As a community art store which has always done things differently, we are committed to celebrating diversity and inclusivity in race, gender, sexuality and religion.  That's why we're happy to help honor black, gay artists and kick off June, gay pride month, with a bit of pizazz and fun.  Below are 3 links to help you find some great black, gay artists, including, dancers and writers.  

1- Mickalene Thomas is a black lesbian artist who started out by creating giant rhinestone portraits of her mother.  https://www.mickalenethomas.com/works/filter/paintings

2- Kehinde Wiley is a black gay artist who has painted giant portraits of men, including Obama and Micheal Jackson.  https://kehindewiley.com/

3- African Americans in the LGBT Community:  https://oxfordaasc.com/page/focus-on-african-americans-in-the-lgbtq-community/african-americans-in-the-lgbtq-community

There are not enough people of color portrayed in art, so as a way to correct that we offer you a list of tutorials that teach you how to paint black or dark skin tones and black people.  Black lives matter to us, so we want them to be represented and seen in artwork.

We are incensed and shocked at the tragic and racist events happening across our country right now.  We believe, racism and white supremacy do not belong in our world, so we must take a stand to support our black artists and black lives.  Since we live in Portland, Oregon, we start by supporting our local black community.  Below is a list of black visual and performing artists as well as other links to support black lives in Portland, Oregon.  Our minds and hearts are with you during this difficult time.  Let's rally together and support the changes to make this world a better place for black lives.  

1- Portland Artist and Activist Isaka Shamsud-Din:  https://www.isakashamsuddin.com/

2- Children's Art & Social Activism at Don't Shoot PDX:  https://www.dontshootpdx.org/childrens-art-social-justice-council/

​3- Portland Artist and Activist Carrie Mae Weems:  http://carriemaeweems.net/

4- Artists Connect With Portland Black History: https://www.thefader.com/2016/09/01/portland-black-history

5- Black Artists on Etsy Worth Supporting: https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2019/02/28/26056242/eight-black-artists-worth-following-and-supporting-on-etsy

6- The Lineage of Black Artists in Portland:  https://oregonhumanities.org/rll/beyond-the-margins/black-mark-black-legend/

7- Portland Artist Arvie Smith Confronts Race with Sardonic Humor:  https://www.pdxmonthly.com/arts-and-culture/2017/08/portland-artist-arvie-smith-paints-the-black-experience-in-blazing-color

8- Black Art Matters PDX:  https://www.blackartmatterspdx.com/

9- Black Lives Matter PDX:  https://blackpdx.com/destination/portland/black-lives-matter-pdx/

10- Zine Made by Black Lives Matter:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0By7nnVeTFDIbTDZrXzNnR3BUS2c/view

11- The Black Portlander:  https://theblackportlanders.com/
​

We've been hearing a lot about people wanting to keep a COVID-19 journal.  We've also been hearing that journaling is a great way to do self-care and maintain mental health.  And now-a-days, journals don't have to be just words.  They can be so much more, filled with doodles, moving art and even lists.  Over at Bustle, they have 11 great tips to starting a journal that will help you with all the aforementioned benefits, plus reminding you how to keep it fun and for yourself.  Click on the link to read all the tips.

And if you need a blank book to start your journaling, we have plenty of discounted books at this link.

Now is the season for plein air painting.  And just in time Artist Network gives you many ways to make your best painting ever, despite having to deal with light changes and other unpredictable things out in the open air.  They suggest many great strategies before, during and after your plein air painting adventure.  Read all their tips and tricks on their site at this link.  You'll definitely be more prepared after reading it when you go out and find a lovely scene to capture with your paints.

If you need any supplies such as easels or paint for your art adventure, you know we offer you plenty of discount art supplies here.  Happy outdoor painting!

We were very excited to see that Mt. Tabor Art has a YouTube channel with plenty of amazing art project ideas.  One of the videos that caught our eye was, "Making Art from Anything".  That sounded like something we could get behind and wanted to learn.  Watch it by clicking the image below or by going to their YouTube channel at the link above.

More great art projects are:
1- Agamographs:  Optical art that has 2 views depending upon which end you view it!
2- Kinetic Symmetry Chalk Art:  Cool chalk art that uses your whole body to make trippy designs!
3- Art is a Window:  Showing how to and showing off all the art everywhere in our communities!  A very heartwarming video!

If you need any discount art supplies, you can find plenty in our online shop.  Click here.

Did you know that you can make a DIY face shield with art supplies?  We had no idea until we saw this quick and easy video.  Here is what they say about it:

"Grafix is receiving lots of requests for materials to make face shields as additional protection against the Corona Virus. We are here to help and have had one of our top designers, Cat Kerr, create this simple and easy to follow the video and how to. You can use this to make a face shield for you or your family but also be given out to your community members that are working to so hard against Covid-19."

That sounds like a great way to connect with our community and to show our support for the workers who are on the front lines during Covid-19.  Click on the above image to be brought to the video.  

Don't forget, y0u can always place an order for discount art supplies with us at this link.

We always have our eyes and ears peeled for interesting art info we can share with our art community.  Here are a few of our latest finds.  Most of them are to help you do all kinds of paintings; from color mixing to choosing the right paint palete.  But there is one outlier about making shrink art. 

​Should you need any art supplies before, during or after you visit these 6 artist links, you know where you can find our discount art supplies.  

1- Strathmore free workshops online:  https://www.strathmoreartiststudio.com

2- GOLDENS VIRTUAL PAINT MIXER!!  This is amazingly fun to do and very helpful if you want to mix paint:   https://www.goldenpaints.com/mixer

3- Golden also has a rad YouTube Chanel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7Q21sJbaAVOIylhu3E7row

4- One of our customers who does pouring:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUOBSHWjsUuOobl7cIE6xGA

5- Shrink art super hero’s project:  https://www.artdogblog.com/shrinkable-superhero-charms-with-grafix-shrink-film/

6-Palettes differences between them:  https://drawpaintacademy.com/artist-palettes/

Sorry we didn't notify you sooner about this event happening tomorrow, May 21st, 8pm PST on Instagram, we just got the email yesterday.  Artist and Chemist, Jordon Rhodes will be doing a live demo study in gouache that you can follow along.  Below is how you can watch.  If you want to also do art with him, here is a link to the list of items you'll need to do it with him.  He'll be doing a skull study, as you can see above, in which he will demonstrate his techniques, process and also give you tips.

How to Watch:

• Follow Jordan on Instagram → @jmr_art
• At 8:00pm EST, go to Jordan's Instagram page from your mobile device or tablet.
• Click the "LIVE" button on Jordan's profile picture

Of course, if this inspires you to do more art, we're here for you with discount art supplies.  Take a look at our online shop so see what is ready for you to pick up after you order it.

Many of you thought we might be open on Friday....We are still open, but for curbside pickups only! We will continue this and hold steady for now as we forge ahead. 

It is our plan to slowly bring our staff back and train them on my new systems. That way all of us can learn to operate safely together and still serve your supply needs. We will continue to follow all local, state, and CDC guidelines for maintaining operations that keep everyone safe. 

As much as we would love to fling wide the doors and let you all come rushing in, we find ourselves in the position to take that very slowly. We have 18 amazing employees and have kept all of them this whole time. There are more of us than guidelines allow so I will get my team safely operating before we determine how to safely let the doors be open. My people mean the world to me and I know you feel the same about them. Continuing to offer pickups is what we feel the wisest plan is for a little while- thank you for understanding.

I’m so glad that so many of you have enjoyed our curbside pickup service. I look forward to making it better as we have the added ideas of my team. 

Stay strong & hang in there, Portland!!