Student in the Spotlight: Phoebe

Student in the Spotlight: Phoebe

Phoebe, our Student in the Spotlight, began her artistic journey at age 10 with dreams of becoming a biologist. Now studying Evolutionary Biology at the University of Texas, Phoebe is focused on researching lemurs in Madagascar. Her dedication to wildlife conservation includes her Girl Scout Gold Award project at the Austin Zoo, where she designed a scavenger hunt and helped label native plants. Phoebe’s growth as both an artist and environmental advocate continues to inspire!

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What Art Supplies to Gift for the Holidays 2020

What Art Supplies to Gift for the Holidays 2020

Best Holiday Art Supply Gift Ideas for 2020
Looking for the perfect art supplies to gift this holiday season? From digital tools like the iPad Air and Apple Pen to traditional essentials like watercolor sets, linocut kits, and professional-grade pencils, this curated guide has it all. Perfect for budding artists, quarantine crafters, or seasoned creators, these thoughtful gifts offer the joy of creativity that lasts well beyond the holidays. Discover top picks like Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Stonehenge Paper, and ergonomic table easels—all with links to affordable, reliable suppliers. Shop smart, support a small business, and spark artistic inspiration today!

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The Tuff Stuff Eraser Stick Is Now Being Manufactured as the Factis BM2 Eraser

The Tuff Stuff Eraser Stick Is Now Being Manufactured as the Factis BM2 Eraser

Celebrate the return of the Tuff Stuff Eraser Stick, now known as the Factis BM2 Eraser by General's Pencil Co. After being discontinued, artists searched for a worthy replacement, but the Factis BM2 delivers the same quality and durability at an affordable price. Available at DickBlick.com, it’s perfect for precise erasing without damaging your paper. Keep your drawings clean and your erasing effortless with this beloved tool!

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Austin Summer Camps for Your Creative Kiddo

Austin Summer Camps for Your Creative Kiddo

Looking for the best Austin summer camps for your creative kid? Check out my top picks that help kids grow and explore outside the classroom. From art camps like The Contemporary Austin Art School and Smudge Studios, to filmmaking with Austin Film Society and coding at Minecraft Camps, there's something for every interest. Don't miss LZM Studio's upcoming cartooning camp, where kids can create their own characters and stories! Whether your child loves art, entrepreneurship, or adventure, these camps offer fun and learning all summer long.

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Recommended Gift Art Supplies for the Budding Artist

Recommended Gift Art Supplies for the Budding Artist

Here are some great gift ideas for the art lover in your life - just as the holiday season approaches. I posted something similar a couple of seasons ago, but this updated list includes new finds and changes due to suppliers and technology. These are my recommended gift art supplies for the budding artist!

Art supplies make a perfect gift--because it is the gift of an experience--something that will reward the receiver for much longer than just the holiday season. They are the tools that give the art lover in your life a learned skill that lasts. On that note, here are some of my most coveted supplies with links to easy online suppliers at a good price. Happy shopping!

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"Tweaking Is Essential to the Drawing Process" (If Steve Jobs Did It, Why Won't You?)

"Tweaking Is Essential to the Drawing Process" (If Steve Jobs Did It, Why Won't You?)

A form of "analysis paralysis" I see my adult drawing students commonly put themselves through is the idea that they have to get something drawn correctly the first time they draw it. This drive for perfection straight out of the gate is horrible for our self-esteem, especially when we're faced with a task we have not yet mastered! I often remind students that they don't know how to imagine the perfect drawing in their head because they have to use their fine motor skills to actually execute the drawing. Fine motor skills are a factor within their control, but more often than not those skills are underdeveloped in adulthood. Because of that, the moving of the hand is a game changer- you can't just "picture it" and be done! And if you're like most of us, you need to be prepared for making adjustments.

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Art Supplies for the Budding Artist

Art Supplies for the Budding Artist

Still looking for holiday presents for your favorite budding artist? These are the essential drawing art supplies I can't live without! Many of these are on my newly updated Recommended Supplies list, however, some of these are not because they go beyond my basic supplies for drawing lessons. Nothing beats the gift of art supplies, because it is the gift of an experience- something that will reward the receiver for much longer than just the holiday season, and will give your favorite person a learned skill that lasts. Here are my most coveted tools, with links to easy online suppliers.

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