2025 MEETINGs & WORKSHOPS
December 6, 2025
Christmas luncheon
- Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
- Time: 11:00 AM
- Location: contact Natalia by email for details. [email protected]
- Hosted by: Carolina Dalmas — thank you for opening your beautiful home to us!
- Potluck Cheer
plan to bring with the subject line “Luncheon” to:
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- White Elephant Art Exchange
bag for a festive White Elephant game—always a highlight of the luncheon. It’s a delightful way to share your creativity and go home
with a surprise treasure.
- Silent Auction Fundraiser
one or yourself.
If you’d like to donate your artwork, please send an email with the subject line “Donation Art” with image and size details to:
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- Payment options: Cash, check, or online donation via our website:
- www.pastelsocietyofsoutheasttexas.org
contacting us via email. Every donation helps support PSST’s missionand programs!
Fortunate Pastel Chalk Game
Bring a small amount of cash to join this playful game—all proceeds
go to support PSST!
- Membership Renewal for 2026
- www.pastelsocietyofsoutheasttexas.org
share, and enjoy the holiday spirit!
November 1, 2025
10:30 Business Meeting
11:00 Betty James Artist Demonstration, in-person demo and mini-workshop
11:00 Betty James Artist Demonstration, in-person demo and mini-workshop
Betty James. Betty loved to draw as a child but was 28 when she began to pursue art. She began with oil painting and has studied with many accomplished artists. For many years oil was her only media, and she taught adult and children classes.
Betty now works in many mediums: oil, acrylic, watercolor, sculpture and the beautiful medium of soft pastels. Her focus over the past decade has been on large commissioned murals in acrylic. She recent;ly complied a series of paintings for Northland Christian School consisting of 11 48x60 inch and 15 36x48 inch wrapped canvases in oil, now hung as murals. Betty works on commissioned paintings and does demos and workshops.
President of PSST, Betty says, "Painting is a never ending process to learn and improve my skills and a way to express myself. I am thankful to have an art filled life working at something I love. It gives me a deeper appreciation for the beauty surrounding me daily."
Betty now works in many mediums: oil, acrylic, watercolor, sculpture and the beautiful medium of soft pastels. Her focus over the past decade has been on large commissioned murals in acrylic. She recent;ly complied a series of paintings for Northland Christian School consisting of 11 48x60 inch and 15 36x48 inch wrapped canvases in oil, now hung as murals. Betty works on commissioned paintings and does demos and workshops.
President of PSST, Betty says, "Painting is a never ending process to learn and improve my skills and a way to express myself. I am thankful to have an art filled life working at something I love. It gives me a deeper appreciation for the beauty surrounding me daily."
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Get into the holiday spirit with this cozy and creative workshop! We’ll paint a vibrant red cardinal perched on a snowy branch, a timeless symbol of winter’s beauty and cheer. Using soft pastels and a restricted palette of colors, you’ll learn how to create harmony and impact with limited choices—perfect for capturing the crispness of snow, the warmth of the cardinal, and the quiet magic of the season. This workshop will guide you step by step through layering, blending, and adding subtle details that bring your winter scene to life. Whether you’re new to pastels or looking to sharpen your technique, you’ll finish with a festive artwork that’s ready to frame or gift for the holidays. Material list |
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January 3, 2026
2026 ART OF THE PASTEL INTERNATIONAL JURIED SHOW
$2,000 in Cash and Merchandise Awards
Best of Show $1,000
2nd Place $500
3rd Place $250
Honorable Mentions Merchandise Awards
Best of Show $1,000
2nd Place $500
3rd Place $250
Honorable Mentions Merchandise Awards
IMPORTANT DATES AND LOCATION:
Entry Opening October 15, 2025
Entry Deadline December 1, 2025
Notice of Acceptance December 9, 2025
Delivery of Artwork January 2, 2026, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Show Opens January 3, 2026
Reception and Awards January 3, 2026, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Show Closes January 31, 2026
Pickup of Paintings February 2 & 3, 2026, 10:00-4:00 p.m
Degallery 970 N. Rosemary Dr, Bryan, TX979-704-3090
IMPORTANT DATES AND LOCATION:
Entry Opening October 15, 2025
Entry Deadline December 1, 2025
Notice of Acceptance December 9, 2025
Delivery of Artwork January 2, 2026, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Show Opens January 3, 2026
Reception and Awards January 3, 2026, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Show Closes January 31, 2026
Pickup of Paintings February 2 & 3, 2026, 10:00-4:00 p.m
Degallery 970 N. Rosemary Dr, Bryan, TX979-704-3090
February 7, 2026
Demo and Workshop Via Zoom
Demo and Workshop:
“Making the Most of a Not-So-Fabulous Photo Reference”
We’ve all taken photos that might not seem as interesting as we had hoped they would. But, having a photo that still leaves something to be desired can free us up to be more inventive and to be more interpretive than we might have been otherwise!
