The PSST exhibit at the Pearl Fincher opens Monday, June 2. Please take time to go by and enjoy the show. Open Mondays - Saturdays.

As planning for the exhibit progressed, it was decided to place emphasis on educating the public, especially children, about pastel. Because the Pearl Fincher has a Family Day on June 14, artist demonstrations and hands-on painting by children seemed a natural fit. Several of our members will be doing demos and many others are working with the children, letting them experience what pastel feels like. Come by on the 14th, from 11:00 - 3:00, lend a hand, and see painting through the eyes of the children.

Linda Dellandre will conduct workshops at the Pearl Fincher on June 10 and 11. If you need a little extra help with your landscape art, Linda is an excellent instructor and demo artist. Details here.

Sneak Preview of Pastels Revisited, the PSST member the paintings to be exhibited at the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts, Spring, Texas, June 5 through 30, 2014. Scroll pointer over large image for name of artist and title.

PASTELS REVISITED
A LOOK INTO THE WORLD OF A DRY PAINTING MEDIUM
The Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts in Spring will host Pastels Revisited, an exhibition of fine art pastel paintings by members of the Pastel Society of Southeast Texas, June 5 through June 30.

“Get your fingers messy.” That’s what members of PSST will tell kids on Saturday, June 14. PSST has joined with the Pearl Fincher MFA for their June Family Fun Day. PSST members will help children experience hands-on painting with pastel and do live demonstrations. Family Fun Day hours are 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

 “Children especially love painting with pastel; it’s right there in their hands,” commented Carolyn Hancock, president of PSST. “Working with the kids, showing them the beauty of pastel, it will be a fun day. And the public gets a chance to see original pastel paintings on exhibit.” The artwork on display is 9 x 12 inches or less.

Houston artist Diane Brahm was the demo artist at the May 3, 2014 meeting of PSST. Over her drawing of an Indian rider on horse, Diane used side strokes of Charvin water soluable pastels to mass in large areas. The Charvin pastels are hard, similar to the NuPastel brand.
Dipping her brush in water, Diane washed over the block-in, beginning with the lighter colors. After allowing the watercolor paper to dry, Diane added several layers of pastel, sometimes blending with her fingers or a paper towel. Diane seldom uses the softer pastels for her work.  She talked about enhancing the composition with the addition of background rocks to lead to the center of interest. Watch for the finished painting on her website, http://dianebrahm.com.