Journal

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: THE START OF A NEW ERA At the start of this year, I wrote these words in my first post on The Artisan Company Facebook page: "....Here’s to a year that’s brighter than ever, braver than before, and filled with fearless moves." Little did I know that those very words would become my own prophecy. That, not long after writing them, I would be making one of the most fearless moves of my life—the decision to step away from The Artisan Company and pass the torch, ushering in a new era. It’s funny, isn’t it? How the universe listens when we speak our intentions into it. How words, once released, take on a life of their own. For those who have been with us on this journey, you know The Artisan Company was born from pure passion—a love for decorative painting that started humbly in our garage. What began as a pursuit of the finest paint, the most exquisite finishes, became something so much greater. It became an obsession, a relentless commitment to creating the highest-quality decorative paint, built from the ground up, right here in New Zealand. This was no off-the-shelf endeavor. It was raw. It was real. It was sleepless nights, relentless testing, and an unwavering belief that we could revolutionize the DIY market. And we did. We built a premium brand that people trust, that they love, that they are proud to use in their homes. A brand that champions quality, that stands firm in its choice to support NZ made and small NZ independent businesses rather than large chain stores. We ran it proudly with integrity, openness and honesty —values we have held steadfast from day one. And you—our customers, our retailers, our community—you have been the heartbeat of this brand. You have supported it with your own passion, your loyalty, and your creativity. You have made this more than a NZ paint company; you have made it a movement. But as this company has evolved, so too have I. And in recent times, I have felt a deeper calling—one that tugs deep at my soul—to return to pure, unfiltered creativity. Though I’ve dedicated myself to nurturing both The Artisan Company and my own creative passions, the reality is that the remarkable vessel we’ve built together has grown too vast for me to continue guiding while staying true to my artistic pursuits. My work here is done. But I could never entrust this legacy to just anyone. It had to be someone with the same fire, the same devotion, the same deep, unwavering love for this brand and all that it stands for. And I am overjoyed to say, I have found those special hands in Nicolette and her team at Dooney & Daughters who happen to also be a proud premium retailer of ours. We have already been working on the transition in the background for the last little while and starting 1st of March The Artisan Company will officially be nurtured in these new hands and I know will be in the best possible care. The vision will remain. The integrity, the quality, the artistry—it will all continue to flourish under this new leadership. The dream will keep evolving, fueled by the same passion that built it. While this chapter comes to a close for me, the story of The Artisan Company continues. And as I slowly step away in the next couple of weeks, I do so with deep gratitude—for the journey, for every challenge and victory, for every person I’ve encountered, the conversations, inspirations we’ve shared, and for all those who have walked this incredible path alongside me, whether you have been a customer, a partner or a retailer, I thank you for the trust, the friendships, for joining me in a journey that has been nothing short of being magical. As I step forward into this new chapter, I hold close a reflection inspired by the wisdom of Rumi: "When the soul has achieved its purpose, it longs to move on. Do not resist this calling. Go where your heart leads, for the journey does not end—it transforms. Your past creations are but footprints in the sand; they have shaped the world, but the tide must come, clearing the way for something new. Do not fear the unknown, for the same fire that forged your path will illuminate the next. Trust in the rhythm of your own becoming." So with this, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for following this creative journey of mine—through every twist, every turn, every new chapter. Your unwavering support and love have meant the world to me, and I could not be more grateful for the role you have played and will continue to play in this incredible story..... With love & gratitude Dorophya Taylor xx

We are excited to introduce the colours and names of our Autumn/Winter Limited Edition 2024! This season, we have not one, but three new colours to inspire your creativity. We've crafted a small batch of each colour and are offering them at a special price for two weeks only or until sold out. Secure a tin of Premium Chalk Paint in any of these colors for just $65 (normally $75, and $85 out of season) or Velvet Luxe for $75 (normally $85 or $99 out of season). Don't miss this opportunity to get creative with our Limited Edition colours.  Pre-release orders will receive their special Limited Edition tin within 7 days from the time the order is placed on our website *.If you have an Artisan Retailer nearby, we invite you to visit and see the samples and colours in person prior to official release. Each colour is truly unique and crafted to be a true living colour, adjusting and shifting with subtle nuances in the autumn/winter light. Grab the swatches in store and walk around with it to view it in different angles & lights.  Artisan Retailers who will be stocking our Limited Editions will have swatches and samples readily available for you to view.  This special offer is also available in stores with those Retailers and you will be able to place your pre-release orders in person also.  SHOP AUTUMN RUST NOW SHOP MIDNIGHT BREW NOW SHOP BOTANIC INK NOW    GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THIS SEASONS LIMITED EDITION COLOURS THROUGH THESE VIDEOS : MIDNIGHT BREW  AUTUMN RUST  BOTANIC INK  We hope you love these Limited Edition Colours as much as we do and can't wait to see what you transform with them, please do email your pics to connect@theartisancompany.co.nz we would absolutely love to see!! Happy Painting! Artisan Team x *We will aim to have your Limited Edition tin with you within 7 days from the time you place your order on our website, this may vary depending on volume of orders and any unforeseen delays with the courier network. 

