Creativity Blooms
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For Art’s Sake
As a writer and general observer of the human condition, I find it fascinating how arts and crafts can reflect humanity. I don’t mean how they are a mirror of the times (though that is quite often true), but that they express emotions and connect people in unique ways, gently reminding us of commonalities. They also have a way of reflecting aspects about ourselves. These qualities, in my humble opinion, are greatly needed, especially in today’s heated cultural and political climate.
This summer I had a couple of relatives visit me for the afternoon. After reuniting over lunch at a local brewery, I took them on a tour of my city’s downtown. We perused a couple shops before stopping by an art gallery. Acrylic paintings hung next to copper images while a handful of carefully placed sculptures stood in the middle of the show floor. I was captivated by a couple works depicting ocean views, commenting on the complementary colors of the cool waves and warm sun. One relative pointed out a couple of immense paintings of New York City, admiring how the artist captured unique viewpoints. Our companion appraised a couple of works, hardly taking in the artist’s time and skill, instead bemoaning their price. While not all of us got something out of the experience, it certainly revealed where our interests stood.
In another instance, another relative kindly sent me a belated home-warming gift earlier this summer. My incredulity transformed into joy as I unwrapped a handmade afghan that rivaled Joseph’s amazing technicolor dreamcoat. In the past, I had watched this particular relative sit down at family functions and crochet baby hats and outfits for local hospitals. I knew that she not only took her work seriously, but put a lot of love and care into every piece she created. What’s more, this was the first throw made especially for me. Today it lays on display on the comfiest chair in my apartment, warm in more ways than one.
Art has much more power than most realize, and it’s a joy to rediscover it in my wanderings. Speaking of which, there are a few stories in this issue that further highlight the ripple-effect of arts and crafts. Meet Heather Farmer who boldly opened Bloomington Fine Art Supply last November. See how M. Graham & Co. promotes environmentally friendly practices in its manufacturing and products. Explore the works of California artist Yingling Lin as she uses Laguna Clay. These stories and more await.
May you see your passions and our shared connections in these pages. Happy reading!
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On the Cover: Bloomington Fine Art Supply owner and founder Heather Farmer, left, poses in front of the store with her friend, Crow.
Photo courtesy Bloomington Fine Art Supply
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in Bloomington
by Victoria Ritter
As the pandemic saw the close of the only independently-owned art supply shop in Bloomington, IN, a new art supply retailer emerged. Since opening its doors last November, Bloomington Fine Art Supply has sought to provide a unique and approachable space for all artists.
Owner and Founder Heather Farmer, who originally hails from St. Louis, MO, has lived in Bloomington for the past 10 years with her family. With a M.A. in arts administration and nearly a decade’s worth of experience working with the arts at Indiana University, she kicked around the idea of opening her own art supply store for years. Finally, an opportunity arose a couple years ago.
“Our long-beloved independent art supply store – Pygmalion’s – closed after about 50 years,” Farmer said. “I thought for sure that somebody with a vault of gold coins would stand something up overnight, given the need in Bloomington, but nobody did. It was part of the motivating factor (of opening Bloomington Fine Art Supply).
“After the pandemic, I left my former line of work,” she added.
“Shortly thereafter, my kids both entered public school and our family wasn’t on the hook for childcare expenses anymore. I thought, let’s swing for the fences and give this a shot. If not now, when?”
A common area for creativity
Bloomington Fine Art Supply is housed in a historic block of buildings dating back to the mid20th century. The store is 2,500 square feet, with two-thirds of the space dedicated to retail and the
A colorful, art-centric mural decorates the outside of Bloomington Fine Art Supply.
remaining third dedicated to the Creative Commons.
The Creative Commons is a workspace for classes, workshops and demonstrations that comfortably fits 18 people. The workshop offers both seated and standing stations, drying racks, an industrial light table, stainless steel work sink, 42inch Rotatrim and 30 lockers.
Artists can also come in during the store’s operational hours and work on their projects. In the past few months, Farmer has seen people come in and create on their laptops and gather with friends to paint role-playing game miniatures; one woman even brought in a dollhouse and spent a weekend repainting it.
“The Creative Commons provides low-barrier access to a comfortable, well-lit and relatively well-equipped workspace,” Farmer said. “In Bloomington, finding a creative art space – like an art studio space – is really difficult; there isn’t a lot of it and it’s pretty pricey. There are a lot of people out there who need creative workspace, but don’t need an entire private studio.”
Space in the Creative Commons is available on a first come, first served basis. Artists can also host classes, with 20 percent of their ticket revenue going to Bloomington Fine Art Supply.
“It’s really about activating Bloomington’s creativity,” Farmer stated.
While talking with customers, Farmer had several people voice an interest in displaying their art at the store. Thus, Gallery 207 was established in April – the name ties in the store’s address of 207 South Rogers Street. Pieces are displayed on a lit wall, with content rotating every month. Farmer installs pieces right before the first Friday of the month, just in time for Gallery Walk Bloomington where galleries and businesses showcase art for the public.
As with classes in the Creative Commons, Bloomington Art Supply takes 20 percent of art sales from Gallery 207. The monthly shows
offer a sliding scale pricing, with three pricing tiers for each piece. Farmer explained this approach helps artists sell their work and community members to access real, affordable art.
