Maryland Pastel Society newsletter

NEWSLETTERS

Winter 2021 Newsletter

Winter
Newsletter
January 2021
BOARD AND VOLUNTEERS
President: Kathleen Risk
Treasurer: Helen Wood
Recording Secretary: Lyn Laviana
Corresponding Secretary: Joyce Turk
Membership: Carol Hobday
Signature Membership: Mary Moores
Workshops: Susan Van Eseltine
Exhibitions: Susan Gleason
Shades of Pastel Exhibit: Denise Matuk-Krupa
Facebook: Laurie Basham
Website: Kathleen Risk
Newsletter: Kim Stone
Advisory: Joyce Lister
PLANNING CALENDAR
Feb 6: MPS Members Only Juried Exhibition "Symphony in Pastel" —live and online—through March 28.
Feb 6: Members Meeting with Laura Pollak / Zoom
Mar 20: Board Meeting / Zoom
Apr 21, 23: Online workshop with Christine Swann
Apr 24: Members Meeting with Christine Swann / Zoom
Jun 19: Board Meeting / Zoom
Jul 10: Summer Members Meeting
Sep 18: Board Meeting / Zoom
Oct 16: Fall Members Meeting
Dec 18:Board Meeting / Zoom
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
The best to everyone in 2021! Welcome to a new year for the Maryland Pastel Society of which I am honored to assume the role of President. I am deeply grateful to my predecessor, Kimberly Stone, for her stellar leadership, dedication and outstanding pioneering efforts. Even with Kim's term over, she graciously offered to guide me into the presidency and to continue publishing the Newsletter. We all wish our long time and devoted treasurer, Mary Anne Warner, a delightful retirement. In her place, we welcome Helen Wood. Other new members of the board include Mary Moores to handle Signature membership applications and Carol Hobday who is the Membership Coordinator. Denise Matuk-Kroupa stepped up to be the "Shades of Pastel" Chair. See the inset of the continuing board members who are appreciated along with our newcomers. As you can see, we have a paramount team to keep us moving with the times, "Where No Man Has Gone Before."
I am excited about the first general meeting via Zoom, February 6, where Laura Pollak will present "Driven to Abstraction," a demonstration for our members. Afterward, Laura continues with a paid 1/2 day workshop "Getting the Glow". See the article in this newsletter for details. I look forward to working with you all for the next two years, perpetuating the organization's mission to promote and develop the creative and technical development of its members to generate professional, original works of art in the medium of soft pastel.
Kathleen E. Risk
OUR FEATURED ARTIST - JOYCE TURK
"Sunset Down Under"
An artist since she was a child, Joyce Turk was instructed at an early age by her father, who even when she was an infant set up his easel next to her cradle and rocked her with his foot while he painted;and later by professional workshop instructors. She has studied with Alan Flattman, Walter Bartman, John Seerey-Lester, William Herring, Albert Handell, Richard McKinley, Terry Ludwig, Doug Dawson and other notable professionals.
"Dingle Bay"
"My Nocturnal Neighbor"
Influenced by her father who painted for pleasure, and encouraged by both parents to follow her dreams, Joyce combined a career in science while continuing an interest in art. She concentrated her studies in livestock production graduating from Ohio State and Cornell Universities, and served in the U.S. Peace Corps-Philippine Islands. Following her Peace Corps service, she backpacked alone for one year overland through Southeast Asia. Her sense of adventure has led her in a myriad of directions, but her intense interest in international livestock development guided her steadily in that career. She carries her art supplies wherever she travels to document the world around her.
"King of the Road"
"Spoonbill"
"Dairy Duo"
Joyce Turk describes her artistry as “a gradual transition from black to white.” She has broadened from painting primarily animals to landscapes rich in design and color, and compares exploring the world of art to exploring her own wonder-filled world that encompasses the jungles of Borneo to African savannahs, the altiplano of South America to the majestic Himalayas. Following the paths of early explorers while creating one of her own has led Joyce Turk toward new horizons.
Her paintings can be found in collections in Africa, Canada, Europe, and the U.S.
Would you like to be a featured artist?
If you are a Signature Member and would like to be a Featured Artist, just send a short write-up about yourself with 4 to 5 jpeg medium-resolution files of your work to mpsnews18@gmail.com and you will be in the queue to be a featured artist. Please type "Featured Artist" as the subject line.
