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Austin Pastel Society October 2019 Newsletter
Page 1
MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
Julie Schmidt has been busy organizing our
APS Juried Members’ Exhibit and competition,
and she has done a spectacular job! This will be
an excellent show with our new venue at the
Austin Fine Art Gallery. “Call for Entries”
begins November 15 and ends January 31. Be
sure to enter your pastel works! The submission
forms will be available at
https://www.austinpastelsociety.org/juried-
exhibits/.
You have through October 29th to see the
impressive APS exhibit “Pastels in the Pines” at
Lost Pines Art Center, 1204 Chestnut St in
Bastrop. The Art Center is open Monday -
Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm.
We need help with some of our important and
rewarding tasks in APS. The posts currently
vacant include:
• Mini-workshop helpers (handle
logistics and registration for Bethany
Field’s mini-workshop).
• Non-juried Exhibition helpers (find
venues to show our art, write and
distribute prospectus, collect entries,
make labels, hang show, organize
reception, strike show).
• Host for the annual December holiday
party.
Our next gathering is the Holiday Party in
December, then the January 26th meeting with a
demo and mini-workshop provided by Bethany
Fields. You don’t want to miss this!
Many thanks, Cecile C. Ramirez
Austin Pastel Society Newsletter Chair
APS ANNUAL JURIED MEMBERS
EXHIBIT AND COMPETITION Plan to participate and show your support for
our APS Annual Juried Members’ Exhibit
(AJME)!
Call for entries begins November 15
Jeanne Rosier
Smith will be our
juror/judge and
workshop instructor.
Details are on our
website and in this
newsletter.
Members can submit
up to three (3) pastel
paintings for $45. Each painting should be a
maximum of 45-inches in either direction,
inclusive of the frame.
Here are a few more highlights:
• Call for Entries: begins Friday,
November 15, 2019
• Final day for submission: Friday,
January 31, 2020
Austin Pastel Society October 2019 Newsletter
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• Painting drop-off: Thursday – Saturday,
February 27 – 29, 2020
• Strike date: Thursday, April 30
• Reception and Awards
Ceremony: Sunday March 15, 1:30 – 4
pm
The complete prospectus will be available on
our APS website.
APS DEMONSTRATIONS January 26, 2020: Bethany Fields, PSA,
IAPS/MC
Bethany will
demonstrate the
use of reference
photos as an aid,
not to duplicate,
a finished
painting,
experimenting
with color, color
harmony and
underpainting
techniques. More details will soon be provided.
Bethany will also provide a 4-hour mini-
workshop prior to the meeting.
Canyon Fenceline by Bethany Fields, 12 x 12
Bethany is an American contemporary artist
working in pastel. She has gained national
recognition with exhibits at the Salmagundi
Club, National Arts Club, both in NYC, and the
Butler Institute of American Art in Ohio. She
regularly hosts and teaches workshops around
the country and is a signature member of the
Pastel Society of America and the Degas Pastel
Society and is a Master Circle member of IAPS
(International Association of Pastel Societies).
She is an active member of American Women
Artists and the American Impressionist
Society. Bethany has recently been featured in
the prestigious Pastel Journal magazine in both
a featured article and as an honorable mention
winner for the 2017 Pastel 100. Her work was
also chosen as a finalist in Artist’s Magazine
Annual Art Competition in 2016 and 2018.
Check our website for these demo details:
• January 26: Bethany Fields
• February 26: Brenda Hash
• March 6: Jeanne Rosier Smith
• April 26: Joycelyn Schedler
• May 24: Jan Weaver
• June 28: Annual Garage Sale
2020 MINI-WORKSHOP
Bethany Fields Mini-Workshop is on Sunday,
January 26 from 9 am – 1 pm, prior to our APS
meeting, at the Norris Conference Center. There
are a few openings left – be sure to register
soon!
Austin Pastel Society October 2019 Newsletter
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Daytime, Shem Creek by Bethany Fields (12x12)
LEARNING AND SHARING: A
BEGINNER’S JOURNEY By APS member Rita Kirkman
Background Binds (What to do?)
”Mondo" with photo reference
I recently had an inquiry from a friend about
what to do with backgrounds.
Hi Rita,
I just discovered your art recently
and I love the colors and the
expressions of your animals, just
beautiful. I am struggling to learn
to paint in pastels myself, and
deciding when to use which color is
especially difficult for me. I was
wondering how you determine which
colors to use in your backgrounds
for your animal portraits, do you
have any tips?
Color is a complicated question, and one that
I've learned is answered best by "value and
temperature." I recently wrote an article on my
Art Journal Blog about this, see here:
http://ritakirkmanjournal.blogspot.com/2014/11/
value-and-temperature-or-how-do-i.html
Backgrounds can sometimes present the greatest
challenge in a painting. Especially when the
painting is of a recognizable subject that holds
its own as a center of interest and is easy enough
to paint using a reference. But what about when
your subject is surrounded by other objects that
you don't want to include?
