Art Materials Retailer Q2 2023

FRAME F UN

& Mount Memories with Queen City Framing & Art Supplies

by Victoria Ritter

Hello everyone! Editor Victoria Ritter here. As our publisher J. Kevin Fahy takes a step back from the day-to-day operations of this magazine, I have humbly stepped up to introduce readers to the latest edition of Art Materials Retailer

To be completely honest – the best start to any new relationship – I don’t consider myself a serious artist. Sure, I’ve had a smattering of art education classes in school, tried my hand at casual activities such as scrapbooking and “Cocktails and Canvas” events and even created the occasional quirky doodle on scrap paper or takeout containers. But while fun, my creative side never developed into producing anything that could be juried, sold or even seen by people outside my close friends and family. However, what I lack in artistic talent I make up in admiration and respect for people who do have the talent and drive to create.

One of the most creative people I know is a family friend who lives in Alabama. We visited her and her husband a couple times when my sister and I were in our teens. The friend, Bev, has one of those fascinating minds that balances both science and art. She’s wicked smart – a literal rocket scientist – and creative to boot. During our first visit, she introduced us to silk painting. She generously provided all the materials and instructions while we provided the imagination. My silk painting design was of a sunrise on a beach, with bands of color spanning into the horizon. I recall at one point I accidentally blended the wrong colors on the silk, creating an oddly colored stain on the material. Bev did her best impression of Bob Ross and told me matter-of-factly that it was a mistake only if I allowed it to be one. That unintended blob became an island and a reminder that perspective is key.

The next day we switched gears, smashing leftover tiles to piece together small mosaic tables. To this day, those tables decorate my parents’ patio like colorful children’s drawings pinned on a fridge.

That’s what I love about being the editor of Art Materials Retailer. It supports artists and crafters by

continued on page 6 t

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showcasing their amazing gifts. It highlights independent art stores that have built relationships in their respective communities. It inspires people to try new mediums or simply expand their perspective. And from where I sit, this edition is no different.

Readers can take a trip to Helena, MT in this quarter’s store profile. When a longstanding local art and craft supply store was about to close its doors in 2016, employees Deb Parsons and Martha Johnson decided to open their own fine art and custom framing shop. With their talents and past experience, Queen City Framing & Art Supplies has continued to thrive. Most of their business is custom framing projects, but one particular item they provide is Grab & Go Art Boxes, which are packed with supplies for a specific area of fine arts. Together with their small, yet mighty team, they proudly serve and support local artists.

Across the country in Syracuse, NY, Sara Stedner is showcasing her love of Japanese culture, lore and art through her manga illustrations. Using mixed media and Aitoh products, she creates vivid, detailed works of art. Those who attended Creativation by NAMTA in

April might have passed by her booth. It was Stedner’s first trade show appearance, but she is eager to further showcase her work. Recently, she was kind enough to sit down with us and share her process.

This edition of Art Materials Retailer dives further into the art world with a recap of Creativation by NAMTA from Amy Colburn, a list of products recommended by retailers and much more.

So, whether you’re an artist, crafter, shop owner or someone who simply loves to create, we welcome you.

victoria@fwpi.com

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Art Reigns at QUEEN CITY Framing & Art Supplies

by Victoria Ritter

Deb Parsons and Martha Johnson believe in not only providing the right tools for the job, but also in offering their knowledge to help get it done. The co-founders of Queen City Framing & Art Supplies in Helena, MT revel in their customer-based approach.

The right frame of mind

The majority of Queen City Framing & Art Supplies’ revenue comes from custom framing. Customers seek Johnson’s expertise to frame fine art, diplomas, pictures, heirlooms and more. Several of the store’s clientele are repeat customers who appreciate the advice and service they’ve received for past projects. In turn, the staff keeps track of past projects to better understand patrons’ individual styles and tastes.

“Its personal treasures. They’re framing their memories,” Parsons stated.

A few unique items people have brought in to be framed have included dried rhubarb leaves for a mixed media piece and a taxidermied bat. One customer brought in a rusted truck door to be turned into a frame for a buffalo painting.

“Depending on what a customer is framing, we ask them questions,” Parsons said. “It’s part of knowing your customer. We ask them about who it’s for, where they’re going to put it, what color their walls are and offer suggestions and styles. We talk with the customer to come up with what works with the piece and what best works for them.”

Trying something new

Queen City Framing & Art Supply’s inventory consists of fine art supplies, gifts and ready-made frames. The store carries more than 7,000 SKUs with brands including Hahnemuhle Paper, Da Vinci and Zen. Parsons and Johnson base their selection on items they see at the Creativation by NAMTA show, in art magazines and recommendations from customers. Some product that patrons have suggested, including Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper, have become popular items. “When we get more than one request for something, we start looking for it,” Parsons said.

Current trending items include journals, paper pads, markers and fine art brushes. Parsons has noticed how printmaking and greeting cards have

Store owners Deb Parsons and Martha Johnson

become more popular in recent months. In the front area of the store – which Parsons calls the “impulse area” – customers are drawn to greeting cards made by Montana artists and handmade paper. The latter is used for a variety of functions including bookmaking, wrapping gifts and framing. “It’s a fun, beautiful product to buy and you don’t have to be an artist to appreciate it,” she said.

One offering unique to the store is its Grab & Go Art Boxes. While Parsons initially brought up the idea for the boxes, the whole team has collaborated in their formation and distribution. Grab & Go Art Boxes made their debut just before the pandemic and continue to be one of the business’ top sellers, as customers use them as gifts or to explore new art forms.

