When Valentine’s Day rolled around, I decided to treat myself to a visit to an art store, a little holiday tradition of mine. My plan was to head downtown to one of my favorite spots, but the thought of the half-hour or maybe even 40-minute drive left me feeling lazy. However, as they say, laziness can often lead to great discoveries.
Instead of my usual spot, I decided to search for art stores nearby that I hadn’t visited before. That’s when I stumbled upon a hidden gem on Google Maps—a discounted art supplies store just a 7-minute drive from my home. It was a win-win situation, so I decided to check it out.
Located in the north of Toronto, this small store proved to be a powerhouse of art supplies. I found everything I could possibly need, from a variety of watercolor papers (including Arches, my favorite) to a huge selection of brushes for every medium imaginable. And let’s not forget about the watercolor paints—there were so many colors to choose from!
As soon as I stepped into the store, I was greeted by the owner, an older gentleman who exuded an artistic aura. When I inquired about the watercolors and asked for specific colors, I couldn’t help but feel like I was in Ollivander’s wand shop from Harry Potter.
I ended up selecting a few watercolour paints to try out. And I even did a swatching video for my YouTube channel to share my new shades with others. You can check out the video on my channel—I hope you enjoy it!
If you’re in the north of Toronto and looking for a great art store, I highly recommend checking out this hidden gem. You never know what treasures you might find!
Store Location:
646 Major Mackenzie Dr E, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 1J9
Natalia Nazarian Creative Studio 