In celebration of the holiday season, the Atlanta PM shift had an ugly Christmas sweater contest last week! Strutting their stuff from left to right: Kehinde, Mo, Angie, Marianna, Symone, Steven and Camesha.
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Venerable Vintages: History of Sign Painting
The historical trade of sign-painting and a recent comeback that has talented sign-painters transforming the store fronts of cities and towns all over the country calls for a three part feature! Read on for Venerable Vintages, our monthly feature that examines the art supply industry through an historical lens; then check out our Artist Feature exploring the sign-painting work of Christian Shaknaitis of Brush and Pounce. Top off your sign-painting education with in store practices that incorporate sign-painting and boost your business. Sign-painting is an ancient trade that dates back as early as 300 B.C. Merchants, pub owners, innkeepers and…
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Christian Shaknaitis of Brush & Pounce
Christian Shaknaitis is a sign-painter based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His business, Brush and Pounce, specializes in hand-painted signage and quality craftsmanship: “My style reflects vintage signage, with a strong appreciation for the skilled craftsmanship of handmade signs of the past. The signs incorporate hand-painted, stylized and ornate type, hand-cut letters and elegantly finished wood panels.” In addition to handfuls of businesses on Butler Street in the Lawrenceville neighborhood, his work is all over the city: including at The Abbey on Butler, Roberto Clemente Museum, Fox Chapel Ski and Board, Café D’Amore, Patagonia, Pittsburgh Burrito Bus and Pittsburgh Sandwich Society. I…
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Four Ways Sign-Painting Can Expand Your Reach
If you are visiting Art Dog, odds are you are involved in the art supply industry in one way or another. Sign-painting has made a comeback and, as art supply folks, we need to tune in! How can you tap into the sign-painting comeback in a way that a) moves product that you have b) strengthens your relationships with your community and c) grows new business opportunities? After a recent interview with sign-painter Christian Shaknaitis, who has been in the industry for ten years, we brainstormed ways retailers can connect with sign-painters to the benefit of all parties. Merchandise A…
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Remembering & Honoring Bob Toth, 1949-2018
Robert James Toth, 68, died November 6, 2018 at Berkshire Medical Center following a brief illness. He was born on 12/29/1949 in Bridgeport, CT and raised in Fairfield, CT. After graduation from Roger Ludlow High School, Bob served in the US Navy aboard the USS Mullinix during the Vietnam War between 1968-1972. He graduated from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT and later earned an MBA from The Isenberg School of Management, UMass Amherst. Bob began his career in the art paper industry at Rising Paper. Since 1987, Bob had been employed by Canson, Inc. of South Hadley, MA, most…
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Flip to Page 54: Use Your Screens in 2019
In an effort to make using social media a less daunting task, we’ve put together a two page spread in the Winter Back-To-School Buyer’s Guide with five social media related New Year’s resolutions. We recommend tackling each section with a cup of something soothing and steamy, an open mind and a highlighter in hand. You’ll find tips for each core social media platform: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Pinterest. Pick and choose which platforms your store wants to focus on, and identify three actionable items for the new year! Click here for more social media resources, courtesy of the marketing…
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3 DIY Holiday Cards with Jess Park
3 DIY Holiday Greeting Cards with Jess Park from strathmoreartist on Vimeo. Strathmore is excited to share a new video made by artist and influencer Jess Park. Jess used Strathmore Watercolor Cards and NEW Mixed Media Postcards to create three different DIY holiday cards that anyone can follow along to for some joyous holiday greetings! Download and share the video with your customers. Each card lesson comes with a full supply list making it easy for artists to get exactly what they need and feel inspired to make a handmade greeting. Set up an in-store make and take event or share…
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Art Dogs (& Cats!) of the Month: Mia’s Furry Family
MacPherson’s Account Manager Mia Fesmire does a lot of fostering, a practice that for animal-lovers leads to adopting, and a constantly expanding family. “Right now we have a pretty full house. And everyone in the family loves animals; if I had land I would probably get a goat, a cow and a pig.” The dogs: Bella the nine year old chocolate lab and Julian, the twelve year old Chihuahua. Both are flaunting their festive wear in anticipation of the holiday season. Mia has always loved animals; her family had a dog growing up but her parents hated cats. “I would…
