Blog

I'm thrilled and honored to have "Farm Fresh" juried into the CMPS Mark of Distinction 2020 show. There were 437 pieces of art entered by pastel artists from around the globe. Only 104 paintings were included. Thank you to jurors Lyn Asselta and Michael Freeman. Please click on Marks of Distinction 2020 to view the show.

I want to thank our president, Debbie Krentz-Johnson, for all her work to save our Pastel Society of San Diego's First National Juried Show. When Covid-19 closed Spanish Village and Gallery 21, we were unable to hang this beautiful show. Under normal circumstances our esteemed Juror, Mary Aslin, would be able to judge for awards by seeing the framed work in person. Thank you, Mary, for adapting and judging the show remotely. And thank you for awarding "Temptation Won" an Honorable Mention. "My Lucky Penny" was also juried into the show.

News!!! The Pastel Society of North Carolina's Online International Juried Exhibition has become quite competitive in the few short years they have produced this show. This year, there were 853 paintings submitted by 243 international pastel artists, and only 150 pieces were chosen. The juror was Deborah La Fogg, PSA, IAPS MC, AFC. I'm honored to share that my painting, "Lunch at Fig Tree Cafe" made the cut. Thank you to the PSNC and Deb La Fogg. It always makes me happy to be joined by my fellow Pastel Society of San Diego friends, Margaret Larlham and Terri McMurray. Please click the link below and enjoy the show! https://www.onlinejuriedshows.com/ClosedShowThumbs.aspx?OJSID=34089

What a wonderful surprise!!! The Pastel Society of Southern California held an international online open juried exhibiton, "Make Your Mark". My painting, "Temptation Won", was accepted into the show. This show was to celebrate the Society's 10th anniversary. Of the 422 entries by 130 artists, 100 pieces were chosen by Lyn Asselta, Eminent Pastelist, to be in the exhibition. Thank you PSSC and juror, Lyn Asselta for this extraordinary honor. Click on the link to see the accepted entries.

I've lost count of the number of years I've entered the San Diego County Fair Fine Arts Show. It's always such a thrill to receive confirmation your work has been accepted. This year, with over 1,200 entries, and only 640 pieces juried into the show, it was special to have had both my paintings in the show. Thursday evening, we attended the artists' reception. Miss Kitty received an Honorable Mention and Farm Fresh received a third place ribbon.

I just received word that Miss Kitty and I Saw A Mouse were accepted into the Catnip Connect Art Show.

We attended the Fine Arts artists' reception. As always, there was a tremendous turnout. The Art Divas put on the best parties! I'm happy to share that Pogo's Place received an Honorable Mention, and Dog Tire received the Pastel Society of San Diego's Special Award.

It's hard to believe another San Diego County Fair will be opening soon. I was more than happy to have four paintings accepted into the Fine Art Show this year. The competition is first notch. This year's theme is "How Sweet It Is". Thank you to the juror, Otto Sturke. Now we all wait to see who has won ribbons!

"Dog Tired" and "Pogo's Place" have been accepted into the Pastel Society of North Carolina's "Pure Color 2017" web show. I feel very honored to have had the two paintings included in this show. There were 633 paintings entered, by 184 artists; 200 paintings were accepted. 

"Dog Tired", a pastel painting of my friend's dog, "Chesty," won a 3rd place award at "Dog Days of Summer" Show. 

The Small Image Show drew over 100 entries this year. It's a wonderful day of competition and reconnecting with fellow artists. The Pastel Society of San Diego usually runs away with the ribbons in pastel/drawing/scratchboard (dry media) category. This is also the category with the most entries. 

I am thrilled and honored to share that "Lunch at Fig Tree Cafe" has been juried into the Fourth International Association of Pastel Societies Master Circle Exhibition. 

Today was reception day for the annual Doggone Art Show to benefit the Helen Woodward Animal Center. 

I was very pleased to receive a 2nd place ribbon for "Lunch at the Fig Tree Cafe." 

Yesterday, the Art Divas put on the annual small image show. There are 4 catergories. Members of the Pastel Society of San Diego left with all 5 ribbons for pastel/drawing. The competition is always very close and here is the photo of the five of us receiving awards. 

The San Diego County Fair Fine Art Show opened on the 2nd during the annual artists reception. It was a full house as usual. 

The Pastel Society of San Diego held its first Dusty Fingers Challenge. The theme was water.There were 12 of us in attendance and everyone else painted rivers, waterfalls and the ocean. 

I am excited to share that Jamie Markle, from F&W Publishing, has taken the time to critique my work. We had a very positive and informative conversation regarding my work. His suggestions and comments have inspired me to take my work to the next level, so to speak. I had not been officially critiqued in a very, very long time. 

I was very excited and honored to have received a notification today from the International Association of Pastel Societies that my painting, "At the Diner", has been accepted in the 27th IAPS Juried Exhibition - The 2015 Web Show.