Impressions Newsletter

February 2008

  

Welcome to our February newsletter.

As I write this, the weather is very warm and almost everyone is feeling the worse-for-wear because of it.  But at least the fine weather is great for campers and anyone wanting to paint outdoors. January has been a busy month gearing up for art classes which are due to start about now or in the next month or two. Our Art Class Directory has been a real hit with many copies needing to be printed. There have been a number of updates for the New Year, so I recommend you keep an eye on our website page to see who’s offering what, if you are looking for a class. Just go to www.impressionsnelson.co.nz/directory.htm for the latest updates at any time of the year.

Celebrate the Extensions!

Over the last few months (or is it years?) I’ve commented on our extensions and upgrades. Now that they have been completed we’re planning a party to celebrate, and you’re all invited.

Join us in-store: -

5.00 pm to 8.00pm Wednesday 5th March

Free Prize Draws:

1.       A package of artist materials valued at $415.00 including a studio easel, oil paints, brushes and a 24” x 36” (914x609 mm) canvas that will be stretched on the night for you, will be up for grabs.

2.       Two Draws for a ½ Day Plein Air Painting Excursion with Art and About. Prepare to be pampered by Catherine and Dave Kent! The winners will be collected from the I-Site in Nelson at 10 am and driven to a picturesque spot in the region.  You will be supplied with all the art materials you need, receive individual tuition if you want it, and be served a delicious al-fresco lunch. All levels of experience will be catered for – even if you’ve never painted before. You’ll be returned to the I-Site at 2 pm. All you need to do is to be at the I-Site by 10 am on the day.

Your entry for the draws may be placed in the box in-store between 5.00 and 6.30 pm. The draws will take place at 7.00pm – the winner must be present to claim their prize, or a re-draw will be conducted. Each person may place one entry in the box – each entry form drawn will be replaced in the box for the subsequent draws. An entry form will be supplied upon your arrival at the shop.

Artist Demonstration: Our own Catherine Kent, will be demonstrating watercolour painting on watercolour canvas from 5.00 – 6.30 pm. See how dynamic watercolours can be and learn about how watercolour canvas can fulfil your painting needs.

Canvas Stretching Demonstration: Lewis will stretch an archival quality canvas on heavy duty gallery-style stretcher bars and answer questions on technique, canvas qualities, how to care for your canvas etc. The finished canvas will be included in the prize draw package.

Nathan Stretching Canvas

Derivan Matisse Acrylic Paints: A demonstration will be available for you to check out new products.

Take a Tour: No, we’re not offering “guided” tours, but this is your one opportunity to take a look around our workshop and ask questions about framing products and techniques. Our Guild Commended Framer La Verne Clark will be on hand to show you our upstairs workshop space and answer any of your framing dilemmas. Note that is the only occasion when members of the public will be admitted to the workshop, as for your safety and for the safety of our customers’ artworks, we cannot allow non-staff to wander freely when the workshop is in operation.

Special Announcement: We have planned an exciting new initiative to provide added value and service for our arts customers. You must be there on the night to be eligible for extra-special buying privileges and on-going benefits. I’m not going to let the cat-out-of-the-bag at this point. All will be revealed on Wednesday 5th March.

Free Gift: No one will go away empty handed. As you arrive, you will be given a little something which we hope you will find useful.

Special Deals: There will be a wide range of special prices which will be available from 7.05pm to 8pm only. Don’t miss out!

Complimentary Wine & Nibbles: Wine and nibbles will be served in the early evening – so you won’t go hungry if you come straight from work or other commitments.

RSVP: Although not essential if you are able to join us, it would be helpful if you indicated your intention to come by emailing me at impressions@actrix.co.nz  Please put the words Celebration Invitation in the subject line. We look forward to you joining us.

New Products

Tinted Charcoal Pencils

The traditional charcoal pencil has been given a modern twist with the introduction of Derwent Tinted Charcoal pencils. These pencils combine the rich, expressive qualities of charcoal with a gentle hint of colour.

Few materials produce such a wide variety of creative effects, from rich, deep tones to a translucent-like mist. Mixing natural charcoal particles with a small amount of colour pigment and the finest clays extends the creative possibilities even further.
Derwent Tinted Charcoal
Derwent Tinted Charcoal is easy to blend and ideal for covering large areas quickly and smoothly. Unwanted colour can be lifted out quickly with a kneadable putty eraser or plastic eraser, while the pencil’s natural water solubility creates delicate wash effects. And because this unique medium is wood-cased, it is clean and pleasant to use.

Derwent Tinted Charcoal is produced in 21 fabulous tints to complement the three traditional charcoal shades of light, medium and dark. We are selling the pencils individually for $2.25 each.

Hint

How do you transfer a drawing to your canvas?

You may buy ready-made transfer paper or you can make your own by rubbing charcoal, pastel or graphite on a sheet of tracing paper. Trace the image using tracing paper (if you do not want to deface your original drawing), then place your bought or self-made transfer paper between your traced image and the support you intend to paint on. Re-draw the lines of the traced image to create a “carbon copy” on the new support.

Exhibitions

PANZ (Pastel Artists of New Zealand) invite to their exhibition of pastel paintings by their members from Nelson and Marlborough from 9.00am – 4.30pm on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th February at the Mapua Village Hall, Aranui Rd, Mapua. The preview will take place at 7pm Friday 22nf February. Artists will be demonstrating and be available to answer questions. An impression is proud to sponsor the prize package for the People’s Choice Award.

Our sincere congratulations must go to Rosa Shepard, and her helpers for yet again another successful Nouveau Art Awards and Exhibition. I hope you managed to make the time to see the display at the Drill Hall in Spring Grove. All proceeds go to the wonderful cause of assisting our talented young artists in the pursuit of their art education.

Tasman Visual Arts Group (TVAG) Exhibition of members’ works until February 15th at Gallery 203, Trafalgar Street, Nelson.

Unleashed Art & Design Expo – “Affordable” art, craft and design by self taught artists. Richmond Town Hall, Saturday 16th February, 9.30am – 5.30pm. This will be a fun day with prizes, bouncy castle, coffee cart and a fundraising barbecue. It promises something for everyone. Entry by gold coin donation to support he Dyslexia Foundation.

  

Get Inspired.....

I found this gem in a magazine: -

“What kind of art inspires you? If you’re lucky, its work that looks fun and achievable. But if it seems technically beyond you, don’t be disheartened – just look at the subject matter and how it’s arranged on the paper or canvas, and have a go at recreating a similar theme for yourself. Enjoy the process – it’s a fascinating way of learning more about how the art you love was put together. Even work you don’t like can inspire you – how could you tackle the same kind of subject differently? Art inspires art – let all kinds of art inspire you”

-Lynda Poole (Extracted from Leisure Painter Dec 05)

Thank You

Thanks for taking to time to read our little newsletter. We appreciate that you are probably a busy person. I’d like to give a special thank you to everyone who gives me feedback and ideas for the newsletter. I am aware that I have had some formatting issues – but I am working on these with our website designer, and hope to have everything under control soon.

 

Have a good month. We hope to see you on March 5th at our celebration.

Regards

Glenys and the Team