This past Saturday, Dear Husband & I hopped in the car and headed to Drammen. Our destination there--a terrific art supplies shop, KREAKTIV!
KREAKTIV has everything in the way of old school, hands on materials... paints, pencil/pens, paper/canvas, glue and mediums, tools for airbrush and graphic designs. Their selections are breathtaking! They even created a magazine, which we were lucky to get a couple of back issues of--articles for using mediums of all kinds, creative tips, and fantastic photos of works by Norwegian artists.
Oil pastels anyone? Wonderful colors... I prefer chalk pastels, but those were all boxed up :o( ...
They make wood-construction canvases on-site. And throughout the shop are examples of how to use some of the paints, mediums, etc. A VERY inspiring outing!
We came home with canvases, acrylic paints and acrylic mediums and other goodies--see top photo. Suddenly we turned the dining room into a mini art studio! Easels out, canvases propped, paints ready... The scratch of pencils & paint brushes became the song of the afternoon...
Above is my canvas in progress... Buddha-inspired... ;o) After many years, it is bliss to be painting on canvas again. It is all more mess than masterpiece just now... but I feel like I am flying!
What inspires you right now?
With Love,
Excellent Tracy! Don't concern yourself with the product, trust the process, and it will all unfold. What a fantastic art supply shop. Right now I am trying to connect with inspiration... hello? hello?
Posted by: P.K. | March 22, 2011 at 01:31 PM
What a wonderful shop! You certainly haven't had a problem with your inspiration! The sudden inprovement in the weather is inspiring me to finish current projects, so that I can move on to new ones! Love Anne x
Posted by: Anne Donald | March 22, 2011 at 03:21 PM
What a fun, fun shop ... even if I wouldn't know what to do with most of it.
Posted by: S. Etole | March 22, 2011 at 03:47 PM
that shop looks fantastic....I'm sure you were like a kid in a candy store. enjoy your new found creative treasures!
Posted by: Lisa Q | March 22, 2011 at 04:15 PM
How lovely to be in the midst of creative mess again ;-) What inspires me right now is definitely spring -- all the buds and delicate tendrils and new green.
Posted by: nikkipolani | March 22, 2011 at 04:33 PM
Wow, Tracy it sure seems like you and Dear Husband had tons of fun this week-end!
Painting on a canvas has always been a dream of mine, and your work in progress does look very inspiring. Enjoy your week :-)
Posted by: Anyes | March 22, 2011 at 04:53 PM
So you both paint? How lovely to be able to enjoy it together.
Posted by: Leslie | March 22, 2011 at 06:28 PM
I think your Buddha is coming along nicely. Doesn't the colour orange have something to do with strengthening or centering the mind? I'm sure that the act of creation does that.
An art shop is rather like a candy shop for grown-ups, don't you think?
Posted by: Bee | March 22, 2011 at 08:38 PM
Oh how wonderful. Your painting is looking great. I love the fact you turned your dining room into a mini studio for a while.
You know it is so lovely seeing art & art supplies through another persons eyes as it has become so run of the mill for me with James being a professional artist & working from home. We spend a lot of time around art, artists & galleries I have just taken this lifestyle for granted somewhat, so it is lovely to read your passion & see these beautiful photos.
lots of love
Alison
x
Posted by: Alison | March 22, 2011 at 08:56 PM
I love art supply stores. I am always inspired when I come for a visit here. I hope you are having a good week.
Posted by: yolanda | March 22, 2011 at 09:15 PM
what a great shop! I love what you've done so far!
Have Fun!
Posted by: Yiota | March 22, 2011 at 09:54 PM
How exciting! I love art shops-and the only problem is making a choice! Your Buddha has such pretty colours in the background. :)
Posted by: Sarah | March 22, 2011 at 10:27 PM
What a brilliant looking shop - and even better that you could both enjoy shopping there!
Posted by: dottycookie | March 23, 2011 at 12:19 AM
Hi Tracy!
You are so multi-talented. I love the painting. So beautiful :D I do like drawing and painting water colours but I cannot do it like you can!
Also, you have such amazing art shop in your area. There is one quite decent one that I know in central london but things there are so expensive!
Hope you are having a great week :D
x
Kyoko
Posted by: Kyoko | March 23, 2011 at 01:14 AM
Good for you! I've never ventured into canvass & oil &, frankly, feel a bit intimidated by it. (Stick people just don't do canvass & oil justice!)
Posted by: Maureen | March 23, 2011 at 01:34 AM
Oh! I absolutely love getting lost in a great art supply store! The painting is wonderful! I especially enjoy the orange =-)
Posted by: DebbyMc | March 23, 2011 at 08:13 AM
Don't art supply stores make you feel like a child in a candy store!?
What an inspiring art store! Love how they have a focus on teaching people how to use materials too and the magazine sounds fantastic!
Wonderful colour combinations in your Buddah painting!
Posted by: Kate England | March 23, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Tracy, that is wonderful! So happy to hear about your painting again and for the glimpse of your Buddha inspired painting. Love the blues and oranges.
Posted by: Shayla | March 23, 2011 at 01:53 PM
I don't think it's a mess at all. The colors are so warm-looking. Art stores are like adult candy stores. Well, fabric and yarn stores are too -- but you must have had a blast!
Posted by: Jodi | March 23, 2011 at 03:35 PM
I am so excited to see your new art direction.
That looks like a great art store to shop and get the creative juices flowing. I love going to the art store even if I don't intend on buying anything.
You hear the sounds of the pencil and brushes too? I love those sounds:)
I look forward to seeing more of your Buddha painting's progress. I love the warm colors you've chosen.
Posted by: Gallery Juana | March 23, 2011 at 04:37 PM
How wonderful! That shop looks completely amazing. I doubt you would walk out of there without feeling so excited to get started on a project. (And I love that you and your husband painted together.) xoxo
Posted by: stephanie | March 23, 2011 at 05:26 PM
Hi Tracy. You visited my blog today. Actually we are still covered in snow here in Maine too. I was merely dreaming about flea markets in spring :)
This store looks wonderful! The next best thing to spring.
Posted by: Paula | March 23, 2011 at 05:56 PM
Awesome! YOU inspire me. ;-)
Posted by: Paz | March 23, 2011 at 05:59 PM
What a wonderful store! I was drooling looking at all the supplies it held. I haven't painted in years even though I purchased an easel, canvas and paints a few years ago. My muse did not awaken, and there were too many distractions in my life. I'd love to see your painting progress! Beautiful beginnings, Tracy!
♥ Pat
Posted by: Pat | March 23, 2011 at 07:23 PM
Tracy you are such a talented person!!! I am so impressed with your painting. Do you know I knew it was yours before you said so? Enjoy and fly high my friend :))))
Posted by: MrPuffy | March 23, 2011 at 11:14 PM