Artsy Gift Ideas For Everyone

Giving and Gratitude - - The two words go together like snow and shovel, one leads to the other! Gift giving can seem like a hassle, but did you know that it’s often the giver who reaps the biggest emotional reward from giving? It’s true. Thinking of another person with appreciation, choosing a gift with attention, getting a sharp crease on sparkly paper, and offering a gift with generosity all builds bonds of connection that can feel so good!

• Looking for a way to say thank you to a NEIGHBOR? How about making a sketch of her house? Drive by and take a picture. Print the picture and then either freehand or trace a contour line drawing of the house onto heavier paper. If you add some simple watercolor washes, you will have a unique and special gift your friend will certainly appreciate.

• Need a gift for your MOM or SISTER? How about making time to do an art project or take an art class together? You could promise to help put that huge stack of photos from the attic into books or learn to sketch together!

• Looking for a new way to connect with the KIDS in your life? Get them some simple art supplies. Then show them how to do a blind, continuous line drawing and spend some time drawing from cool photo collections like Window Swap or Unsplash where you can search for images your young friend will enjoy drawing, like Hello Kitty, Pokemon or Spiderman!

• Looking for something small for your ART CLASS PAL? How about one of these?

  • Proportional divider by Derwent or a New Viewcatcher or a Value Checker

  • Red Value Specs

  • Gift Certificate to Art Supplies Wholesale

  • Sarah Sedwick’s Great New Painting Book

• Would you like to support all the wonderful places we all love to sketch? Get an annual membership!

  • The Essex County Greenbelt

  • The Essex Shipbuilding Museum

  • Historic New England and Cogswell’s Grant

  • The Sargent House Museum in Gloucester

  • Hammond Castle in Gloucester

• If you want a few more ideas, just listen to this great episode of Art Gift Ideas from Art Juice. Many of them are low cost and even free!

And you can ALWAYS TAKE A SLOW RIVER CLASS with your friends and family! Even your faraway friends can share an online class with you or you can give a GIFT CERTIFICATE!