“All kinds of things have come through here in the past few months,” Farmer said, adding she’s seen digital photography, wallmounted sculptures and acrylic paintings. “It’s really fun, one month at a time, to have a new collection here for folks to see and enjoy.”
Farmer further extends the store’s community reach by supporting local nonprofits. Past collaborations include partnerships with Ivy Tech Community College, Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard food pantry and Amethyst House men’s recovery system.
Farmer enjoys the opportunity to be consistently engaging with artists, organizations and programing in the surrounding area. “When you walk in the shop, you see a reflection of a support system that has been relentlessly enthusiastic,” she said. “Being able to remain in touch with Bloomington’s super lively art landscape has been lovely.”
Building inventory
Inventory is constantly evolving at Bloomington Fine Art Supply. When she first started out operating the store, Farmer wanted to set it apart by its offerings. “I want to rise to the occasion of serving practicing artists – both students and postgrad professionals – in a way that is authentic and result-driven,” she stated.
“While I am an artist, I’m not an expert in everything,” she continued. “Taking these initial months to really connect with and talk to people about these brands, tools and mediums for applications outside of my skillset was something that was really important to me.”
For Farmer, ordering products is a “careful balance” of following her gut instincts, watching industry trends and listening to what customers are looking for. She
is appreciative of vendors and manufacturers who have offered insights and helped her establish her initial collection of inventories. “Tapping into that industry expertise through our vendors was super valuable,” she said. “I’m very grateful for their ongoing collaboration and their willingness to share their perspectives and time.”
Bloomington Fine Art Supply currently offers just under 2,000 SKUs. Products include oil, watercolor and acrylic paints; brush displays; painting knives; sketchbooks and notebooks; colored pencils; woodcarving tools; clays; acrylic and alcohol inks; tracing and printmaking paper; and newsprint. Popular products include Speedball block printing items, Sakura’s Pigma Micron pens, Durwent colored pencils, Golden Artist Colors and Amsterdam Acrylics.
In August, Farmer planned to double inventory volume by introducing items for photography, screen printing, stained glass, limestone carving as well as an entire ceramics department.
“The goal is to serve as wide a variety of mediums as the store can sustain – both from a physical and budgetary standpoint,” Farmer stated.
Farmer seeks to ensure that all the store’s product offerings are of high quality and consist of items that artists trust and use. She has attended a few trade shows such as MacPherson’s Creativity Hub and
The Farmer family, with Heather second from the left.
Creativation by Namta with other shows on the horizon. “Some of the most valuable conversations and interactions I’ve had about products at these shows is with the artists manufacturers have demonstrating their products,” Farmer said. “That’s part of how Durwent became part of our initial inventory.”
Bloomington Fine Art Supply also provides a little free art supply library where people can take something or leave something. “It constantly rotates,” Farmer observed. “Nothing stays in there very long. The whole goal is the supplies get used and don’t go to waste. Plus, people can get creative when they feel like it.”
Top to bottom: People try their hand at crafting plantable papers that incorporated native Indiana wildflower seeds during a Seed Paper Party; The Art Club gathers for collage night in the Creative Commons; Store interior
Many hats
As the store’s only employee, Farmer puts much of her past experiences to work in order to manage Bloomington Fine Art Supply. Her dual B.F.A. in drawing and graphic design has allowed her to become familiar with physical materials and given her a passion for trying new products. Generating news content and copyediting for Indiana University provided insight on internal and external communication as well as instilled the importance of crafting narratives and promotional materials for the store. Her role in educational outreach on behalf of the university’s auditorium helped break down barriers to the arts and provide meaningful experiences – something Farmer hopes to continue.
“I’ve always been in the arts at IU to one degree or another, or found ways to weave arts into what I’m doing,” Farmer said. “I see now a persistent and consistent curiosity about the arts and desire to connect with folks who are on the ground making art.”
This fall, Farmer will partner with Indiana University’s student work study program to employ a student at the store.
“It’s just a matter of staying on task, staying organized and being a good communicator and saying yes to every opportunity and seeing where it leads,” Farmer stated. “This fall, when we get that student employee, I’ll cross the threshold of being able to manage this on my own.”
Farmer has faced a few “typical startup speedbumps” as the store finds its rhythm, such as adjusting the inventory to what customers are looking for and establishing a healthy work/life balance. However, she is proud of the consistent work brought in by Gallery 207 and the steady, popular programming in the Creative Commons. She is also thankful for her family and customers’ support, enthusiasm and positivity.
“The core of all this for me is celebrating people where they’re at and equipping them for whatever they’re curious about,” Farmer said. “For people to come in and share they immediately feel at home is the best feedback. When people feel like they are in an environment where it’s safe to ask questions, I think we’re onto something good here.”
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Artful Behavior Connections Through Clay
Yingling Lin molds Laguna Clay’s products into profound artworks
changed direction to follow her passion and pursued a fine arts sculpture major.
Her career took off from there. Lin went on to intern with local sculptor John Toki. She worked on manufacturing pieces for Macy’s department stores as a studio major and potter at Sara Paloma’s ceramic studio. She collaborated with John Natsoulas Gallery on oil paintings and ceramic projects, contributed to public murals and currently teaches wheelthrown sculpture classes at the Academy of Art University.
