Technique
The paintings that you will view on my website are paintings done in the medium of pastel. I work on a variety of sanded papers as well as panels. Whatever the subject matter, pastels for me are a joy to work with. While I also enjoy working in oils, acrylics and watercolor, the pastel medium is one that I gravitate to.
The pastel medium is technically a powdered pigment rolled into a square or round stick by a non-greasy binder. When covering the whole surface it is considered to be a painting versus a sketch or drawing. When the pastel painting is protected under glass it is said to be the most permanent of all media because it never yellows, cracks or darkens. The paintings that I have enjoyed creating began with an underpainting of either pastel and mineral spirits or watercolor or diluted oil washes.
The Artist
Welcome to my website! I hope that you enjoy your visit! While I do enjoy working in oils and acrylics, this site is dedicated mostly to my work in pastels. Since retiring from teaching in 2013, I have happily been pursuing my passion for painting. Soft Pastels are my medium of choice. I love the immediacy, flexibility and vibrancy that one can achieve with pastels. While the majority of my painting time is done in the studio I first work up a small plein air study of the scene that has caught my eye. In addition I will also take photos, lots of photos! A plein air study even though small will help me get the feel of the place. This preliminary phase of a painting provides a lot of information about the scene. Some of the sanded surfaces that I like to work on are: Wallis, UArt, Mi-Teintes Touch and Ampersand Pastelbord. I will often do underpaintings by blocking in with my pastels and then apply a wash of mineral spirits or rubbing alcohol to move the pastels over the surface. I also enjoy using watercolors in the underpainting process or very diluted oil washes. Some of the pastel brands that I enjoy using are: Terry Ludwig, Girault, Unison, Sennelier, Great American, Schmincke.
I hope that you enjoy viewing my work as much as I have enjoyed creating it. The simplest scenes can make the most beautiful paintings. I am inspired every day by the majestic beauty that surrounds all of us. God's handiwork is in every scene that we are fortunate enough to gaze upon. I am humbled by His awesomeness and I can only strive to capture some of that beauty in my work.
Memberships (Past and Present):
Pastel Society of America, (Associate Member)
Saratoga Arts Council, Saratoga Springs, New York
Colonie Art League, Latham, New York
Workshops:
Susan Sarbach, David Dunlop, Elizabeth Apgar-Smith, John MacDonald, Susan Ogilvie.
Juried Art Shows:
Saratoga Arts Council, Saratoga Springs, New York (2013)
Albany Center Gallery, Times Union Center, Albany, New York (2013)
National Adirondack Pastel Exhibition - Shirt Factory, Glens Falls, New York (2015, 2016)
