Hey Portlanders! Tia Factor’s solo show, In Want of the World, opens at Half/Dozen Gallery (722 E Burnside & SE 8th Ave) this Friday evening from 6-9.

Swarm Gallery artists reveal their secret weapons:

Joseph Smolinski’s Alvin Draft/Matic 0.3mm does the job for his detailed drawings. It’s lying atop his special pencil case made by his wife Jessie.

Laura Ball can’t go without these watercolor pencils. 

And Laura’s mechanical pencils may date back to the year 2000 - these are oldies but goodies.

Tia Factor is old school - she uses pen and ink.

And Andy Vogt favors these General’s Charcoal White # 558.  It shows up on his salvaged wood and is also erasable.