When Paloma decided to move and close her studio about three years ago, Lin saw it as an opportunity to launch her own business. She co-founded YoLin Art Studio in Oakland, CA with Yoyo Hu, a Chinese sculptor and installation artist.
“It was a huge surprise in my life. I changed my whole direction, but I do enjoy it,” Lin stated, reflecting on her experiences. “In art, you’re creating your feelings. You’re putting so much of your energy and love into it.”
A collaborative creation
Lin begins her process by collecting images that inspire her. Sometimes she will have her own students submit their own pictures to be used as reference materials. “It’s everybody’s energy in the art,” Lin said.
by Victoria Ritter
Art has been a constant presence in Yingling Lin’s life. Growing up in Taiwan, she developed an interest in art in elementary school. She went on to attend an art-centric high school where she learned about different mediums and participated in student exhibitions.
It was there where she learned about her two favorite artists: abstract painter Piet Mondrian and impressionist Claude Monet. While Lin enjoyed the simplicity of Mondrain’s work, she appreciated how Monet’s colors harmonized and expressed different emotions.
“They’re two different artists, but when I put them together, that’s about me,” Lin said. “I want to keep my art simple, but I also want people to feel it. That’s why I love ceramics. You can see a lot of simple shapes while deeply looking at it.”
Lin moved to the U.S. to attend the Academy of Art University in San Fransisco. Knowing the risk of pursuing an art career rather than a business track, she initially majored in interior design. Halfway through her college career, she
Next comes laying out the materials. Lin’s go-to resource is Laguna Clay. She was introduced to Laguna Clay’s modeling clay in her first sculpting class. “It was so pure and smooth,” she recalled. “I started to study the clay and what I could do with it.”
Lin mainly works with Laguna Clay’s porcelain and B-mix, an all-purpose smooth mid- to high-fire clay.
Additionally, she has started a collection of the company’s glazes in her classroom for her students to try.
After weighing the clay – which helps her control the size of the sculpture – Lin throws test pieces. She trims and sculpts a base form before applying a color slip to the greenware, or unfired pieces. Once a first firing is completed, Lin continues to shape the color and lightly sands the piece before firing it a second time.
Sometimes a virtual audience looks in on the process, including some of Lin’s students. Together, they will celebrate her successes and bemoan the pieces that don’t make it. “If I don’t like a piece, I destroy it right away,” Lin said. “I use Instagram to post my work, and sometimes I post reels of me destroying a piece.”
The shared journey
Each of Lin’s sculptures are meant to highlight people’s experiences and emotions, whether it be hers or someone else’s. She takes inspiration from her surrounding environment and human connections. “When people look at my work, I want them to feel something, think about what’s meaningful and what’s important to them,” Lin stated.
One of her larger pieces, “Heads Up” came about after Lin donated part of her kidney to her dad and he died shortly afterward due to COVID. Each little sculpture in the installation is meant to represent a piece of the sky with different weather patterns. Lin explained that the little pieces, while they tell their own tale, are part of a larger narrative.
“I want to tell my story and share it with people,” Lin said. “When something is heavy to you, you don’t think
INSPIRATION CREATES SALES!
believe in yourself.”
Lin is proudest of “Protection,” which she designed for one of her professors who was going through many struggles. She hand-crafted 3,246 tiles of Laguna Clay’s translucent porcelain into a traditional Taiwanese pattern symbolizing good luck and formed them into a pyramid. Inside she placed a light, representing a person’s journey. “The pyramid is the strongest structure in the world. I wish people can be strong for themselves to protect their journey.”
Lin is working on her newest piece, “Rainbow
Drops,” for her next exhibition. The installation, which continues the cloud and weather imagery of “Heads Up,” will feature 700 to 800 colorful teardrops suspended from the ceiling.
“Rainbows are a really strong topic because a rainbow can mean happiness and joy,” Lin stated. “It’s a miracle to this universe because you need to have a specific angle with the water drops, high humidity, etc. Everything in the environment needs to be just right and you’ll be able to see a rainbow. A lot of people say that when you see the rainbow, it’s luck.”
Those who wish to see Lin’s work can visit YoLin Art Studio at yolinartstudio.com or Lin’s website, yingling-art.com, which has a link to her Instagram account. She also attends the California Conference for the Advancement of Ceramic Arts in Davis, CA while Laguna Clay has displayed her work at the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) conference.
“When I see audiences viewing my art, we can start talking. It’s so pure. We can see the foundation of art and this world,” Lin said. “I wish for people to be happy. If they struggle, they can come over to take a look at my work.”
“Heads Up”
Working With Nature
by Victoria Ritter
When Art and Diana Graham founded M. Graham & Co. in late 1992, they sought to develop a line of quality paints that were eco-friendly. Today, the company continues their tradition and keeps the environment as a focal point.
M. Graham offers 325 SKUs that includes high-solid acrylics, oil paints, watercolor and gouache. Although Art and Diana retired in 2016, the company utilizes the same processes and people to make its colors.
“They wanted to develop a line of colors that reflected the quality
and value they sought as artists –they were both oil painters,” said Judy Rebitzke, business operations manager, adding the company doesn’t use any fillers or extenders in its paints. “We still use the same formulas that Art created. The process is exactly the same as he designed. We really haven’t changed anything.”