A standard box can come at different price points depending on the type of art supplies it contains. Boxes range from a kids’ painting box at $20 to watercolor and printmaking art boxes for $45. “Customers can come in and get a $25 drawing box, for example, and have a taste of a lot of different drawing products,” Parsons said.

The staff releases a monthly specialty box that features supplies for a specific type of art style. In April, the focus was on no-sew books. The May box had supplies to make origami money boxes, perfect for graduation gifts. The store notifies customers of the monthly box launch – and reminds them of their standard Grab & Go Art Boxes – through email. “It has to be something that’s doable,” Parsons explained. “If we’re interested and enthusiastic about something, we know that the customer will be as well.”

Experience becomes expertise

Everyone, from Parsons and Johnson to their two full-time employees and one part-time staff member, puts their artistic talents to work. Johnson’s more than two decades of framing experience and training has made her a trusted resource for customers. Parsons has extensive knowledge as a graphic designer, production artist and freelance calligrapher. She has developed an appreciation of working with different types of clients throughout her career. “Operating a brick-and-mortar store, it all comes down to customer service,” she said.

The employees each have their own specialty area, but are cross-trained so they can help with every aspect of the store, from offering suggestions on art supplies to helping at the framing desk and front register. Some even help with art classes. “We’re all artists who work here, so we know what we’re talking about,” Parsons said. “It’s just fun. Martha is the best business partner. Working with other people, our staff who are creative, makes it interesting and fun.”

Queen City Framing & Art Supplies hosts classes in the fall and early spring. Sessions can be one-time occurrences or a series led by a staff member or local artist. Past topics have included hieroglyphics, landscape acrylic painting, block printing and creating hardcover books. Each class is a safe space for artists as they try new mediums. “The classes have made casual artists feel more confident about trying new things, so they increase traffic, buying more things,” Parsons said. “Some people take classes for the fun of it and they take more classes because they enjoyed them so much.

“It’s the camaraderie,” she added. “People that are creative like to hang around people who are also creative. We’re giving them that opportunity.”

Grab & Go Art Boxes are great as gifts or as a way for artists to try new art styles.

Employees and patrons alike are given opportunities to shine through the store’s artist receptions. Each month, the store displays a Montana artist’s work that will be for sale. “The featured artist doesn’t have to be from Helena,” Parsons said. “Usually, they’re new or emerging artists. We have a reception and advertise for them. It’s a great way to support the arts and our local artists.” Once a year, the employees have their staff show.

Customers come first

Parsons and Johnson value every customer who walks through the store’s doors, as quality customer service is one of their main goals.

Patrons who come in for supplies range from established and new artists, people who simply like to dabble, students from the nearby colleges, parents whose kids are interested in an art form to retired citizens who want to resume their artistic pursuits. Some customers have even traveled over an hour to come to the store. Framing brings in an even more diverse group of people, said Parsons, including new residents who want to decorate their home, families who inherited pictures or heirlooms and people looking for expertise. Parson’s favorite aspect of running the store is simply chatting with people and seeing what projects they’re working on.

“People like to support local organizations,” she said. “One of the reasons we’ve been successful and steady is that people are more aware of supporting locally-owned businesses.”

We’re not done yet

Parsons and Johnson met when they were employees at the former Ben Franklin Crafts – which operated for more than 40 years in the same strip mall as Queen City Framing & Art Supplies. Parsons ran the art department while Johnson ran the framing department. In 2016, the owners of Ben Franklin Crafts announced they would be closing the store.

“The owners decided to retire,” Parsons recalled. “We decided that we weren’t done and so we went into partnership together.”

Parsons and Johnson used part of Ben Franklin Crafts’ location to open Queen City Framing & Art Supplies. The 2,200-square-foot space is manageable with the selection of products it contains, Parsons said. The store’s large front windows are a bonus as they provide natural light, a clear view of incoming patrons and an inviting ambiance to the space. “People can see

us when we’re working,” Parsons stated. “We have great sightlines.”

While their former employer sold craft and art materials, Parsons and Johnson decided to specialize in just arts and framing services. There wasn’t much competition in the area, as there were no fine art supply stores in the vicinity. A Michael’s location had come and gone before Parsons moved to the area and Hobby Lobby was just moving into Helena as Queen City Framing & Art Supplies was opening.

Today, the store is doing a steady business, according to Parsons. She and Johnson are looking to expand their reach 100 miles to the north and south, covering a central region of Montana. “A lot of art supplies stores did well during COVID. Even though it was a huge hassle, it was a good time for us,” Parsons said. “We have stayed steady and we’re not expecting a downturn.”

Artful Behavior

A Tried-and-True Tradition

by Victoria Ritter

For Sara Stedner, there’s something special in using traditional methods to create art. The Syracuse, NY-based illustrator creates colorful manga using Aitoh products, many of which are handmade in Japan.

Stedner first became interested in manga when she was 14 years old, shortly after she bought her first manga book. One of her biggest influences was Clamp, an all-woman Manga group led by Nanase Ohkawa with artists Mokona, Tsubaki Nekoi and Satsuki Igarashi. “Their art style was just so beautiful, mesmerizing and detailed,” Stedner said. “It just developed from there.”

At first, Stedner simply dabbled in manga as she created basic drawings. As her interest grew, she honed her skill, practicing drawing and referencing how-todraw books. Eventually, she developed her own style, using mixed media with traditional Japanese papers, watercolors, inks and markers. Today, she is eager to share her process with other artists.