Sometimes, in my reference photo, I find that
the background is perfectly lovely and I want to
paint it exactly how I see it (..This doesn't
happen very often!!) Usually, I have to use
artistic license:
Azul” with photo reference
I usually ask myself when building up my under
painting, "Do I want this subject to stand out
boldly from the background, or do I want it to
harmonize subtly with the background and the
painting as a whole?"
Austin Pastel Society October 2019 Newsletter
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If I want to be bold I use contrasting values.
(dark behind the light parts and light behind the
dark parts.)
"Bianca" and "Inky"
If I want to be subtle and harmonious (a more
recent goal of mine), I try for analogous colors
and very close values from subject to
background:
"Paella" and "Mr. Frost"
And usually, my subjects are outdoors, so in
what I call my simple "default" background, I
habitually use the standard laws of atmospheric
perspective, and use cooler (and sometimes
lighter and/or more neutral) colors in the far
background, and warmer landscape colors in the
closer background:
I've also gotten into the habit of keeping the
backgrounds "fuzzy," meaning no crisp edges
anywhere in the background. This helps with the
feeling of a soft focus that sets off the subject by
contrast, and remains "farther away."
As a last point, always try to use some of the
same colors in your background as in your
subject. This will help assure color harmony, no
matter which other value contrasts you're
aiming for.
After a while, you'll learn how to completely
ignore what's in your image background, and
create a background that will best support your
star subject!
Webmaster’s Note: Contribute an article for the
newsletter, and your pastel artwork can be
displayed on the APS website Home page for a
week or more!
PASTEL TIPS AND TRICKS
Got a technical tip to share? Let us know and
we’ll publish it in out next APS Newsletter!
Fixing a Lack of Tooth By APS member Nancy Lilly
I recently re-worked a still life of bluebonnets. I
was having a big problem with the yellow petals
of the wildflower called Indian Paintbrush.
Austin Pastel Society October 2019 Newsletter
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I just didn’t have enough tooth left on the paper
to get a good solid application of the yellow that
covers the tips of the petals. This was pretty
frustrating to me because other than these
yellow petals, the painting was looking pretty
good!
Desperate, I gently scraped off the pastel on the
petals with an X-acto blade, and then got out my
ever reliable SpectraFix. I poured a little of it
into a small container, and using a very small
watercolor brush, painted on the fixative,
undiluted onto each petal.
I habitually use SpectraFix a great deal in
building up layers of color. I’m a big advocate
of spraying a horizontal application over a
painting that is face-up on a table. And I always
used the special atomizer they sell with the
product. In this instance though, I decided to use
it “full force” by painting as a solid film onto
the surface of the painting.
https://www.spectrafix.com
I waited a good 20 minutes for
things to dry. I went back,
holding my breath and made a
stroke with the yellow pastel. It
took. Instead of just moving
color around and leaving
streaks, I could get a full
application of the color, and I saved my
painting.
Springtime Flowers by Nancy Lilly, 16 x 20
MEMBER DISCOUNTS
Carry your APS membership card with you
when you shop for art supplies. Ask about
discounts.
Asel Art Supply: Present your APS
membership badge for a 25% off regular priced
art supplies. The store is located at 510 W.
MLK Blvd, Austin TX 78701. Manager: Lisa
Wright.
Austin Pastel Society October 2019 Newsletter
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Special Offer for APS Members – A FASO
Artist ‘Gold Plan’ Website for Only $30
Your first year & free help moving your
website, free domain name, https for a secure
website. Click to start your new Fine Art Studio
Online website now! Password is painteveryday.
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
APS wishes to share recent news about our members that offer pastel art classes, demos, workshops,
won awards, juried into shows of interest, exhibits they are part of, plein air meet-ups, etc.
Albert Handell
“Morning Mist”
(left) was accepted
into the Annual
PSA exhibit in
NYC. “Over the
Edge” (right)
received 2nd Place
in the pastel category at the 21st Annual Masterworks Exhibition 2019, Albuquerque, NM.
Carol Arnold My painting, “Above it All,” won 1st Place in the Hill Country Art Foundation Juried
Exhibit in August. “Making Waves” was accepted into the Art Center of Corpus Christi November 9 -
30th show. Also, the Museum of Western Art chose two of my paintings for their Round Up Exhibit in
October.
Jesse Holster has had three works
juried into the Art Center of Corpus
Christi Pastel Show, Nov 9 – 30.
One piece is a painting of the
historical fortress “Presidio La
Bahia” near Goliad, TX.
Austin Pastel Society October 2019 Newsletter
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Lynda Conley My pastel nocturne (night
painting) received an Honorable Mention in the
21st Annual Pastel 100 Competition, slated to
appear in the April 2020 issue of Pastel Journal.
Arthi Arumugam received a Special Merit Award
for her pencil art work “Dome” in the Light Space
time Gallery this month. She was also selected for
the Corpus Christi Pastel Show, judged by Enid
Wood.
Neva Rossi Five of my paintings were juried into 4
National Juried Exhibitions in the coming
months. Ava in Apricot can be seen at the New
Orleans Art Center in New Orleans, LA exhibition
from Oct 8 - Nov 3.
