ASI 42 "OKC Painting Palooza" Interview with Bob & Katie Van Horn

Welcome back to art supply insiders. My name is Jeff Morrow, and today we're talking with Bob and Katie van horn, Bob and Katie. , we've known for a while cuz , my business partner and I had a, had a, had a business in the art industry and they used to own. , bear with us a really popular distributor of art materials.

And currently, , they've got what they call a Palooza it's called the OKC painting Palooza that's a, that's a mouthful, Bob and Katie. How are you?

Katie00:39

We're doing great. Jeff, how are you?

Jeff00:42

Just great. So tell me a little bit about what the heck is a OKC painting. Palooza

Katie00:50

well, it's a, it's an art art convention. It's, , it's something that got started.

Actually this'll be our six year doing it. Wow. , we got started. It was just a fluke thing. We were at a convention and we, like you said, we, you know, we're bare with us for 38 years before we heavily retired. And we were talking to another exhibitor, Darla foreman. It was kind of during a lull during a show and somebody was, you know, oh, this rule and that rule and you have to do this.

And we said, why don't we just start our own show? And we knew that Larry row one time talked to us about starting a show. So Bob went and grabbed Larry and we had a quick little meeting and said, yes, you know, let's, let's have a show. What are we gonna name it? That is how OKC painting Palooza was born.

And our official name is Berotu with B E R O T U, which the B is for bear with us. The R O is for role publications. And the tu is for turtle hollow, which was owned by Darla foreman. And Jeanette ward is her partner. So there are six of us that own OKC painting PA.

Jeff01:58

We, we all know that these types of shows are kind of disappearing, but all of a sudden you guys are come in and you're doing it.

And I think you're getting more and more people all the time to the show.

Katie02:10

Correct? We are, we are, you know, of course COVID put a dent dentist for a year where we, we couldn't even have it. And, um, but yeah, it's, it's very popular. People want to go to a show. And now there are only two shows left. , there is OKC, Painting Palooza and net up in new England.

So it's, it's a, you know, unfortunately something that's, doesn't give a place for PE you know, there's, there's no place for people to go and be with their teacher of their dreams and stuff like that. So we're trying to keep this, going to have that opportu.

Jeff02:50

So let let's, let's start from the beginning a little bit.

Tell us when, when, when is this

Katie02:54

show? It is October 22nd through 29th this year. So it's a Saturday to Saturday and we have classes from Saturday to Saturday. , starting with that first Saturday night, the 22nd. It is a special event that Elizabeth stole and Sandy McTier are gonna be doing. And so people come dinner's included.

And then starting Sunday morning is our regular full class schedule from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. And, , then we have that through, through the week and then we have an exhibit hall that opens up Wednesday night and it's also Thursday, Friday and Saturday. So it's a, we are a full service convention. Boy

Jeff03:37

you are.

And so if, if our audience wants to find out more about this, where do they go to get details and information and all that kind of cool stuff?

Katie03:47

Our website is OKCpaintingpalooza.com

Jeff03:54

and spell Palooza. Because the first time I tried spelling it, I spelled it wrong.

Katie04:00

Okay. PALOOZA.

Jeff04:05

So that's OKCpaintingpalooza.com.

That is correct. And when you say this is a show, is this a show for professionals? Is this a show for beginners? What exactly happens at this show?

Katie04:24

This is a show for everybody. And the probably, I guess the number one thing we wanted to incorporate into this was. We are 100% about having fun at this.

We're not, you know, stodgy, sticky rules. You can't do this. You can't do that unless it's really bad. And , but it's just, how can we put fun back in the industry? We have acrylic painters. We have colored pencils, we have oil painters. We have the mud, you know, it's a technique being. , just a huge variety.

And from beginner to the advanced, we have like, um, the special event, we, we actually are having five special events. The first one is Saturday with Sandy and Elizabeth, you know, anybody can go. And also in that, you know, dinner is included. Then Monday night we are having four special events. We have four teachers.

Who are each doing? We have an oil class, they called it pencil class, a chalk class and a acrylic class. and you know, and that, again, there dinner is included. It's, you know, it's all kind of a themed thing. And this year, our theme is patriotic. We figured we, we, we all need to be patriotic now. And well, we do.