NEXT MEMBERS MEETING- February 6th with Laura Pollak
"DRIVEN TO ABSTRACTION... Getting the Glow"
PLUS OPTIONAL MINI WORKSHOP
You don't want to miss this special General Members Meeting! February 6, 2021 on ZOOM. New Time—meeting will begin at 9:30 am and esteemed artist, LauraPollak, will demonstrate her approach to abstract painting from 10:00 am to Noon. Laura Pollak is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America, Pastel Society of the West Coast, Pastel Society of North Carolina, Southeastern Pastel Society and Master Circle Member of the International Association of Pastel Societies. Visit Laura's website at laurapollak.com
Laura is offering a Mini Workshop in the afternoon from 1:00 —5:00 pm. Limited to 15 students, the cost for this 4 hour workshop is $60. Both demo and workshop will be recorded and made available to members who attend the Members Meeting and also paid for the workshop. (see Upcoming Workshops)
Note: If you have concerns about using Zoom, please email Kathleen Risk at contact@marylandpastelsociety.com, at least the day before. Look for your Zoom invitation for the General Meeting on the Thursday before the meeting.
UPCOMING MPS WORKSHOPS
4-Hour Online Zoom Abstract Workshop with Laura Pollak
February 6th, 2021
A Mini Workshop will be held from 1:00—5:00 pm. on February 6th, 2021. Participants will work from 1:00—4:00 with a critique session from 4:00—5:00. Laura will give "suggestions 'live' online that are 'non-destructive to your paintings!" Limited to 15 students, the fee is $60. Session will be recorded and made available to those who attend both the morning Members Meeting and the afternoon Mini Workshop.
2-Day Online Zoom Portrait Workshop with Christine Swann
April 21st and 23rd, 2021
Christine Swann's portraits have been included in Pastel Journal's “Pastel 100” international exhibition 8 times in the past 10 years as well as included in the ARC international Salon Competition. Her work is published in 100 Ways to Paint People and Figures, editions of Strokes of Genius and the French book, 40 Masters of Pastel. She has had many feature articles in Pastel Journal and Pratique des Arts.
Each day will have a morning session from 10:00 am—Noon and an afternoon session from 1:00—4:00 pm. Day 1 will focus on Finding Features and Understanding Light. Day 2 will feature The Power of Pastel, Color and Control. The fee is $300. Read more about Christine's accomplishments and see her work at christine@swannportraits.com.
More workshop details and registration information will be posted on the MPS website and by email in the next few days. As in all past workshops, enrollment is on a first come, first served basis.
UPCOMING MPS EXHIBIT
Members Only Juried Exhibition— "Symphony in Pastel"
February 6th to March 28th
DELAPLAINE ART CENTER, FREDERICK AND VIRTUAL EXHIBIT
JUROR OF AWARDS MARIA MARINO
2/12/21 AWARD ANNOUNCEMENTS VIA ZOOM , 6 P. M.
About the juror: Maria Marino is a Signature member of the Pastel Society of America (PSA) and has achieved Master Circle Status from the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS). She is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), cum laude with a BFA in Interior Architecture. Maria currently serves on the Board of Governors of PSA and is an Elected Member of Allied Artists of America.
Deliver accepted work to the Delaplaine Art Center, 40 South Carroll St., Frederick. All work MUST be hand-delivered between 10 a.m—Noon.
Note: We could use 3 more volunteers for intake and hanging. If you can assist, contact Susan Gleason at gleasonfineart@icloud.com.
NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS
"Sparkling Morning" by Denise Matuk-Krupa
"Mountain Branch" by Denise Matuk-Krupa
Denise Matuk-Kroupa had a very busy 2020. Juried into 12 exhibits, including "Prevail with Plein Air" in Harford County, producing 22 paintings during the competition(!); 2 entries into the Dakota Art Online competitions; 2 Maryland Federation of Art "Art on Paper" (online); "Strokes of Genius" (online/live); Laurel Art Guild competition at Montpelier Art Center; 2 Ocean City Art League juried online April 2020 and "Farm to Table". Harford Artist Association; Satellite, Landscape Expressions and Vistas (live). Bel Air Quick Draw.
"River Clouds" by Helen Wood 12" x 16"
Helen Wood's "River Clouds" was juried into the 26th Annual Friends of the Yellow Barn Member Show. The judge was Dr. Harry Cooper, Head Curator of the Modern and Contemporary Art of the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. This show normally is held at the Yellow Barn Gallery at Glen Echo, Maryland but is a virtual exhibition this year starting Saturday, December 12, 2020. The website is www.FriendsoftheYellowBarnStudio.org and follow the link to the show.
"Balancing Act" by Bill Sweeny
"Clearing the Pond" by Bill Sweeny
Bill Sweeny's paintings “Clearing the Pond” and “Balancing Act” recently were awarded Best Pastel in the monthly PleinAir magazine monthly competition and were published in the December-January edition of the magazine.
