Promoting Pastels

The National Pastel Painting Exhibition returns to showcase brilliant pastel works by New Mexico artists and beyond.

The Pastel Society of New Mexico (PSNM) presents their celebrated National Pastel Painting Exhibition, returning for the 30th edition, and its second year at the Millicent Rogers Museum in El Prado, New Mexico. Through September 21, visitors will be privy to 66 pastel works by highly talented artists from New Mexico and elsewhere in country, as well as approximately 45 additional pieces by international artists that will be displayed on a digital platform as part of the “hybrid” program.

“The hybrid format did emerge from the New Mexico Pastel Society’s response to Covid, but the hybridity of it really functions as a vehicle to showcase work by international artists and artists outside of the Southwest region,” says Dr. Michelle Lanteri, curator of collections and exhibitions at Millicent Rogers Museum. “We’re looking forward to bringing together all these artists who are pursuing this medium in such excellence and innovation.”Sarah Blumenschein, Sunflowers on My Rock Wall, pastel, 20 x 16"

Pastel Society show chair, Nicholas Tesluk, shares that the mission of the exhibition is to “promote the pastel medium and also help the arts community of New Mexico.” Tesluk also notes that the exhibition will include a variety of genres—landscapes, portraits and still life—presented in many diverse styles by both new and returning artists.

Examples of such fine pastel paintings in the exhibition include landscape pieces like Echo, by Santa Fe artist Paul Murray. The piece depicts a late day scene on Lake Powell in northern Arizona. Murray is inspired by the Southwest’s warm, luminous light. About the painting he says, “There is a crease in the stone escarpment which juts out and picks up the setting sunlight. It is in sharp contrast to the cool shadows—I live for things like this. To the far right of the painting is another cliff in the background which is almost identical to my foreground. They ‘echo’ each other.”Marilyn Drake, He Saw the Sea, pastel, 16 x 12"

Besides lighting, the artist likes to make contrasts between elements, “which add drama and mystery to paintings,” he says.

Floral still life artist, Sarah Blumenschein, from Albuquerque, will display Sunflowers on My Rock Wall which portrays the flower she’s most known for painting. “Recently I have done several floral paintings outside, featuring flowers and glass in the sunlight,” she explains. “I really enjoy how the sunlight illuminates the flowers and is reflected throughout the glass vase. It’s also fun to include the rocks, natural vegetation and a peek at the surrounding landscape.”Paul Murray, Echo, pastel, 14 x 20"

Impressive portrait work will also be displayed by another Albuquerque artist, Marilyn Drake. Her exhibition piece He Saw the Sea, features a studio painting of a man in a U.S. Navy uniform. “I loved his comfortable pose and wanted to concentrate on the interesting shapes of his uniform,” she says. “Since Albuquerque is nowhere near the sea, I simply concentrated on his expression and created a background which would suggest the openness of sea and sky. Though I have been painting figurative works for many years, I approach each new work as ‘practice.’ Each model presents a challenge and I like to think I’m open to improving and expanding my skill level.”Katherine Irish, Eternal Evening, pastel, 16 x 20"During the VIP reception on August 5 from 4 to 5:30 p.m., awards will be presented, followed by a general reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Collectors are able to purchase artwork either online, by phone or in-person. —

30th National Pastel Painting Exhibition
When: Through September 21, 2022
Where: Millicent Rogers Museum, 1504 Millicent Rogers Road, El Prado, NM 87529
Information: www.pastelsnm.org