Right tools for the job

In her day job, Stedner works for The Art Store in Syracuse in its Amazon e-commerce division. She also shops at the store a couple times a week for supplies. At the end of the workday, she will go home and illustrate for hours. “I usually work on my art until midnight or 1 a.m.,” Stedner said.

One of the managers at The Art Store, Joe – who also works with vendors – recommended products to Stedner. She became interested in Aitoh products when she noticed a rack of beautiful paper with blossoms in the design. Stedner took some home and started experimenting. In return, she brought in her artwork for Joe, who was very impressed.

“He sent my first exaggerated kimono pattern to Beth at Aitoh and said, ‘Hey have you seen Sara’s work?’ Beth wanted to meet me and from there we emailed each other,” Stedner said. “She asked me

Sara

Stedner

what products I used and sent me a huge package of their watercolors, manga markers and paper.”

Stedner appreciates the quality of Aitoh’s products. The family-owned and -operated company provides a large selection of art products from Asian countries. Its catalog features inks, decorative paper, watercolors and origami paper from Japan; bamboo paper tools from China; and art papers from Nepal. Stedner uses Aitoh’s Manga Liners for detailing her art and drawing thin lines, its colorful papers for collage work and watercolor sets for accents and background filler. One of Stedner’s favorite products is Aitoh’s Aurora Gensai Watercolor Set which has a surprise in store for users. “They look like one color when you apply it, but when you turn it, it’ll turn a different color,” Stedner said. “They’re really fun to work with.”

Another favorite product is Aitoh’s handmade paper from Kyoto. “It’s not like a typical drawing paper or printer paper,” Stedner observed. “It has a nice texture. They give the picture a lot of dimension.

“I respect things being made in the traditional ways,” she added. “It means a lot to me that it’s made in such small batches that it’s unique. One paper might be a little different than another, but I know that the quality is never going to fail me.”

Stedner not only uses authentic products from Japan, but has seen firsthand where they come from. She has traveled twice to Japan with friends for two weeks each trip. Their tours started in Tokyo and included stops in Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Niijima – Stedner’s personal favorite destination. “It’s beautiful over there, from the temples and traditional architecture to the culture,” Stedner stated. “I was mesmerized by everything.”

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Imagining into being

Creating manga can take Stedner any time from a few days to a few weeks to finish. She starts with what she calls a “detailed stick person sketch” that takes about 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Stedner will draw a basic outline of a person to determine where their body will be and how the fabric and hair will flow. She draws inspiration from kimono patterns, a traditional Japanese garment. “I find Japanese culture very mesmerizing, beautiful and tranquil,” Stedner said. “A lot of my designs are very elaborate with a lot of flowing, exaggerated fabrics. I love the detail work.”

Stedner is most proud of her series depicting yokai –monsters, goblins and demons in Japanese folktales. Her favorite piece is of a kitsune, a fox demon. “I’ve been taking their lore and turning them into characters.”

With a rough sketch outlined, Stedner will start on the main illustration. Typically, she works on 14- by 17-inch paper, which is large enough to get in sufficient detail, but isn’t overwhelming for her to fill. Occasionally, she’ll go

of Stedner’s favorite illustrations depicts a kitsune, or fox demon. Stedner draws inspiration from Japanese culture and lore to create her manga.

up to 19- by 24-inch paper. She will copy the initial design, creating another anatomy sketch in light pencil.

“Once I get the body proportions the way I want them, I overlay it with the hair and fabric,” she said. “The drawing part is my favorite. Depending on how detailed the drawing is and how large the paper is, it can take me a day or two to complete.”

Stedner makes the pencil marks permanent by outlining them in pen. This process takes a little longer as she goes slower – about a week. Next is the coloring which could take five to seven days, that is, if she doesn’t get distracted by other illustration projects. “I like working with a lot of different pictures at the same time,” she said.

The coloring stage is where the mixed media comes into play. Some parts may be filled in with watercolor, others with decorative paper or marker ink. If Stedner decides to fill in the background, she always uses watercolor so she doesn’t draw attention away from the main focus – the dress.

“There’s so much to look at,” Stedner said. “You might look at it at one moment and see one thing and then come back to it and see something you didn’t see before.”

Stedner mainly creates manga for the fun of the process and to enjoy its aesthetic appeal. This year, she participated in her first NAMTA show at Aitoh’s demonstration booth. She does illustrate a limited number of commissioned pieces of either her own characters or another artist’s character drawn in her own style. She is also contemplating producing prints of her manga for sale. “I’m trying to get out there with prints. It’s still a new process for me.”

In the meantime, Stedner’s work can be viewed on her Instagram and Tik Tok accounts, both under the name @ Swaying_Sakura_Art. Her finished pieces can be viewed on Instagram. She will post live videos of the illustration process while hosting Q & A sessions.

“The whole enjoyment for me is being able to use the art supplies, have fun with them and try them in different ways that others may not have thought about,” Stedner said. “Then I share those methods with others.”

Stedner uses Aitoh paints to create her illustrations, including Shadow and Gem watercolors.

Fabulous Products

by Tina Manzer

From Deb Parsons, Queen City Framing & Art Supplies in Helena, MT

“Quality brushes are one of our big sellers. When we talk to customers about how to take care of them, we tell them about The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver (1). People are willing to spend a little more to add it to their purchase.