All you need in a nutshell
To make its oil paints, M. Graham forgoes the typical route of using solvents in favor of pure walnut oil sourced from English walnut trees grown in California. Its use of walnut oil eliminates the need for solvents, if an artist chooses.
“One of the main reasons Art chose to use walnut oil is because it does not yellow nearly as much as other oils,” Rebitzke said. “This is especially important for your white, yellow and blue colors.”
In addition to being a natural resource, walnut oil is nontoxic. Meanwhile, solvents, derived from petroleum, emit fumes
and can be hard to dispose of. Rebitzke observed how artists who have moved away from oil painting because they developed a sensitivity to solvents, have returned to the medium because of the company’s walnut oil paints. “We aren’t saying that you can’t use solvents,” Rebitzke explained, “We understand that some techniques in oil painting can’t be achieved without the use of solvents. But if you are going to use them, please know how to use them safely.”
M. Graham not only uses walnut oil in its oil paints, but also sells pure walnut oil and walnut alkyd. The pure walnut oil can be used to thin paint and clean brushes. Walnut alkyd is an alcoholbased resin drying agent. Rebitzke recommends using one to three drops of alkyd per extruded inch to increase adhesion between the paint film, surface and layers, thus creating a more durable painting.
“Our walnut alkyd is nontoxic,” she added. “It contains no solvents and is an alternative to some of the other products out there.”
Your safety matters most.
• Non-toxic to humans when used as intended.
• Can be safely used by kids in sixth grade or younger.
• For young children and adults who are physically or mentally handicapped or don’t understand safety labeling on product packages
• For adults and kids older than sixth grade
• Not hazardous if used correctly
• Must read the product label in full before opening - Keep in mind during product demos in stores or craft day.
• Products with a CL or hazardous warning labels require a US address and a poison control phone number.
Info@ACMIart.org
A sweet approach to painting
Rebitzke explained how all watercolors require some form of sugar. While some manufacturers favor a form of corn syrup, M. Graham uses another natural resource for its watercolor and gouache colors: Northwest blackberry honey.
both to its products and its manufacturing process which takes place entirely at its Hubbard, OR headquarters. Walnut oil is used to clean machines while washers use a closed water system; every other week, a company comes to replace and treat the used water. Employees use rags – instead of disposable wipes – to clean equipment. Another outside company washes the rags and returns clean batches.
“The honey acts as a natural humectant – it pulls moisture out of the air, leaving our paints more moist in the palette,” Rebitzke stated. “By using honey, we avoid artificial humectants and preservatives in our paint and are able to get more color and pigment into our paint.”
Honey has a handful of benefits for artists. The honey acts as a preservative and allows for “stronger, truer colors,” according to M. Graham’s website. Furthermore, the company’s watercolors are easy to dilute and are less likely to harden in the palette. By maintaining a “squishy, gumdrop texture” in the palette, artists don’t have to scrub the paint to get it on their brushes.
“We believe that every artist deserves the finest colors available, and we believe that’s our products,” Rebitzke said. “We make professional-grade artist colors. We select the finest pigments. We make color in small batches – about 650 tubes at a time – so we take time to custom-mill and mix every color to produce rich, vibrant, clean color.”
Reduce, reuse, recycle
M. Graham’s dedication to the environment applies
Materials are recycled whenever possible. For example, discarded label backings and boxes are turned around into packing material. “It saves us from using single-use packing material,” Rebitzke said. “We just reuse all of the backing, and we always have an abundance sitting around.”
The company is also conservative with the packaging and materials it sends out to retailers. Its displays don’t require extra materials to construct and take up a small amount of space when set up. “Everything is small and simple,” Rebitzke stated.
Rebitzke encourages artists, when choosing painting supplies, to conduct research on what ecofriendly materials are available on the market and what works best for them. When it’s time to dispose of used containers, she recommends checking with local waste management organizations about recycling guidelines and how to properly dispose of materials.
Retailers looking to sell M. Graham’s range of paints can take advantage of the company’s resources, including brochures, posters, training sessions with store staff and samples for instructors and artists. “We are flexible and like to work with retailers individually and come up with programs that work for their particular need,” Rebitzke said.
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Working With Nature
An evergreen legacy
As nature is all about change, M. Graham is evolving and adjusting as the company navigates the post-pandemic market. It continues to distribute its paints through SLS Arts and its products can be found around the globe, with retailers in the U.S., Canada, Europe, U.K., Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Retailers can find M. Graham at local retailer shows and Creativation by Namta; the company plans to exhibit at the SLS Arts distributor show this fall and is returning to Creativeworld in Frankfurt, Germany next year.
In the meantime, there are a couple products catching customers’ attention. Last year’s most popular products were the Titanium White gouache, followed by Ultramarine Blue watercolor. Overall, watercolor is the most popular product category, closely followed by oil paints, according to Rebitzke.
There are a handful of new products as well. In 2023, M. Graham introduced a 10-color gouache set and white-only oil display. The company is working
Milling Pyrrol Red watercolor
on more new items to debut in the coming months.