SNEEK PEEK OF A WORK IN PROGRESS FOR OUR RUSTIC LOVERS & some info around Premium Chalk Paints. (taken from our latest blog) Premium Chalk Paints has always held a special place in my heart, it's been my go-to for creating all types of bespoke decorative paint finishes “creating stories on furniture”, softly aged, rustic, old worldly looks, a piece with colour & interesting depths all with the freedom of drawing colours from a clients space and amalgamating it onto a piece furniture to create a soulful character piece that would perfectly slide into place like it was always meant to be. It’s what I’ve been known for, what started this journey for me, it’s what allowed me to do what I love for over a decade and is what’s led me here today to be behind the Artisan company Paints & products. Premium Chalk Paints and coloured waxes were designed to have that versatility allowing you to create all types of paint effects, transforming or resurrecting pieces to fit into all types of different interior styling… an opportunity to express yourself and your vision on furniture without the need to sand or prime, that freedom to paint straight over varnish, veneer, glass, almost any surface. With a super fast dry time and the ability to allow you to layer colour upon colour to create beautiful complex looking finishes, that would normally take weeks and make it all possible within in a matter of hours… sometimes minutes .  It’s about using your piece of furniture as a blank canvas to tell your story ; whether that story be of an age, an era, or through layers of time…something completely bespoke, unfound allowing you to individualise the pieces in your home the way you want. Drawing colours from your surrounding or within your home to create something holding that artisanal beauty; I feel very privileged to have the stories I have told on furniture treasured in homes across NZ as one off bespoke hand painted pieces.  I know first hand how important it is when you go create a piece, that the paint is of quality, a rich full bodied, highly pigmented artisanal paint that allows you to manipulate, create textures, lightly sand for a smooth finish, over brush for rustic textures, add colours and layers, metallics, waxes for that creative artisanal freedom… that when you go to touch that family heirloom that the paint is worthy…that it will sympathetically and authentically create a look and finish that will stand the test of time and make the piece be treasured for many more years to come… The heart of Artisan Paints and products lies in the love of decorative painting. It's about creating a paint system that builds trust in the quality of the paint and its performance, so you can focus on bringing your creative vision to life.  Complex looking hand painted finishes can be done as a DIY, quickly and easily with just a little know how…. And when it comes to knowledge it all starts with “THE BLUEPRINT FOR DECORATIVE PAINTING” workshop, a hands on painting workshop that is held exclusively through Artisan Retailers…a workshop I’ve designed, trialled and perfected over time and proven to get people understanding the idea behind our Premium Chalk Paints, coloured waxes & our world of decorative painting. It's about providing both knowledge & the confidence to create not just one finish but a myriad of different finishes and having these skills to transform anything from decor, to furniture. The possibilities then become endless, making people value, think and see things completely differently and our retailers do a fantastic job in running these workshops in different parts of the country. I’ve spent the last few years trialling and adding more to the Artisan Paint collection, the things I’ve always wanted like Velvet Luxe, Stone effects and metallics that work in the way that I’ve always dreamed… the space is changing and there is now so much more you can do now creatively through whats available, the experience is even more enjoyable and instantaneous. …. but I do still have many more stories to tell and this year I hope to spend more time in the studio so that I can share new stories, new ways and more inspiration around the things you can do… after looking at this sneak peek work in progress shot , I’ve also made a personal note to try and not use the back of my hand as a paint palette, even if it is low in VOCs - Dorophya x

