Several members of APS spent a lovely Saturday recently with instructor Vic Mastis exploring new surfaces and mixed media tools to use with pastels. We played with patterned papers, spray paints, stencils and various mark-making options, and everyone ended up with unique studies as a result. Vic shared some fun techniques that she’s been using and participants were encouraged to experiment with the materials and references on hand.
Vic said “I can’t believe all the beautiful artwork that was started and produced!! Time went too fast. Pat yourself on the back for trying new things and going with it!”
(Note: Participant Carol Rivas had to leave before the group photo was taken).
We have a brand new page on our website. It is a place for us to read about ideas, techniques, products and other tips. These articles will be written by our members. The first one is written by our President, Caprise Cooper. It highlights the procedure and materials she uses to paint her series of “Old Rusty Vehicles”.
Mertz Encouraged Participants to “Paint What Scares You”
Nancie King Mertz presented a three-day workshop for the Arkansas Pastel Society on November 12–14, 2024. She also presented a demonstration for the Society’s regular Tuesday night meeting, which was available to view via Zoom.
The theme for the workshop was“Paint What Scares You.” Each participant was free to focus on whatever that meant for them.
Workshops like this are a valuable part of the Arkansas Pastel Society’s programming. They give members the chance to learn from accomplished artists, exchange ideas with fellow painters, and spend focused time developing their work in a supportive environment.
Thank you to Nancie King Mertz for sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with APS members during this inspiring three-day event.
What a spectacular evening! Thank you Ozark Pastel Society for coordinating this joint membership show with the Arkansas Pastel Society. Shout out to John Brown University for hosting us in the lovely gallery.
The Arkansas Pastel Society hosted its 10th National Exhibition, Reflections in Pastel, at the Laman Library Gallery in North Little Rock. The exhibition opened on November 17 and remained on display through January 12, 2024.
Tom Christopher served as juror and judge for the exhibition and presented the awards during the opening reception.
Award Winners
Best of Show Looks Like Rain – Dennis McCann
First Place The Red Hat – Jean Lewis (Chicago)
Second Place Oak Room Experience – Georgia Chastain
Third Place Lady of the Field – Margi Tucker
Honorable Mention September Splendor – Marcie Ballowe (Montana)
Honorable Mention River of Dancing Waters – Roy Crawford
Honorable Mention Joshua – Terri deNatale (Texas)
Arkansas Artist Award Special Treats – Susan Hurst
Visitors to the reception gathered in the gallery to hear the award winners announced and celebrate the artists whose work was selected for the exhibition.
The Reflections in Pastel exhibition showcased a wide range of pastel artwork and brought together artists and art enthusiasts to celebrate the pastel medium.
Learn more about Arkansas Pastel Society membership.
On December 2nd members met at the home of APS member Anne Parat for the annual Christmas party. Great treats were brought and shared. A short business meeting was held to elect APS officers for 2024. It has become a tradition to hold a drawing for a prize for members who renew their membership or new members who join the day before the annual Christmas party. This year’s drawing winner was Caprise Cooper.
During August of 2023 the Arkansas Pastel Society learned they had been approved to receive one of three global grants awarded by the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS). The chosen project was to work with Seis Puentes Hispanic Outreach, a non-profit organization in North Little Rock
Tom Christopher led a three-day landscape workshop for APS members in conjunction with the Arkansas Pastel Society’s 10th National Exhibition, Reflections in Pastel. Tom also served as juror and judge for the exhibition and presented the program at the November APS meeting, where he demonstrated a landscape painting.
During the workshop, participants observed Tom demonstrating his techniques and then applied them to their own paintings. Tom works on Gatorboard, which accepts water better than regular foam core, and prepares the surface with gesso to create a textured underpainting, often tinting the gesso with acrylic paint in a complementary color. He may also use watered-down semi-gloss acrylic house paint applied with a 1½-inch brush, taping off areas such as the sky where texture is not desired.
Tom travels light, carrying a small box of Terry Ludwig pastels that he considers his workhorse set. He applies pastel with a very light touch, using the flat side of the stick for most passages and the edge when a sharper line is needed. He often pats the surface with a paper towel and typically paints the sky last so it can be adjusted to work with the rest of the painting. The only time he uses fixative is to darken an area. For sketching, Tom uses a carpenter’s pencil, which provides a broad line and is inexpensive and easy to find at home improvement stores.
Participants enjoyed learning Tom’s techniques and experimenting with them in their own paintings.
Arkansas Pastel Society Workshops
APS members regularly have the opportunity to learn from visiting artists through demonstrations, workshops, and programs.
