It's true camp for teens and kids is different during the pandemic, but there still are art camps for them during the summer.  They're just virtual this time around.  They still can get guidance and have lots of fun making art and learning new things.   

Strathmore had 3 sessions of art camps coming up this year.  The first camp they offer is for teens and it starts July 27.  The other sessions are for kids and they start August 3rd.  Get signed up and see all the details for both these camps at this link. 

If you need art supplies for your camps, please don't hesitate to put in a no-contact, curbside order with us.  Click on this link to place your order.

In this video with artist Melanie Matthews, you'll see her step-by-step method to using impasto acrylic paints that make a luscious abstract landscape.  She's easy to follow and fun to watch, but we're sure it's much more fun to actually make it yourself.  With the many layers of paint, we love how she cuts back into it to reveal the contrasting color beneath it.  We're sure this method will give you inspiration to create your own spin on it and make it your own.  Click on the link above to watch the complete video. 

If you need wood panel or any acrylic paint or mediums, we got you covered with our discount art supplies.  Make a curbside order for all that you need by clicking this link.   

Yesterday, we published a post about artist Lina Victor who believes you don't have to be a starving artist and that it is very possible to have a thriving art career.  In fact, we believe she said it much more boldly than we are stating it here. 

But all artists experience different things during their artist-hood.  For some, it's easy to get started.  For others, it takes a lot of trial and error.  There's no set way.  There's no set path.  However, there are some things that can help anyone who is striving for an art career, to find recognition and to gain an audience of adoring fans.  

In this article on Winsor Newton's website, they give some good steps and ideas for developing your art career.  One of the best pieces of advice that we read was preparing for the long haul, plus not doing it alone.  Take what is relevant to you and let go of the rest.  We wish you the best with much prosperity and an abundance of art collectors.   Click on the link above to read the complete article.

Pair that with some discount art supplies to keep you going for the long haul.  You can make an order with us by clicking on this link.

In this short video, artist, Lina Viktor, talks about breaking boundaries and dismissing the advice of art school to make her paintings with black & real gold leaf.   She is s strong, vivacious artist with a ton of confidence.  She doesn't believe in the starving artist and gives advice to artists who want to make it big like her.  It's beautiful to see her work and to hear about some of her inspiration for creating what she does.

Pair this video with some black and gold art supplies to make your own masterpieces like with Fine Tec Metallic Watercolor on black watercolor paper.  Get the watercolor sets online, by clicking here.  Order the black watercolor paper by placing a curbside order here.  

This is our 2nd post in our "Oregon Artists Sharing Tips & Technique" series.   Marybel Martin, a women empowering artist of color, lives and works in Beaverton Oregon.  She has done many different exciting art projects including shoe tags for Nike and a mural for Alt-Summit at the Ace Hotel.  Not only does she create beautiful art and illustrations, but she does art and wellness coaching.  Since the pandemic she has been hosting a weekly Zoom "Drink & Draw Party" with other artists from around the world and across the country.   She has been kind enough to share one of her unique techniques with us which combines traditional and digital art. 

Make sure you check out more of Marybel's work on Instagram. She shares artist tips on her feed as well as when she has her Zoom "Drink & Draw Parties".  Thank you for sharing your beautiful art with our artist community.

Update on ordering Art Supplies for Curbside Pickup at the Foster Location- 
Starting July 13th we will be extending our hours for pickups as we inch back closer to our "normal" business hours. Starting 7/18 we will be here on Saturdays for curbside pickups too- Woohoo! We know it's been a long few months with limited hours here for pickup and we really appreciate your patience with us during this time. Your orders have kept us going and fueled our creative ideas to adjust our shops to better serve you during this pandemic.
We've really dialed in our no-contact grab-n-go art supplies to be a pretty solid system. If you haven't tried it, we hope you give us a chance to show you how easy and fun it can be. We love doing the shopping for you! We appreciate all of the sacrifices you've made to shop local with us, the time you've taken to follow our new systems, and the grace you've had for us while we create them. Thank you for all of your amazing love & support through all of this. We are super excited to extend our pickup hours and be more available moving forward. I know it's not quite as cool as being open for walk-ins but it is one step closer to that. We do hope to be open again in the near future but we do not have a set date. For now, we will continue expanding hours and growing our curbside pickups and deliveries to be closer to our regular hours. 

The Annex location is still open during the week for custom framing- by appointment only. It's easy to book online and simple to change if something comes up. If you want to just shop ready-mades or framing supplies you can put those requests on a curbside pickup at Foster or book an appointment with a framer at the Annex if you want to see and try different choices. We hope to expand the Annex to weekends again soon but do not have a set date for that at this time. We will work with you on meeting your needs and always welcome any feedback you have during these times of reinventing our shops. Don't hesitate to reach out at any time and let us know any feedback that you have.

Every single day, I am filled with gratitude for all of your support during these challenging times- Thank You!!
Stay strong, stay healthy, keep your head up, and keep making lots of art!
Sincerely,
​Prairie

There are so many ways to make creative, imaginative abstract paintings that take your breath away.  In the video below, artist Patti Brady, shows you how layering several different acrylic mediums can make a gorgeously texture abstract painting.  She takes you through the whole process and shows you which layers need to be put down first.  You can watch the full step-by-step video by clicking on the image below.

We have many acrylic medium art supplies at a discount at our store.  Should you need any, please make a no-contact curbside order at this link.

It seems almost unintuitive to say letting your mind wander will improve your drawing skills, but professional artist Tim Gula's automatic drawing technique can do just that.  In the video below, he shows you how to apply meditation to art with it and explains the benefits of including it in your routine.  Watching him draw is meditative and relaxing in and of itself.

Should you need any drawing supplies to do this technique, we got you covered.  Check out our drawing supplies in our online shop here.

Black artists, Harmonia Rosales and Aldis Hodge collaborated on a series of large scale paintings to expose our cultural beliefs, both good and bad.  They called their collection, "Through the Looking Glass".  In the short video below, they talk about what the series means, why they decided to collaborate and what they hope it will accomplish.

Should this amazing collection inspire you to create your own collaboration or your own meditation on culture, we have discount art supplies for you.  Make a no-contact curbside order at this link.

We know more people are taking chances out there, wanting so much to reach out and be with other people.  When we do this, we know that to keep yourself and others safe we must wear our face masks. 

There are a lot of place to buy face masks, but we haven't seen a lot of people who are ordering white masks and customizing them with fabric markers.  Below is a tutorial and and inspirational video for you to make the best custom face masks!  Drawing funny and cool things on them shows your personality and your style.  Plus, it keep everyone safe!  

We have fabric markers if you don't have any at home.  Make a no-contact curbside order at this link.  Stay safe and have fun!  We miss you!