Niji waterbrushes (2) are amazing, especially for summer when people are traveling and doing plein air painting. Viviva Colorsheets (3) are also popular. It’s watercolor on a piece of paper – you touch your wet brush to the paper and you have watercolor right there. It’s perfect for traveling – you can put Colorsheets in your back pocket.” (See the profile of Queen City Framing & Art on page 8.)

From NAMTA Connect’s “Top Trends from Creativation 2023” Ann Ebert, Central Art Supply in Medford, OR

“DIYing among a younger demographic is definitely a trend. Many of them watch the young designer Simon Hurley on YouTube and then create their own original stamps using Stamping Foam (4) from Ranger’s Simon Hurley Create brand.

“The young DIYers are upcyclers. For their purposes, any form of pen or marker is hot. Posca markers are best sellers, but we were excited to see new gel pens with matte ink at Creativation: Mattehop (5) from Pentel and Decogel (6) from Karin.

“We’ve also seen more men in our store. They’re customizing their shoes and their skateboards – either as gifts or to sell. We don’t need to supply the surfaces because they have them, but we can’t keep stencils (7) in stock!”

From Rachel Kent and Jessica Harvey, A Cherry on Top Crafts in Saginaw County, MI

“We noticed a trend toward ‘kitting’ for customers who say, ‘I want everything I need in one box. The kits that manufacturers are coming up with are pretty sophisticated, like the Artful Boxes: Art School in a Box (8) from Ohh Deer and the new Experience Boxes (not pictured) for multiple people from Arteza.”

On the Scene at Exhibit Hall

by Amy Colburn

There was a colorful, vibrant energy around the vendors and attendees at the exhibit hall floor of Creativation by NAMTA 2023. This year’s show had the highest attendance in a decade with more than 1,800 registered attendees, 260 buying companies and more than 160 international exhibitors.

Several manufacturers hosted working artists in their booths. At Yasutomo, for instance, Phoebe Lee gave me an overview of their stunning wooden handled calligraphy brushes (more about that below). Soon after, Wendy Solganik, founder of Fodder School, pulled up a chair for me and let me ogle over her intricately handmade art journal she was working on. As we talked, she grabbed a scrap of paper, dabbled watercolor to it and effortlessly transformed it into a wallpaper pattern for her next journal spread. Another artist, Sara Stedner, wowed me with her unique collage work with Aitoh’s gorgeous papers. Read more about Sara and her art on page 12. Painting in public has its challenges, with people interrupting to ask questions or take pictures, but these artists were not only gracious with their time, but knowledgeable about the products and eager to demonstrate.

I was awed by the refinement in product packaging that I witnessed at the show. I saw thoughtful packaging which considered not only the product, but the consumer and even the retailer.

of their craft kits with multilingual instructions, universal symbols and photography of all the kit’s contents, which are all made from recycled material. When Lee from Yasutomo showed the Sumi brush set to me, she explained that the product had undergone a packaging update. I was curious about the inspiration behind this.

“These brushes were discontinued so that prompted the change,” Lee explained. “We decided to update our packaging to show more clearly what the contents of the set actually were. This led us to use a clear plastic window that really shows off the beautiful quality of the products within the set. The new foam insert also holds the items much more securely, so items aren’t damaged in transit, plus items look more luxurious against the black background. The box cover is much more striking with foil letters to show the elegant quality customers get, and now it makes a beautiful gift as well!” (You can see the new packaging in the New Products section on page 20.)

Mural paint by Chroma is packaged in a variety of sizes for various applications – as varied as mural surfaces themselves can be. As a mural artist, I can attest that small, durable containers are easier to handle on-site, where the location may be tricky, and space for material storage is limited.

While I have seen mesmerizing Tik Toks videos and reels of people who create art with Diamond Dotz, I had never seen the product up close. There is something truly meditative about placing the tiny round beads onto an intricate mosaic grid. The Diamond Dotz booth did not disappoint. It was a dazzling spectacle of super-sized, tactile designs. I was

impressed by the versatility of the “freestyle” version of the product. On display were many examples of applying “Dotz” to virtually any product – even garments.

Fabriano neutral sketch pads by MacPherson’s go beyond the basic grey and tan hues to include Sand, Moss, Clay and Sea. These gorgeous medium-toned papers are ideal support for drawing with shading and highlighting. I’ve seen these papers used by plein air and urban sketch artists who must work quickly. The tonal papers provide a base which saves the artist time and prevents overworking of the background. Fabriano’s black and white pads are packaged beautifully enough to be displayed in even the poshest of studios.

The Crafter’s Workshop Stencil butter is so luxurious in person. It would be hard to pick a favorite color. They have an iridescent quality without compromising the hue. Much like many of

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the products I saw at Creativation, application of stencil butters goes beyond paper cards. Even Marvy Uchida uses the term “crafting markers” to describe their calligraphy pens. Its tagline “Not just for paper” demonstrates their use on a variety of materials such as fabric. There were too many wildly creative booths to mention, or to have photographed. The overall feel of the show was energizing! There is no “standard” booth these days. Manufacturers are arriving with innovative, approachable displays and demos leaving attendees feeling welcomed, informed and, in some cases, even pampered.

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Creativation by NAMTA will return next spring in New Orleans, with the education portion scheduled to take place March 23-24 and the trade show set for March 25-27. Registration will be available soon at namta.org.

