The Northwest Pastel Society’s mission is not only to bolster its members, but to inform the public about the beauty and scope of the pastel medium—executed through its annual Open International Exhibition.Beginning June 1, the showwill celebrate 72 original pastels by artists across the globe, displayed at Matzke Fine Art Gallery and Sculpture Park.
LaDonna Kruger, SummerFest, soft pastel, 18 x 18"
The NPS 1st vice president, Anne Moore Knapp, shares a bit about what attendees can expect to see at this year’s 38th annual exhibition: “If you like ultra realistic [subject matter], established artist Bithia Bjurman and a new member, Harsha Rodage, have amazing pieces to draw you in. If you like floral works, Julia Lesnichy has some gorgeous roses in a traditional manner that nicely contrast colorist La Donna Kruger’s bouquets. There are a wide range of plein air and landscape pieces in the exhibition as well. I am particularly attracted to the colorful pieces of Amanda Houston, Steven Hill, Deborah Henderson, Rebecca Meloy, Darcie Roberts, Harley Talkington, Vicki Thompson and Janice Wall. Two of my favorite abstract artists in the show, Barbara Noonan and Kathleen Seacrest, always make me stop and lean in.”
Harsha Rodage, Six Yards of Elegance, soft pastel, 22 x 28"
Artist Harsha Rodage, mentioned above, offers pieces like Six Yards of Elegance—depicting a colorful array of sarees that are made from the state of Maharashtra in India. “These sarees have a traditional and cultural significance to women from my region,” says Rodage, who currently resides in Portland, Oregon. “I use pastel pencils and pan-pastels on black paper. It takes 12 to 15 layers to achieve the desired skin tone or the fabric finesse.”
Rodage continues to note that the piece is from her Treasures series. “Many first-generation immigrants know the pain of leaving their life behind,” she says. “Through the years, when we travel home, we accumulate things that are close to our hearts, one at a time, during each trip. Treasures is an effort to depict such memories. Some might be keepsakes, some might be adorning our homes giving that traditional feel, some might be part of our daily lives, but all of them are the happiness that we carry with us when we leave home, to come back to this home.”
Lynda Lindner, Venturing Out, soft pastel, 20 x 24"
Exhibition artist Steven Hill, a past Best of Show winner, showcases his landscape work Fisherman Bay Winter Sunset—inspired by his home on Washington State’s San Juan Islands. “Our marine climate…creates almost ‘liquid light’ and provides countless opportunities to paint in plein air,” says the artist. “For me, it’s all about the effects of light and this painting had so many facets ‘playing tag’ as the sun dropped…I especially loved the quick light drama that presented itself in, which was painted completely in plein air last November. Everything was cast in very warm tones against deep, dark, distant islands and trees, plus the water had a very cool color temperature to offset the sedges and grasses in the foreground.”
Steven Hill, Fisherman Bay Winter Sunset, soft pastel, 13 x 20"
While the public is invited to browse and purchase these high-caliber pastel examples through July 7, Knapp adds that there will also be an event reception on the opening day, June 1, starting at 2 p.m. During this time, around 12 awards, prizes and certifications will be announced, while the event judge, Andrew McDermott, also provides a brief critique and explanation as to his decision making. —
Northwest Pastel Society: 38th Open International Exhibition
June 1-July 7, 2024
Matzke Fine Art Gallery and Sculpture Park
2345 Blanche Way, Camano, WA 98282
(360) 387-2759, www.nwps.org
www.matzkefineart.com
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