So, , Monday, you know, we had that special event, but if you go to the website, everything is listed out, you know, spelled out to a T if anybody has any questions at all, they're more than welcome to contact me. And, , am I happy to answer any questions, help anybody out the, um, you know, the, one of the really fun things we have going on besides all the different painting.

You know, we have that an auction on a big dinner and an auction on Friday evening to kind of not end things on it. Don't because Saturday we still have exhibits in classes, but we have a big dinner that you come in and it's a raffle in an auction. And we get the most incredible donations from our artists, teachers, exhibitors.

We, I know last year we had over a hundred donations of raffle. um, that you just have a fabulous wall up in one of the halls. I just lay it all out. We do the old fashioned where you put the, , take the bag underneath and you drop your ticket in. We sell the tickets. And, um, so that's, you know, everybody has a shot at winning that.

Then we normally take five or six of what we call our really grand pieces for people that it is a live auction and. , I mean, you want a painting from she role or Louise Jackson or mark plum or Marco agar, whatev you know, we have some incredible donations. And so people bid on that and all of this goes to our benefactor benefactor.

And each year we picked pick a different benefactor and this year it is Toby Keiths OKC Kids Corral and the fabulous thing about the people who attend this, they bring donations beforehand. We always put a big tub out and like this you're, um, on the website, it does give a wishlist for donations, things that people, you know, can bring and donate.

And then again, all the proceeds from the Friday night party. Go to this fabulous, um, charity. And so we, you know, it's always a huge success. It's it's just so much fun. Tell

Jeff08:17

me a little bit about the Toby Keith, , kids corral foundation, um, who is Toby Keith and, and what does this foundation.

Katie08:29

This is okay.

So the OK kids corral, which is what it is for. It's a home away from home for pediatric cancer patients and their families. While the children are undergoing treatment and finding to win their battle with cancer. OK Kids Corral offers a warmth and security of home in a setting full of love and encouragement.

The corral alleviates some of the financial, physical, and emotional toll of traveling to treat. And allows families to focus on the most important thing, getting their child well. So it's a, you know, ki kids with cancer, just, it's heartbreaking. It's heartbreaking. Find to find somebody, you know, like this, that can help them out is, is a true blessing.

And like one, you know, like I said, we put a wishlist it's in our catalog or on our. , things like gasoline gift cards or gift cards from target or Walmart, or Brams love Brams, , Starbucks or subway, laundry detergent, and dryer sheets. Just think about you're there with your child. You know, living there, you need to wash clothes, you know, the disinfecting wipes, cleaning supplies, paper plates.

Cutlery the big, big thing we need to let everybody know. Cause a lot of times we get toys donated, cuz most of the time we do stuff for. They have to be brand new because of the illnesses of the children. We cannot give used toys. So if anybody is going to buy toys, they have to be brand new.

Jeff10:06

Got it. But, well, and, and Toby Keith, he's a, , , a country Western singer.

Yeah. I, I take.

Katie10:13

Yes, he is. And AC he unfortunately is actually battling stomach cancer right now. Oh my goodness. You know, it's one of those sad things. It's like, you think the good karma Juju, but he's, you know, we pray in hope for his health, you know, that he can recover. Um, but yeah, he's a, he's a country singer, you know, in Oklahoma and, um, Doing this amazing job with these, this, okay.

Kids corral. So we're hop for,

Jeff10:40

for people that, and I'm sorry. So for people that can't attend, um, is it on this website? If they want to send in donations, , from outside, they can get that information on your website.

Katie10:53

, there is a on the website. Yes. There is their website, the Toby Keith foundation.org.

that they could go to, to actually donate directly that way. Wow.

Jeff11:07

What, what a wonderful thing, Bob and Katie, what a great thing that you're, you're doing, , thank you for doing stuff like that. Um, let's let's talk a little bit about now you said something about there are classes, so people, , I'm assuming that there's a cost to go to this.

Katie11:27

There is, there is, , we, we have a registration fee. It is $95, um, for the full week's registration. If you do it on site, you know, you show up and decide you wanna do it. It is $110 on site. And we do have a partial registration that is $55, but that is for two consecutive days. And then we have 111 classes.

