FRENCH ART SHOP CUTS ITS OWN PATH Established by the Castle family in 1978 (on Durham Lane in Auckland city) The French Art Shop has been an icon store in Auckland for over 38 years. This award-winning business has stood the test of time and evolved into a destination art supply store for artists of all levels. So why are they leaving? “We’re on a mission,” says Mark Castle who is still actively involved in the business as a director. “Our mission is to encourage the artist in everyone. To support creative talent by providing the world’s best quality materials at a great price. To achieve this we need more room!” The French Art Shop carries the largest range of art materials in New Zealand. Its market is broad and includes Walters and Wallace prize winners, students, conservators, restorers, artists, architects, craftspeople, and film industry people. “A big coup for us is to have Kalvin Collins, back from the United Kingdom, as our shop manager and the head of our development team for the new store. He was a key member of the French Art Shop team who won Top Shop awards in 2003 and 2005,” says Mark. Kalvin is an accomplished artist in his own right. He has exhibited widely and is included in many public collections throughout New Zealand. During his time away, he was shop manager at one of London’s leading artist material shops in the vibrant
and pulsating Shoreditch area of London. His regular customers included many of the most respected visual artists in the world. Everyone from Dinos and Jake Chapman, Fiona Rae, Julian Opie, Gary Hume, Rachel Whiteread and Allen Jones through to famous street /graffiti artists such as Banksy and Eine. He would often advise and offer technical information to conservation specialists for Tate Modern and the White Cube galleries. Just prior to his return to New Zealand, Kalvin was appointed as an academic lecturer at the University of the Arts, London. It is the largest university in Europe to specialise in art, design, fashion and the performing arts. It has six constituent colleges including Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Art and Design, the London College of Communication, the London College of Fashion, Camberwell College of Arts, and Wimbledon College of Art. He also acted as a purchaser for these institutions. A set of skills that will play a large part in the development of the new French Art Shop. Kalvin has a very clear vision for the new store: “I want to share my knowledge and experience with creative Kiwis. The new French Art Shop will be the biggest fine art
Kalvin Collins and Mark Castle supply store in New Zealand. With modern, comfortable and spacious areas packed full of new and traditional materials that captivate the imagination. “Our staff are excited and we promise a friendly atmosphere where artists can buy the materials they need at the best possible prices.” Amidst the hustle and bustle of international brands now dominating the retail landscape of Auckland, The French Art Shop continues to cut its own path and create its own destiny. Pay them a visit! From 7 July 2015 - new address: 16-18 Taylors Road, Morningside. Next to Briscoes. www.thefrenchartshop.co.nz
RAPHAEL WATERCOLOUR BRUSHES
DERWENT ARTISTS PENCILS Derwent Artists pencils are a traditional large diameter colour drawing pencil, available in a full range of 120 fabulous colours. The pencils are easy to mix and blend, producing an infinite spectrum of hues and tints. A superb choice for all drawing styles.
SENNELIER OIL PASTEL
MONTANA GOLD ACRYLIC SPRAY
The Sennelier oil pastel is a world - renowned artists’ product that uses top quality pigments, an extremely pure synthetic binding medium and mineral wax. They have a luscious quality and a creamy texture that allows for a great deal of pictorial expression as used by Pablo Picasso. The Sennelier oil pastels possess an extraordinarily high pigment content and excellent brightness.
Montana Gold acrylic spray is the perfect tool for artists and creative workers. The specially developed low-pressure spray system guarantees maximum accuracy giving the highest professional results! Montana Gold offers a huge colour range and can be applied on canvas, wood, concrete, metal, glass and even flexible surfaces.
Raphael watercolour brushes are known worldwide as being of the finest quality. They have fantastic spring, snap, and colour holding ability. Raphael has recently developed the new Soft-aqua wash range with an exceptional synthetic fibre that offers a retention capacity that is superior to all other brushes. Their soft hairs are excellent for watercolours, inks, gouache, tempera, acrylic and silk painting.
PONSONBY NEWS+ July 2015
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