HO, HO, HO!!!

Hi, everyone!

I’ve been a busy girl, playing Santa’s art-supply elf … It’s SO much fun finding new and cool stuff for the store! 

As we did last year, we are putting ALL of our “BEST” wooden easels on sale – 40% off!  (and some other brands, too!)   AND - once again there is a manufacturer rebate on the BEST easels, on TOP of our sale price.  SAY WHAT?!!!

Logan just assembled several of these beauties -  put a ribbon on ‘em and they’re ready to go!

From this incredible “Santa Fe”…

  

to the simple yet elegant “Navajo”…

     

and these adorable children’s easels are on sale, too!

   

Plus, we’ve gotten in a selection of drafting tables, print racks, taborets, as well as gift sets for all ages and abilities!

Gamblin “Accents on the Landscape” Paint Set

R&F Encaustic Starter Kit

Jack Richeson Handmade Soft Pastel Set

10 Sliding Drawer Taboret

(PSSST… Lots more than what is pictured… & many of them are sale-priced lower than our standard member discount prices!)

Also…

Please know that we’re going to be E-X-P-A-N-D-I-N-G the store!  The first week of January, the place is going to be a crazy mess, as we move the wall that separates gallery from store.  We will be open for business, but I gotta tell you, it might be a bit tough to find what you want if you’re looking for oil paint, watercolors, or anything else that currently sits on those shelves!  You might just want to try to make it in before January 3rd!

We hope to do the re-model within 2 days – at least that’s my goal…  but we will ask you to be patient with us during that first week.  Growing pains, right?

But yes, that’s right, we are expanding BECAUSE we’re doing great, and it’s all because you are SO supportive of us!  Especially during the holiday season, I really want to thank all of you for being our customers – you’re helping us become the the best store & gallery that we can be!

We wish you all a wonderful holiday, & hope it’s full of joy, love and laughter –

Etty, Lauren, Logan, Tara, Eimi & Margaret

What’s on SALE at 1329 Monterey?

hi folks!

I’ve just put a handful of items on sale in the store -

Liquitex GESSO – gallons – 50% off!

Winton BIG 200ml select colors $10 ea!

Fabriano Aquarello W/C Blocks – 9×12 – only $13!!!

Sennelier Oil Pastel Sticks (Individual OR Sets!!!)  30% off  MEMBERS ONLY!

Plus, we have a variety of drawing pads, drawing boards & other great stuff on our clearance table!

If you haven’t been in recently, come in & check out our increased line of GORGEOUS handmade papers! 

SEE YOU SOON!

Sneaky “BLOGGERS-ONLY” deal! Thru Christmas Eve!

Gallery

Hi, Bloggers!   You deserve a reward for following my blog!  How would you like an extra discount on ANY set in the store?

Even if it’s on sale, you’ll get an extra 10%!

If you are a member, you’ll get your regular discount PLUS 10%!

Doesn’t matter if it’s a pastel set, a paint set, a pencil set, a brush set, a marker set, a kid’s set…  get an extra 10%…..How cool is that?!!

Here’s the catch… YOU HAVE TO TELL US TO GIVE YOU THE EXTRA DISCOUNT – if you don’t mention it, you won’t get it!!!!!

PS – don’t forget that we have a great selection of gorgeous wooden artist easels in stock  for the holidays – and they are 40% off ’til Christmas Eve!

Ho, Ho, Ho! Professional Wooden Easels on SALE!

Been thinking about a new easel?  Many MABEF & BEST professional wooden easels will be 40% off thru November and into December!  This includes special orders – and we encourage special orders!*

If you wish to order an easel, and have it here before the holidays, please come in and order it by mid November!  

If you want to take your easel home UNASSEMBLED & still in the box, we will give you an extra 5% off! – (Not applicable on Backpacker Easel!)

Some of the easels that are available are shown below…   For more information on other styles, please come in!*

MABEF EASELS

•    Deluxe Studio Easel  by MABEF   # MBM-06D

Retail:  $599.95    Sale Price $359.95  (Assembled)  

The Deluxe features a variable length adjustment with simple ratchet action. Made from oiled beech wood, it has a sturdy base with 4 lockable casters. Includes a storage area below the canvas ledge for tools, brushes and paints. Overall storage height is 69″ with a maximum canvas height of approximately 65″. Weighs 40 lbs. and is easy to assemble.

•       Basic Studio Easel by MABEF  #MBM-10D  

Retail $289.95    Sale Price $173.95  (Assembled)

This beautiful oiled beech wood easel has a maximum canvas height of 47.5″. Comes in an easy-to-assemble kit. Weighs 20 lbs.