That you can sign up for which include, you know, like I had stated all the different mediums. , we have teachers from five different countries. , we have a lot of the big brushes, you know, that are coming and that are gonna be teaching for us. And so, like I said, you know, if you look at the description and they think, oh, I really wanna do it.

Please check to see the level of painting. You know, I. Not wanna be that brand new beginner of colored pencil, and I'm going into an advanced class, but I've never picked up a colored pencil before in my life. So look for the beginner, you know, and that's really, you know, the advance of course can take the beginner.

It's no big deal. Oh, I like that project. I wanna do it. Maybe I'll learn something cuz I think you would learn regardless of how advanced you are. You can always pick up a little tip, hint something, , you make great friends. People just love it. And then we have, we have a lunch break, like say it's, you know, if you're in a longer class, a six hour, we do have a few eight hour classes.

We have six hour. A lot of them are, a lot of them are four hour classes, but the six and eight hour classes, the teacher offers a break. , we do have lunches available for purchase ahead of time. The, um, we've got this wonderful list, you know, of boxed lunch, you know, sandwiches. Ham and cheese, Turkey, and cheese chicken salad, , or you can actually get a lunch salad or this year we've got even new.

We've got super chilly because sometimes in Oklahoma and October, it's cold, sometimes it's hot so, , that is all available on the website for people to pre-purchase their lunches lunches served from 12 to one. , it's all in. The floor, the convention is on two floors. The main exhibit hall is on the first floor in a couple of the classrooms up an elevator or escalator is the second floor that has another exhibit hall.

And most of the classes and lunch is served up there on the second floor. So they can just walk right outside of their classroom. go to the lunch, pick up area, pick up their lunch. We have tables all over this huge mezzanine. They can sit down and enjoy their lunch. If it's a wonderful day, they can go outside on the patio and eat their lunch.

So it's very, very user friendly. As far as that. Goes and speaking of user friendly, there is free wifi in the buildings.

Jeff14:27

well, let me ask you this. Um, so the $95 does that include all of the classes that you can take?

Katie14:35

No. That just gets you the ability to buy the classes and then each class is priced separately.

So,

Jeff14:45

and how many different teachers do you have?

Katie14:49

We have 47 teachers. Oh, my goodness. Really? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So we have a huge variety. It's, it's, it's, it's outstanding. The teachers who have have, you know, everybody's doing zoom and so it's so nice. Those who can come and can have the individual one on one, or meet their dream teacher, or, you know, just, just have that face to face again.

You know, a lot of people really, really miss that.

Jeff15:18

It's not, and, and it's not just lectures is it. They actually get to paint on surfaces and get individual instruction and group instruction, all of that kind of stuff. Right.

Katie15:31

That is correct. You, you walk in, when you are looking on the website at the project you wanna take, it will tell.

What it is painted on, whether it be canvas, whether it be a wooden bowl, whether it be, you know, a crocheted bowl, you know, we have all different surfaces and they will actually paint that project. The teacher will paint and teach along with it. Granted, some people don't get their project done, just depend it on their speed of the painting, but they will receive a pattern packet from the.

That they can go home that has all the instructions, your colors that you needed. If you know, , the brushes, you need everything, you need to finish your project. You can take that home then and you have all the means to do, to finish it up for it. Yourself.

Jeff16:21

Does our audience have to bring their own tools, their own brushes, pallet knives paint.

Katie16:29

Yes. Yes. They have to bring and each. Lists, you're looking at a certain class and it will list what brushes you need to bring, you know, special brushes and supplies. Number four, number six, number eight, Filbert, , large dry brush and oval wash or certain angle brushes. Um, it's everyone is listed. You are responsible for your own supplies.

Now, some teachers. So there, if it's a specialized brush, they will sell that brush in class. , a lot of times, you know, you sign up for the class, gosh, I don't have this. You can a, you know, email, the teacher ask and he, or she will tell you either a, you need to go, you know, and purchase that particular brush or whatever tool it is, or, oh, I will have that for sale

Bob17:20

colored pencil classes are real big and.

When you look at the, the class in the catalog, it'll tell you what color or pencils you need to bring with you to do that particular project.

Jeff17:34

Wow. Now let's just say that, um, they get on the airplane, they get into Oklahoma and they went, oh my gosh, I forgot to bring my brushes. You said something about, , an exhibitor hall.

