Release the Creativity in You

So You Want to Be An Artist

True Blue Art Supply Has Answers to Your Questions about Art Supplies

No matter your age or level of expertise, art lessons and art supplies go hand in glove.

Whether you are a parent who is searching for just the right school supplies and art materials for your favorite student, a retiree who is looking to acquire a new talent, a teacher who wants to increase your knowledge level, or a busy professional who seeks creative expression, help is available at True Blue Art Supply in Downtown Asheville.

THERE’S MORE TO LIFE THAN WORK AND PLAYING GOLF

Art supplies expert Claire Reeder, co-owner of True Blue Art Supply in Asheville and Studio Supply in Chapel Hill, as well as Iggy’s Art Supply in Clemmons, NC, has some solid advice to give to new and aspiring artists of every age.

“If you don’t have the rights tools and supplies, you aren’t going to get the best results,” said Reeder, “but you don’t have to spend a fortune either.” She said that in every category of art, whether it’s watercolor, pastels, acrylic, pen and ink, printmaking, book arts, or oil, people can purchase their starter supplies for under twenty dollars.

Reeder provides answers for her art supply customers. “We get every kind of question for every kind of material. That’s why all of our employees are professional artists or college students majoring in art. We have to understand what customers need and want, and have to be able to explain how to use the supplies.”

Reeder noted that while August is a big month for younger folks needing art supplies, every month brings a large number of older people who are taking art workshops and classes for the first time. Still others just come in and decide to learn art on their own, but need help in deciding what materials they need first.

“Not everyone wants to play golf when they get older, said Claire Reeder, who owns True Blue with her husband, Jim Shura. “So many come in looking to learn about art. I think art helps keep them young and creative. They have the time to practice and do the research. Many also have an idea of what they want to do, and some have a little bit more discretionary income, so they don’t want to waste their time with lower grade materials. They are looking for results.”

GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH ART SUPPLIES

Reeder said that in the past she has conducted workshops about art supplies that highlighted new and traditional supplies for those interested in understanding more fully how to best use particular supplies. Each session was designed to explain in detail how to select and use specific art supplies. Time was also be set aside for questions and answers by attendees, many of whom may be taking art classes and want to know more about specific supplies.

“Depending on their art instructors, some customers are pretty specific about the kind of materials they want,” said Reeder. “But that’s not always the case. I have a customer, who is learning art on his own, and he comes in three or four times a week looking for new things, because he gets so much satisfaction from doing all kinds of art. He loves it. He usually chooses vibrant colors.”

GO OUT AND PLAY AGAIN

Reeder said that her father who is now retired sometimes tells her that he is bored. “I tell him, Dad, you’ve got to be kidding me. When I was a kid and I complained that I was bored, you used to tell me to go out and play. So that’s what I’m seeing from many of my customers. They have the time now and they want to play with art.”

“Many of the older people who frequent art supply houses and take art classes want to try different mediums to see how they like it. I think experimenting with all kinds of art is a lot of fun.”

Reeder offers some practical tips for the new artist. “Watercolor is good if you’re adventurous, but it’s difficult and I don’t think it’s a good starter medium.” She said that drawing is a good place to start. And stippling is another good starter technique. She said that a popular style of late is contemporary Japanese cartooning known as “manga.”

She also offers insights and encouragement: “Many people who are older are their own worst critic and are too hard on themselves, teenagers are quick to open up and show us what they’re working on, maybe True Blue will have a clothesline art show for our customers.”

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information is available online at www.artpaper.com. True Blue is located on Haywood Street next to Haywood Park Hotel (www.haywoodpark.com). It is located across the street from the well-known Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe (www.malaprops.com) and Asheville’s largest gallery, Woolworth Walk Art Gallery (www.woolworthwalk.com), which offers beginner and advanced art classes for children and adults.