Amy Colburn, an ad sales representative for Art Materials Retailer, has painted custom murals which can be found all over the Rochester and Finger Lakes area of New York. In addition, she creates oil paintings on canvas that depict still lifes, portraits and snapshots of history.

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Current Creative Industry Trends 10

by Amy Colburn

Sublimation

Sublimation is where you transfer an image onto mugs, hats, cheeseboards, etc. At this year’s Creativation by NAMTA, representatives from MakerFlo demonstrated sublimation and making it accessible for beginners. There are endless possibilities for this expanding trend.

Small projectors

Creatives are using projectors to save time and to perfect their skills. Projecting equipment that can be used in conjunction with a phone app allows creatives to project lettering or clip art onto a surface where they can draw the projected image. Projectors can be used for patterns, lettering, images, photos, gridlines or measurements.

Penmanship and hand-lettering

What was formerly a required study in grammar school is now an artform. Lettering is not only being used on paper but on fabric, skateboards, wall murals and wooden signs. Writing instruments come in every imaginable color, medium and size. Instructional books for lettering are an essential tool.

Art journals and planners

Art journals, wilder and more whimsical of the two artforms, can be decorated with watercolors, inks, stamps and sewing. Planner artists, meanwhile, might create freeform work; they may find tools and stencils helpful to create precise lines and circles and use stickers to embellish pages. Both journals and planners can help combat anxiety and depression.

Refashioning

Whether for economic or environmental reasons, more creatives are turning to thrift and secondhand stores for supplies. Refashioning is an artform in which a garment is altered for fit, function and individual artistic style via sewing, painting, knitting, quilting, drawing, batik, tie-dye and beading. Creators challenge themselves to transform sweaters, formal wear, shoes, bags and even hats.

“Retro” fiber arts

Embroidery, crewel, macrame, needlepoint, even plastic canvas have been making a comeback, and the trend isn’t fading. Elements of mid-century décor are influencing furniture and fashion, so naturally

this is reflected in the creative arts. Natural fibers such as wool, silk, and cotton are favored over polyester and other synthetic materials. Although, creatives are opting for smaller projects with less investment of time, money and space –more information in the kits section.

Marbling

Water marbling is the ancient art form of dropping paint onto the surface of water – the substances don’t mix with each other. Then, a porous material such as paper or fabric is pulled through the surface of the water. The paint leaves the water’s surface and adheres to the material to create unique, mesmerizing patterns. Much like dot mandalas in sand or stone, the process is just as mesmerizing and hypnotic as the end result.

Dot mandalas on stones

Rock painting has been taken to a new level. Concentric dot and tear-drop or swirl patterns are created using dabs of paint on smooth, darker-toned rocks. The appeal of this trend is more about the meditative journey than the end result, although the finished stones are beautiful to admire and the raised 3D dots are soothing to the touch.

Kits of all kinds

Creatives love kits that offer an “experience” in a box. At the Creativation by NAMTA show, several manufacturers offered kits which offer everything needed to complete a project. Kits are most appealing for projects where investing in quality materials can be costly. Kits with clear instructions, lots of visual aids and plenty of YouTube tutorials for reference will win every time.

Polymer clay cane jewelry

Polymer clay canes are rods of polymer clay of two or more colors. These rods or logs are made with a design that runs the entire length of the log. If you cross-section or slice the rod at one point, you’ll see a two-dimensional pattern. The slices are then cut into jewelry and dried. There are several basic cane patterns, but infinite when combined.

new&true

Fusion brushes from Yasutomo combine a classical Asian appearance with Western performance capabilities. Their brush tips allow for a controlled painting experience. Perfect for watercolor and lettering.

310-791-1995 • csr@yasutomo.com • yasutomo.com

The Raphael D-Brush from MacPherson’s is an innovative 2-in-1 brush that offers one flat and springy side and one rounded and flexible side. Both fiber types are great for thick paints and impasto techniques. macphersonart.com

Ecoqua Plus and Ispira Notebooks from Fabriano are new collections of high-quality notebooks for everyday use. They are designed and produced in Italy using eco-friendly, high-quality materials and hydro-power.

macphersonart.com

Watercolor accessories from Grafix’s Art Products line include White Mask, Incredible Nib and Incredible Art Boards. They are a great addition to your mixed media tool kit. grafixarts.com/projects/heart_card/

Dura-Bright Opaque Grey 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

SIO-2 Toffee Caramel Stoneware Clay from Sandtastik is a naturally warm-toned clay manufactured to the highest standards. It is ideal for ceramics demanding fine details. Suitable for tableware. 905-734-7340 • info@sandtastik.com

SIO-2 PRAI 3D White Stoneware 3D Clay from Sandtastick is specially formulated for 3D printing. This unique 3D format allows for the formation of unique pieces that cannot be molded by hand. 905-734-7340 • info@sandtastik.com

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Yasutomo’s Suzuri Stone and Bokuju Sumi Sets are great for both novice and experienced sumi-e artists. The Suzuri Stone set includes two brushes, one sumi ink stick and a Suzuri stone. The Bokuju set includes two brushes, one bottle of liquid sumi ink, and a porcelain saucer.

yasutomo.com/product-category/sumi-ink/sumi-set

Moriki Kozo from The Japanese Paper Place is a series of fine quality, richly-colored paper handmade in Japan. The durable long kozo fiber makes it ideal for relief printing, silkscreen, book covers and end papers.

japanesepaperplace.com

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Konnyaku Kit, Bookbinding I & II from The Japanese Paper Place are perfect for exploring new media and techniques. Each kits includes everything you need to transform papers with konnyaku, or make handmade books. japanesepaperplace.com

Twenty new Nepali handmade Lokta papers from Aitoh include 14 styles of regular printed paper, three Batik papers and three Tissue Pasted Papers. These would be great additions to any paper department.

