Impressions Newsletter
November 2007
Hello and welcome!
Impressions is looking great!
Or at least that’s what everyone has been telling us. We’re still not quite finished, and we have plans for further developments which will streamline some of our customer and administration processes, - but for now, we’re feeling very happy with the overall improvements our current refurbishments have achieved
View Towards Framing Reception Area
The general consensus from our customers is that they appreciate the better facilities and the more spacious feel to the store. With a separate cashier’s counter, anyone wishing to purchase an item of art equipment does not have to queue up behind people placing framing orders. And framing customers have a little more privacy to make their selections with the new framing reception.
In practical terms, the extra space allows us to not only better display the stock we already carried, but to also extend into new ranges. For example, we have put together an “Art Play” stand to cater for children and adults alike, who just want to have fun. In keeping with our “Truly Creative” focus, we do not intend to carry gimmicky sets which take the creativity out of art – but rather we will carry materials including sets (suitable as gifts) which assist the user to produce original pieces. In addition we now have a paper rack purpose built for our extra large papers range as well as our new Colourfix products stand. We are also carrying a range of heavy-duty stretcher bars for those people wanting to stretch large canvases with more depth.
Art Play Stand
The additional space has also enabled us to display existing stock better so that products are easier to find. The uncluttered appearance now has fooled a few customers into thinking we are carrying less stock.
An area that has become popular is our seat where customers can sit to read art books or simply relax while others shop. In time, we will sort out a bookcase for the books and a coffee table for the magazines and our Impressions Help Notes. But as yet there just haven’t been enough hours in the day to take care of all the details. Our aim has become one of simply continuing to progress the improvements.
Regional Art Awards
The other event that we had in-store during October was the display of the winners works in the Impressions and Arts Council Nelson Regional Art Awards 2007. Of special interest were the People’s Choice winners.
We were delighted to celebrate the presentation of prizes and certificates to Jane Nicol and Pamela Banks instore with their friends and family. As Pamela’s painting had sold to a buyer who wanted to take the picture home immediately the exhibition ended at gallery (Refinery Artspace), we didn’t have a chance to display her picture alongside all the other winners’ works. Jane’s paintings came in for a huge amount of admiration, with many members of the public calling in especially to see the pieces. The display of winners’ works finished on October 13th. We enjoyed having them here.
New Products
Faber Castell “Getting Started” Sets
1. Watercolour Pencil Art
2. Drawing & Sketching
These sets are suitable for artists of all ages. Included in each pack is an instruction booklet with tips and techniques. The sets are priced at $20.40 each.
Faber Castell Creative Studio Sets
1. Miniature Gallery – Watercolour technique on mini canvas
2. Nature Design Cards – Rubbing technique (frottage) on rice paper
3. Decorative Note Cards – Individual window pane cards
4. Paisley Design Cards – Greeting cards in watercolour technique
5. Memory Sketchbook – Travel journal set
6. Decorative Accessories – Papercraft stamping
These sets would make great gifts for anyone who like to play in art. The sets are priced at $30.70 each.
Faber Castell Eraser with Protective Sleeve - $2.55 each (These are proving to be very popular!)
Special
Canson A3 Cartridge Pads
110gsm – acid free paper
Save 50%
Normally $18.00 – Special Price $9.00
While stocks last.
Hints and Tips for Artists
· Play with your art – in this way you will learn while you have fun, and discover an enormous amount along the way.
· Paint every day if you can. Make an appointment with yourself to paint and your work will benefit enormously from the improvements, which inevitably come with practise.
· Try a new technique, approach or media often to expand your skills and artistic repertoire. Use it as a warm-up activity before you get down to the challenge of your current project. This will also help to prevent you getting stale or in a rut with your artwork. File photos or samples of your work in chronological order so that you can easily see your progress and evolution.
· Remember that mistakes can become happy accidents. We learn from our mistakes as well as our successes.
· Be observant – look twice at everything – we miss so much in nature and our surroundings by simply not being observant. Look for colour combinations, shapes and forms, textures and moods. See how things change under different lighting conditions and times of the day.
Exhibitions
· “Culturally Routed” at Refinery Artspace until Friday 16 November.
· Exhibition of Rose Shepard’s students' work, 6th – 11th November at the Drill Hall, Spring Grove, from 10 am – 4 pm daily.
· “Class Act” artworks by the group working with art tutor Tony Milner at Gallery 203, Trafalgar St, Nelson from Monday 19th November to 2nd December.
Talks and Demonstrations
During October Catherine and I visited Art Group Nelson and Nelson Women’s Institute to talk about and demonstrate painting mediums. We enjoyed the enthusiasm of the participants and have had trouble keeping our supplies of some of the materials at our usual level, once members discovered how the products could help them achieve the effects they were looking for. This month I will be joining the Tapawera Visual Art Society (VAST) to demonstrate art products.
Framing for Christmas
Orders for Christmas framing have started to come in. Be aware that framing volumes can be predicted to steadily rise over the coming month up to Christmas, so if you are planning an exhibition or framed artwork as a gift, avoid the hassle and get it in as soon as possible. And remember if you want pictures framed over the holiday period for exhibition and sale, that all framing supplies companies close down for the holidays, so we can only offer you what we have in stock at that time. Whilst we do have an extensive range of materials in stock at any one time, we may not have enough of the perfect thing for you, and be unable to order if you bring the work in over the holiday period. So don’t risk getting caught out!
That brings me to the end of another newsletter. I hope that you managed to take advantage of the wonderful array of performing arts at the Nelson Arts Festival.
Best wishes for an “art-full” November!
Glenys and the team.