A Note at Year's End

As the year comes to a close, we wanted to say thank you and share a brief look back.

This year we reached 50 colors in our oil paint line. That number took time, testing, and plenty of revision, and it felt like the right moment to pause there. Our watercolor line is close behind and will reach the same milestone soon. In the meantime we keep experimenting with new pigments and a few other ideas we've had up our sleeves. 

As paint makers we decided that we wanted to highlight more the voices of artists and so we launched our newest blog On Painting. Inspired in part by the newest member of our team Jessica, an young artist who shares her deep love of oil painting as a guest blogger and who is now one more of the artists that we consult with as we continue to grow. We look forward to more of her reflections on painting in the year to come.

This year also saw the introduction of our "Artist Spotlight" series. Seeing what artists create with our colors shapes how we think about future ones and keeps us grounded as paintmakers. We’ve always appreciated when artists tag us on social media so we can see the work being made and share it with others. After getting to know so many of you that way, the Artist Spotlight felt like a natural extension, a small way for us to help share the work and perspective of artists we admire.

If you missed it, Gapka Paints are now available at SupplyRVA in Richmond, Virginia, and at You’ve Been Framed in Easton, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore. Being stocked in independently owned art supply stores where artists can see and handle the paint has been a dream for us, and we’re excited to continue growing.

Finally, we wanted to make sure that we give a big thank you to our team in Mexico: Belem, Juan, Lalo, and Rosario, without their talent and hard work we would never be able to continue to grow and provide the highest quality paints to our customers.  Also a big thank you to our family and especially Rita's mother, Maria and daughter, Emilia, who step in to run shipping so we can get away on occasion to find inspiration for new colors or just get some needed rest with friends.

We’re still a small company, growing slowly and deliberately. The goal remains the same as it’s always been: make the best paint we can and keep the quality consistent as we grow.

Thanks to everyone who painted with Gapka this year, shared their work, left a review, or reached out with questions or feedback. We appreciate your support and look forward to what’s ahead.

Pablo & Rita