Wilson & Heywood Gallery

17 Main St.

Plymouth, MA 02360

508.732.0170

In Praise of "Real" Art Supply Stores

Every aspect of life today is influenced by the internet. Want to find the most reasonable gas prices? Well, just log in. How about a good place for a vacation? Open that browser. No doubt, the internet has changed our lives. But I wonder if some of the changes are for the best.

When I was first starting out as an artist, one of the places I could count on going every couple of weeks was to the local art supply store. I could browse the aisles with my meager budget, stopping now and then to test a pencil, try out a stick from a new line of pastels, or ogle the "luxury" art supplies I could only dream of owning. I can truly say that, after a trip to the art store, I always returned to my studio with something. News and good wishes from other artists I’d bumped into during my shopping trip, knowledgeable advice about products from the store clerks, or simply more creative thoughts about using new products — all came back to the studio with me, free-of-charge.

How times have changed! I now own more art supplies than most people can use in a lifetime (I think I have single-handedly changed the adage "Never too thin", to "Never too many art supplies.) Much of what I purchase now is quietly delivered on my doorstep in brown cardboard boxes from somewhere very far away. All that, ordered from the convenience of my studio. No problem here. Or, is there?

A while ago some of my students wanted to know the best way to buy art supplies. My advice was based on my experience: "The best way to buy art supplies is to see, touch, and, if possible, try out what you are looking for before purchasing."

Hmmmm. Can’t do that over the internet. You also can’t truly browse the aisles to see what else is there, imagining the many creative ways you could use this art product or that with your work. Nor is there any sage advice from clerks or (imagine!) the store owner. Certainly can’t share the gossip and the "struggle" with other artists while shopping on the internet, either. And don’t ask for anything special, such as ordering that hard-to-find item: special treatment usually just doesn’t happen in virtual stores.

I started thinking: if internet buying is all about convenience and getting the best price, why do I still spend hours calculating and comparing prices, shipping and handling, insurance, and coupons prior to placing an order? And, have you ever had the experience of returning a damaged item?

I won’t "swear off" online shopping altogether, but I’ve been making more trips to the local art store lately. It’s amazing the things you can find there.

©Anne Heywood 2008