Blick Art Materials

Reviews 6

BE

Ben Harrison

Been coming here since I first visited Portland, well before moving to the area, and this place doesnt disappoint. First I should wonder if Mr. Ewing is aware of the incredible irony in his surly, unhelpful, specifically personal, artsy, poetic, insulting, kvetch-fest of a review? Tangent aside, the staff is not pushy, or at all as in your face as other kinds of stores, but in an art supply store, call me crazy, but thats what I want. To some it may come off as hipster and arrogant (plus, this is Portland, a lot of people are going to *look* too hip to help you), but I thought better, and was dead on. They trust me, an artsy introvert (which I imagine is most common of their customer base) to find what I want in this clearly labeled smorgasbord, and Blicks sheer selection can be intimidating, so I dont necessarily want to be tripping over a bubbly personality (and likely my words) underfoot every step of the way while I figure some stuff out. I know its conscious (and not "too hip"), because Ive found when I do have a question, or need some help, I ask, and the staff is very, very knowledgeable, and often will break off in to an interesting (and interestED) conversation about your project and medium, and not in a phony way. Its almost as if theyre passionate about art or something. There are media I will never be half-decent at, but dammit all if I dont end up at least checking out the stuff I *could* get if I wanted, every single time. What would I make in Sumi-e? Ill tell you what: a disaster. But if I wanted to try, Blicks got me covered. I like that. The only knock would be the prices, but with that kind of variety, its expected. What isnt is the Blick brand of many of the supplies, which runs well cheaper, sometimes nearing half on the smaller items. Dont pass it up. When Im in the area, I always hit this place to geek out, then Pro Photo to nerd out, even now when I cant afford anything, because what I can afford is the experience.

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A

A Private User

Ok, Art Media has just about everything you would ever need to do any form of art. I am into intaglio print making and also lino print making. They have had every single obscure item I ever wanted. To top that off, they have a super friendly staff, and they are very knowledgeable. David, the manager, spent 30 minutes with me one day showing me products and talking about techniques. Very nice guy. I finally broke down and bought the Richeson 11" Baby Press. They price it at $499, which is way below list price. If youve been thinking "Should I get that press?" The answer should be a resounding YES!!!! It is well made, and professional grade. I am so happy with the press. I even have a picture of my new press on my facebook page, and look at it during work, longing for evenings spent with my press in the studio. I love Art Media so much. I could go there every day, and spend thousands. But I want to stay married, so a weekly trip will have to suffice. Go there, youll love it. Also, they have stores on the east side and west side, though they dont have the diverse inventory as their downtown store.

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KY

Kyla Corbett

I loved the vast selection of art supplies but after carefully deciphering the complicated sale prices, none of the paint or mediums came up the sales price. Very deceptive pricing. The clerk acted like we were bothering him by questioning the prices. After we got to the car, I discovered more supplies were charged higher than the sales price but didnt feel comfortable going back to fix it. Also, I heard an associate bashing Michaels Crafts to a beginning oil painter, stating they only had crap kids paints while she was promoting the exact same oil paint that Michaels carries which was a very good paint! If you dont know what a store carries, dont bash them to customers just because you dont shop there. Even top artists have suggested Michaels as a place to go for good paint. I was there an hour and did not have any associates ask me if I needed help. I was mostly in their way as they were stocking. Looking at other reviews, maybe it was just a bad visit but it was a poor first impression. I am so disappointed in this store and will stick with my local shops and online for my art supplies.

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WE

Wendy Hamilton

I was shocked at how they inflate their pricing in store. It was just overall a bad experience. I went in for a couple things for my job (ice dyeing) and there was one guy behind the counter who I swear, could give a crap less about customer service or his job it appeared. One register open with a long line while the other employees (5 of them at least?) sat back and laughed at their conversations instead of opening a register. The person at the counter had over 100 items... and he range up each one as slow as you could watch sap fall from a tree. Ill never go there again & now, wont be supporting them online either. Get employees who care... the guy behind the counter had long blonde hair & name started with an A... he acted like we were bugging him? The pricing is deceptive very much so. Watch the register as they ring it up. Online, Dick Blick is cheaper.....? So.... order online & take forever or find it local (which I was happy about) and pay... higher prices? Makes no sense. Very unhappy

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MA

Mark Clark

My wife and I went into Blicks yesterday evening knowing what we wanted a air brush. We meet a employe ( Elgin). This guy is extremely knowledgeable about air brush guns which was what we were looking for. Elgin listened to what we wanted to do with great patience, and we even took him some samples of what we wanted to do. He explained to us everything a person could possibly kneed to know in very simple terms about air brushes for a beginner. Elgin explained to us why we we going in the wrong direction. Now at this point he has spent a lot of time with us about air brushes and started explaining to use about paints now quite a bit more time gone by. Now he took us over to where we should be the BRUSHES... now he starts over again explaining again about brushes, which took quite a while. When my wife and I left there we had a wealth of information that was very easy to retain. Thank You Elgin and Blicks for your outstanding customer service... Mark

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A

A Private User

Last week I walked in the store, a bit under the weather and experiencing severe allergies. One of the employees immediately asked me if I needed any help. Im not usually one to ask employees for help, but since he was so nice I took him up on his courteous offer. I pulled out two syllabi for my art courses, and he was able to patiently help me locate every item on the lists, even when I was sneezing all over the place and probably making a fool of myself. The cashiers were very friendly and patient, and even let me use practically half their box of tissues. Prices were reasonable at the 20% student discount (the one in the month of june), and selection for paper and newsprint was exactly what I needed. Thanks for making my day, Art Media Portland!

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