Are there people there that can sell product?

Katie17:54

Yes, there is. We have 37 exhibitors, um, that go from anywhere to surfaces, to brushes, to paints, to, you know, a lot of the artists with their own pattern packets. So. You get there? Oh my gosh, I need such and such brush or whatever. And if the exhibit Hall's not open, that's one thing where we're very user friendly.

You know, we, we know everybody very well, so we can just, you know, pick up, you know, we have their cell phone numbers, we call 'em and say, oh, so, and so is going to a class and she needs, you know, a number four angle. You. can you come down and sell it to her? Because most of the exhibitors are getting moved in.

They have an idea of where to find, you know, their stuff. And most of them are very accommodating to help somebody.

Jeff18:44

And the exhibitors, um, they I'm, I'm sure they offer some special deals and stuff like that. And, and before, before that is, does the $95 include entrance into the exhibitor hall to see all these manufacturers?

Or is there a separate

Katie19:03

cost for that? There is no fee to get into the exhibitor hall. Everybody is welcome to. so even if you are not coming to take classes, you just wanna come shop. You're tired of online shopping. You wanna come and see what's new, or like you said, what kind of deals are out there? , that's that's the time to come.

You can, you know, we, we have quite a few people that do that. They drive in and, um, look at the, you know, wanna go looking at the. what's available out there and, and pick it up cause they can see it, touch it, feel it and not, and not pay for shipping. So

Jeff19:42

well now, now speaking of shipping, I know that, um, you go there, let's say you take three, maybe four classes and you've got three or four pieces of art.

You've gotta get back home. Is there an, do you have, provide an easy way for them to get that stuff back home or are they just kind of on

Katie20:00

their. one of our exhibitors does a shipping home service. So, , Ronnie Marx is her name. And so you can take your stuff to her, whatever you want shipped home. And she packages it up and tells you how much it's gonna be to ship.

You pay that. And then, you know, you fly home or whatever. And when by time you get home or within a few days, your package should be there in the.

Jeff20:24

that's great. Now, a, a little bird told me that you have some wonderfully themed nights and a lot of the exhibitors and some of the participants come dressed up and that kind of stuff does, does that really happen?

Katie20:43

It really does happen. Our, , we have a theme every year, you know, it's been Christmas, Halloween, , all different this year. It's Patriot. And it's what happens is every, we, nobody has to, nobody has to dress up. But if you want, , especially Wednesday night for opening night of the convention hall from 6:30 to 8:30 in the exhibit halls.

Yeah. In the exhibit halls, you dress up in your best patriotic, all the exhibitors then have a voting ballot. And as you come through, it's best to, you know, if you're, if you're really working to win this. Make sure you leave your name with the exhibitor. Bribing of candy is highly highly encouraged what ex exhibitor does not love candy.

And so the best costume deemed by the exhibitors at the end of the evening at eight 30 Wednesday evening opening, not of exhibit hall, they win free registration for the next year. And so, which is a huge prize. And also. Reversing that the exhibitors are encouraged to decorate their booths and the participants, the shoppers vote on the best exhibitor booth.

And we have had some amazing booths decorated and they win a discount off of their booth for next year. The winner. So. It's we have a lot of fun.

Jeff22:12

It sounds like a lot of fun. I I've actually seen some pictures and did one year. I, I might be outta my mind. Did one year. Did you have like a pajama party or something like that?

Katie22:24

Yeah. Yeah. We've we had pajama parties. It's everybody wearing their pajamas around it just, it, it just, it is a lot of fun. The, you know, we just try to come up with themes that people can, and a lot of people take this to heart. They, they go all out. So I cannot wait to see this year's costumes, cuz I know they're gonna be.

Yeah,

Jeff22:47

I don't think you'd wanna see either Dave or I in, , pajamas. that's just not a pretty sight at all.

Katie22:55

oh, we had some great, well, there, it was, it was fabulous. It really was.

Jeff23:00

So give us the, um, give us the website again, where they can get, , all the

Katie23:05

information. OKCPaintingPalooza.com.