Susan Klinger had a solo exhibition of 21 paintings at Meadowood Retirement Community in Worcester, PA for the month of December. www.susanklinger.com
"Summer Twilight" by Susan Klinger 16" x 20"
"Lily Pons" by Deborah Wolfe 16" x 22"
Deborah Wolfe wrote,"Happy new year! My pastel, "Lily Pons" was juried into the 2020 annual Olney Art Association Show, now on exhibit at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg MD through March 2021. It was painted from my photo taken at Lily Pons Gardens.
Also, I enjoyed taking Zoom classes with Jean Hirons this Fall."
Sally Ayres shared, "This is a piece I have recently completed of my granddaughter. It is done on Pastelmat. Her face and skin tones were done with Cuong Nguyen’s technique of verdaccio green underpainting with CarbOthello pastel pencils. The remainder was a variety of pastels, NuPastels, Rembrandt’s and Sennelier on the initial layers and finished with Giraults and Schminke.
I have an exhibit ongoing from Nov. 29 through January 30 at Cedarfield’s Atrium Gallery, Richmond, VA. It consists of 39 portraits I have done of family and friends in both pastel and graphite. It is an honor to show here, a very supportive community."
"Ainsley's Fish Story" by Sally Ayres 15" x 20"
Swapna Iyengar wrote, " 'Reminisce' has a very special place in my heart. This painting features the bells and the sarees my daughters wore when they danced together for a dance production organized for a charity fundraiser to raise money for cancer patients in India, through their dance school. It was really great watching them on stage together before they head to college."
"Reminisce" by Swapna Iyengar
"Fox in Winter Snowfall" by Sandy Adams
10" x 10" Commissioned
Sandy Adams was juried in to the following shows: Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club First Annual Juried Associates Exhibition; American Impressionistic Society Exhibition (AIS); 28th Annual National Pastel Painting Exhibition, Pastel Society of New Mexico; Mid-America National Juried Pastel Show; Pure Color International Juried Exhibition of Pastel Painters, Pastel Society of North Carolina.
Sandy is featured artist in the Winter Issue of Bucks County magazine and had a painting awarded "Most Outstanding Pastel" in the Fine Art Studio online juried art show competition.
"Here is a painting of a friend’s dog that I was asked to do recently. I really enjoyed the challenge of a cheerful subject." Marcia Billig
" Noble One" by Marcia Billig
"Geraniums in November" by Donna Finley 5" x 7" Create 30 Challenge by Alain Picard
"Standing Tall" by Donna Finley 8" x 10" A prior Christmas visit memory of Longwood Garden
Donna Finley's work was juried into the annual members exhibition at the Art League of Ocean City in December.
Her painting, "Morning Mist", is on exhibition at the Academy Art Museum through mid-January.
"Lake Michigan" by Patrick Clagett
"Woman in Pink Bathing Suit" by Patrick Clagett –This piece was accepted into the MFA show at the Circle Gallery in Annapolis.
"Stroke" by Patrick Clagett
"The Hillside" by Katherine Bloom
"The Turquoise Boat" by Katherine Bloom
"Autumn Setting" by Kathryn Reis 19.75" x 27.5"
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Join the Maryland Pastel Society Facebook Group!
This is a user friendly, members only page where we can post artwork, art news, and hopefully encourage and celebrate our fellow pastelists. We may even have live events in the future if we get enough participation. (This is not connected with our Business Facebook Page) We are looking into some fun activities and contests on this page to connect and engage with each other. Check out our monthly themed raffles.
Please go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/337479890605370 or search Maryland Pastel Society Facebook Group.
Maryland Pastel Society continue to thank our Patrons and sponsors. Where would we be without their generous support? We encourage you to patronize their business to thank them for supporting MPS and pastels as a medium. Below is a list of the sponsors with links to their websites.
Artists & Framers Inc.
Columbia, Maryland
Great American Artworks
Jack Richeson & Co.
Airfloat Systems, LLC
Artist & Craftsman Supply
Connecticut Pastel Society
Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod
Guerrilla Painter
Pochade Boxes & Plein Air Supplies
Holbein Artist Materials
Pastel Society of America
Terry Ludwig Pastels
UART Premium Sanded Pastel Paper
Strathmore Artist Papers
PARTING THOUGHT
“When the artist is alive in any person, whatever his kind of work may be, he becomes an inventive, searching, daring self-expressive creature. . . . Where those who are not artists are trying to close the book, he opens it and shows there are still more pages possible. ”
— Robert Henri The Art Spirit 1923