MSRP $6.05 (printed), $9.95 (Batik and Tissue Pasted papers)

Aitoh’s fun new Pencil Pouches feature three designs made in Nepal: Ruler, Pencil (in four assorted color options) and Diagonal Zipper (in six assorted colors).

MSRP $9.95

Environmental Medicine, Inc. serves the consumer products, paints, coatings and art materials industries with a premium toxicological consultative resource and regulatory compliance. EMI’s business model bases its success on quality. 201-666-7929 • envmed.com

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The Linoleum & Relief Carving Set from Flexcut features one-eighth-inch and fivesixteenth-inch sweeps, quarter-inch V-tool, and a 1mm micro V-tool. An ergonomically designed handle, manual, sharpening strop, polishing compound and tool roll are included.

800-524-9077 • flexcut.com

UGlu Dashes from Pro Tapes is a removable adhesive glue in a convenient tape-like format which bonds to most surfaces, including rough or uneven surfaces. It is non-toxic, acid-free, waterproof and weatherproof. protapes.com

The 2.0 Series of the Carvin’ Jack Collection from Flexcut features new designs for greater functionality. It now features four knives – a Variable Radius Hook Knife, Hook Knife, Gouge Scorp and Pelican Knife. 800-524-9077. • flexcut.com

new&true

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Each pencil in the Little Box of Artist Pencils from C&T Publishing features unique artwork and pencil weights most popular with artists. The perfect gift for artists, quilters, crafters, writers and hobbyists. Place your order with NBN at 800-462-6420.

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Manga Fashion Art Secrets by Dalia Sharawna from Search Press shows budding artists how to bring manga characters to life with fashionable clothes and accessories. Learn to draw ontrend streetwear to traditional and formal clothing. searchpress.com

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The Charcoal Kit from General Pencil Company features new and updated art by renowned portrait artist Shana Levenson. See more of her work at @SLevenson.

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The Frida Kahlo Paint by Numbers Kit pays tribute an icon of modern art. It contains a preprinted canvas, eight vacuum-sealed paint pots, three brushes and a hanging kit. todayisartday.com

With 10 Step Drawing Kawaii by Chie Kutsuwada from Search Press, you can learn to draw more than 50 adorable kawaii characters. Includes handy color palettes for getting the right shades in your drawing. searchpress.com

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PermaStone Casting Compound from ACTÍVA is a durable compound that acts like plaster but dries like stone! Dried pieces can be painted with acrylics, watercolors, oils, or any other finish. 903-938-2224 • support@activaproducts.com

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Rigid Wrap Plaster Cloth from ACTÍVA is a premium quality plaster of Paris impregnated gauze bandage. It offers a consistent, even-textured quality, is reliably durable and paintable within 30 minutes.

Kuretake Gansai Tambi Individual Pans from Pinnacle Colors offer fine-caliber watercolors that are highly blendable, with a creamysmooth consistency found only in traditional Japanese products. Available in 100 colors. pinnaclecolors.com

Nichiban Masking Tape from Pinnacle Colors features a unique wax-like surface that resists liquid absorption and leaves no residue behind. Ideal for watercolor artists, architects, vehicle painters and industrial model makers. pinnaclecolors.com

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Grab & Go Kits from Bob Ross provides all the brushes, soft oil colors, mediums and canvas you need to create beautiful, classic gems in a modern way. Contact orders@bobross.com 27 28

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The Mop Brush from Bob Ross enables you to create the softest of textures in foliage, petals, animal fur, everything. The possibilities are endless. Contact orders@bobross.com

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The unique design of SketchBuddy from Guerrilla Painter allows you to sketch while standing or sitting. Comes with the Mini Drawing Board and an adjustable shoulder strap. 970-493-0217 • guerrillapainter.com

Extra-Fine Oil-Primed Linen Panels V2 from Guerrilla Painter are designed for artists who want a sympathetic, fine-textured surface for oil painting made according to time-tested traditional, archival standards. New sizes are available. 970-493-0217 • guerrillapainter.com

The Neon Acid Dye Set from Jacquard Products features new fluorescent colors. The set contains the most electric and vibrant colors possible for silk, wool, other protein fibers, nylon and nylon plastics. service@jacquardproducts.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/

h + h 2023 Features Craft, Hobby and Artist Supplies

The h+h americas tradeshow will be held in Chicago from Wednesday, June 21 through Friday, June 23. The event is an offshoot of h + h Cologne, the world’s leading textile handicraft trade fair held each year in Germany.

h+h americas was launched last year in response to the strong demand for a U.S. tradeshow that would unify professionals in the crochet, knitting, sewing, quilting and embroidery industries. This year, the show includes craft, hobby and artist supplies thanks to the strong interest among buying groups. It means buyers will have access to materials and tools for scrapbooking, papercraft, rubber stamping, painting, handicrafts, sewing, modeling and decorating. New product categories include high-quality papers and paints, easels, inks, pens, markers, brushes and adhesives as well as graphic accessories and cutting tools. The event also features a comprehensive conference program that includes more than 50 sessions. It is open to anyone who makes a living in crafts, including influencers, professional crafters, etsy sellers and content creators.