In this demo and workshop, we’ll explore ways to make the most of just about any photo reference.
Biography:
Lyn Asselta’s award winning pastel paintings have been exhibited throughout the United States and have been included in invitational exhibitions in France, England, and China. She is an IAPS Eminent Pastelist, a PSA Master Pastelist, a member of the Salmagundi Club of New York City, a Master Pastelist with the Southeastern Pastel Society, and is the founder and past president of the First Coast Pastel Society in northeast Florida. In 2009, Lyn was selected to be an Artist in Residence at Acadia National Park in Maine. Her work has been featured in art publications including Pastel Journal, Plein Air Magazine, and Pratique des Arts magazine (France). Her landscape paintings and process have been included in several books and blogs on the pastel medium and Plein air painting. Lyn writes a weekly newsletter with a focus on prose, poetry and painting, and she is the author of Seeing the Landscape and Saturdays ~ Observations at the Intersection of Life & Art.
Lyn Asselta’s award winning pastel paintings have been exhibited throughout the United States and have been included in invitational exhibitions in France, England, and China. She is an IAPS Eminent Pastelist, a PSA Master Pastelist, a member of the Salmagundi Club of New York City, a Master Pastelist with the Southeastern Pastel Society, and is the founder and past president of the First Coast Pastel Society in northeast Florida. In 2009, Lyn was selected to be an Artist in Residence at Acadia National Park in Maine. Her work has been featured in art publications including Pastel Journal, Plein Air Magazine, and Pratique des Arts magazine (France). Her landscape paintings and process have been included in several books and blogs on the pastel medium and Plein air painting. Lyn writes a weekly newsletter with a focus on prose, poetry and painting, and she is the author of Seeing the Landscape and Saturdays ~ Observations at the Intersection of Life & Art.
Material list
April 4, 2026
10:30 Business Meeting
11:00 Lana Ballot Artist Demonstration & mini-workshop
Your summer greens will never look dull or monotonous after you learn how light and atmosphere affect color in landscape! You will learn how to capture the glow of the sunlit foliage or cool greens in a shade, how to create rich complex greens by layering colors.
A special attention will be given to painting trees - how to simplify their shapes and include only necessary details that give them their character and tell their story.
Lana Ballot
PSA, IAPS/MC, Signature Member of ASMA
Lana Ballot is a professional artist and pastel painting instructor, living on Long Island,
NY.
Ocean and coastal landscape are the main subjects in Lana’s work.
Expressive use of color and painterly mark making are characteristic of her style.
Lana Ballot is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America, a member of the
IAPS Master Circle and a Signature Member of the American Society of Marine Artists.
Lana has been exhibiting and won awards in National and International Juried
competitions, including the Pastel Society of America’s annual show Enduring
Brilliance and the prestigious Pastel Journal’s Pastel 100 competition.
Lana’s coastal work has been featured in articles and on the cover of in the Plein Air
Magazine, the Pastel Journal and French magazine Pratique des Arts.
To see Lana Ballot’s work and the current teaching schedule, please visit lanaballotart.com
PSA, IAPS/MC, Signature Member of ASMA
Lana Ballot is a professional artist and pastel painting instructor, living on Long Island,
NY.
Ocean and coastal landscape are the main subjects in Lana’s work.
Expressive use of color and painterly mark making are characteristic of her style.
Lana Ballot is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America, a member of the
IAPS Master Circle and a Signature Member of the American Society of Marine Artists.
Lana has been exhibiting and won awards in National and International Juried
competitions, including the Pastel Society of America’s annual show Enduring
Brilliance and the prestigious Pastel Journal’s Pastel 100 competition.
Lana’s coastal work has been featured in articles and on the cover of in the Plein Air
Magazine, the Pastel Journal and French magazine Pratique des Arts.
To see Lana Ballot’s work and the current teaching schedule, please visit lanaballotart.com
September 5, 2026
10:30 Business Meeting
11:00 Emma Colbert - zoom Artist Demonstration & mini-workshop
Bio
Emma Colbert is an Irish pastel artist and painting instructor living in the South of Spain. Having used soft pastel since the age of 13 she has worked as a professional artist for over 17 years.
