IAPS Convention, Albuquerque, New Mexico, June 2 – 5,2011
Hello from the heat of New Mexico! We are having fun and learning lots from
strangers and many friends too! Proud to
say, The Pastel Society of San Diego is quite well represented here at this International Association of Pastel Societies
gathering.
On the first evening buffet we were delighted to run into
each other. There was Carol McClure, Betty Johnsen , Carolyn Teincuff and LJ Crowe– who were all adventuring
together in an RV, Susan May Hull had driven
herself by car and Barbara Peterson, Terri McMurray and Karen
Howard who I bumped into on the Southwest airlines plane.
Susan brought some of our brochures and included them on the
information table.
Karen Howard who has achieved Master Circle membership had two of her stunning still life pieces
accepted into the 18th juried show.
She is an inspiration – as was the shared expertize of so many stellar
demonstrators and speakers propelling and promoting the art of pastel painting.
The convention held something for everyone: still life,
figurative, landscape, abstract and a
rare chance to meet with these experts.
The Trade Show on the floor of the convention included representatives
of all the different vendors of papers & makers of pastels. What a feast of products. A common theme to the demonstrations that I attended was the
importance of the preparatory planning, drawing etc. and the establishment of three
contrasting values: darks – neutral - light. Also a startling freedom, alternately layering
warm and cool colors, as long as the
values are preserved. Thought I would
pass on these fundamentals – as coming from these versatile experts the notion
was refreshed and clarified. Certainly the work was wonderful!
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