“Art Graham’s original philosophy for this line was to have the key basics,” Rebitzke said. “Our color selection is, more often than not, smaller than some our competitors’. Up until last year, we haven’t introduced any new items – especially during the pandemic – but we are working on some new things that we will be starting to introduce later this year.”
When asked about the importance of M. Graham’s environmental focus, Rebitzke explained it all comes down to the founders’ original vision. “It just goes back to the cornerstone of how Art and Diana built this company. From day one, they wanted a professional grade paint that was environmentally-friendly. It’s who we are still today.
“In my personal opinion, everybody needs to do their individual part to protect and preserve what we have.”
From Anthony, Meininger Art Material, Denver, CO
“Travel brushes and tool kits have been popular for plein air painting season. The Art Toolkits (1) are popular, as they fit palettes and pens and more. Art Toolkit has a whole bunch of different toolkits to choose from.” arttoolkit.com
From Scott Fares, Wet Paint in St. Paul, MN
“We added Safari Good Luck Minis (2) when a nearby creative toy store closed and we started getting calls asking for them by name. These are not specifically an art supply, but they do anchor the kids’ section of the store – and they can be made into really cool earrings! The small footprint and high turn make for a powerful combination.
“Gouache is still going bananas at our store, with painters at all levels asking for recommendations for a starting set. The M. Graham Basic Gouache Set (3) is a great mixing set that has caught on with experienced watercolorists that want to try gouache for the first time. We think they prefer it because they know the quality of this brand and how it handles, so they expect to do more with a few colors. Also, it will play well with their existing collection of watercolors. Make sure to show them the toned watercolor and multi-media paper to go with it!
“We keep Colineo brushes (4) by DaVinci closest to our brush testing station. Even though they are really new to the market, they are ending up as the choice of everyone from students to seasoned watercolorists. We are also seeing them sell to miniature painters doing detail work on their game figures. They are coming in expecting to buy a sable brush because it was recommended online and then we have them try these and they often get a couple because of the price. Now that they’ve added a long handle version, we expect to see a similar response from oil painters looking for a sable alternative.
“We put a Fresh Water Rinse Well (5) from New Wave Art out at our brush testing counter and boom! We sell a lot more of them than ever. People love to press the button to flush out the old water and then decide that they can’t go on without one of their own.”
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From Peggy Gomez, Gomez Art Supply, Lincoln, NE
“Linoleum block cutting and printmaking seems to be popular. We started to carry more cutting tools that are at a good price. The Cyanotype Kit (6) from Jacquard has everything you need, including two bottles of solution and pretreated sheets.
“The Itoya Oasis notebook (7) is great because it has it all, if a customer is looking for a blank sketchbook.
“Then there’s the Fusion Brush Set (8) from Yastutomo. They’re mixing Asian appearance with western capabilities to give a versatile tool.” jacquardproducts.com itoya.com yasutomo.com
news
Namta Launches the Creative Product Certification Program
by Savannah Davis
Namta is continually exploring ways to better serve our membership and address the needs of our industry. Over the last few years, we have recognized that the value of our association should extend beyond just Creativation. We hold a tremendous responsibility to our members in not only hosting the premier tradeshow in the industry, but also serving as the leading resource for cuttingedge research, year-round education, certification opportunities and more.
the benefits that come with creating and making – and understanding the how’s and why’s of the materials we sell is central to that. In many ways, the CPC is a culmination of that process. It gathers essential information and research into a package that every salesperson, marketer and manager can use to help artists and crafters be successful along their expressive road.
It is to that end that we were passionate to launch our Creative Product Certification (CPC) program at Creativation 2024. In short, the CPC is a training resource for store managers to utilize amongst their staff; upon completion they can be empowered with essential knowledge to help a customer make good choices about products that will enhance their success.
Developed by NAMTA in collaboration with Pyle Creative and member-based focus groups, the CPC features a dynamic 10-part video education series, each accompanied by assessments to ensure that key concepts are effectively communicated and retained.
Though the program has only been live for five months, it has already gained widespread usage, received enthusiastic feedback and prompted discussions for further program expansion. David Pyle, who authored a series of training manuals for Namta in 1992 and has been deeply involved in the creative products community for nearly 40 years, was the natural choice to lead NAMTA’s certification program.
Pyle notes: “It has always been my hope to support this remarkable community in showcasing
“And this time, with certification as part of the program, Namta sets the table for retailers to clearly differentiate themselves in a highly competitive environment. Retailers can say, ‘There’s no better resource for learning how to get the most from these materials than us! There’s nobody else who is more knowledgeably equipped to help fuel your expressive process.’ That’s a really powerful differentiator –particularly when creative consumers are confronted with so many choices and are looking for someplace, someone they can trust as an authentic partner along their creative journey.
“Our industry is at the very heart of how people create. You cannot make art or crafts without learning something about yourself – even more, you cannot do so without learning something about who and what you can become. We provide essential tools, expertise, and skills for that. It’s my hope that the CPC is a foundation on which you can build those qualities across an organization.”
