Liquid Artz Brings Art Supplies to Pilsen

 

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Martinez just recently opened Liquid Artz, an art supply store in Pilsen. He's holding up a painting he did for Valentine's Day.

DNAinfo/Chloe Riley

Mural inspired by a Frida Kahlo painting, by Hyde Park artist Terrance Curtis.

DNAinfo/Chloe Riley

A picture of Frida Kahlo's "Magnolias" painting hangs next to a mural based on the painting in Liquid Artz, a new arts supply shop in Pilsen.

DNAinfo/Chloe Riley

Oils at Liquid Artz, a new arts supply shop in Pilsen. Owner Sergio Martinez said he's noticed a trend of Pilsen artists buying oil paints.

DNAinfo/Chloe Riley

Brushes for sale at Liquid Artz, a new art supply shop in Pilsen. Owner Sergio Martinez is currently offering 50 percent off all canvases and 30 percent off acrylic and oils paints, among other deals.

DNAinfo/Chloe Riley

Graffiti art by Hyde Park artist Terrance Curtis along the wall of Liquid Artz, a new art supply shop in Pilsen.

DNAinfo/Chloe Riley

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Martinez just recently opened Liquid Artz, an art supply store in Pilsen. He's holding up a painting he did for Valentine's Day.

Photo Credit: DNAinfo/Chloe Riley

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PILSEN — Pilsen artists may no longer have to trek downtown for art supplies now that Liquid Artz on 18th Street is open for business.

Owner Sergio Martinez, who also owns another art shop on State Street, said he had long felt the Pilsen neighborhood needed an art supplies shop of its own.

But it was over a year ago, while grabbing a bite to eat at Nuevo Leon restaurant, that he looked out the window and saw a for rent sign at 1504 W. 18th St.

“This whole place used to be white and beige. Like kind of depressing,” Martinez said.

Now, red and purple walls laced with graffiti greet potential art supply shoppers.

"It's phenomenal," Pilsen artist Eric Stefanski said of the shop's location. "Now I don't have to chug myself up to North Avenue to go to Blick [Art Materials]."

Stefanski, a 25-year-old painter, said the neighborhood is "saturated" with artists and so Liquid Artz should do well in the area.

Sergio Martinez, originally from Mexico City, said he plans to host art parties where kids and adults can learn painting techniques in a fun, laid-back environment. 

A giant magnolia mural covers the back wall of the shop at in homage to another Mexico City resident, Frida Kahlo.

Hyde Park artist Terrance Curtis created the mural, which Martinez said has already been attracting attention in the neighborhood.

“The landlord’s were telling me sometimes people from outside take pictures because they’re impressed with the mural,” he said.

The shop’s only been open two weeks, but Martinez said he’s already noticed a trend among Pilsen artists.

“Oil paints are very popular. We can see the serious artists, they only go for oil paints,” he said. 

Liquid Artz is currently running a special grand opening sale: 50 percent off all canvases, 30 percent off acrylic and oils paints, 25 percent off markers, and 25 percent off sketchpads.

The shop is currently open Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.