Christmas Gift Guide 2022
Every year I love to share with you a few of the art supplies and resources that have inspired me this year. I know that as artists, we feel like we're easy to shop for - just buy us art supplies! - but I think that's about as easy for non-artists as me trying to buy car parts for my husband for Christmas.
I have the wonderful advantage of being able to sample new products (sometimes even for free) and here's the list of what I have been trying, using and enjoying this year, as well as a few things that are on my own shopping list to try.
If your budget is tight, watch for the $ which indicates an item under $30USD.
Some of the links below are sponsored links; I receive a small commission when you order using my affiliate link or coupon code. Thank you!
My personal gift list:
Peg & Awl's beautiful studio supplies for artists are made with so much craftsmanship. Last year I featured their Sendak artist roll and this year I'm drooling over their beautiful wooden palettes. Fill one with handmade paint and feel a part of art history!
Peg & Awl wooden palette: Helen (6 well) size: https://pegandawlbuilt.com/collections/stationary/products/helen-painters-palette or the Iris (12 well) size: https://pegandawlbuilt.com/collections/stationary/products/iris-painters-palette
$ Beautiful marks:
When I saw the Rosemary & Co Marbling Feather I knew I needed to add it to my wish list. It's always exciting to find a new tool for mark making; I'm all about it, and it's less than $10 USD: https://www.rosemaryandco.com/art-materials/marbling-feather
Magic Wands: Lebenzon Brushes make my favorite daily-use brushes. I've been a fan for several years now because of the strength, beauty and creativity of these "magic wands" for watercolour. Tracy, the brushmaker (brush wizard?) has a true passion for his craft and every brush is one of a kind. Many of the natural hairs used in Lebenzon brushes are sourced by upcycling fur coats and there's a diverse range of fibers available on the site.
The 1.5" goat/synthetic brush I use daily: https://lebenzon-paintbrushes.com/product/large-goat-synthetic-brush-with-wangi-handle-and-2-inch-bristle/
Use code ANGELA and save 10%!
Please note that because many of the brushes are made to order, production times vary.
If you have trouble with your grip, Lebenzon can make a brush that is easier to hold like this custom rhizome brush. I have one made with moose hair (I'm such a Canadian!) and the change of grip makes for a whole new range of mark-making possibilities: Rhizome Brush
$ Plein Air:
I am so excited that Arches has released their famous paper in a travel journal! It's about time!
Arches Watercolor Travel Journal, 6 x 10 inches, spiral bound from Blick Art Supplies
The En Plein Air Pro Watercolour Easel: Truthfully, this one is a hard one to recommend, even though I've used it so often in the last year and it's become an essential for travel painting for me. Most plein air easels for watercolour offer the ability to paint flat or at a slight angle (rather than upright like easels dedicated to oil painting), but offer nowhere to put your water and palette. What En Plein Air Pro has done is taken a traditional camera tripod and created a surface for your paper with a shelf below that holds your palette, brushes and water. It's sturdy enough that I have taken it to Italy and across the USA without breaking it, but the kit comes with a few things I don't feel like I need, like a plastic palette, collapsible cup and backpack. And could I have saved a bit of money and bought my own tripod (one that feels a little lighter) and attached their work surface and shelf?
On the other hand, I've painted en plein air more than I ever have in the last year, and part of that is definitely due to this easel. It's so convenient and easy to set up, and after every workshop I've taught, I've gotten emails from students asking where to buy the same easel. It's with me for the long haul! https://enpleinairpro.com/collections/packages/products/traveler-series-watercolor-package
"Traced in Sky" painting featuring Rockwell Art Supplies new hue, "Elf Wings," along with Amethyst, Cobalt blue and Lavender.
Rockwell NEW Charm Sets of Self-Evolving Watercolour: More new colours of paint might be the last thing I need, but it's the first thing I want. Rockwell Art Supplies is making magic with two new lines of self-evolving watercolour, and the beauty of these hues is pretty spectacular. Save 10% using code Angela01 when you order from their site: https://rockwellart.ca/product-category/charm/
$ Individual colours starting at $8.46 USD
$ Portable Painter Micro Max kit: Every year or so, I get an email from Steve, the designer of the Portable Painter, telling me about his latest design for the Portable Painter series. These beautifully engineered palettes just keep getting more versatile and I'm a huge fan. The new expansion pans fit both sizes of Portable Painter and offer the opportunity to add even more colours to your travel palette. While my coupon code ANGELA to save 10% isn't active during their Black Friday sales, there are some even better deals on right now! https://www.portablepainter.com/copy-of-micro
$ Books I'm learning from:
This year I've read mostly books on mindset and identity. Here are a few that kept me thinking long after the pages were closed:
Rembrandt Is in the Wind: Learning to Love Art through the Eyes of Faith, Russ Ramsey
The Soul of Desire: Discovering the Neuroscience of Longing, Beauty, and Community, Curt Thompson MD
The Gift of Being Yourself: The Sacred Call to Self-Discovery, David Benner
Upstream: Selected Essays, Mary Oliver
The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture, Gabor Maté MD
The Sound of Life's Unspeakable Beauty, Martin Schleske
Check out my watercolour book favourites here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/angelfehr
Being Glamourous:
You know I love colour in all forms, so I try to surround myself with colour in my fashion and decor. Here are few of the items I am getting compliments on lately:
On my wrists: Deborah Lambson's stunning, one-of-a-kind artisan jewelery. Deborah is a friend and I have three beautiful bracelets designed by her nimble fingers and warm heart. They are like watercolour cast in glass: https://deborahlambson.com/shop
Life can be amazing when you are the right kind of weird: I had to own this shirt when I saw the image on the back and it's just the right thickness of cozy flannel to layer over everything: Angry Minnow Vintage flannel shirt
$ At my fingertips: You've seen my hands on video and you know I love to paint my nails. Since I started using GelMoment gel polish, I've really loved having nails that almost always look amazing. The other gel polishes I've used were pretty high maintenance, with base coats, top coat and difficult removal. GelMoment has made it pretty simple with a one-step base coat and their Flake Off removal gel. Current favourite colour is Autumn in Montreal, a rich warm caramel orange.
And from my own art & classes:
$ The Angela Fehr Watercolour 2023 Calendar, ships internationally! https://angelafehr.com/shop
Paint with me in person: Taking registrations right now for Vancouver Island in April 2023; Madeline Island, Wisconsin in July 2023 and now Cornwall, England in September 2023! Details here: https://angelafehr.com/in-person-workshops