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WELCOME to the first international Pastels Plus Exhibition! We are delighted to bring you the work of innovative artists from around the world who "bent the rules" to combine the vibrancy and dry touch of pastels with many other mediums, and experimented with sometimes non-traditional surfaces and substrates. We hope that you are as fascinated as we are with the versatility of pastel and the artists who use it!


MEET OUR JUROR, PIRKO MÄKELÄ-HAAPALINNA


“Jurying the first Pastels Plus has been an honor and a privilege. It was fascinating to see how many artists had the pioneer spirit to be able to take a new step and to examine new ways to make art with new combinations of materials, even though it is a rocky road and it takes a lot of patience to reach results that are pleasing.  It speaks to me of openness, which is one of the fundamentals of art. Our love for pastels is not a jealous love, but love that seeks to bring the best expressions and impacts.

Jurying was not easy, and I would have loved to see many more artists receive awards. But this is a start and I want to wish success for the coming competitions.”

Pirkko Mäkelä-Haapalinna, PSA- MP


CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR AWARD WINNERS



Second Prize

Prediction, by Nahid Davarpanah

“The uniqueness of this work surprised me. The work is filled with emotional tension within the dynamic composition. The softness with which pastel is used creates a strong contrast and drama with the added threads. The work touches emotionally.”











Juror Award

Chill, by Diane Rosen

This work touched me deeply; it really carries a strong emotional impact. The composition forces the viewer to focus on the expression of the face against the background of something hostile. This one really gives chills.

The empty part of the background just adds power to the work. Dripping acrylic also plays a role in the background and the pastel marks are done masterfully.




Honorable Mention

The Edge by Laurinda Phakos O’Connor

This abstracted landscape painting has a strong painterly touch that unifies both pastel and acrylic. The composition is dynamic and the rhythm of marks add interest to this piece.”



First Prize

Ode to Spring, by Marcia Holmes

“There is unity and flow in this work, even as there are many materials and techniques used. This variety combines well with pastel strokes that sharpen the contrasts and give depth. The painting is relaxed and gestural, rising beautifully from impressionism and abstract expressionism into a contemporary and personal, strong voice.”










Third Prize

Vanishing, by Christine Chisholm

“The gestural use of ink together with pastel creates a dense and focused atmosphere of warmth and sun. There is both softness and sharpness, creating together a feeling of a fleeting moment.”






Honorable Mention

Crows in the Cornfield by Terri Brooks

“This painting has a rich composition and texture, and carries a good sense of drama. There is an overall unity created with the neutral color palette that holds the richness of marks together. Monoprint and pastel make layers that mingle and create interest.”





GALLERY OF WORKS

We invite you to enjoy the stunning gallery of accepted works. Artists' comments on the materials and mediums used are included in the captions. Some works are for sale, as indicated. If you're interested in purchasing a work, please email president@cmpastels.org

79 photo(s) Updated on: Sat, March 18, 2023
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  • Father and Son Bonding, by Arthi Arumugam
  • Flat Ledge Quarry, Low Water by Christine Barensfeld
  • Orvieto Rose Vase by Nannette Bedway
  • Prosperity Market by Nell Belgado
  • Fresh Day by Daphne Boder
  • Migration by Johanne Boisvert
  • Crows in the Cornfield by Terri Brooks
  • Autumn Light on Sugar Hill by Sue Casey
  • The Canyon by Amy Chang
  • Focus by Pin Nan Chen
  • Silent Flyer by Christine Chisholm
  • Vanishing by Christine Chisholm
  • Winter Textures by Tom Christopher
  • Mineral Spirit by Claudette Allosio
  • Evening Sparkle by Betsy Payne Cook
  • Invisible by Nahid Davarpanah
  • Prediction by Nahid Davarpanah
  • Moody Marshes by Anne DeBenedictis
  • Living Lichen by Bernadette DeCesare
  • Breaking Point by Elena Degenhardt
  • The Patient Pelican by Carole Elliott
  • What Once Were...Sand Lot Dreams by Jeff Fioravanti
  • Phragmite Dance by Elinor Freedman
  • My Neighbor's Goat by Sylvie Geneau
  • Glacial Fracture by Cory Goulet
  • Weary Traveler by Jeri Greenberg
  • Colors of Autumn by Tatsiana Harbacheuskaya
  • Garden Fascination by Marcia Holmes
  • Ode to Spring by Marcia Holmes
  • The Recital by Nicole Huggins
  • Apple by Hsiu-Min Hung
  • Better for This by Karen Israel
  • Mojave Ghost by Dasha Jamison
  • Driftwood - Not a Still Life by Colleen Jensen
  • Guggenheim by Anna Kalugina
  • San Jacinto Park by Kenneth Keith
  • Goin' My Way? by Cristine Kossow
  • Flowers in Mixed Pastels by Viviane Leblanc
  • Lily by Shuk Susan Lee
  • Rainbow Mountain by Shuk Susan Lee
  • Cats Dining by Yael Maimon
  • A Leek, A Pear and a Bucket by Sandy Marvin
  • Are You Looking At Me? by Jory Mason
  • Flowing into Shadows by Elissa McMeniman
  • Juice Blender by Kelly Milukas
  • The Edge by Laurinda Phakos O'Connor
  • Shrimp's Social Life by Marie-France Oosterhof
  • Serene by Glenn Perez
  • Blushing by Judy Perry
  • Questioning by Judy Perry
  • Sunbathing by Anita Plaks
  • A Walk in the Park 2 by Laura Pollak
  • On Ice by Deborah Quinn-Munson
  • August Morning Glories by Ellen Raskin
  • Citronella (with Jewel Bugs) by Caroline Reid
  • Glimpses by Tricia Reust
  • Chill by Diane Rosen
  • The Forlorn Hope by Alexia Rosoff Wilber
  • Flowers! by Donna Rossetti-Bailey
  • Penny Pond by Donna Roy
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