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...

The next convention of the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) convenes next week in Albuquerque, N.M., beginning on Thursday, May 28. But the fun doesn't end at close of show on Sunday. IAPS planners have arranged for their 13th juried exhibition to be hosted by Ventana Fine Art, a gallery located on Santa Fe's famous Canyon Road. 

The exhibition features pastel works by 59 artists, selected from more than 330 entries. Artist Doug Dawson acted as juror of selection for the show, and artist Albert Handell is the awards-juror. Both Hall of Fame artists are represented by the Ventana Gallery.

I received a press release from pastelist Terri Ford today and just couldn't resist posting her gorgeous prize-winning pastel, Morning Fog, on the blog. The painting just won the Best Pastel Award at the Carmel Art Festival Plein Air Event. “It was a foggy morning but that only added to the magical atmosphere of the dunes," she says. "As long as it's not raining I am happy painting out on the dunes.” Those of you who are keeping score will remember Ford from the cover of our December 2006 issue.

The Elk Horn Art Gallery in Winter Park, Colo., will present a new show with award-winning artist Clive R. Tyler next month, June 26 through July 12. The solo show, entitled "Telling the Story of the West" will feature more than 20 news pastel works, which portray the skies, the land and the animals of the American West that so inspire the artist.

Tyler will be giving a demonstration at the gallery on June 19 and is also offering a 3-day plein air workshop, June 20-22, in conjunction with the show  June 20-22nd. Contact the gallery for more information.

Long Horns (above; pastel, 22x28) by Clive Tyler