The Creative Products Certification program has been an exciting feature for Namta to share because it serves the heart of our membership: our retailers. Stay tuned for the program’s expansion in 2025, which will introduce a broader range of materials. For access to the CPC, information on obtaining a Namta membership or to visit the ever-growing list of individuals who have completed the CPC, please visit namta.org
Savannah Davis is the communications and marketing manager at Namta.
new&true
Oil paints from M Graham & Co are made with walnut oil. Preferred by artists for centuries, color ground in walnut oil provides rich, vibrant color. 503-656-6761
colormaker@mgraham.com
The Joy of Painting
Featuring Nicholas Hankins from Bob Ross feature paintings in Bob Ross’ last, unfinished TV series! Hankins brings Bob’s neverbefore-seen masterpieces to you in this new all-color 68-page how-to book. info@bobross.com
Bristle Magic Paint Brush Cleaner
& Reconditioner is an eco-friendly, biodegradable cleaning solution that reduces environmental impact. It’s a must-have for retailers committed to protecting the planet and reducing carbon footprint. bristlemagic.com
The Pacifica Pottery Wheel from Laguna Clay is beginner-friendly. A reverse switch makes it easy and convenient to throw right or left-handed. Available in scuba blue, onyx black and bubblegum pink. lagunaclay.com/potterswheels
Color sets from Golden Artist Colors are a perfect holiday gift! Enjoy an extra discount on all Golden Artist Acrylics, Williamsburg Artist Oils, QoR Artist Watercolors sets and 20 color PanPastel box sets. bit.ly/goldenxholiday
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Pro Artist Tape from Pro Tapes is now available in a pink color with sizes from 1/4- to 2-inch widths. Its low tack adhesive and wide range of 12 colors makes it great for color coding, labeling, masking or layering artwork. protapes.com/amr-pink-artist-tape
Usugami tissue paper from Yasutomo tears nicely, remains strong when wet and dries transparent with glue, making it great for collage and paper crafting! It’s excellent for ink, watercolor, monoprinting and laser printing. yasutomo.com
PLUS Clay from ACTÍVA is a premium, self-hardening natural clay with exceptional plasticity and ultra-fine grade. Odorless and versatile, it’s great for detailed work and accepts various finishes. 903-938-2224 support@activaproducts.com
sales@studiodesigns.com
The Sand Art Activity Kit from Sandtastik makes eight colorful bottle creations with 10 vibrant sand colors. Layer sand to craft colorful, personalized masterpieces – perfect for parties, classrooms, fundraisers and events! 905-734-7340 info@sandtastik.com
The revolutionary Shadebuddy Umbrella from Guerrilla Painter is an easy and economical way to provide shade for you and your easel without putting your easel at risk of a wind gust. 970-493-0217 guerrillapainter.com
Fabriano BLACK BLACK pads from MacPherson’s feature 20 sheets of 140-pound paper. Flexible and resilient, it is ideal for pastel, color pencils, markers, paper crafts, portfolio presentations, mat boards and light water media. macphersonart.com/product/1524/BLACK-BLACK-Pads.html
The Linoleum & Relief Carving Set from Flexcut features 1/8- and 5/16-inch sweeps, a 1/4-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
lightweight, cordless glue guns from Studio Designs heat up in under 2 minutes and run for hours. Featuring an LED light and precision nozzle, they come with two glue sticks and a USB-C cable. sales@studiodesigns.com
AWT has been the trusted name in screen printing supplies for more than 45 years. From safety products to fabrics and frames, brushes, registration pins and more, you’ll find whatever supplies you need. sales@awtworldtrade.com awt-gpi.com/supplies.php?menu=2
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Setacolor Leather from Pébéo is a collection of acrylic paints designed to custom leather and synthetic leather. This range offers 23 matt-satin colors, 12 effect colors, 10 markers and six auxiliaries. pebeo.com
FACTIS
Artist Gum Eraser from General Pencil Company is ideal for charcoal, graphite and pastel drawing. It’s gentle, yet effective for all dry drawing mediums. Available in a box of 20 or single blistercard. generalpencil.com
The Big Squeeze, distributed by MacPherson Art Supplies, is the king of all tube squeezers. It gets every last drop of paint out of plastic and metal tubes. The ergonomic all-metal design reduces stress on your hands. macphersonart.com
Grafix
Incredible
Art
Products are getting a facelift with a modern, sleek design. A new POP display and nib assortment are also available. New packaging to start shipping early October. grafixarts.com
Sculptor’s Wire Tools from Xiem Tools USA are designed for artists of all skill levels. They allow artists to customize their wire-tool tip combinations to meet their specific needs. Available in small, medium and large. xiemtoolsusa.com
Golden Artist Colors hired professional artist Kevin Tobin Jr. as the new key accounts manager for its Paintworks Division. In his new role, Tobin will be responsible for managing key customer accounts and sales for GPW Branded products, specifically within the theming industry.
Golden Paintworks is the commercial paint and coatings division of Golden Artist Colors. Paintworks offers an innovative range of product and marketing support solutions, including paint-making technology and toll manufacturing. Paintworks also markets the architectural products in the GPW Brand, which includes an innovative range of highquality waterborne specialty coatings and decorative finishes as well as the Mural & Theme line.
In the role of GPW Key Accounts Manager, Tobin will implement both pre-sales and postsales initiatives to maintain and grow existing relationships as well as establish fruitful new relationships with customers in the theming industry. Additionally, Tobin will introduce customers to both the GPW Mural & Theme line, which includes an extensive range of intense, lightfast colors, and the GPW Decorative line, which contains a wide range of unique textures and metallic colors, perfect for the hospitality market associated with the theme and entertainment sector.
