Impressions Newsletter

December 2007

Welcome to the Christmas edition of our newsletter. It seems no time at all since I was writing our last end-of-year newsletter. The year has been very busy which always makes the time fly by.

The shop is looking very “Christmassy” with the decorations up and there lots of goodies suitable for presents for any artists in your lives. Remember too, that we sell gift vouchers for when it is better for the gift recipient to choose their own gift.

Our trading hours over the holiday period will be: -

Monday December 24th 9 am – 5.30 pm
Tuesday December 25th Christmas Day - Closed
Wednesday December 26th Boxing Day - Closed
Thursday December 27th 9 am – 5.50 pm
Friday December 28th 9 am – 5.30 pm
Saturday December 29^th 9 am – 1 pm
Sunday December 30^th - Closed
Monday December 31^st New Years Eve – Closed
Tuesday January 1^st New Years Day – Closed
Wednesday January 2^nd 9 am – 5.30 pm
Thursday January 3^rd 9 am – 7 pm
Friday January 4^th 9 am – 5.30 pm
Saturday January 5^th 9 am – 1 pm

As you can see we will be closed for all the statutory holidays plus New Years Eve. Most of our staff will be taking a well-deserved break with their families, so Lewis, Nathan and I will hold the fort to take care of your framing and art supplies requirements. Please note that over these dates, our suppliers are closed so there may be some restrictions on what products are available – particularly with picture framing. We try to anticipate your needs, but sometimes our crystal ball lets us down.

New Products

Winsor and Newton have discontinued the manufacture of the Cirrus Sable brushes in favour of a new Kolinski Sable watercolour series.

“The Artists' Water Colour Sable brush range has been created based upon the most popular and useful brush shapes for a water colourist. Using our experience we have improved the profile of the popular round brush to ensure an excellent belly and perfect point, and introduced a new shape the ‘Pointed Round’, for when extra fine detail and colour carrying is essential.With 30 brushes in total from sizes 00 – 12, it is easy for the artist to select the correct brush for their painting needs.

In addition to the quality of materials and method of manufacture the Artists' Water Colour Sable brush has the added benefit of the unique Winsor & Newton sculptured handle with a matt finish for the ultimate in comfort whilst painting.” (Excerpt from the Winsor and Newton website www.winsornewton.com/news)We will be adding the new brushes to our range, as the Cirrus brushes are sold. The new handles are particularly nice to hold.

Exhibitions

The 5^th Annual Tapawera VAST (Visual Arts Society Tapawera) exhibition is being held from 26 January to 3 February at Shedwood Hall, Tapawera. Opening times are 10 am – 8 pm Saturday 26 January, and 10 am – 5 pm other days. The opening will be held on Friday 25 January from 7 pm. Admission is free. There will be a wide range of works by local artists on display and for sale. Betty Salter is exhibiting a range of pastels, acrylic and oil paintings at Café Affaire in Trafalgar St, Nelson, throughout December. Rosalina McCarthy has advised us that samples of her water colour paintings can now be seen in a brand new art venue, the Printhouse Art Gallery, 60 Rutherford St, Nelson until 21

December.

Our own Catherine Kent is exhibiting a range of watercolours on watercolour canvas at Art Moves in Nile Street until 24^th December. The display is entitled “Extreme Watercolours”.

David Kemp warmly invites you to visit his new studio to view hi inaugural exhibition "Rooted in Tasman" December 8th and 9th, 15th and 16th, or at other times by appointment. Phone 03 540 3720, email: dk@davidkemp.co.nz, www.davidkemp.co.nz. The studio will be closed from December 17th and will re-open New Years Day. The studio is located at 190 Dominion Rd, Mahana.

Hints with Charcoal

One way to create sharp, definite lines with charcoal on canvas is to go over the finished drawing with a fine brush dipped in pure gum turps. The turps binds the charcoal to the surface so there is little danger of removing your drawing under usual conditions, although if you intended to use a lot of turps in your underpainting, a spray of fixative would be advisable.
Try painting over a charcoal drawing on canvas with an alkyd resin medium such as Winsor & Newton Liquin. This will give your drawing a lovely depth and glow.

Special

We are over-stocked with these high quality cartridge pads.50 leaf - 110 gsm - A3 Normally $18.00

Special Price only $9.00

Our next newsletter will be a few days later than usual, as I am sure that most people will be too busy relaxing to read a newsletter. We wish you all a very happy and safe holiday and look forward to serving you in the New Year.

Best wishes from Glenys, Lewis and the Team at Impressions.