•      Backpacker Easel by MABEF   # MBM-23

Retail:  $349.95    Sale Price $209.95 

This 10 lb. easel incorporates every accessory that a traveling painter could want, including a padded leather luggage handle and adjustable leather shoulder straps for backpacking. Includes an 11-1/2″ x 16″ folding palette and a tin-lined drawer (6″W x 16-1/2″D x 1-3/4″H) for storage. Accommodates canvases up to 33.5″.

•       Basic Lyre Easel byMABEF    # MBM-13D

Retail:  $199.95    Sale Price $119.95  (Assembled) 

This simple but elegant & sturdy three-legged easel, crafted from stain-resistant oiled beech wood, features variable height adjustment. It has a maximum canvas height of 49″ and weighs 11 lbs.

BEST EASELS – Rebates of  up to $50 are available from the manufacturer on the following easels! 

•       Halley Easel by BEST #880600   

Retail:  $925.00    Sale Price $555.00  (Assembled) 

Beautiful and strong, the Halley will tilt into a table for gessoing, varnishing or watercolor work. It will tilt forward for pastel artists to allow the pastel dust to fall from the work surface. Plus, the Halley has a multitude of height and tilt settings for the oil, acrylic or airbrush artist.  Max canvas height: 80″ vertical, 82″ horizontal / Base width/depth: 24″ x 27″  / Highest easel height: 84″ / Wood:  Oak / Table height: 36″ / 52 lbs.

•  University Easel by BEST  #880400  

Retail:  $850.00    Sale Price $510.00  (Assembled) 

For painters and pastel artists, this easel offers a wide range of tilt adjustments including forward tilt of nearly 60 degrees to allow pastel dust to fall away from the surface or to reduce the glare. Many professional artists work in both oils and pastels, and this easel accommodates this by tilting forward so dust falls down, rather than into the painting. The easel was designed to shift the weight to the rear when the easel is leaning forward. This gives the easel the necessary stability required for this position. With a double laminated base and hinged joints, this easel has maximum strength. With the added middle painting tray for smaller work and optional locking casters, this easel will last you a lifetime.  Max canvas height: 84″ / Wood:  Oak /  Base width/depth: 22½” x 30″ / Painting tray: 30″ w/2 stainless solvent cups. / Lowest easel height: 75″ / Highest easel height: 120″ / 65 lbs.

•     European Easel by BEST   #880525  

Retail:  $1150.00    Sale Price $690.00  (Assembled)

Quickly adjustable, the European easel accommodates a wondrous range of media, from watercolor, acrylic, oil paint, airbrushing and pastels. This easel offers versatility that enables it to grow with you and adjust to your changing needs. With a double laminated base and hinged joints, this easel has maximum strength. With the added middle painting tray for smaller work and optional locking casters, this easel will last you a lifetime.  Max canvas height: 84″ / Wood:  Oak / Base width/depth: 22″ x 30″ / Painting tray: 30″ w/2 stainless solvent cups. / Lowest easel height: 80″ / Highest easel height: 120″ /  76 lbs.

•   Classic Santa Fe I Easel by BEST  #880399    

Retail:  $1095.00    Sale Price $657.00  (Assembled)

This single masted easel comes with two canvas holders and a painting tray. The middle canvas holder can be used for smaller works and the self–leveling bottom tray/palette measures 30″ wide by 7½” and features a melamine paint mixing surface with 2 large stainless steel canisters.  Max canvas height: 96″ / Wood:  Oak / Base width/depth: 24″ x 30″ / Lowest easel height: 78″ / Highest easel height: 120″ / 75 lbs

* Please note – While we do have some of these easels here at Art Central,  we will NOT be stocking all of them…some will be available ONLY by special order!   By ordering these easels on an “as-needed” basis, we are able to offer better pricing and selection than we otherwise would.   Thanks!

 

NEW ARRIVALS!

5/20/11  *  Gamblin Oils & Mediums, R & F Oil Sticks, Sennelier Oil Pastels, & Golden Fluid Acrylics are FINALLY (Whew!) on the shelves – Entering all that data into the computer is seriously BORING work!   But – now that it’s all here, let’s get it into your hands!   Member discount 25%!

5/2/11   *  DaVinci Kolinsky Sable Watercolor brushes, Fabriano Watercolor Paper  – ARTISTICO 140lb Cold Press, LaCarte Sanded Pastel Papers  - Assorted color pads & 19.5″x25.5″ sheets!

