Beets Win Again

Open Market  Pastel 6x8 $250

Please check out UART sanded paper and see the amazing pieces of pastel art, including my piece, Open Market, which won a spot in the online show.  It is such an honor with my friend Jen Evenhaus featured, along with Tracy Wilson, a member of Pastel Society of Colorado and so many other notable artists.  

Beets and Beets

Fresh Market pastel 6x8 $150

What a great little show at the Humphrey Farm Preserve sponsored by the Pastel Society of Colorado. The show was juried by Laura Mehmert.  The painting was of some beets splayed on a farm market table that had caught my eye.  To my delight I received a third place award for the piece.  The show runs until June 24th, if you find yourself near Evergreen.  

AND, I just received the acceptance of my piece Winter Beets to be displayed at the 11th Annual Mile High International Pastel Exhibition July 2 to September 25th at the Denver Public Library, level 7.   This show was juried by Liz Haywood Sullivan

Maybe you hate beets....maybe not but try this recipe. Roasted Beet Salad With Goat Cheese

Winter Beets pastel 8x8 $200 

As Jeannette commented when she gave the award, You can't beat that. 

You will see more of my kitchen art this year and my interpretation this year of fruits, vegetables and I can't leave out flowers.   Or maybe more landscapes, or what about those poppies and lilac.  Stay tuned.   

Journeys

As a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of Colorado our show this year has a theme. We are challenged to embark on a personal visual exploration of a subject or a place or an approach to the medium of pastel.  After contemplation I have chosen a process to develop my own visual voice by using the lessons from my many workshops.  Terrie Lombardi would remind me of loose juicy marks.  Mike Beeman reminds me to paint everyday and a recent workshop with Jane Christi, to paint fearlessly.   

Thumbnail study of values and shapes

I have gotten back to basics with a value study and have chosen to stay loose in my approach using soft pastel on an un-sanded paper. Canson Mi Tenintes comes in many tones so to begin the process I will work on red.  It creates an under-painting to unify the painting.   My subject will be food, well maybe throw in a flower, ya know I do love flowers, and I plan to keep all the paintings square in an 8x8 format.  I think it will be called the Kitchen Series.  
 The show opens at the Lakewood cultural Center October 9 with a reception from 6 to 8 PM. 
See Pastel Society of Colorado for more about the show and the Society.

PM Snack on Canson MiTeintes  8x8

So let the Journey begin.

Annual Easter Show at CAG

Spring Menagerie Pastel 12x24 

The Cheyenne Artist Guild has been in existence for more than sixty-five years, located in the historic Van Tassel Carriage House in Holliday park.  We have lived in Cheyenne for forty years and always enjoyed the Annual Easter show, featured for many years at the bank. This year I have three pastels and Don has three pieces of photography.  You can visit the Guild Tuesday through Friday from noon to 5 PM or Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM.  The reception for the Easter show is Sunday April 5th from 1 to 3 PM.

In addition to the monthly art shows the CAG offers numerous workshops, one from my mentor, friend and Denver artist Terrie Lombardi is scheduled for April 18 and 19th.  You may sign up by calling 307 623-2263.  

Jennifer Evenhus

Jennifer and Vanda in Wenatchee, WA Studio

Jennifer Evenhus has intrigued me since I saw her images in Pastel Journal, in a number of issues.  Wenatchee, Washington is just a bit off the path to Seattle so this last trip to visit Kristin, with a quick email request to meet, Jennifer and I were in her studio.  What a delight to see her work up close.  Her palette is vibrant, her marks masterful with their bold and confident strokes. Her pastel collection was not enormous and as we discussed, as you develop your own personal set of hues, you don't really need all 515 Terry Ludwig Pastels, but oh it could be fun?  She also told me she does her pastels on Uart 400, which I have also begin using with the shortage of Wallis.

Pastel 9x12 by Jennifer Evenhus

I chose this luscious little beauty to go home with me, however Jennifer wasn't ready to part with it telling me of her plan to write a book, with a working title of Ten Minute Studies and this will likely be an image in the book. After more deliberation  Forgotten was my next pick.  I have been gravitating to Kitchen Art loving colors and forms of vegetables and the zest of markets and lovingly arranged produce.  Maybe I can try 18 minute studies... 10 minutes, how does she do it?

Forgotten pastel 6x12 by Jennifer Evenhus

The Demo

One and a half hour pastel demo by Diane Rappisi

The Pastel Society of Colorado hosts a monthly meeting and the high point is a demo by a notable artist.  Diane Rappisi moved to Colorado in 2011, and has opened a studio, the Atelier at Castle Rock, where she paints and offers private and group instruction.  She explained her passion for portrait and when ever possible painting from life, is her first love. Diane declared that learning to paint, was not an innate ability but with instruction, passion and lots of practice developing art is possible for anyone.

Diane chose Terry Ludwig for this demo the creator of a pastel brand coveted by pastel artists for their range of hues and their dense, velvety texture.

Diane Rappisi & Terry Ludwig