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 Monday, July 06, 2009
How to Create Better Paintings
Posted by anne
Last month, the F+W Media Fine Art Group launched a new series of webinars. These live, one-hour, online classes can be attended from the comfort of your own home or office. My colleague, Maureen Bloomfield at The Artist's Magazine, and I conducted the last event on Shows & Competitions. Webinar participants raised a bunch of really good questions, and Maureen and I certainly enjoyed sharing our experiences, opinions and advice. The next webinar event, "The Simple Secret to Better Painting," is coming up on Tuesday, July 14. In this latest webinar, artist and North Light Books author Greg Albert will be sharing his expertise on the subject of composition and design. The discussion will include such topics as varying intervals between picture elements, creating interesting shapes and croppings, achieving dynamic balance, creating an entertaining path for the eye, and more. These are the sorts of ideas that can turn our pretty good paintings into truly winning works of art. Click here to register now for your seat in the class—and have your questions ready!
Shows and Events
Monday, July 06, 2009 7:08:56 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00) 
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Thursday, July 02, 2009
The Pastel Journal Reader Survey
Posted by sarah
Once every year we offer our readers a chance to tell us what they really think. Which features were your favorites this year? Which could you have done without? What would you love to see in the magazine? If you're already formulating answers to these questions, it might be time for you to join in the fun and take our easy online survey. For those readers who live in the States, you'll be entered to win a free copy of our 2008 CD archive just for completing the survey. (Sorry overseas artists! We'd love to send you a prize but international law forbids it.) Make sure to get your responses in by July 12, 2009. We read all of your comments and take them into account when planning our editorial calendar for the next year. Now's your chance to be heard. Click here to share your thoughts.
Overheard
Thursday, July 02, 2009 7:43:23 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Monday, June 29, 2009
Society Art Events: Pastels in Indiana
Posted by anne
If you're in the vicinity or passing through northern Indiana this month, there are 30 good reasons to make a stop in the town of Goshen, Ind. The Northern Indiana Pastel Society (NIPS) Members Juried Exhibit, currently showing at the Sycamore Gallery, located in The Old Bag Factory in Goshen, features 30 pastel paintings to inspire and delight you. The show was juried by Brian Byrn, director of the Midwest Museum of American Art in Elkhart, Ind. The judge’s awards went to paintings by Ron Monsma and Deb Eiswald (shown below), as well as Susie Russell and Tom Tooley. Six Merit awards went to work by artists Linda Freel, Mary Meehan Firtl, Mary Michalak, Diane Overmyer, Stephen Verace and Mona Witt. You can stop by and see it Monday through Saturday, now through July 27. Pictured here: For Our Children’s Children’s Children (pastel) by Ron Monsma (left) and Woody (pastel) by Deb Eiswald  
Art Inspiration | Shows and Events
Monday, June 29, 2009 7:14:35 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, June 24, 2009
New Issue!
Posted by sarah
 The August 2009 issue of The Pastel Journal ships to subscribers this week, but you can also order a copy online. Here's what to expect:
Features
Degas & Whistler
By Tamera Lenz Muente
We celebrate the 175th anniversary of the births of these two art
masters with a special feature that looks at their lives,
ground-breaking pastels and sometimes thorny friendship.
Pioneering Spirit
By Robert K. Carsten
In the third installment of our "Artist Interview Series," Daniel E.
Greene walks us through the back stories of 10 of his exceptional
pastels from a career that spans four decades.
Red Tree, Blue Tree
By Bob Rohm
Every artist who wants to paint landscapes with vitality has to learn
how to handle the greens. Find out, in this step-by-step demonstration,
how stretching the range of color can help.
Reaching for Peace
By Deborah Secor
Pastel artist Lynn Goldstein approaches an enduring and majestic
subject—trees—from a unique vantage point, creating a fresh and
compelling series of pastels.
Earth and Sky
By Michael Chesley Johnson
Mixed-media artist Elissa Gore combines oil pastel and watercolor to
great effect in her quiet, panoramic landscapes that celebrate the
light and the land.
A Touch of Magic
By Anne Hevener
In the fourth installment of our "Artist Interview Series," Albert
Handell describes his pastel application technique, an approach that's
color- and value-sensitive.
Columns
Art Matters
By Anne Hevener
A group of artists reach new heights in the search for inspiration. Plus, your summer reading list, and more.
In Detail
By Albert Handell
In this in-depth look at a painting, ?nd out how subtlety makes a powerful impression.
Professional Practices
By Maggie Price
Entering juried exhibitions is an opportunity for recognition and
evaluation. Make sure you get noticed for all the right reasons.
Pastel Pointers
By Richard McKinley
If you want to create harmonious color in your painting, then learn how to maximize the power of gray and other visual effects.
Creative Spark
By Lynn Goldstein
Take a second look by painting a favorite subject from a new vantage point.