Although animals are her main passion she also enjoys painting a variety of subject matter including landscape and still life. Emma always aims to tell a story through her animal portraits and quite often the background is as important as the main subject. Endorsed by Unison Color Pastels, she has created several color selections of soft pastels for them including their ‘Animal Set’ which has introduced many artists tothe medium.
Emma’s work has become recognized worldwide. But these days her attention is driven towards creating a library of information all about soft pastel to help the medium grow and to help fellow pastel artists on their own progression.
www.Youtube.com/emmacolbertart
www.patreon.com/emmacolbertart
Emma Colbert is an Irish pastel artist and painting instructor living in the South of Spain. Having used soft pastel since the age of 13 she has worked as a professional artist for over 17 years.
Although animals are her main passion she also enjoys painting a variety of subject matter including landscape and still life. Emma always aims to tell a story through her animal portraits and quite often the background is as important as the main subject. Endorsed by Unison Color Pastels, she has created several color selections of soft pastels for them including their ‘Animal Set’ which has introduced many artists tothe medium.
Emma’s work has become recognized worldwide. But these days her attention is driven towards creating a library of information all about soft pastel to help the medium grow and to help fellow pastel artists on their own progression.
www.Youtube.com/emmacolbertart
www.patreon.com/emmacolbertart
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Painting Animals in Soft Pastel - Demo and Workshop
I plan to demo a dog portrait during the first hour of the day. I’ll be able to show you the main techniques I use to build up the textures of the animal and create the lighting to make it look convincingly real.
During the workshop I encourage you to use an image of your own pet, it doesn’t have to be a dog. I will also provide a selection of references for you to choose from if you prefer, or you can work on the image that I demo at the beginning of the day. I’ll be able to guide you through the process of capturing a beloved pet. Ideally you would have the animal sketched onto your chosen pastel paper so that we can make full use of the time using the pastels. It’s fine to work on any type of pastel paper, but ideally it would be one of the coated papers which can handle multiple layers of pastel. One example is Pastelmat. I will use a variety of soft pastel sticks, along with a small number of pastel pencils. But the majority of my work is achieved using the pastel sticks. The focus of the workshop will be to capture the character of an animal and to transform a photograph into a portrait that is much more alive than the reference.
I plan to demo a dog portrait during the first hour of the day. I’ll be able to show you the main techniques I use to build up the textures of the animal and create the lighting to make it look convincingly real.
During the workshop I encourage you to use an image of your own pet, it doesn’t have to be a dog. I will also provide a selection of references for you to choose from if you prefer, or you can work on the image that I demo at the beginning of the day. I’ll be able to guide you through the process of capturing a beloved pet. Ideally you would have the animal sketched onto your chosen pastel paper so that we can make full use of the time using the pastels. It’s fine to work on any type of pastel paper, but ideally it would be one of the coated papers which can handle multiple layers of pastel. One example is Pastelmat. I will use a variety of soft pastel sticks, along with a small number of pastel pencils. But the majority of my work is achieved using the pastel sticks. The focus of the workshop will be to capture the character of an animal and to transform a photograph into a portrait that is much more alive than the reference.
OCTOBER 3, 2026
Demo and miniworkshop - Jody Martin
We will be doing a painting from your own reference photographs. Please bring two or three photos that you
took yourself. The photos need to have a figure in an outdoor setting. Be dure that it is well focused, and for the
time consideration, keep your photographs simple.
If you don’t have a good picture, don’t worry. I will also bring some that you can use.
We will be focusing on the following:
Toning your board for future paintings (In this workshop you’ll bring a commercially toned board)
Planning your design for balance and center of interest
Anatomy and proportions
The Element of Space
Color harmony
Use of darks and lights
Simplifying your subject
Edges
Pastel techniques
I will do a demonstration at the beginning of the first day. The rest of the time you will have to paint with my
assistance. If time allows, we will have a critique at the end of day 2.
I look forward to meeting and working with you!
Jody Martin
Jodymartinstudio.com
[email protected]
2025
OCTOBER 4, 2025
10:30 Business Meeting
11:00 SHERRY KILLIGSWORTH Artist Demonstration & mini-workshop
11:00 SHERRY KILLIGSWORTH Artist Demonstration & mini-workshop
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Painting a Dramatic Sunset
I have always been fascinated by clouds, how they move, the interesting variety of shapes they form, and trying to figure out what color I would use to paint them! I especially love the twilight times when the sun has gone down below the horizon or has almost risen above it. I have chosen a great sunset to paint as a demo and to teach you how I simplify the shapes of the clouds. I have also changed the foreground and added trees instead of housetops. You may choose something else if you like, I might! 
