For the longest time the only thing that has bothered me about my town was the lack of a Real and True Art Supply Store. For years all there has been is Hobby Lobby Hisssss & Boooo, The University of Arkansas Book Store (Also mostly Student quality, but a far smaller section), and the sad excuse of a Jo Ann's (A hand for of craft related art supplies, nothing of quality). It has been a true wasteland for the committed artist.

These stores neither carry or would order the brands of paints, and types of canvas, panels, or papers I use, being the art supply snob that I am (Golden Heavy Body Acrylics, M. Graham Artist Oils, Ampersand Gesso Boards/Aqua Boards, Steadler Lumograph Pencils, and various Papers/Drawing Pads, Rosemary Brushes (Acrylic/Oil Brushes; Filberts and Rounds), and 100% Linen Canvas (when I use Canvas), all archival and top quality). So, I have been ordering from Blick Art Supplies on-line for these long lonely years. Which, can be a pain, and costly as the shipping cost are high (at best), add that to the fact I buy only artist/studio quality supplies and... Poor artist stays poor.

So, to my surprise I find out there is in fact a Art Store that caters solely to artist of the painting/drawing persuasion;. They carry most (not all) of my requirements and will order what ever I need, and may even be willing to start carrying whatever for me. I went there today for the first time and I was in heaven. I could have easily spent a grand (which I don't have), but I only truly NEEDED a tube of Golden Acrylic Phthalo Blue (Green Shade). $12.00 tube of paint (Blues, and Cadmiums always are), expensive but worth it, especially sense I didn't have to wait a week or two to have it arrive.

I chatted with the ever so nice attendant, and we discussed the store, and art supplies in general. All that was missing was a cup of tea, and some classical music.

The place is a little hard for me to get to. No bike trails out that way, its 5 miles as the crow flies, and its directly opposite of me on the other side of the only mountain in town, and while I CAN get there on my bike the traffic over there is inconsiderate to non-motor vehicles. In spite of this, its real freaking Art Store!!!

This makes me happy. [Grin]
Ryngs