Welcome to the FLAX Canvas, our blog. We hope you enjoy it. Check back now and then and you’ll always find something new and different. (Our first blog post – Welcome!)
FLAX Canvas
Celebrating the Tree
Inspired by Plant a Wish, we share this collection of art that shares a common theme, an appreciation for trees. Enjoy… More »
Finding The Right Paint Brush
Let us find the right paint brush for your application! There aren’t any rules as to what brush you should use — choose from brushes in every category, for any type of painting. There are many different variables for choosing a brush… More »
Creating Your Portfolio – Guidelines and Helpful Hints
To become a successful artist, whether your business is fine or commercial art, you must have a great portfolio that presents your work in the best way possible. We want to help you find the style of portfolio that best suits your wants and needs. Here are some important things to consider… More »
How a Pencil Is Made
This is sure to grow your appreciation for the everyday, trusted pencil. The video is a 5-minute excerpt from a History Channel show. The featured pencil making factory is General Pencil’s in New Jersey, who has been at this craft for over 120 years. A family run company now into its fifth generation, we are pleased to have enjoyed a long relationship with them. Of course, you’ll find many General Pencil items in our store… More »
Acrylic Basics – An Introduction to the Medium
If you want to get your feet wet in painting, but are not ready to deal with the solvents and oil paints or the transparent layers of watercolors, you might find acrylic paints a great place to start. Acrylics dry faster than oils and are water-based paints that are not water soluble when dry. They come in three different forms, heavy body, soft body, and fluid. Heavy body paints are like a firm paste, soft body paints are creamy, and Fluid paints are like using a viscous inks… More »
Kidsfest and Merry Mayhem
Creative Chaos = Kidsfest! The mess may be cleaned up, but the happy memories remain. Kidsfest is a creative arts festival that we host each summer. It’s when children and their parents explore and experiment with hands-on art activities. Before the fun begins, we select a theme..some past favorites include Around the World, Heros, the Olympics, and this year was Pirates!… More »
Beauty from the Beach
Art can come from the most unlikely of places. All it takes is imagination. As a Northern California boy I have a passion for the beach and the beautiful environment we enjoy. Growing up in the art supply business led to an understandable appreciation for art in its many forms. So when the genesis for new art is the beach, and the result is wonderful pieces of art… More »
Fun For All With Shrinky Dinks
When you let your imagination run wild the possibilities are endless; all you need is an outlet. Working with Shrinky Dinks is easy and fun for children and adults. Shrinky Dinks are an amazing way to get the creative juices running, whether you want to work digitally or hands on. The plastic sheet’s potential is remarkable, one can make jewelery, key chains, ornaments and much more… More »
A Multi-Media Ink, Noodler’s is a Favorite
I’ve been using fountain pens for over 30 years and love the way they feel in my hand; the flow of ink to paper when I express myself, the routine of filling and cleaning the pen. I’ve added to my collection over time, with calligraphy pens, sketch pens, gold nibbed and bottle and cartridge filled. Like a love affair… More »
The Headlands, another found local treasure
I was only vaguely familiar with the organization Headlands Center of the Arts, until last night when I was fortunate to attend their annual benefit art auction. The event blew me away with an awe inspiring collection for sale that ringed a very large room, the Herbst Exhibition Hall in the Presidio. There were 85 pieces of art in every medium imaginable, each donated by the artist… More »