Ava in Attitude was accepted in the Pastel Society
of the Southwest Exhibit, Oct 1 – Nov 1, at Tower
Gallery in Grapevine, TX.
I will have two in this next exhibition, Kirsten with Green Earrings and Orange Kimono. They will be
on exhibit with the Arkansas Pastel Society’s Reflections in Pastel exhibit at the Butler Center for
Arkansas Studies in Little Rock, AR, Nov 8 - Feb 22, 2020.
Dog Walker, Rome is going to the Maryland Pastel Society’s Shades of Pastel Exhibit at The
Strathmore Mansion in North Bethesda, MD, from Nov 16 - Jan 5, 2020.
Rita Kirkman
Workshops: Jump start your creative New Year’s resolutions! Rita
will teach a workshop at the Georgetown Art Center on January 18-
19, 2020. Rita's classic pastel workshop focuses on painting small
and often to rapidly improve skills and expand knowledge. Learn to
capture light and loosen up with Rita's innovative under-painting
technique. Instruction emphasizes composition and techniques for a
small format, value and temperature control, how to creatively
interpret your photos and how to stay productive with your art within
a busy lifestyle. For beginner to advanced. Contact Donna Staten to register.
Austin Pastel Society October 2019 Newsletter
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Exhibits: Rita Kirkman's newest Renaissance portrait "Young Diana" (never before seen!) has been
accepted into the Connecticut Pastel Society's Renaissance in Pastel 26th Annual National Juried
Exhibition. Held at the Slater Memorial Museum in Norwich, CT, the show will run from October 11 –
December 6, 2019.
Another new portrait by Kirkman, "The Ruby Princess" (8x6 inches) was accepted into the Pastel
Society of Southeast Texas Art of the Pastel National Juried Exhibition, to be shown at the Gallery at
Round Top in Round Top, TX, October 19 - November 16, 2019. Reception is October 19, 4-6 pm.
Nancy Lilly and Mary Olivera
The Big Little Art Show is Dec 1 – Jan 1 at the Round Rock Public
Library. Six award-winning women artists are displaying diverse works of
great appeal with affordable prices. Works are created using mediums such
as encaustic, oils and pastels.
Artists include Barbara Chenault, Jane Copeland, Nancy Lilly, Mary
Olivera, Pat Payton, Karen Pickels. Meet the artists at the Opening
Reception is Thursday, December 7th, or at Christmas Family Night, December 8th. The show runs
from December 1st to January 1st.
Julie Schmidt In addition to my single painting at Lost Pines,
in Bastrop, I have 3 pastel pieces in the Lakeway Painters
Exhibit at The Hive in Bee Cave, 5 pieces in the Corridor of
Art in the Bunkhouse Gallery exhibit and 6-8 pieces at Art on
12 in Wimberley (ongoing, in leased space), plus I will be in
the Lakeway Painters Exhibition & Sale on Nov 24th at The
Hills Country Club, from 11 – 3. It is a tribute to Willie
Nelson.
Cindy McBride teaches pastel portraits from live models every Wednesday
morning at The Coppini Academy of Fine Arts in San Antonio.
Anna Lisa Leal had a painting accepted into the 35th IAPS Juried Exhibition
2019 Webshow.
The show begins Nov 1st. I can't share the name of the painting until that date...
Austin Pastel Society October 2019 Newsletter
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Enid Wood was awarded an Honorable Mention by Judge Jeannette Cuevas for “Snapdragon Season” (8x8 on Pastelbord with PanPastels) in the PSST show at The Gallery at Round Top. Rae Andrews won 3rd Place, and Rita was awarded Best in Show. Enid will be giving a PanPastel® workshop for landscapes, seascapes and cloudscapes at Lost Pines Art Center in Bastrop on Friday, Nov 15 from 1-4 pm. $65.
To register: http://www.lostpinesartcenter.org/classesclass-sign-up/panpastel-underpaintings-for-land-and-sea/
Geneva Johnson “Potpourri in Art” is a joint effort by APS members Suzanne
Chaney and Geneva Johnson to have a mixed media art exhibition at the North Hills
Gallery at North Hills United Methodist Church, 7050 Village Center, Austin 78731
(at Far West Blvd) beginning Jan 6, 2020. If you want to join our efforts to
present about 50 paintings -- from pencil sketches to abstracts -- and bringing out your
artwork put away in drawers, desks, closets, please contact us:
[email protected] and/or [email protected] for details.
APS Members – please do submit up to three (3) images of your pastel paintings for our APS
Online Member Gallery and Artist pages. You may include: • your artist website, blog or social media site
• painting titles, painting sizes (h x w)
Send your images to [email protected]. Send large file sizes, about 1200
pixels wide, if possible. A DropBox folder can be used, if needed.
https://www.austinpastelsociety.org/member-gallery/
Artwork from our Member Pages will be randomly selected to display on our Home page during
the summer and a few other dates.