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Mini workshop October 4, 2025. PSST Member $50, Non-Member $70
Please select PSST Member or Non-Member option with arrows Click Buy Now button then choose PayPal or Credit Card Material list & reference click here |
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May 3, 2025
10:00 Social
10:30 Business Meeting
11:00 TETYANA ALEKSENKO Artist Demonstration
12:00 -3:00PM Mini-Workshop
Address: Trini Mendenhall Community Center (1414 Wirt Rd, Houston, TX 77055)
10:30 Business Meeting
11:00 TETYANA ALEKSENKO Artist Demonstration
12:00 -3:00PM Mini-Workshop
Address: Trini Mendenhall Community Center (1414 Wirt Rd, Houston, TX 77055)
Website https://www.taleksart.com/
Instagram: TAleksArt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Tetyana-Aleksenko/100087360253712/ Register for Tetyana Aleksenko
May 3, 2025. PSST Member $35, Non-Member $45 Please select PSST Member or Non-Member option with arrows Click Buy Now button then choose PayPal or Credit Card |
About the Artist: Tetyana is a award-winning professional pastel artist who has lived in Texas for the last 25 years. She is inspired by Texas nature, by its beauty and endless variety of shapes and forms. Her artistic mission is to capture unusual aspects of everyday life and to create artwork that speaks to a viewer by evoking powerful emotions.
Tetyana’s art journey started in 2020 when she discovered Unison pastels and fell in love with them. She spent two years studying art online, and is now a President of the Pastel Society of Southeast Texas and an Associate Member of the Pastel Society of America. Tetyana teaches pastel classes and workshops in local galleries and art leagues and her paintings can be found in private collections across US and abroad. Tetyana loves painting flowers, portraits, and seascapes. Demo/ Mini-Workshop: After PSST general meeting on May the 3rd, Tetyana will be doing a demo of her pastel painting "Roaring" (as pictured below). After the demonstration, we will have a quick lunch and practice painting waves during 3-hour seascape mini-workshop. Please bring your own references of the sea or you will have the opportunity to use some of Tetyana's references. You will receive a supply list after we receive your payment for the workshop. Hope to see you on Saturday! |
"Roaring" by Tetyana Aleksenko
april 11, 2025 in-person
Plein Air Painting at Mercer Botanic Gradens
Mercer Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd, Humble, TX 77338
Meeting time: 09:00 AM at the Visitor Center.
Mercer Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd, Humble, TX 77338
Meeting time: 09:00 AM at the Visitor Center.
December 2025
Christmas Luncheon
february 1, 2025
- 2PM - 4PM
- Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony
Degallery (Bryan, TX)
March 1, 2025 via zoom
10:30 Business Meeting
11:00 Rita Kirkman Artist Demonstration, followed by Mini-Workshop: The Sunlit Animal Portrait
11:00 Rita Kirkman Artist Demonstration, followed by Mini-Workshop: The Sunlit Animal Portrait
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Rita Kirkman Mini-Workshop: The Sunlit Animal Portrait
Infuse your animal portraits with the spirit of sunlight! Learn to capture light by underpainting with warm tones. This mini-workshop will help you grow your grasp of value and temperature, and how these basic elements of art affect color and form. Workshop students should attend the morning demo. |
Register for Rita Kirkman Workshop The Sunlit Animal Portrait
March 1, 2025. PSST Member $50, Non-Member $60 Please select PSST Member or Non-Member option with arrows Click Buy Now button then choose PayPal or Credit Card |
Rita Kirkman, PSA-MP, CPS, IAPS-EP, Bio
Kirkman has been using pastel since she was 11 years old. Since 2003 she has consistently won major awards in national and international competitions. She is a Pastel Society of America Master Pastelist and an Eminent Pastelist with the International Association of Pastel Societies. Her paintings have been featured in the Pastel Journal and the Pratique des Arts Spécial Pastel, and published in many others. Her work is in public and private collections worldwide. In 2020 she created a Patreon page, full of demo videos and art tips. https://www.ritakirkman.com/
Kirkman has been using pastel since she was 11 years old. Since 2003 she has consistently won major awards in national and international competitions. She is a Pastel Society of America Master Pastelist and an Eminent Pastelist with the International Association of Pastel Societies. Her paintings have been featured in the Pastel Journal and the Pratique des Arts Spécial Pastel, and published in many others. Her work is in public and private collections worldwide. In 2020 she created a Patreon page, full of demo videos and art tips. https://www.ritakirkman.com/
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SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 Virtual
9:30 Business Meeting & Tony Allain Demomostration
11:00 Mini Workshop Demomostration
Workshop: “Breaking Free: Mood and Atmosphere”
11:00 Mini Workshop Demomostration
Workshop: “Breaking Free: Mood and Atmosphere”
Join Us for an Exciting Workshop with Tony Allain: “Breaking Free: Mood and Atmosphere”
Date & Time: 10:00 AM
Event: Artist Demonstration followed by Mini-Workshop
Tony Allain is a renowned Scottish-based artist, award-winning painter, instructor, and author. He has been painting all his life and is a member of the Pastel Society London and the Royal Society of Marine Artists, among others. Tony is known for his vibrant use of colour, light, and movement, capturing the essence of his surroundings. Born and raised on Guernsey in the Channel Islands, he studied life drawing and painting from life. He later moved to Cornwall to capture the unique clarity of light on the peninsula of the West Country.