3/2/11  * Caran D’Ache Neocolor II Watercolor crayons ….. Unison pastels…..  Holbein Watercolors …  We’ve also gotten in several sizes of the clear print sleeves - sizes up to 24×36 - we’re selling them individually, how handy is that?!  

Attention all Art Supply Addicts…. GET EXCITED…!!!

I spent 3 days in sunny Phoenix, Arizona, at the annual Art Materials Trade Show – Talk about feeling like a kid in a candy store!!!   I was having so much fun – almost bought one of everything I saw, but somehow restrained myself…   tough to be an artist when your job is to sell the supplies!

So – what will be coming in soon?  GAMBLIN OILS & MEDIUMS (yeah, finally!!!)  …   R & F Oil Sticks – if you’ve never tried these, you are going to think you’ve gone to oil stick heaven – they are so amazing to paint with!  And I ordered the FULL ASSORTMENT!  I forget how many colors there are, but trust me – there are a LOT.   Another heavenly arrival will be the SENNELIER Oil Pastels – also a full assortment - it’s like drawing with lipstick – so rich, so vibrant, SOOOOO creamy….  are you drooling yet?  Hope so!   Also ordered was the LaCarte sanded pastel paper – 4 wonderful colors – if you like them, I’ll bring in more!  Let’s see – what else….  Fabriano watercolor paper, 140lb Cold Press – let me know if you want 300lb or other surfaces, I’ll add it to the order…  Encaustic Gesso and some starter sets – (also by R & F) …  and my favorite brush in the world – DaVinci Kolinsky Sable watercolor brushes – These are THE BEST that I’ve found – I love how they point – they are absolutely incredible!  

These will be arriving over the next 2 – 3 weeks, so make sure you keep an eye out for them… and…  Something tells me they’ll be priced really well to really tempt you! 

I saw so much – much of it is a blur…  but I’ll be getting tons of catalogs in over the next couple of weeks – and will be placing more orders – things like printmaking tools & inks (Daniel Smith, anyone?), creative kits for kids of all ages, and much, much more!  

Many of you have already met Ptolemy, who has been working with me for several months – Next time you’re here on a Monday, make sure to say hi to Lauren Birkhahn – She’s a dynamo, she’s a wiz with oil painting materials – ask her anything about color theory!  She knows way more than me about different applications of grounds, painting oil on paper & panels….stop by & say hi!

Please take a look at our latest post for ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES – might our July show have a piece of YOUR art in it?!!!

Why did I open an Art Supply store? Temporary Insanity, maybe?…

 

Hi fellow artists! This is my first attempt at blogging – please bear with me while I fill you in on the latest here at Art Central!

Our address is 1329 Monterey Street, in San Luis Obispo – Store PH # is (805)  747-4200.  

Store Hours:  Monday thru Saturday 11am – 5pm ….  I’m usually here by 9am, but it’s a good idea to call first and make sure I’m here, if you want to come early!  Also, most days I don’t mind staying later – eventually I figure to have the store open one or two evenings a week – just waiting to see / hear from you – what would the best day be?  I was thinking of  Tuesdays or Thursdays…  feedback is good … let me know!

We had a great opening reception for Art After Dark this past Friday evening – Many thanks to our gallery artists for their terrific work, to Castoro Cellars for pouring their fantastic wine, and to all the great folks who came and enjoyed the evening with us!

This show will be up until March 31st. Please come and check it out – it is SUPERB!

The art supplies are still coming in – some recent arrivals which have been HIGHLY anticipated are the Schminke and Unison pastels – still don’t have a rack for the Schminke’s, but hopefully we’ll see it by the end of the month. In the meantime, we’ve got them in pastel boxes – better than not having them at all, right?! And we got in the Wallis pastel papers, in sheets and pads, to use them on. The Wallis museum grade was backordered… but when it comes in, I’ll be sure to let you know!    and just today we received our shipment of archival print sleeves – I ordered a handful of basic sizes, up to 24×36.  Will unpack them tomorrow morning.

Got in some more stuff for kids, though not as much as I’d like! I love glittery shiny things – I must have been a magpie in a previous life… but I’m trying to be patient, and not go totally crazy each time I see something sparkly. Just wait until they let me loose at the Art Materials Trade show next month – WATCH OUT!

I’m salivating, waiting for the Caran D’ache watercolor crayons to come in – any day now…… 

I’m going to try to stay on top of this blog stuff, keep y’all informed – let me know how I’m doing, ok?

Til next time..! etty