Hi, it’s me again, and my pictures, this time with extra added art!
If you’re familiar with Portland, Oregon, and you love art supplies (for whatever reason … we all know that collecting art supplies is a hobby in and of itself) then if you don’t know of a place on SE Foster Road immediately off SE Powell Boulevard at 50th Avenue called Art Supply Center, you’re missing out.
The place is a crazy quilt of reasonably-priced fine art supplies, great staff, and encouragement for artists of literally every level. It’s been in operation for 70 years as of 2025, and was known as “I’ve Been Framed” for many years before reassuming the name “Art Supply Center” recently. It was started by a man we all knew as Bob back in the 1950s who figured out you could turn a buck selling used art supplies and what he could get from estate sales, and he and his son had it until about 3-4 years back. When the son, Mark, decided it was time to retire, he solid it to his most senior employee, Prairie, who has taken it in such a satisfying direction, reconnecting it with its past while making it sustainable through the present and into the future, and making it a woman-owned small business into the bargain. This place checks all the best boxes.
The energy there is bracing and undeniable. And what Prairie does is set up events for artists to get involved in. Once a year, artists are invited to submit Artist Trading Cards which are shown in the store during June.
They’re in there, now, on display for anyone who’.. want to see them.
Artist Trading cards. My Saint Johns Bridge on the left there.
The address of ArtSupplyCenter is 4950 SE Foster Rd, Portland, OR. The website is artsupplycenterpdx.com. They’ll sell ya over the web, but nothing beats a visit. Go, if you can.
You know peace was NEVER an option.
Here’s a couple more pics.
Artist Trading Cards just don’t stop
The point of ATCs, if you’ve never heard of them, is that artists create them, and then trade the with each other. There are communities online. Google that shizz and you’ll make some friends.
I’m going to be posting more of my developing watercolor talent here. Also I enjoy acrylics1
Until next time.
