Introducing Copper, the ambassador of Blaine’s Art Supply! Her human Dave and his wife Renee rescued her from death row when she was just a puppy. “There are people who come here just to pet her. Little kids are eye to eye with her, she won’t lick their face, steal their food… she’ll come up and lean against someone until they decide to pet her,” Dave explains affectionately. Since Alaska’s state sport is mushing (dog-sledding), dog-friendly establishments are much appreciated; Copper greets customers at the door, pokes her head into the classroom to say hello and stands obediently at the…
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Venerable Vintages: All About Paper
“Everyday and everywhere, paper is used as a medium. It passes from hand to hand, eyes to eyes. We often touch it, almost always read it, but is is rarely contemplated…it is a medium with nearly inexhaustible resources…[Paper] is one of the most modest materials, but one that can be shaped in the most complex ways.” Mademoiselle Maurice, Artist, Savoy, France (1) In honor of Papercrafting Month, we’ve delved into the history of paper. While the digital age has eliminated a lot of paper trails, paper still influences our everyday life. It is arguably one of the most important inventions…
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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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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…
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Art Dog of the Month: Zeus
The God of Thunder is a little camera shy… Zeus is the chief pup of Forstall Art Center in Birmingham, Alabama. He was rescued about 13 years ago when he was around two years old. He has modeled for the store’s PR materials with great success (see the handsome snapshot of a 4th of July advertisement). He used to work full time in the store but has now gone to part time work, greeting customers in the afternoon and patrolling the store. Zeus has made a lot of friends with customers over the years, artsy locals who bring him treats,…
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Venerable Vintages: The Compass
Venerable Vintages is a chance to indulge in the art supply nerd in all of us. To submit a special item connect with us at artdogblog (@) macphersonart.com. This month’s Venerable Vintages is a collection of drawing instrument ephemera from MacPherson’s Emeryville office. The collection features a compass set beside various patented compass, divider and ruling pen designs from an Alteneder & Son’s pricing booklet published in 1871. The compass has a long interdisciplinary history, with science and art at the heart of its purpose. A tool for mathematics, architecture, engineering, geography and the arts, the compass (or “divider”) dates…
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Art Dog Of The Month: Cody
Introducing this month’s Art Dog, Cody—a spunky people-loving pup from North Hollywood, CA. He is just about three and was rescued from the East Valley Shelter in LA by his humans Jenia and Chris Hauser of Carter Sexton Art Supplies. Jenia gives us the scoop on his hairdo, what he loves and his deepest, darkest fears… “Cody’s hair color change was a BIG surprise to his mom and his brother Zack. They went out of town for a weekend in July and came home to a blue dog with a mohawk. Chris Hauser’s creative genius in action. Needless to say…
