Three-time Emmy-winning reporter Nic Cha Kim from Spectrum News talked to us for his latest story “LA Mom and Pop Shops Struggle to Survive During COVID-19”.
Thank you for shining your light on us, Nic!
Oh yeah, shop local!
We Made The News, again!
Category: Art News
Edding 850: A Pen Unlike All the Others
When the Berlin Wall came down in November 1989, all East Germans could claim 100DM, the equivalent of about $100 in US dollars today, from the government of West Germany, to be spent at their leisure. This Begrüßungsgeld or “welcome money,” was a long-standing practice that was now accessible to all.
TIME Magazine reported on what 10 people did with their money, including an East Berliner named Jens Müller, aka graffiti artist Tasso, who spent 10 of his 100 DM on an Edding 850 Permanent Marker.
“For me it was the first time I had seen graffiti tags, on every corner in every place,” he says, of driving with friends around Kreuzberg in West Berlin as a 23-year-old. “I was wondering, ‘How have they done this?’ And then I see it must be a pen, a marker, and so I said, ‘I want to have this marker.’” He found one in a Karstadt department store that cost 10 of his 100 DM. “That was a lot. My friends thought I was crazy.” He worked in construction following reunification, eventually becoming a freelance artist. Today his tag is recognized around the world. He has visited 32 different countries to make, exhibit and promote his work.
TIME Magazine quoting Jens Müller, aka Tasso.
After a long time only being available through grey market importers, Edding pens and markers are now finally available in the US & Canada, from the permanent markers to the drawing, coloring and decorating pens and markers. Which one is your favorite?
We made the news!
Nic Cha Kim reported for Spectrum News 1 SoCal with his segment, “Raw Materials Art Store Reopens in Larger DTLA Location.”
Thanks for the spotlight, Nic!
InkTober 2019 Official Prompt List
🕷️ Ready for InkTober? Above is the InkTober 2019 prompt list, in case you wanted to join in the inky fun. 🕸️
InkTober rules:
1) Make a drawing in ink (you can do a pencil under-drawing if you want).
2) Post it
3) Hashtag it with #inktober and #inktober2019
4) Repeat
Them’s the rules. We urge you to tag us during the month of October so we can help you to show off your inky creations.
Farewell, Swain’s and C2F!
It has been a rough start to the fall in the art materials industry. The Los Angeles area lost an institution with the closing of Swain’s HQ Art Supplies, which has been supporting artists and selling art supplies in Glendale for seventy years, and we are very sad to see them go.
Read Karl’s message to customers. Thank you Karl for mentioning us and the other independent retailers still fighting on in Southern California.
The imminent closure of C2F, one of the few distributors of art materials was also announced. They were the primary source for a few of our favorite brands (such as M. Graham, Bee Paper, Pentalic, and Cheep!), but it looks like most of those will find new homes so we plan to continue stocking them as long as we’re able!
We live in interesting times for retailers and the art materials industry. Sometimes we feel like we’re mice scampering beneath the feet of giants with names like Amazon, Blick Art Materials, and Artist & Craftsman Supply, and it’s tough to lose friends and allies like C2F and Swain’s.
We, and our employees, thank all of you who have stuck with us, are just discovering, us, and hope to feed your artistic endeavors for years to come.
David Arquette Teaches Bob Ross Technique @ Raw Materials to benefit Inner-City Arts
We’ve been lucky enough to get some press on the Bob Ross Painting Class that actor David Arquette taught at Raw Materials (thanks to Emmy-winning reporter Nic Cha Kim at Spectrum News!) but we felt it was important for you to know, as mentioned in the news story, that the proceeds from the class went to support one of the nation’s most effective arts education providers, Inner-City Arts. Not familiar with the organization? Check out this video:
We recently visited Inner-City Arts‘ beautiful, award-winning campus in Downtown Los Angeles, and came away so inspired. We are even more committed to continue supporting them and invite you to join us in advocating for arts education for our communities.
💥 Boom. Summer is 🔥 and we’re almost out of here
There’s a lot going on so we’re just going to jump in with some news and exciting events curated just for you. Our current location will close at 5pm on Sunday August 11 and we will re-open in our new location at 645 S. Los Angeles Street at 10am on Thursday, August 15, 2019. The picture above is the new location’s exterior. Which paint sample do you prefer, E or S?
We really don’t want to pack, so our Moving Sale Continues! Come in before August 11th and get a coupon for $5 off any purchase of $25 or more at our new location! Also, books are on clearance, July is World Watercolor Month – so you’re going to need a bigger cart.
Here’s the really fun and exciting part – our new location has room for classes and workshops. 🤸♀️ We’re starting with Art Happy Hour on August 16th. 🎨🥂 Don’t miss out on the Oil Painting Master Class with Salomon Huerta or Learn to Paint Like Bob Ross with David Arquette! Check out the calendar of events and register for classes online. Are you excited‽ We are! See you soon!
We’re Moving!
Raw Materials Art Supplies is moving to a new location! Our new location is at 645 S. Los Angeles St., only two blocks away from our current store and at double the size, we’ll be bigger (and deffer). Come for more of the best art supplies, and stay for in-store classes, workshops, and product demonstrations! Stay tuned for further updates, because our new location at 645 S. Los Angeles Street is scheduled to open early August, and until then we’re going to have a huge MOVING SALE and you don’t want to miss that.
Create Acrylic Gel Skins with GOLDEN High Flow Drawings
Create drawings with Golden High Flow Acrylics and a needle nose applicator. Turn your drawings into Acrylic skins that can be used as a unique part of your art.
Announcement: Gamblin Discontinued Products
Gamblin is discontinuing the following products and we couldn’t be more proud of them for leading the way:
Why no more Rabbit Skin Glue and Traditional Gesso?
We recognize that many painters value the working properties of rabbit skin glue and traditional gesso. We have our own values, however, and these products do not align with them. We don’t want any part of the the rabbit farming industry. Period.
For decades, Gamblin PVA Size has given artists a much higher performing and vegan alternative to Rabbit Skin Glue. Our Ground gives painters brighter colors, greater permanence, and an animal-free alternative to Traditional Gesso for preparing panels and canvases. It’s time to leave the past in the past.
Thanks again.
Thank you so much for your longstanding support of Gamblin and for all of your ideas and feedback along the way. We’ve been listening and have some exciting things coming this year and in the years ahead.