Luminous colors for an illuminated Halloween

Golden Acrylic's Phosphorescent Green glows in the dark

AND

Holbein's Luminous Acrylic colors glow under blacklight!

 

 We also just received glow-in-the-dark SILLY PUTTY for Halloween.

What else is spooky around here? 

How about Speedball's glow-in-the-dark Silkscreen ink? 

Works great on fabric or paper.

Make your artwork a two-for-one: 

Paint or print a second image that pops out when it's shown under a different light.

You could also use this technique to dress up some really unique Halloween decorations.

 

 

Cleaninig Brushes

 Cleaning Brushes
Never rest brushes on their hairs. Always leave them flat or with the hairs upright. Keep brushes clean during the painting session and give them a thorough cleaning after the session. For water-based paints, switch back and forth between rinsing out with tap water and mildly soaped water. For oil and alkyd paints, use mineral spirits or turpentine in the same manner and finish up with mild soap or brush cleaner and water. Always reshape the brush when work is complete.

Here’s a tip for cleaning really big brushes often used in oil painting. Place an old wire colander in a gallon plastic ice cream bucket. Next, place both in a taller bucket with a lid. Fill the gallon bucket with paint thinner to cover the bristles. Swirl the brushes against the colander and then wipe off the excess with a rag. The big bucket catches any splashes.

Remember that solvents are toxic and should be disposed of as hazardous wastes.

 

 

My favorite Brush cleaner is Generals Brush cleaner, since it is non-toxic and I have seen it save brushes that I was sure were goners!-chelsea

Fine Framing at Artists Mediums

Have you seen Museum Glass yet? It is so amazing, that when they sent me this sample I said, why did they send me half a piece of glass?

You can see my reflection ion the UV Glass on the left, but you can barely see any reflection at all in the museum Glass. It is really amazing stuff.

 

Also don't forget we are always recieving new styles of frames from our vendors, these are just a couple of examples.

Auto Air Airbrush colors in stock

 We have a good selection of Auto Air Airbrush colors in stock at the moment, stop by if you need some nice bright colors to put through your airbrush!

Art Discussions

Once again, this subject has come up.

Would local artists would like to gather and share information and ideas about how and where we find our creative spark, and about how we each in our own way follow that sometimes rather winding path towards self expression?

There are many Galleries to show your art,

and there are arts organizations which help promote art,

but where is it that artists can meet to discuss creating?

I have often said that we all seem to work in a void.
If you are interested in joining or forming a discussion group, I would love your input.
Stop by the store to let us know your thoughts on gathering a group together!

24 Hours of Making COMICS

Now in Winooski!

Winooski Welcome Center will host the 6th Annual 24-Hour Comics Day on October 20th-21st 2012. 

The event is being co-produced by Artists’ Mediums, Rick Evans, and the Winooski Welcome Center.

24-Hour Comics Day, the fun and possibly grueling challenge for comic artists and writers worldwide is back! Artists of all abilities and styles are invited to push themselves to their physical and creative limits in the singular artistic challenge of creating an entire 24-page comic book in one 24-hour period.  

 

Rick made a mini-comic to help newbies figure out how to tackle the challenge.  It's a good refresher for everyone, seeing as how it only comes once a year.
Check it out on the info page here!

  

Ready to sign up?  

There are a few things to be aware of first:  

1. Be sure to arrange a ride to pick you up at the end of the event.  When you've been awake and drawing for 24 hours, it is not safe to be operating a vehicle.  
2. The event is open to participants 16 years and older.  Permission slips for those under 18 must be signed by a parent or guardian the day the event starts.  
3. You're going to be in one place for 24 hours.  Dress comfortably, bring food (or have friends visit you with food), a pillow, etc.  Read the guide for more suggestions from Rick, who has been leading this for us from the start.  
4. When you're ready to join in*, contact us by email at 24hcdvt@obscurius.org  or call Artists' Mediums at (802) 879-1236 
5. If you want to drop in and check the progress we're making, please do.  We'll be there from 10 a.m. Saturday the 20th through 10 a.m. Sunday the 21st.  Come watch the artists push their stories through to completion!

*Call soon, space is limited!

Kristin takes a break from her comic, a wordless story that ends with apples, sticks and rabbits

Emcee Rick Evans carefully plotting out his panels

Gregg Giordano (in black) and Geoff Glore (in red) keep coming back for more

Is Photography ART?

Artists Mediums, is helping to organize an "Is Photography Art" Debate? Maybe three debaters on each team. Maybe something for the dead of winter in the middle of January? Ken Signorello of the Darkroom Photography Gallery plus "The Art in Photography" will organize the pro debate, Who is willing to argue the con side?

Those artists using photos to work from raises another issue. Is a painting made from a projected photo, art or is the photo the art? 

