"Tell Me, Teach Me, Involve Me and I Learn"

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” Benjamin Franklin

Now, Ben may have been describing each and every artist I know including myself. I’m not a book learner although I love books. But the books I like are usually comprised of mostly step by step illustrations.  I’m a hands-on learner as I suspect a lot of you, as artists are. I like to listen, watch, and do, to learn. So, anytime we have the opportunity to learn about art products, whether I have used them before or not, I am always among the employees attending various vendor workshops.

Our vendors or product experts will visit, on occasion, to bring us the latest news about the products we sell. The information is great because it is presented by someone who knows the product and the company history and who is continually learning more and more about it every day. Another great benefit of attending is all of the great free samples! Yes, free art stuff! Well, you do have to use it to know how it works!

Recently, Mike Grecian, a sales representative for several manufacturers, made the trip to Boone. He prepared a wonderful presentation for all of Cheap Joe’s employees. Mike is an artist and he knows about his art stuff. He uses the products that he represents and stands by the quality of each one of them. Mike handles several of the big companies that you know by names like Holbein, Faber-Castell, Escoda, ArtGraf, and Sakura, just to name a few. And he was more than generous with all of the stuff he brought for us to sample. Mike also knows and believes that you have to use the stuff to know the stuff. Kinda reminds me of another artist/ art supplier.  Hmmm… named Cheap Joe?

Cheap Joe is in the house!

Speaking of Cheap Joe, Joe Miller was on hand for the demo as he is on many occasions! Along with a curious crowd of Cheap Joe employees and family members.

The Telling:

Mike Grecian thoroughly explains the history, quality, and use of the products.

Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolor Pencil Sets pack loads of rich, vibrant color in a durable, versatile, and portable medium!

The Teaching:

Mike demonstrates how to use the many art materials he sells.

Mike keeps going!

and going!

and going!

ArtGraf Graphite Set! Draw, sketch, or paint!

The Involving:

Joe gets started sketching his painting.

Everyone is excited to try out all of the great supplies!

Did you know that Holbein Duo Aqua Oil Compact Set with Linseed Oil is fully compatible with watercolors and acrylics?

Web and his daughter Katie enjoy working together.

Mike gives some advice to an artist in training, Berkley.

Looks like his advice was taken seriously!

Escoda Versatil Round, Size 14, Short Handle brushes are thirsty, durable and very affordable!

Joe is working on a masterpiece!

The hands-on information about the materials will be put to good use!

The Learning:

This is my work of art using the Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolor Pencil Sets.

This is Mike’s idea for a great sketch travel palette, Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolor Pencil marked on your sketch paper and then water added for watercolor!

The Recap-

The next morning, Mike was back in the break room for another sales presentation for the call center. The call center is the front line of information, as they directly communicate with our customers on a daily basis. It is necessary for them to constantly receive updated information about the product in order to provide customers with the best service we can. Using the product gives them a first-hand experience to pass on. Mike provides that experience through demos and sampling of products.

Information is a vital part of the call center operator’s daily job.

Mike gives us great ideas to pass on to our customers.

Time to try it out!

Mike has always supported the education and hands-on experiences that allow all Cheap Joe’s employees to learn about the products we offer.  He is very enthusiastic about what he sells because he believes as an artist, you must have the best quality of art materials you possibly can afford.

It can certainly be said that “It takes an artist to know an artist.”  And I believe that to be true. Mike is an artist that cares about what he does. He wants to pass on all of this great knowledge so it can be used to make all of us more successful in our art. Mike knows you can learn about anything, but to truly know about things, you must first experience them.

Thank You, Mike, for coming and spending time with all of us and teaching us about first quality art materials!

Have a Happy “Teach Me” Day!
Be a sponge,
and soak it all up!

Remember, we can learn without doing, but we can’t do without learning!

COLOR YOUR WORLD, TODAY!