It's time for your IAPS update! The staff of The Pastel Journal arrived in New Mexico yesterday and got straight to work, setting up our little booth with reams of F+W Media goodies, including a selection of ArtistsNetwork.tv DVDs, CD archives, North Light books, and FREE magazines. The convention floor opens in just a few hours, so if you're one of the many many pastel artists on site, be sure to head over to Booth 22 for some special deals. Also, don't forget to join us in the Turquoise Room from 1:30 - 3:30 for our 10th Anniversary extravaganza (there will be cake!) and slide show.

A few insider details: Remarkably, attendance is up at this year's show, despite the challenging economy--yet another sign that art is moving to the center, rather than the margins, of many Americans' lives. The festivities kicked off yesterday with a fabulous Paint-Around, the results of which are currently up for auction (don't forget to place your bid!). The buffet dinner was a chance for all of the attendees to convene in one place and share ideas over some chow. We were pleased to share our table with some new pastel acquaintances, one of whom just happened to be a new  subscriber, and to visit with old friends in the pastel fold.

What a wonderful sight it is to see hundreds of pastelists walking the hotel halls with their complimentary Pastel Journal totes. We went with a blue on blue scheme this year (pictured above on my desk as I write this post) and I think it was a good choice, don't you? Check back in later today for reports from the convention floor...