I live in Spain and am very happy with the SAA but I can't get gold membership.I would love to share my work and get some comments.I really wish The SAA would upgrade overseas members.I would pay the excess.I don't think I have missed other memberships for overseas members. Does anyone else feel this way? Lisa

Hello Lisa You can become a Gold member and thus have your own web pages on the SAA site, but you will not be able to benefit from all the insurance cover. Hope this helps Happy painting John

Hi Lisa
I too live in Spain and I am struggling to see the advantages of overseas members, we have to pay standard postage, uk members do not. I am not interested in news letters, I use water colour, oil and acrylics all of which are freely available here, although the selection water colour paper is fairly limited where I live.

I really would be interested in your views

I did phone SAA and they did say that they could get me gold membership but I haven't taken them up on it yet..... will find out a price!
The overseas membership is a little useless but as standard postage isn't especially expensive I still order materials. I do understand that its expensive for a company to pay overseas postage prices but maybe double points would give more advantages.
I do like the news letters! they are sometimes useful.
I live in part of Spain where I can only get Van Gough products. I don't like them.
I like Windsor and Newton watercolour and Saa sells them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I go home every 6 months and make sure I get my Pads as the postage on them is a lot.
I am trying to complete a course with The London school of art and on-line is the only way to get my supplies. I do shop with Ken Bromley aswell.
Paul where in Spain are you as I would love to get supplies here.I hope the reply is ok. I may have rattled on oops!

I live in Almeria Province. The company Goyra Ofi have shops in Vera, Cuevas del Almanzora and Huercal Overa. I was in the Vera shop yesterday and bought W & N Acrylics. I didn't notice any water colours but I was not looking for them. If you do not like Van Gogh have you tried the Rembrandt range, dearer, but quality, by the same Company. Try emailing them at gotra@ofiexperts.es and ask. The shops are huge and stock everything to the office and artist. Let me know how you get on

I live in the United States and I feel that SAA is an English organization that is for UK residents and artists in other countries are an after thought. It would be nice if there was a monetary converter on the website. It would be nice if more of the dvds were available in more than just PAL format.
Now that I'm done complaining I want to say that I thoroughly enjoy PAINT, the catalogue, and having access to the painting channel shows.
Enough for now.
David

David thanks for your comments and we do welcome members from overseas. We are developing a new web site and when ready will have Currency converter added – but not day 1.

Videos will all be available on demand via internet on new site – but not day 1

NB All DVDs will play on a computer.

hope this helps

happy painting

John

I live and work near Montpellier in Southern France and I'm a Gold Member. O.K. I don't get insurance cover but then my own policy covers that, I'm not near any other members so I'm not a member of a group.....so, why do I bother? Well, I like reading Paint, I like writing for Paint, I love the fact that I can ring up the SAA Shop and talk to helpful people who know what they're talking about and give me delivery dates that are realistic. I like the the SAA page on Face Book, I enjoy the interchange of ideas, information, and constructive criticism. I enjoy being part of a group of down to earth painters who aren't judgemental, pompous or patronising but who just like painting. I love the fact that members don't care if you're amateur or professional as long as you do the 'biz'. I value the advice I'm given and I enjoy the chance to teach.
So I'm glad to be a part of the S.A.A.

David
Thank you so much for your kind and constructive words about the SAA, I was thrilled to read them. We started the SAA in 1992 to inform, encourage and inspire all who want to paint, whatever their ability, from complete beginners to professionals. This has carried us from 100 members to 47,000 and all I wish for is that they should enjoy their painting and find satisfaction and happiness through it.

Taking part in creative activites is good for your health and well-being, so let us all get more people painting, make new friends, paint together and inspire others. The SAA stands ready to help, so all members see what you can do to increase our membership to the benefit of all - we are listening.

John HH
SAA Chairman

Querida Lisa.
Yo vivo en Sevilla y me pasa exactamente lo mismo que a tí, ademas algunas de las cosas del catálogo sólo son para el reino unido.
Pero bueno , merece la pena porque en España no hay nada parecido.
Buena suerte y un abrazo

Antonio. (spanishbrushtroke)