Daniel Smith Art Supply Paper Sale! Art Bins on Clearance as well!

Daniel Smith Art Supply in Seattle is really neat!  I just visited today for the first time.  They are in South
Seattle on S. 1st street.  www.danielsmith.com  They have driving directions right
on their website.
  Anyway, here are some great deals on clearance that I found today.  Large sheets of thick quality paper
is on clearance for 25 cents a sheet!  It's a real steal.  I stocked up on that.  Also,  and you should head
over quickly for this-extra large ArtBin storage containers with 3 separate compartments for art supplies
are on clearance for 8 bucks and change!  They are sturdy and have a grip handle for easy paint/art
supply transport of acrylics, pencils or whatever you've got.  Great to lug around with you when you do
outdoor work or need to paint somewhere other then your studio.  They also had great clearance deals
on matte cutter blades and loose tubes of professional oil and acrylic paints.  I think the website also
lists clearance items and have good deals on shipping.  If you give them your contact info they will
also send you their catalog through the mail which is a nice touch these days:)
  Remember, these are deals that I saw for Seattle area so I can't say what the other shops are carrying.

This was as of the afternoon of Apr 9th, 2012.  Happy bargain hunting!

Paint on Hardboard versus Canvas and Save Money!

Canvas can be expensive to paint on and sometimes I feel as if this limits the type of painting that I do.
At first I was purchasing cheaper canvas so that I had a lot of surface to practice on and could come
up with new techniques and use new mediums I wasn't used to.  There was one problem with this.
Sometimes my painting would come out really well and if I wanted to sell my work, I didn't feel comfortable
charging what the art was worth if it was on crappy canvas.
This led me to some research on surface types for painting.  I went to my local art store and noticed hardboard pre cut for sale.  I know this is a pretty cool surface to work on and since it's thin you can frame your paintings
as well.  The pre cut hardboard or masonite was very expensive in the art store.  I researched online and came
up with some great alternatives.
You can go to Home Depot or any local hardware store and pick up the same hardboard in large sheets and the store will pre cut the sizes you want for free!  I just came home with a nice big stack of cut surface boards
that are sturdy and perfect for painting.  This gives the option of choosing your own sizes and also a cheaper
way to paint larger paintings.  The cost for the large hardboard was just under 11 bucks!  I am elated with
excitement.....thinking of all the possibilities of working and experimenting on this surface.
I suggest you prime the board first, especially if you are painting on a large one since it is about 1/8 in thick.
It may bow or  warp.  Research priming the board online.  You can gesso it with a large paint brush and

sand it between coats to make it smooth.  Have fun, I know I will this spring:)

Painting on Water - YouTube

Painting on Water - YouTube

A friend shared this with me...it looks incredible.  I would love to set up a table outside and invite
some friends over and try this!
And you get the finished painting afterwards as a bonus...wow!

Painting Outdoors!

One of the things I am pretty excited about this year is painting outdoors. I have a covered patio
in my backyard that is partially secluded with trees and flowers and I set up a small table and easel
to work with.  It can be time consuming to drag out all my acrylics and oils and supplies so this year
I have come up with a plan.
  I have always wanted to develop watercolor painting and pastel more and these are what I am using
this year to paint outside.
  The amount of things to bring with you to a park or outdoors to paint  are minimal and easy to
pack.  Watercolor in a box set (12.99 at Michael's for Prang 16 color box set), glass sealed jar of
water for mixing and diluting, pad of paper, pastels, pencils and some papertowels are all you need
to have a blast. Ink and gel pens are also great to outline your paintings after they dry.  You can throw
all this stuff in to a tote bag...don't forget your brushes!  Grab some snacks and your I pod and head
to your backyard, balcony or nearest park and start painting!  You don't need an easel and you can
set up at a picnic table and lay out all your things....Nothing beats listening to some tunes in the sun, listening to birds and watching the view as you work.  I think art is definitely affected when working
outdoors and you can also paint what you see around you.
Happy spring and summer!

Alex Grey

Alex Grey
Check out this artist's website. He has done artwork for the band Tool etc. He also has a great documentary you can view from netflix called The Chapel of Sacred Mirrors" where he describes his inspiration to paint. It's interesting and a lot of fun to watch!

Autumn Tranquilino Art: The Night is Mine

Autumn Tranquilino Art: The Night is Mine: "I have tried to go to bed earlier all my life. Finally when I hit my thirties I realized it wasn't working. I paint and play music by myse..."

The Night is Mine

I have tried to go to bed earlier all my life.  Finally when I hit my thirties I realized it wasn't working.
I paint and play music by myself at night a lot.  I have a balcony that overlooks the street and I usually keep the door to it open at night when I paint.  I've learned to take frequent breaks while I
paint and I will stand on the balcony and stare at the night sky.  I play music and stare at the different sky formations that each night brings.  My favorite music right now to do this to is Tv on the Radio and I like when the moon is out and the clouds are moving fast.  Late at night most people are home sleeping or watching television and the neighborhood is finally mine alone.   I don't feel alone at all while I paint and watch the sky and I feel the whole atmosphere tie together and weave the background for my work.  It's at night when I can become most inspired and can detect  the fine line where the divine sleeps and where I am awake.  Impressions are subtle yet always there ready to aid.  I still wish sometimes that I were a "morning" person because the day lends itself so that I could get a lot of things done.  But my best works are usually created late when the town has been sleeping for hours and music is drifting through my balcony door into the night:)