In 2022, the show boasted 2,000 attendees and 200 exhibitors who displayed a wide range of products from yarn, fabric, art and craft materials to toys. Many attendees praised the high percentage of international product lines not seen before in the U.S., reported Koelnmesse Inc., the company that organizes h+h americas in partnership with the Craft Industry Alliance.

Craft Industry Alliance based in Wellesley, MA, has served its members – craft industry professionals – since 2015 by providing industry information, creative inspiration and networking opportunities.

Through its educational resources, the association helps members build viable businesses and access to the craft industry community.

For more information, visit hh-americas.com or call 773-326-9925.

Canada Becomes the Latest Government to Address Swipe Fees

The Merchants Payments Coalition (MPC), a group of retailers focused on reforming the U.S. payments system, said that an agreement in Canada to lower credit card swipe fees shows that the fees could be reduced in the United States as well.

“If Visa and Mastercard can afford to reduce their swipe fees in Canada, there’s no reason they can’t do the same here,” MPC Executive Committee member and National Association of Convenience Stores general counsel Doug Kantor said. “U.S. merchants and their customers pay twice as much as Canadians and seven times as much as Europeans. It doesn’t make sense that the country that invented the credit card and is home to the two largest card networks on the planet has the highest swipe fees in the industrialized world. It’s time for Congress to act and at least bring competition to U.S. swipe fees.”

The deal between the Canadian Department of Finance and Visa and Mastercard will lower the average fee to process most in-store credit card transactions to an average 0.95 percent from the current 1.4 percent average. The move is expected to save Canadian merchants $1 billion over five years and “make credit card transactions fairer for small businesses,” the government said in a news release.

Canada is the latest government to address swipe fees, which the European Union capped at 0.3 percent for credit cards and 0.2 percent for debit cards in 2015.

By comparison, swipe fees for Visa and Mastercard credit cards average 2.24 percent in the United States and can be as high as 4 percent. U.S. credit and debit card swipe fees have more than doubled over the past decade and soared 17 percent last year alone to a record $160.7 billion. They are most merchants’ highest operating cost after labor and drive up consumer prices by more than $1,000 a year for the average U.S. family.

The Canadian agreement comes as Senators Richard Durbin and Roger Marshall are working to pass the Credit Card Competition Act. Introduced last year, the legislation would require that U.S. banks with more than $100 billion in assets enable credit cards to be processed over at least two unaffiliated networks. One could still be Visa or Mastercard but the other would be a competing network such as NYCE, Star or Shazam. Banks would choose which two to enable but merchants would choose which to use, forcing networks to compete over fees, security and service. Payments consulting firm CMSPI estimates that competition would save businesses and their customers at least $11 billion a year.

You can follow MPC on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn for the latest on swipe fees.

Crafting a Profit

Earlier this year, Small Business Trends released a list of some of the best and most popular crafts to make to sell. Handcrafted items that are great for turning a profit include the following:

• Wall art (paintings and digital art)

• Christmas ornaments

• Scented products (candles and diffusers)

• Bath and self-care items (bath bombs, bath melts and tub teas)

• Knitted items (scarves, beanies and blankets)

Safe Biking Is Important to Shoppers and Creative Workers

According to a new report from the League of American Bicyclists, Main Street businesses should advocate for bike lanes, which make riding a bicycle downtown a safe and real option for more people. Communities that have done so are clearly seeing a return on investment especially for small, independent businesses.

The 36-page report, “Protected Bike Lanes Mean Business” compiles the latest hard data plus interviews with 15 businesspeople in five U.S. cities where bike lane networks are expanding quickly: Austin, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Portland, OR.

“For many customers who drive to downtown shops and restaurants, patronizing a store means hunting for scarce parking and crawling through traffic,” stated the report. While some cities are fixing the problem by demolishing buildings to provide more parking, others have focused on accommodating bicycles.

“New entrepreneurial innovators are discovering that protected bike lanes can help modern retailers get more customers in the door and boost sales,” the report said. “Customers who bike to a store tend to buy less in a single visit, but they return more often, spending as much or more over time than the average customer who arrives by car.

“Because bicycles are quick to park and spaceefficient, bikes turn people into the customers of retailers’ dreams: easy to attract, cheap to serve and more likely to return again and again.”

Included in the report were these four ways protected bike lanes boost economic growth:

1. They fuel redevelopment to boost real estate value. Protected bike lanes bring order and predictability to streets and provide transportation choices while helping to build neighborhoods where everyone enjoys spending time. By extending the geographic range of travel, bike lanes help neighborhoods redevelop without waiting years for new transit services to debut.

2. They help companies score talented workers.

Millennials and members of Generation X increasingly prefer downtown jobs with homes nearby. Because protected

bike lanes make biking more comfortable and popular, they help companies locate downtown without breaking the bank on autoparking space and allow workers to reach their desk the way they increasingly prefer: under their own power.

3. They make workers healthier and more productive. Protected bike lanes get more people in the saddle – burning calories, clearing minds and strengthening hearts and lungs. As companies scramble to lower health care costs, employees who benefit from the gentle exercise of pedaling to work help boost overall hourly productivity and cut bills.

4. They increase retail visibility and sales volume.

In growing urban communities, protected bike lane networks encourage more people to ride bikes for everyday trips. And when people use bikes for errands, they’re the ideal kind of retail customers: regulars. They stop by often and spend as much or more per month as people who arrive in cars. Plus, 10 customers who arrive by bike fit in the parking space of one customer who arrives by car. For more information, visit greenlaneproject.org and bikewalkalliance.org.