Twas the day before Xmas and it's an official sign off from us here at the Artisan Team. We've loved sharing all the colours and inspiration throughout 2023 and are now all heading off for a much needed recharge , seeking rejuvenation and inspiration from the beautiful country we live in to gear up for 2024. A heart felt thank you to you all for embellishing our journey with your presence this year—whether through likes, messages, emails showcasing your stunning transformations,  purchasing online, through our retailers or simply expressing your love for Artisan paints, your support for Premium NZ-made Artisanal paints and products has kept the spirit of colour and creativity alive. Thank you. We look forward to coming back in 2024 with revived energy, fresh creativity, and innovative ideas until then Happy Painting & Happy Holidays. Wishing you all a Happy  bright colourful festive season doing the things you love with the people you love. - Artisan Team xx __________________________The Artisan Paint Room will be dispatching online orders in between holidays on working business days :27th, 28th, 29th, 30th December Then from the 3rd January  Please allow for the possibility of slight delays within the courier networks during this  Holiday Period.         

After nearly a decade of working with imported paints & products, we made a conscious decision to assemble a remarkable team of both creative and scientific minds. Together, we embarked on a journey to innovate from the ground up; Artisan Paints, a premium DIY paint that not only upholds the highest quality standards but also stands as a testament to sustainability and environmental friendliness, packed with superior-grade ingredients and raw materials. With this we often mention in our posts:  Innovated, crafted and proudly made in NZ.   What that actually means is that each purchase of Artisan Paints supports a vast network of local businesses in New Zealand. From our team who make the paint, our creative team, the business who makes our sturdy boxes, the dedicated drivers and truck drivers delivering our paints far and wide, our local freight team, the skilled team who print our labels to perfection, the graphic designers, all the businesses where we source anything small to large from packing tapes, tins, jars, lids… right through to our Artisan retailers who work hard in their businesses to support and share the message of what Artisan Paints can do and to encourage creativity within NZ  and that’s just to name a few of our small to medium sized business we work with where Artisan Paints has an impact… NZ businesses – they all benefit.   Photo: Lynette Artisan Retailer in Matamata Artisan Retailer Lisa & Tina in Carterton. Always willing to go the extra mile for their customers and communities  When you choose NZ Made Artisan Paints, every dollar remains within NewZealand, circulating through these many businesses and their diligent teams. It translates into tangible assistance, enabling parents to provide their children with enriching extracurricular activities, aiding individuals in caring for their elderly parents, assisting aspiring homeowners in realising their dreams, helping graduates pay off their school loans, and providing essential relief for those grappling with the escalating cost of living.  Photo: Top; Awesome Jay and bottom; Our lovely Dave at our local freight company who always makes sure that Artisan Paints makes it on the trucks the same day to travel down the country and has also been known to hold a truck or two back while we're racing to close up the last of the boxes  to make sure it gets on.. always with a smile and just an awesome team.  Photo: Carla whos owns and runs Paint Me Vintage in Tauranga, a passionate Artisan Retailer who understands the value of "made of NZ" with a strong creative community behind her in Tauranga, Bay Of Plenty "Choosing to buy locally and NZ Made isn't just about getting a Premium quality product; it's about investing in your community and your country. When you opt for products made right here in New Zealand, you're not only supporting local businesses but also contributing to the growth and prosperity of your neighbours and friends. It's about preserving jobs, fostering economic stability, and reducing the carbon footprint by cutting down on international transportation… Moreover, buying locally often means you're getting a product that's tailored to local preferences and standards, ensuring it's a perfect fit for your needs. So, every purchase becomes an opportunity to make a positive impact, strengthen your community, and celebrate the creativity, innovation, and craftsmanship that thrive right here in New Zealand.” Nicolette, Deirdre and Tracey, Artisan Retailers in Remuera supporting and sharing NZ Made Artisan Paints. Nicolette and Deirdre are Mother and daughter and Tracey is a close friend.  So  when you come across ‘Proudly NZ' or 'Proudly innovated, crafted & made in NZ' in our communications, we want those words to resonate deeper as it signifies more than a mere slogan. It embodies a profound commitment to our local community, our economy, and our unwavering dedication to environmental responsibility. It's an integral part of who we are, and we extend an invitation to you to be a part of this journey, supporting and celebrating not just NZ made Artisan Paints but  ALL those businesses who choose to take a brave step to keeping things made in New Zealand.” #proudlymadeinnz

For those of you who have one of our Artisan Colour Booklet on hand, or for those of you whom we have serviced over the last 10 years, you will know this page well... for those who don't... well... here's a bit about our story which we think is well worth a blog entry  :-)