Description
What began as an artist's invention in a shed in Colorado, combined with a student business project, has grown into Ampersand Art Supply, a renowned manufacturer of premium artist panels. Built on a foundation of innovation and craftsmanship, the company has spent more than three decades developing surfaces designed around artists' needs. In this film, Ampersand co-founder and current CEO and President Elaine Salazar joins us in the Jackson's Studio to share the remarkable story behind the company's origins, and how their founding philosophies continue to shape every surface they make today.
0:00 “We really didn’t know whether artists would really take on the whole idea of panel painting seriously”
0:48 “We go back to where we started, Claybord started because there was a need that an artist had”
1:06 Introduction
1:34 The Story Behind Ampersand
4:27 “You know, I’ve always loved art; it really feeds my soul”
4:55 “While Claybord started in a shed in Southern Colorado, we actually had something that was reviving an incredible tradition.”
5:20 What Makes Ampersand Claybord Unique
6:39 The Advantages Of Artist Panels Compared to Canvas
8:46 What Makes Ampersand Artist Panels Distinctive
11:45 The Benefits Of Using Cradled Artist Panels
12:46 How Ampersand Has Grown Over The Years
15:10 “The unique thing about our Scratchbord is that you can actually add colour”
16:36 An Introduction To Ampersand Gessobord
17:22 An Introduction To Ampersand Aquabord
19:29 An Introduction To Ampersand Pastelbord
20:32 Creating Ampersand Encausticbord With R&F Handmade Paints
21:23 Ampersand’s Commitment to Quality, Craftsmanship, And Artist Support
22:23 How Ampersand Artist Panels Are Made
25:42 How Ampersand Tests Panels For Quality and Longevity
27:06 Behind The Scenes At Ampersand
28:51 How Ampersand Makes Artist Panels Responsibly
29:49 Expert Tips For Getting The Best From Ampersand Panels
20:33 The Secret Behind Ampersand’s Bestselling Artist Panels
31:33 Credits
Shop Ampersand on our website: https://www.jacksonsart.com/brands/ampersand?utm_campaign=in_convo_ampersand&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=organicsocial&utm_content=youtube_social_organic_video_to_ecom
Read the article on our blog: https://www.jacksonsart.com/blog/2026/06/10/in-conversation-with-ampersand?utm_campaign=in_convo_ampersand&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=organicsocial&utm_content=youtube_social_organic_video_to_blog