Art Inspiration | Tips and Techniques | Tools and Materials
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 5:29:46 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Pastel Society UK News
Posted by jessica
 An update from The Pastel Journal contributor, Ken Gofton: A candle-lit Pastel Society UK dinner Saturday at London's Mall Galleries marked not only the closing of its annual exhibition, but the retirement of President Moira Huntly. She has been president for the past six years, but, as many friends and colleagues have pointed out, she has been a force in the organization's development for many more years than that. Huntly was elected a member of the society in 1978, and almost immediately took a place on its council. She served as honorary secretary and then honorary treasurer. In 1993, she began a decade working as vice president alongside first the late John Blockley, and second, Tom Coates—two past presidents who did a great deal to raise the profile and status of the society. "When I joined, the society, quite honestly, was not very good," Huntly said. "There was very little exciting work, and too many chocolate box paintings and portrait sketches. Now I believe we put on one of the best shows in London." Vice President Bob Last then made the first of a carefully sequenced series of presentations, starting with an etched, stainless steel commemorative plaque. Huntly's love of ceramics was marked with the presentation of a large pot in the style of the famous potter Hans Coper. She also received a check for £1200—"toward a holiday in Venice"—and a large bouquet of peach roses. As one artist at the dinner noted, "Unusually, she has been able to combine great charm with a steely determination. She has been a very popular president." Huntly will continue to serve on the council of the Pastel Society UK. She is succeeded by John Ivor Stewart. (Pictured: New Pastel Society UK President Bob Last made the first of a series of presentations to outgoing President Moira Huntly. Photo: Ken Gofton)
Shows and Events
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 5:01:23 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Monday, June 22, 2009
More Competition News
Posted by anne
 The Pastel Society of America would like to remind us that there is still time to enter their 37th annual juried show, Pastels Only, scheduled for viewing at the historic National Arts Club in New York City, September 8 through September 27. The postmark deadline for entries is July 1, 2009. You'll find a prospectus on their website. And, because entries need to be in a slide format, if you need to have digital images converted into slides, you can use a service such as Gamma Tech at www.gammatech.com, which offers a next-day service. So, if this is one of your 2009 goals, it's not too late!
Shows and Events
Monday, June 22, 2009 5:15:10 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Friday, June 19, 2009
Art Competitions Insider
Posted by sarah
Our very own Anne Hevener (editor of The Pastel Journal) and Maureen Bloomfield (former editor of The Pastel Journal and current editor of The Artist's Magazine) will join forces on June 23, 2009, to present, "Entering Art Competitions: Enhance Your Chance of Success," a live, online seminar that will show you how to make strong choices when deciding which shows to enter, and share strategies for saving money and time. (Just by signing up for the class, you'll get a free copy of "How to Photograph Your Work for Contests and Shows.") Click here to reserve your spot.
Shows and Events | Tips and Techniques
Friday, June 19, 2009 3:08:15 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Whistler’s Pastels at The Frick Collection
Posted by jessica
James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834–1903)
The Cemetery (1879; pastel on brown paper, 8 x 11 7/8 inches)
The Frick Collection, New York
Photo: Michael Bodycomb
Currently on view (through Aug. 23) at The Frick Collection in Manhattan is Portraits, Pastels, Prints: Whistler in the Frick Collection. In addition to The Frick’s assembly of four full-length portraits by James Abbott McNeill Whistler and his 1866 seascape, Symphony in Grey and Green: The Ocean, the exhibition features three pastels and 12 etchings from the artist’s travels to Venice in 1879–80, which propelled an especially prolific period in his career. July 11 would be the artist’s 175th birthday, by the way. Look for a joint celebration for Edgar Degas and him in the August 2009 issue of The Pastel Journal, which ships to subscribers next Tuesday and hits newsstands July 14.
Overheard | Shows and Events
Wednesday, June 17, 2009 5:00:37 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Top 20th-Century Artists
Posted by jessica
The votes are in: The Times (UK) and the Saatchi have released their list of the top 200 artists working since 1900, with Picasso—whose Château de Vauvenargues is now open to the public—ranking in at No. 1, and Cézanne, Klimt, Monet and Duchamp rounding out the top five. Paula Rego, who was featured in the December 2006 issue of The Pastel Journal, landed at No. 142. Who would make your list?
Art Inspiration | Overheard
Wednesday, June 10, 2009 3:33:14 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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Thursday, June 04, 2009
Living Art Project Update
Posted by jessica
Pastel artist Penny Creasy founded the Living Art Project (featured in the October 2008 issue of the magazine), a series of free art classes offered to cancer survivors at St. Mary’s Regional Cancer Center in Grand Junction, Colo., in 2007 with a $1,000 grant from the Pastel Society of Colorado. Last fall, Creasy had just launched the Living Art Project’s second year; she recently e-mailed with an update: "We have completed another eight months working on the Living Art
Project. The instructors—all professionals, and not necessarily pastelists—stepped up and gave amazing classes. I would like to recognize them in this report: Bev Lee, Gerri Harris, Dawn Sagar, Deb Bonzek, Chuck Morris and Lorraine Sells.
“Sometimes the numbers of participants didn't reflect the quality of the accomplishments. We decided as a group that three or four needed it as much as 10 or 12. The gravity of the illnesses made us realize that sometimes they just couldn't come. We discovered the value of what we were doing in the individual responses. We heard things like, ‘You changed my life,’ or ‘You have been my inspiration.’ That hour and a half twice a month gave each of those people that amount of time they didn't have to think about cancer. I asked one lady at the beginning class what her expectations were for the class. She said she wanted to ‘learn to draw while this destroys me.’ I told her that wasn't going to happen—and it hasn't. She came in one afternoon and said, ‘This wig is driving me nuts!’ I said, ’So take it off!’ She threw it in a sack and got on with the artwork. (I can't say giving her a voice through her art has healed her, but it sure has given her a reason for being.)
“St. Mary’s feels there is such a value in what we do that they want to continue and I believe they will come forward with some financial help. When people have heard what the project is about, they’ve volunteered to help with instruction or donate supplies. The Board of Directors of the Pastel Society of Colorado has agreed to supply funds for the next session beginning in September.”What good things like this project are happening in your community?
Art Inspiration | Overheard
Thursday, June 04, 2009 3:06:48 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)
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