 This raises another question: is a photograph of an art object art? Then, if you really want to make your head spin: is a still life image, made by photography or other medium art or is the assembled object the art? We could really put together a thought provoking program that could be very popular, and may even need to be a series.  I don't think I have seen this sort of thing done in the area.  This could put Williston/Essex on the art map. 

Tamiya Paints

  

 In order to help out local hobbyists we have just brought in a brand new selection of Tamiya Acrylic Modelling paints.

We were very sorry to find out that Vermont Toy and hobby had to close doors after so many years.

Please don't let this happen to the remaining local creative stores!  



There is a lovely transparent red



We can special order Estes rockets and other unique products, that although you will not find them on our salesfloor, just give us a call with a week or two of lead time, and we'll get the special items you need for Boy scouts events and other projects.

 

Kathleen Bergeron's Watercolor on Golden Absorbent Ground

(I love to see the projects our wonderful customers create,

so I was thrilled to see this piece brought into the store. -c)

Kathleen Bergeron stopped by to show us a wonderful piece she is just about to varnish.  It can act as an architectural detail even though it's painted in Watercolor!

Kathleen wanted to keep a wet, loose look, and she's achieved it in this bright and cheerful piece which she will have over a door. Golden's Absorbant Ground makes it possible to create a pourous surface to hold watercolor on just about any surface you can imagine. Thank you Kathleen!

The Art Room with Sherri Hiller Artist / Teacher

First Art Room session for 2013:

SCULPTURE EXPLORATION

Using various materials and your creativity!

January 22 - February 14, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

Students ages 7 - 14

3:15 pm - 5:15 pm Class time (drop off at 3:00)

Cost of class: $240

You can register in person or by phone with Artists' Mediums: 

(800) 255-1290 or (802) 879-1236

 

After School Program Purpose:

 ·The programs will provide young artist with the tools to explore, imagine, create, and experience self-discovery in a supportive, nonjudgmental art studio environment.

About Sherrie Hiller the teacher and artist:

Working with art and mixing the experience with children is a passion. I started teaching after school art classes at The Art Studio at Sanford Barn in Hamden, Connecticut in 1999 in addition Alice Peck Elementary School, (Hamden Public School District) in 2003. I taught workshops for Minds and Motion the Connecticut Association for the talented and gifted. In 2003, which I conceived and implemented Kindergarten and First grade art workshops. Moving to Vermont in 2006 I taught mixed medium art classes and jewelry making at Edmunds Elementary and Middle Schools in Burlington.

Before and during the time I was involved with instructing art classes I served as Visual Artist and Production Coordinator for the International Arts and Ideas Festival in New Haven, Connecticut. I worked on neighborhood projects and art in public places.

In June of 1999 I was appointed a position on the Hamden Arts Commission. I was the chair for the Family’s Saturday Afternoon Series. This committee planned ongoing enrichment and entertainment programs. I was on many committees to promote the arts and educate the community.

Testimonials:

September 10, 2012

“When I went to Sherrie’s art camp, I thought it was fun and I think she has a lot of character!”

-- Willa Harrington, age 13

It was our good fortune to have our daughter enrolled in art classes with Sherrie Hiller. Sherrie is a dedicated art educator who finds innovative ways to support learning through the arts. Sherrie embraces the thriving Burlington arts community, and this enthusiasm naturally spills over into her teaching. Her classes are safe, nurturing; a place where artistic ability blooms through careful tending and encouragement of the creative spirit.

I was impressed with Sherrie’s creative use -- and offerings for her students -- of recycled and natural materials to draw, paint, sculpt, and create books and portraits.

Our daughter responded positively to Sherrie due to her patience, her ease with working with her, her love of art, and her sense of humor. Sherrie thoughtfully guided our daughter while simultaneously encouraging her to develop and grow her own skills and talents.

A talented teacher of the arts, Sherrie’s commitment, dedication and support of art education programs also make her an inspired addition to any arts organization.

Ann Harrington, M.Ed.

Special Educator

Old Clothes or Smock are strongly recommended

Only registered students can attend the class

No electronic devices

Cell phones must be turned off and out of sight during class instruction

Please no snacks, (unless needed for health reasons) Water bottles are welcome

We have lots of surfaces!

 Pastel boards, Masonite, Gesso Boards, Aqua boards, and of course canvas in a wide selction of shapes and sizes.

 And this new set gives you the chance to try out all of Golden's Acrylic grounds.

Creative Display/ local creative stores

We at Artists Mediums want to encourage you our customers to remember to

Shop Local!

Artists' Mediums joined with a group of creative stores in a display

at the Montpelier Visitors Welcome Center.

 We showed off some of our brushes and pens, Golden acrylics and miniature canvas pins.



We showed off some of our brushes and pens, Golden acrylics and miniature canvas pins.

 Several local craft stores,including the fabulous Yarns and fibers to be found at New England Fiber Arts, the precious wide variety of lovely beads from Bead Crazy, and even some lovely quiltwork from Stiched.