem Brush Mfg are excellent for precise control and placement of color, best for acrylic and oils. They also have a smooth filament that stays together during heavy brush strokes. 330-953-2043 zembrush.com

Neutral pH Gesso

Primer from Lineco is buffered with calcium carbonate to help neutralize acids. Artists can help protect their work from off gassing and acids found in the environment. info@lineco.com

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screen printing supplies

In addition to quality screen printing equipment and parts, it offers the industry’s most comprehensive range of screen printing supplies. sales@awt-gpi.com awt-gpi.com

The Suzuri Stone Sumi Set from Yasutomo contains two sumi brushes, one sumi ink stick and one Suzuri stone. The Bokuju Sumi Set contains two sumi brushes, one bottle of Bokuju ink and a porcelain saucer. csr@yasutomo.com

Piñata High Gloss Varnish from Jacquard Products is a game-changing durable protective topcoat for alcohol inks, for any surface. Easy to use and clean up. jacquardproducts.com

Fox Haase Mfg offers quality cradled wood panels made in the U.S. from the finest Wisconsin Basswood and Baltic Birch for wholesale. Perfect for use as a craft panel. foxhaase.com

New Academie Watercolour Books

from Hahnemule provide a mobile studio for urban sketchers and watercolorists. They come in three new sizes, each with 60 pages and a protective water-repellant cover, suitable for all watercolor techniques. hahnemuehle.com

Setacolor Leather

from Pébéo are high-quality, fluid paints with colors that are guaranteed to have a uniform opacity and great resistance on all types of leather. Contact Victor González, vgonzalez@pebeo.net

Raphael Synthetic Kolinsky from MacPherson’s Art has a new, innovative synthetic fiber that mimics the attributes of natural Kolinsky. These brushes are veganfriendly and ideal for water media. macphersonart.com/product/ RAP42813-02

Chiyogami and Katazome-shi

from the Japanese Paper Place are decorative papers inspired by textile designs. These vibrant, handprinted and durable sheets are perfect for book arts, collage, invitations, interiors and more. japanesepaperplace.com

Research and Development

Changes to your product development? Regulatory compliance updates? New products?

Being proactive saves money!

As an extended member of your team, EMI works closely with you, in real time, ensuring compliance and required labeling in accordance with all prevailing regulations. We value the positive long-term relationships we’ve built over the years. One way we built trust among the formulators and manufacturers we serve is to only charge by the product for our certification and regulatory services—there’s never an annual subscription fee, plain and simple. envmed.com/services/research-development/

2023 Buyers Guide Update

The correct mailing address for CREATIVE ART MATERIALS is

1214 River Hwy

Unit G Mooresville, NC 28117

We apologize for the error in our Buyers Guide.

Art Materials Retailer Welcomes Two New Advertisers

MacPherson’s

This employee-owned company has more than four decades of experience in the art supply industry. Its goal is to connect independent businesses, regional chains and larger companies with the creative world. MacPherson’s distributes more than 50,000 creative materials from 250 brands to retailers across the globe. Products range from paints, easels, books, pencils and pastels, crafting supplies, accessories and gifts. To learn more, visit macphersonart.com.

Pébéo, Inc.

Established in 1916 in Saint-Marcel, France, Pébéo seeks to “promote the development and creativity of each and every individual.” The international company manufactures a wide range of high-quality painting and graphic arts materials that are ideal for students, graphic designers, amateur and professional artists alike. Its catalog of more than 2,500 items includes oil paints, modeling clay, fabric colors, children’s art supplies, mixed media sets and more. Visit en.pebeo.com for more information.

and labeling, photo edging and framing.

One of its most recent introductions is the Pro788 Ultimate Masking – a pH neutral tape primarily designed for watercolor painting. It is also ideal for surface sensitive applications including scrapbooking projects and painting clean, hard lines. Pro 796 is another popular pH neutral masking tape. Double sided tapes such as Pro 154 ATG and Pro 406, are useful in crafting as they can be used in conjunction with different types of materials.

Espinal has been impressed to see how artists have used Pro Tapes’ products. One product in particular, UGlu, a double-sided tape that performs like glue, has become popular among balloon artists who create party décor and signs. Artists from all over the world have made use of UGlu’s double-sided adhesive in their projects. “UGlu has allowed artists’ imagination to run wild and let their creative juices flow,” Espinal said. “I’m equally amazed by the large balloon installations as I am by the details in smaller balloon bouquets.”

Pro Tapes exhibits at several trade shows throughout the year. In the past, it’s had booths at the FLOAT convention for advanced balloon decorating professionals, the Retail Innovation (Globalshop) trade show, Adhesives & Bonding Expo, IAAPA Expo for the amusement park and attractions industries, World Waterpark Association Symposium & Trade Show and, most recently, the WeConnect School Supply Convention in November. Several of its distributors participated in the Live Design International (LDI) Conference for special event professionals.

See the Pro Tapes ad in this issue on page 3.

Pro Tapes’ products can be used to help create art, and even be turned into art itself.

Stick with It

by Victoria Ritter

More than 45 years ago, Pro Tapes filled a niche corner of the tape market when it began to develop adhesives for different aspects of the art industry. Today, its selection of tapes continues to expand as it begins a new chapter of its business.

Combining Forces to Help Customers

“We have a sign in the office that reads ‘Customer service is not a department. It’s an attitude.’ Being a customer-centric company

brands – announced its acquisition of Pro Tapes & Specialties. Shurtape began in 1955 and is based in Hickory, North Carolina. It manufactures and markets adhesive tape and office products for a wide range of markets, including arts and entertainment as well as DIY.

For nearly 20 years, both companies have maintained a successful sales and marketing alliance. They also share a commitment to quality, innovation and customer service. “The

Instead, both companies intend to broaden their product options and services.

Bonding the Art Community

Founded in 1977, Pro Tapes was originally established to provide adhesive tapes specifically designed for the motion picture industry as well as theater productions in New York City.

Headquartered in New Brunswick, N.J., Pro Tapes manufactures its products in a 150,000-square-foot facility. Its tapes are useful for the performing arts as well as graphic arts, schools and libraries, building and construction companies, custom framing shops, florists and general industrial corporations. In the arts industry, its products can be used for painting, decal transfer, silk screening, mounting and photo edging.

with decades of experience, allows us to offer the best combination of quality, price and service,” said Steve Espinal, graphic arts business development manager for Pro Tapes.

On Dec. 5, Shurtape Technologies – makers of Duck Tape, FrogTape among many other

acquisition solidified a natural progression,” Espinal explained. “The transition will allow for both Shurtape and Pro Tapes to deliver better service and innovation to our customers.”

The acquisition has left Pro Tapes’ management operations and employment levels unchanged.

Espinal estimates that the visual arts market represents 15 percent of Pro Tapes’ business. The company has hundreds of products, including exclusive private label items. In the arts and craft market it has approximately 50 different products, totaling hundreds of SKUs. “We’re definitely growing,” he said. “In recent years, due to our digital marketing efforts, we have been able to establish a footprint in countries where our brand didn’t have a prominent presence.”

Pro Tapes entered the fine art market with its Artist Tape, which is still popular today, according to Espinal. Artist Tape – which comes in 11 colors – is a multipurpose product, useful for color coding continued on page 29 t

Pro Tapes’ UGlu comes in handy when creating balloon art.