Jeff23:21

And is there anything I've forgotten to ask you about this incredible

Katie23:27

event? Well, there's, there's nothing you have forgotten to ask about, but I do wanna bring up another one fun thing that we do Monday through Friday at the convention, say you've taken class Mondays and Tuesday. We say I'm just gonna kind of rest, but gosh, I'm kind of bored.

What am I gonna do? We offer 90 minute, make it tickets Monday through Friday, which is we have a, a setup, you know, in our lobby area, you buy a ticket at the registration desk. We have all the pieces on display, on display for you to choose. We have teachers like Karen Brower and Deb Bonne. Well and Rosemary West and Linda O'Connor.

um, Kathy Baldwin, Shannon Miller, Marling fudge, Cheryl King, Erica, Joanne. They do a 90 minute make a take it, which you will go. You'll bring your little painting tote and on the time designated and you'll sit and they will have a little project that you can complete in the 90 minute time. And it costs $17.

So it's just a really neat little. You get your painting in, but you're not in a four hour or six hour class. You just got your 90 minute time and just something fun to do to fill the time that you don't wanna be in a structured class or say that you're a shopper,

Bob24:49

but you, you know, you have a job. You really can't take the week off to come to the, the whole convention, but you just wanna come shop.

Maybe you'll stop and take one of the naked tickets, get the feel for classes. So maybe you'll come next year and see what it's all about.

Jeff25:05

Wow. So literally you can go there just to look at the exhibit hall or the manufacturers and the products they're selling and sit down for 90 minutes and walk away with a little piece of art or

Katie25:20

craft.

Yes. Yeah, yeah. From some really good teachers. You know, not, not just doing, you know, the little free little thing that you do at the fairground type thing. These are some nice pieces that these, these teachers are doing.

Jeff25:37

Yeah. I've seen the list of, , instructors and teachers there, and you've got some real world class, quite frankly, , artists and, and, , crafters that, , teach you everything from.

Oil painting to acrylic, to watercolored to collage, to colored pencil. And the list goes on, right?

Katie26:00

Yes. Yeah. And fabric painting, wood painting, canvas. , it's just, it is, it is, you know, I cannot imagine that anybody can look at the catalog of items we have and go, there's nothing there. I wanna do.

Jeff26:15

well, it seems to me that if you're trying to get into a new genre and you just don't know where to start and you know, a lot of people go to YouTube and they, they try to learn there, but this is with the teacher themselves.

They can go in there and not know a darn thing, but by the end of the day, they'll really have a pretty good idea of what to

Katie26:38

do. That's right. As long as it yeah. Get into one of the beginner classes, the teacher will teach you how to do that medium and yeah. Then you can decide. Mm, I love it. , maybe that one's not quite for me, so, um, yeah, it's, it's a perfect way to do.

Jeff26:57

Wow. Well, again, this is just one of two, basically consumer shows that we have left in our industry and to our audience out there. If you have any interest in learning a whole bunch of different ways to create art and or craft, you really need to go to the OKC painting. Palous. Dot com and check it out.

Um, tell the dates again,

Katie27:27

October 22nd through 29th. This year, it is held at the it's held at the Sheraton Reed center in Midwest city, Oklahoma, which is a suburb of, of, okay. Oklahoma

Bob27:41

city.

Jeff27:43

that's a mouthful,

Bob27:44

nice central location in the middle of the country. So everybody can come from.

Jeff27:49

And I would assume people should, , check it out.

And if they're gonna go sign up as quickly as possible, because I guess it is possible that you could run out of spaces. Do you, can you have too many people?

Katie28:01

Well, we, we have a few classes that have already sold out. So that is, and also the hotel, our host hotel, we have sold out of the rooms, but the beauty of the location.

There is one central parking lot and a whole circle of hotels around it. So there's, um, a Hampton Inn, a LaQuinta a home two that you can get a hotel to stay at. And all you're doing is walking across the parking lot. So it's not like you're, oh, I gotta get in the car and go somewhere. You are just, you are right.

Jeff28:40

Well, Bob and Katie, thank you so much for being on the show and thank you for, for having this za event, because I mean, years ago we had a whole bunch of these things for our audience out there, and they're just not around much anymore. So thank you again for being on the.

Katie29:03

Oh, well, thank you so much for helping us promote this because this is a, it's a fabulous opportunity and thank you very much.

Jeff29:10

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