United Society of Pastel Artists
The Pastel Palette
February 2009
Dear Members,
Well, January has passed quickly and I hope all you who are from
California have dried out by now! I, personally, missed the rain, but
with 40 inches of show and zero degrees here in New York State, I
certainly would have welcomed the California temperatures, rain or
no rain!
At our February meeting, Minnie Valero gave a very informative
demonstration of a pastel portrait of her granddaughter. She used
suade board and many layers of pastel.
Minnie was born in Argentina and moved to the states at a young age
and has lived here about 34 years. She completed her education in
Argentina and worked in the LA and Santa Ana School districts. She
has only become a serious painter in the last four years. She divides
her time during the year between the states and France (in the
Pyrenees).
At present, some of her work is being displayed and sold in San
Diego at a restaurant called Patrinis. Minnie started painting and
drawing at an early age and has worked in all media ever since. She
carries an art journal with her at all times so she can sketch and do
small watercolor paintings even while sitting during car trips.
When she does an art piece she starts out with a value study, then a
small watercolor, and if it looks right, she does a finished piece. She
often has more that one painting going at a time so one can sit and
"rest" while she works on another. This allows her to see the first
painting with fresh eyes. Minnie says "Each painting has a piece of
me.”
Minnie shared a pastel history time-line with us and discussed some
of the women pastel artists who became famous - Rosalba Carriera,
Berthe Morisot, and Mary Cassatt. She also shared some of her own
art pieces and art books with us, especially one on women artists.
At the end of our meeting, Minnie said she still had many hours to go
on the portrait, as it was just the preliminary start.
I want to personally thank Diane Los for the above description of
Minnie!s demo. Below are pictures of the session. Enjoy!
OF INTEREST
Richeson Semi-Hard Square pastels is offering a coupon good until 6/15/09.
We have received the following letter from the Highland Valley
Studios in San Diego and wanted to share it with all of you. If you get
a chance, check out the website at:
www.highlandvalleystudios.com
to see the lovely grounds and learn more about the location.
They are also having a paint-in on March 14, 2009. RSVP is
required.
Subject: Highland Valley Studios
I am the Director and Consultant for a new art facility located here in
San Diego. Please visit our site www.highlandvalleystudios.com
http://www.highlandvalleystudios.com. I am wondering how it
would be best to work with you in offering your members knowledge
of our facility as a location for them to put on workshops or take
classes. We are a non-profit organization and offer grants,
scholarships and more. I have many other societies that have been
pleased to know of our facility and offers to their members. As
experienced and nationally recognized artists they/we are
always looking for a facility where we can put on or take a workshop
in a learning environment. The facility is quickly gaining recognition
nationally. It is a wonderful 30 acre ranch with many barns, all set up
for art instructions in a variety of mediums. The grounds and locations
nearby are lovely and offer a huge variety of painting venues. The
studios/barns offer a variety of props for still life, portrait, or figure
painting etc.
We also offer Sculpture workshops and more. Being located in San
Diego, a destination resort location, it offers the students and
instructors a location to bring their family along. While they
teach/take a workshop their family members can come along and
partake of the many activities and attractions that San Diego has to
offer.
I look forward to hearing from you. If you can email the link to your
members that would be great. They might want to instruct or take a
workshop.
Best regards,
Patrick Korch
If you are planning on attending the IAPS convention in Albuquerque,
NM, May 28-31, they are accepting registration. The rooms at the
Hotel Albuquerque have been filled, but they also have a special rate
at the Best Western across the street from the Convention. (800-
959-4726).
Now is the time to register if you plan on attending.
San Clemente Center for the Arts / San Clementer Art and Supply is
having an Art of Watercolor Sale the week of March 11-18. Although
this has nothing to do with Pastels, I thought you all would like to
know about this sale, as many of us also paint in watercolor.
WONDERFUL WATERCOLOR WEEK is our way of honoring our
special series of classes with master watercolorist Tom Lynch! Tom
hosts a DEMO on Friday March 13th, followed by four 1/2 DAY
WORKSHOPS on the 14th and 15th. If you haven't already signed
up for this great opportunity to study with a pro, give us a call and we
can get you registered - 949.369.6603.
WAIT: there's MORE!! Get BIG SAVINGS this week on our
watercolor supplies - save up to 40%-50% on canvas, brushes,
papers and paints - - CHECK IT OUT!
HOLBEIN WATERCOLORS: tubes & sets 40%off list
M GRAHAM WATERCOLORS:
50% off list
FREDRIX WATERCOLOR CANVAS: boards, pads and stretched
40% off list
ARCHES WATERCOLOR PAPER 22X30:
5 pack 45% off list
10 pack 47% off list
25 pack 50% off list
ARCHES TRAVEL ALBUM: 35% off list
ARCHES BLOCKS and PADS: 25 % off list
STRATHMORE GEMINI WC PAPER (140 # or 300#): 20% off list
WINSOR & NEWTON Series 7 & Artist's Watercolor Sable Brushes:
50% off list
PRINCETON WATERCOLOR BRUSHES Series 4050, 4350, 5050, &
7150: 50% off list
ROBERT SIMMONS White Sable Brushes: 40% off list
TOM LYNCH DVD: Painting on Watercolor Canvas only $14.99!
TOM LYNCH WATERCOLOR SECRETS: signed by Tom Lynch only
$29.99 while supplies last!!
COULD IT GET ANY BETTER?!?!?! YES!!
Every time you make a purchase during Wonderful Watercolor Week
you will be entered in a drawing to win a set of Holbein's 24 fabuloso
watercolors!! (List price $158.95)
SHOW DEADLINE
Please visit our gallery. Thanks.
http://www.guestsgallery.com
*2009 International Art Show: Part 1 - Realism
Call for entries
Open to all international artists and all media.
http://www.guestsgallery.com/callforentries.htm Cash awards.
Jurors
The winners will be chosen by the vote from all other artists, gallery
directors, visiting people of our gallery and Guests Gallery artists
committee. Not personal judging.
Apply by mail -
http://www.guestsgallery.com/entryform.htm
Apply online -
http://www.guestsgallery.com/online.htm
' Current Entries '
http://www.guestsgallery.com/vote/view.php?uid=23
MEMBER NEWS
Lyndelle Stonick will be doing a pastel demo for Saddleback Art
League on April 14,09 at 6:30 PM. Lyndelle’s demonstrations are
wonderful and informative.
Minnie Valero!s “Kazak Mother” (pastel) is in exhibit at the Koehnline
Museum of Art, Chicago Pastel Painters 2nd Biennial National Exhibit,
February 5-March 27th.
Mary Aslin will be offering a workshop, "Painting the Still Life in Pastel", March 27 and 28 at San Clemente Art Supply. See her website:
http://www.maryaslin.com for more information.
Sally Strand will be offering a workshop, "The Color of Light", July 23 - 26 also at San Clemente Art Supply. See her website:
http://www.sallystrand.com for more information.
USPA MEETING DEMONSTRATIONS
Please try to attend our Thursday, March 12th meeting as we will
have Jeff Horn doing a pastel portrait demonstration. It should be a
terrific time and a great learning experience.
AND don!t forget April 9th, we will have Steve Kell demonstrating in
oil.
ART QUOTE OF THE MONTH
Salvadore Dali said, “At the age of six I wanted to be a cook. At
seven I wanted to be Napoleon and my ambition has been growing
steadily ever since.”
Keep Painting!!
Joann Quinlivan
USPA
