Why Can't Professional Artists Buy Their Paint Wholesale?

© 2001 Carolyn Ellingson, artgroove.com ®

July 21, 2001

Today I talked with the owner of a well-known artist's oil paint company and asked him why we professional artists can't buy our paint wholesale, even if we have a business license and a resale license. This problem has bothered me for a long time.

This person explained that it is hobbyists who buy the largest share of oil paint in this country, not professional artists. More than 90% of ads for art supplies go into two publications, both for hobbyists. Since hobbyists are the ones buying the most paint, the system is set up for hobbyists to buy (retail) not for professional artists to buy wholesale.

Carolyn Ellingson, Artist