“The wealth of knowledge and life experiences that Kevin brings to this position has made him an ideal person to spearhead our relationship development initiative in the theming industry,” said Dana Rice, director of Golden Paintworks. “Kevin is a professional artist, who has used Golden products his whole career, as well as a past participant in the Golden Certified Working Artist Program for the last 18 years. These experiences, combined with his business acumen, genuine, friendly demeaner and
info@grafixarts.com www.grafixarts.com
overall enthusiasm, make Kevin a pleasure to work with, not only for us, but for our customers as well.”
Prior to joining Golden Paintworks, Tobin was the co-owner of Sterling Papers, a stationery and design firm in Santa Monica, CA. He has been a fine arts studio artist for the last 30 years; his works hang in the collections of corporations and private individuals in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and a half a dozen European countries. Tobin currently resides with his wife in Sarasota, FL, where his office will be based.
The General Pencil Company is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. It provides an array of artist pencils and supplies.
The family-owned business was founded by Oscar A. Weissenborn in 1889, originally called the Pencil Exchange; it became known as The General Pencil Company in 1923. Weissenborn started making pencils in his family home where he set up his own machine shop. He eventually moved operations to an old mansion before finally settling in Jersey City, NJ, in 1914. In time, Weissenborn’s sons Oscar E., Oscar A., James and F. Hill joined the business.
The General Pencil Company grew and evolved through the next few decades. It expanded operations in 1965 into California for better access
to the incense cedar supply and western markets. James became the CEO in 1979 and has led the company ever since.
In honor of its anniversary, the General Pencil Co. partnered with Hudson County Community College – which is also located in Jersey City – to permanently display the artwork of a handful of students on the company’s building.
This summer, JOANN welcomed industry veteran Stan Rosenzweig as its executive chairman of the board and promoted Ann Aber to the role of executive vice president, chief legal and human resources officer.
Rosenzweig has more than 30 years of experience leading, managing and investing in numerous consumer related businesses. Most recently, Rosenzweig was the executive chairman of the board of SVP Worldwide.
“We are thrilled to have Stan join the Board of Directors and to lead JOANN into this new era,” said Michael Prendergast, Interim CEO. “His deep experience and knowledge of the industry and our customers, along with his passion and dynamic leadership style, will be invaluable as the company continues to build toward the future. We are confident he will help ensure our core customers find great assortments and experiences while attracting new and younger customers to join the millions who love shopping, working and finding inspiration at JOANN.”
Announced in early June, the other members of JOANN’s Board of Directors are Mary Campbell, Joe Hartsig, Michelle Israel and Bill Wall. Darrell Horn, who was appointed interim chairman, resigned from the Board.
Aber has been with the company since 2019, when she joined as vice president, general counsel and secretary. She was promoted to senior vice president in 2021.
As the executive vice president, chief legal and human resources officer, Aber will oversee the human resources and corporate communications functions in addition to overseeing the Risk Management, Corporate Communications, Charitable Giving, Diversity & Inclusion and Corporate Responsibility functions.
She has been executive sponsor for JOANN’s Diversity & Inclusion initiatives since 2023 and sits on several boards committed to serving the Northeast Ohio community and various charitable causes.
“Ann is a talented executive with a commitment to JOANN’s success,” said Prendergast. “She has been an integral part of the team in helping to lead JOANN through many large initiatives over the past several years. Ann’s leadership style and energetic commitment to the business are invaluable assets to the entire team. In addition, Ann’s focus on JOANN’s more than 18,000 team members and community impact will be critical as the company continues toward the future.”
How Businesses Can Make the Most of an Election Year
While elections determine local, state-wide and national leadership, each election year creates charged atmospheres, no matter which political party you associate with. John Boitnott of Entrepreneur offers five tips on how businesses can engage and strengthen their communities, empower their employees and draw in customers.
Build engagement with creative content. Businesses can utilize their social media platforms and digital tools such as Canva to generate content related to the election. Examples could be interviewing a local candidate or creating infographics on voting procedures. Get to work in your community. Companies can get involved in local initiatives such as sponsoring voter registration drives and debate watch parties, participating in service projects and helping organize meet-thecandidate events. Even advocating for area causes puts your organization out there and shows how invested you are in the community.
Help employees communicate effectively. Managers can foster effective and respectful communication skills among their staff members in a variety of ways. Employers may offer workshops that highlight healthy approaches to discourse, or collaborate with employees on a communication policy. Make it easier for employees to vote. Employers can make sure their employees’ voices are heard in a variety of ways. They can inform them of any early and mail-in voting procedures available in the state, provide time-off on Election Day so employees can get to the polls or offer rideshare or group transit to the polls from the office.
Host Election Day-themed sales or events. Create themed product displays and ask customers to vote on their favorite. In the weeks before the election, have customers vote on the amount of your Election Day discount. If you have an election-themed sale, select a local charity or organization to receive a portion of the proceeds. And, on the big night of the election, businesses can host result-watching parties with doorprizes or other promotions.
