Colette Odya-Smith Workshop

Colette Odya-Smith presented a workshop for the Arkansas Pastel Society in November 2025.

During the workshop, Colette shared a perspective that resonated with many artists in the room: “Artists have a superpower – the ability to see something before it happens.”

She also spoke about her preference for working in a square format, explaining that “It’s easier to break the rules in a square.” To create texture in specific areas of a painting, she layers pastel with fixative in alternating layers, but does not use fixative as a final finish.

Colette also mentioned that she will be teaching a workshop in Door County, Wisconsin, in August, which sounds like a great way to beat the heat of an Arkansas summer.

Learn more about Arkansas Pastel Society membership.