Asel Art Supplies: Texas' Trusted Regional Art Supply Chain

Asel Art Supplies is a Texas-based art supply chain that has served the Lone Star State's artistic community since 1972, growing from a single store into a multi-location regional institution with a presence in Dallas, Austin, Houston, and other major Texas cities. Over more than five decades, Asel has built a reputation as the go-to destination for Texas artists seeking professional-grade materials, expert custom framing, knowledgeable staff, and a retailer that genuinely understands the specific needs, traditions, and challenges of creating art in Texas.

In a retail landscape increasingly dominated by national chains and online giants, Asel occupies a valuable middle ground: it offers the consistency, resources, and multi-location convenience of a chain while maintaining the regional focus, community engagement, and personalized service of a locally rooted business. For Texas artists, Asel is not just a store—it is a Texas institution that has been part of the state's creative ecosystem for generations.

Deep Roots in the Texas Art Community

Asel's regional identity is not merely a marketing position—it reflects genuine, decades-long relationships with Texas art communities, schools, galleries, and institutions. The company has grown alongside the Texas art scene, adapting to serve the evolving needs of artists across the state's diverse creative landscape, from the contemporary gallery scenes of Dallas and Houston to the vibrant independent art communities of Austin to the plein air painting traditions of the Hill Country and West Texas.

The staff at Asel locations are knowledgeable art materials professionals who understand both the technical properties of the products they sell and the specific context in which Texas artists use them. They can discuss the merits of different paint formulations, recommend surfaces suited for particular techniques, advise on brush selection, and help artists navigate the practical decisions involved in building and maintaining a studio practice. This expertise is grounded in familiarity with the local art community—staff members know what Texas artists are working on, what challenges they face, and what materials serve them best.

Asel also understands the practical realities of creating art in Texas' climate. The state's intense heat, high UV exposure, and variable humidity present specific challenges for art materials—paints can behave differently in extreme heat, papers can warp or become brittle in low humidity, and finished works require materials with strong UV resistance to maintain their integrity over time. Asel stocks materials suited for these conditions and can advise artists on selecting products that will perform reliably in the Texas environment.

Professional-Grade Materials Across All Major Media

Asel's inventory is focused on professional-grade and high-quality materials from respected manufacturers. The stores carry a comprehensive selection of painting supplies, including oils, acrylics, watercolors, gouache, and specialty paints, along with an extensive range of brushes, canvases, panels, papers, and painting mediums. Drawing materials span graphite, charcoal, colored pencils, pastels, markers, and technical pens from quality brands.

The stores also stock materials for printmaking, sculpture, mixed media, and other specialized disciplines, along with studio furniture, easels, storage solutions, and presentation materials. While Asel's total inventory may not match the 90,000-item breadth of a national giant like Blick, the selection is thoughtfully curated to ensure that artists across all major media can find quality materials without wading through inferior options.

Asel's product curation reflects a philosophy of quality over quantity. Rather than attempting to stock every product from every manufacturer, the stores focus on brands and products that have proven their value to working artists. This approach makes shopping more efficient—you can trust that the options available represent genuine quality at their respective price points—and it reflects the company's understanding that artists benefit more from a well-curated selection than from an overwhelming array of choices.

Custom Framing as a Core Strength

Asel's custom framing departments are among the strongest in Texas art retail. The framing teams offer professional-quality framing using conservation-grade materials, including acid-free mats, UV-protective glazing, archival mounting techniques, and a wide selection of quality moldings in styles ranging from traditional to contemporary. The framing staff understand archival standards and can advise on the appropriate level of conservation framing for different types of artwork and display conditions.

For Texas artists who regularly exhibit, sell, or commission work, having access to reliable, high-quality framing at their art supply store is a significant convenience. The framing staff can consult on presentation decisions—how to mat and frame work for gallery submission, how to choose framing that complements the artwork without competing with it, and how to balance aesthetic preferences with conservation requirements. Turnaround times are reasonable, and pricing is competitive with standalone framing shops.

The framing department also serves collectors, decorators, and individuals seeking to frame photographs, prints, memorabilia, and other items. The combination of professional expertise, quality materials, and convenient locations makes Asel's framing services accessible to a broad range of customers.

Statewide Presence with Local Character

With locations across multiple major Texas cities, Asel provides convenient access for artists throughout the state. This multi-location presence means that Texas artists can rely on consistent quality, service standards, and product availability regardless of which Asel store they visit. Whether you're based in Dallas, shopping in Austin while visiting family, or picking up supplies in Houston before a workshop, the Asel experience is reliably professional and well-stocked.

At the same time, each Asel location maintains a degree of local character that reflects the specific art community it serves. Staff at different locations develop expertise relevant to their local customer base, and the stores participate in the art events, exhibitions, and educational programs of their respective communities. This balance of chain consistency and local engagement is one of Asel's distinctive strengths.

Community Engagement and Educational Support

Asel actively participates in the Texas art ecosystem beyond retail. The stores host workshops and demonstrations, support local exhibitions and art events, partner with art schools and educational institutions, and provide institutional pricing and bulk supply programs for classrooms. Many Texas art educators have longstanding relationships with their local Asel store, relying on the company for quality classroom supplies at fair prices.

The company's community engagement reflects a genuine understanding that its long-term success is tied to the health and vitality of the Texas art community. By supporting artists, educators, and institutions, Asel invests in the creative ecosystem that sustains its business—a virtuous cycle that benefits everyone involved.

The Bottom Line

Asel Art Supplies succeeds by being exactly what Texas artists need: a professional-quality art supply chain with deep regional roots, knowledgeable staff, excellent custom framing, and genuine commitment to the Texas art community. For artists throughout the Lone Star State seeking quality materials, expert guidance, and a retailer that understands their specific needs and environment, Asel is an essential resource that national chains and online retailers simply cannot replicate.