GILDERS® paste wax finishes are a unique concentration of high-quality artisan waxes, resins, and pigments. This versatile paste wax can be used for dry brushing subtle hues or thinned out to soften into a cream, paint, stain, or wash. Available + 25 colors to create an endless color palette.
GILDERS® elevates many projects such as faux finishing on various surfaces, including furniture, frames and moulding.
Perfect for both professional artists and DIY enthusiasts, our product offers easy application with vibrant, long-lasting wax finishes. www.GildersPaste.com
tables,” Kasparian stated. “In the last two years, it has outperformed the art category.”
The company’s most popular product currently is the Artograph Futura Light Table. Studio Designs collaborated with Artograph to combine the respective imprints’ furniture and light boxes. Since launching about four years ago, the light table has outsold some of Studio Design’s legacy products.
“Not only do you have an awesome work surface with plenty of storage and an adjustable top, but it has a light pad underneath that illuminates your surface and allows you to trace things more easily,” Kasparian said.
Studio Designs’ newest product will be a new digital projector with an arm mount clamp released under the Artograph line. The projector will be able to link to any device with a wi-fi connection and allow creatives to cast an image onto their material. While this will be Studio Designs’ fourth digital projector, it will be the most affordable. “We feel like it’s going to make our products more accessible to a sizable segment of the market,” Kasparian stated. When designing products, the Studio Design team relies on customer feedback to see what customers need and are looking for in furniture. For example, one initiative the company has taken based on outside input has been to install more storage solutions such as shelves or drawers, even in its basic offerings.
“We’ve been in the space long enough that we have good relationships with art retailers and end users,” Kasparian stated.
Studio Designs further sets itself apart with its long-standing relationships with factories. Maynes has kept in contact with manufacturers he’s known before he founded Studio Designs. Its main network of factories is in China with two suppliers in
Taiwan and Malasia.
The company offers wood and glass tables, all made with steel frames; while the glass is at least 8mm thick, the inch-thick wood is made of particle board or mediumdensity fiberboard. “We work with a top-10 factory in China when it comes to composite wood products,” Kasparian explained. “These days, true hard wood is very expensive and would put all of our products out of reach for a lot of folks. We found a happy medium between a product that is going to hold up over time but not break the bank.”
Furniture for all
Studio Designs continues to expand its catalog in a methodical way, collaborating with retailers to make sure products stand out to customers and fulfill their needs.
Kasparian explained that the Studio Designs team understands that furniture is not the first consideration for artists or crafters, but the right equipment is essential to take projects to the next level.
“It complements the reason that people get into art in the first place,” he said. “They’re trying to create something, and we provide the space, tools and furniture to supplement that.”
Kasparian suggested that retailers can make the most of Studio Designs’ furniture by setting
it up in their stores, filling the shelves with art and craft materials and being knowledgeable of the products. Studio Designs provides learning materials on request as well as deals on retail samples. “It’s an eye-catching display to see a beautiful craft or draft table demonstrated,” Kasparian said.
With a deep respect and consideration for artists, Studio Designs’ furniture is used by a wide range of customers. Its drafting and craft tables appeal to watercolor, oil and acrylic painters as well as old-school drafters. The Artograph line is a favorite among tracers, cartoonists and tattoo artists. Fine artists make use of its long-lasting, commercial grade easels.
“Craft and hobbies are infinite,” Kasparian observed. “There are all sorts of hobbies that require a decent workspace.”
At the Drawing Board with Studio Designs
by Victoria Ritter
Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, Studio Designs’ art products offerings span from drafting and craft tables to
Founders Scott Maynes and Bob Hughes have a long history in the furniture business, having managed Studio RTA for many years. When Sauder Woodworking Co. bought Studio RTA and looked at eliminating the art furniture side of the business, Maynes decided it was time to start his own company around selling art furniture. Maynes realized his dream in 2007 with the backing of Hughes, who has been Studio Designs’ CEO ever since.
“It kind of started out as a passion
project, because it was an opportunity to build a company and a brand around a very niche section of the furniture world,” said Jared Kasparian, product development and quality management at Studio Designs. Kasparian further stated how Maynes’ passion for crafting art furniture turned into an appreciation for the art industry. The company regularly exhibits at trade shows including Creativation by Namta and Creativeworld in Germany.
“He is a big supporter of Namta and has made a lot of great relationships in the art community,” Kasparian added. “Although he’s not an artist by trade, he appreciates it and loves being able to support the community with topof-the-line art furniture.”
Today, business is going well at Studio Designs, according to Kasparian. While it has outlasted its main, old-school competitors, the company was one of the first sellers on Amazon to provide art furniture. Now the market has become more competitive, compelling Studio Designs to improve its approach to e-commerce.
“We are the last true importer of art furniture,” Kasparian stated.
Creatively fulfilling needs
Studio Designs’ catalog of roughly 200 products is divided into several imprints, each with its own focus area. The Futura Craft Station, which has been a part of Studio Designs since 2007, helped cement the company’s reputation in the art space and acquired Artograph in 2019. Studio Home offers a small line of residential furniture while Paws & Purrs specializes in pet furniture. The company introduced a sewing line called Sew Ready in 2017 to great acclaim.
“Some of our most popular products right now are sewing tables, cutting tables and fabric
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