For People Who Sell Art Supplies

The Not-A-BobRoss Movie That Comes from Love

In the newlyreleased feature film “Paint,” the Bob Ross-looking protagonist –portrayed by Owen Wilson – steals newspapers from people’s yards. The scene was very upsetting for fans of the real Bob Ross, who called the hotline at Bob Ross Inc. to report it, said a recent article in the Los Angeles Times. “Our fans are ferociously loyal to us,” Joan Kowalski, company president, told the newspaper.

The hotline, manned by six phone operators who chat with fans or answer questions, typically receives around 100 calls each day.

“A lot of Bob Ross fans are not on the internet. They’re not emailing, they’re not on social media,” Kowalski continued. “They will call us and tell us if something is out of place. With the newspaper scene in the movie there were people saying, ‘I just know that Bob wouldn’t do that.’ And we were like, ‘No, no, no, it’s all good.’”

The movie is not a parody of Bob Ross, insists Wilson and writer/director Brit McAdams, who instead considers it “a good-natured tribute.” It’s the story of a fictional character, Carl Nargle, who has a painting show on Vermont public television. Like Bob Ross, Carl loves to paint landscapes. He also has permed hair and a soft-spoken delivery. But Nargle is a ladies’ man who goes off the rails when he feels threatened by a younger artist.

Because Nargle is fictional, no permission to make the film was required from Bob Ross Inc., the company that sells licensed products, runs the instructor program and generally handles Ross’s legacy. “In fact, the filmmakers didn’t reach out, although the company is aware of the film,” stated the LA Times.

In the article, Kowalski described the movie as “a cute take on the characteristics of Bob.” Her company welcomes anything that raises Ross’s profile in the zeitgeist and says that, in general, the love for Ross seems to be growing.

“Bob Ross ruled public television,” she told the

LA Times. “It was mostly for viewers to learn how to paint, but his personality and his attitude came through even back then. Now it’s so much more. It’s not the painting. There’s this heightened ability that he’s got to really touch people with what he’s saying. He’s a much more well-rounded icon than he used to be.”

Wilson said, “It’s nice when someone like that can live on because it’s not as easy to explain his popularity. The best answer I can give, having thought about it some, is we all remember having a great teacher and it’s rare. And Bob Ross was a great teacher – somebody reassuring and supportive and teaching you something good. Painting feels good to our mind and has a meditative quality. I think it says something nice about us as a culture that someone like Bob Ross can endure and be so popular.”

McAdams, who grew up watching Ross’s series “The Joy of Painting,” added, “I love that people are looking to protect Bob Ross, and I love Bob Ross. He was a safe place for me as a kid. I don’t think I’ve ever turned off a Bob Ross painting show. But ‘Paint’ is its own world and there’s no making fun of Bob Ross here. There’s nothing but love.”

Art from Disney Movies and How to Create It

In September, Walter Foster Publishing will release Drawing 100 Years of Disney Wonder, a new 240page book. It features a curated collection of Disney characters as well as step-by-step drawing projects. Drawing lessons, historical context and interesting anecdotes and facts are organized by decade. Readers can learn how artists and animators from Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios have drawn favorite characters that range from Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Snow White to characters from “The Lion King,” “Toy Story,” “Encanto” and “Turning Red.”

Author Jim Fanning is a leading authority on Walt Disney and his legacy. Andreas Deja, who wrote the book’s forward, is an award-winning Disney animator. He was 10 years old when he first applied for the job (and was turned down). Ten years later, his application was accepted. In 2006, Deja received the Winsor McCay Award for outstanding contribution to the art of animation, and in 2015, he was named a Disney Legend by the Walt Disney Company.

A Good Year for Art in Movies

Praise at Cannes for Two Films about Artists

Documentaries about artists received accolades from the press, industry professionals and jurors alike at the Cannes Film Festival, May 16 to 27. The movie “Anselm” about German painter and sculptor Anselm Kiefer, for instance, was awarded four stars by Peter Bradshaw, chief film critic for global news organization The Guardian.

Born during the closing months of World War II, Kiefer’s work reflects Germany’s post-war identity and history, and grapples with the national mythology of the Third Reich. His colossal installations incorporate a variety of materials that range from straw, ash, clay and lead to concrete, glass, textiles and tree roots. “It is characteristic of his work to find signatures and names of people of historical importance, legendary figures or historical places,” noted a 2006 article in Smithsonian magazine.

Director Wim Wenders presents the film in 3D to give it a more architectural effect, said The Guardian. The technique works particularly well in Kiefer’s 99-acre atelier in the south of France. “With its huge exhibition spaces

and sculpture gardens, it is virtually Kiefer’s own city state,” wrote Bradshaw.

Another artist documentary was quickly purchased by film distributors at Cannes. The Untitled Ernest Cole Documentary celebrates the work of South African photographer Ernest Cole while it illustrates the brutality of life under apartheid in South Africa. Cole is considered the African republic’s first Black freelance photographer. In 1966, he was forced to flee to the U.S. where he continued to photograph Black life in the South and in New York City. After his death in 1990, 60,000 film negatives were found in a bank vault in Stockholm, Sweden.

Directed by Raoul Peck, the film combines a powerful human rights story and Cole’s struggles as an exiled artist with the mystery surrounding his negatives.

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