". . . a brush with nature"

The  Artists for Conservation 2016 International Exhibit of Nature in Art books are out! This hardcover book features pieces focusing on animals and nature by artists from around the globe. The book is an eclectic collection of stunning works by both 2D and 3D artists. I am thrilled and honored to be included in both the book and the touring exhibit this year.

I was fascinated by the reflective nature and beautiful shapes and colors of the bubbles as they passed in front of the young boy, his glasses and even the trees and shrubbery behind him. Blue became a constant throughout the piece, but what fun it might be exploring all the other luscious colors that appear when a little soap, water and light meet on a summer's day.

Considering all of that, this subject could turn out to be somewhat of a challenging one, but as an artist I like to challenge myself and the subject did indeed hold my interest. I set out by thinking of each area and each bubble as a small individual painting that in the end would work together to become a whole. Thinking of my process in this way worked well for me on this particular piece and I am very pleased with the outcome. In fact, I think I experienced as much joy and wonder creating this painting as I believe this boy feels as he watches the beautiful bubbles float away.

As a pastel artist I am often questioned about the qualities of pastels. Examples of some questions are, whether they are just “chalk” (No!); whether they are as versatile as other mediums (Yes!); whether they have the longevity of oils (Yes); whether the same depth, sense of light or richness can be achieved when working with them (Certainly) . . . and the list goes on and on. 

I have written several blogs and articles in the past addressing all of these questions and expressing just how much I LOVE working with pastels. They truly are a passion of mine. 

But an exhibit that just opened at the J. Paul Getty Museum will certainly answer any questions about pastels and express the importance and archival nature of them better than I ever could. And as Andrew Webster noted in an article he wrote about this exhibit for Fine Art Today, “… pastel offered luminosity similar to oil paints and a unique texture that lent itself to the lavish textiles and fabrics used in clothing of the era.”

Fashionable Likeness: Pastel Portraits in 18th-Century Britain runs through May 7, 2017.