Tony's work has been exhibited extensively over the years and can be found in leading galleries and private and corporate collections worldwide, including the Maritime Museum, Guernsey, and Queen Mary 2, Cunard Liner. He has exhibited with The Pastel Society of America in New York, the Royal Society of Marine Artists in London, The International Pastel Exhibition in Suzhou, China, and the Pastel Society at Mall Galleries in London. A move to New Zealand in 2006 marked a turning point in his career, earning him the title of Master of the Pastel Artists of New Zealand, Signature member of the Pastel Society of America, and Eminent Pastelist of the International Association of Pastel Societies. His work is regularly featured in The Artist Magazine, the Pastel Journal, and the Practique des Arts. Tony now lives and works in Scotland.
In this workshop, Tony will share his working methods, focusing on painting various subjects filled with colour and light. Participants will explore the use of direct strokes on a textured surface to emphasize brushwork and learn how to simplify their approach to achieve exciting impressionistic paintings from sketches and reference photographs. The workshop is designed for those wanting to be more painterly and less tight in their work. The day will start with a demonstration, followed by a Q&A session via the chat box.
September 6, 2025. PSST Member $60, Non-Member $80
Please select PSST Member or Non-Member option with arrows
Click Buy Now button then choose PayPal or Credit Card
JANUARY 4, 2025 VIA ZOOM
10:30 Business Meeting
11:00 Mark Ivan Cole Artist Demonstration, followed by Mini-Workshop: Landscape/Woodlands
11:00 Mark Ivan Cole Artist Demonstration, followed by Mini-Workshop: Landscape/Woodlands
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Mark Ivan Cole Mini-Workshop: Landscape and Woodlands
Mark will walk participants through the process of selecting paper to get the look and feel desired for the painting. Following that, Mark will conduct a paint-along session in which he will demonstrate and assist participants in painting a woodland landscape. He will discuss his choices of soft pastels as he showcases the unique capabilities and versatility of the selected paper. He will also demonstrate some novel tools and techniques that can be used to achieve the desired "look." Spontaneous questions are encouraged! |
Register for Mark Ivan Cole Mini-Workshop Landscape/Woodlands
January 4, 2025. PSST Member $50, Non-Member $60 Please select PSST Member or Non-Member option with arrows Click Buy Now button then choose PayPal or Credit Card |
Mark Ivan Cole Bio
Award-winning artist and teacher Mark Ivan Cole, PSA, began making art as soon as he could hold a crayon. He could be described as self-taught, but that does not give proper credit to the amazing artists--both contemporary and historical--whose works and methods he has spent decades studying. He was juried into the Pastel Society of America as a signature member in 2018 and has painted, exhibited and taught around the world. When not out with his wife exploring some beautiful place elsewhere on the planet, he is painting landscapes, recording original music, or working on his latest novel at home in Portland, Oregon. Click to read Mark's in-depth interview in How-to-Pastel: https://www.howtopastel.com/2024/08/mark-ivan-cole-deep-observation-and-emotional-realism/ View his work at https://www.markivancole.com/
Award-winning artist and teacher Mark Ivan Cole, PSA, began making art as soon as he could hold a crayon. He could be described as self-taught, but that does not give proper credit to the amazing artists--both contemporary and historical--whose works and methods he has spent decades studying. He was juried into the Pastel Society of America as a signature member in 2018 and has painted, exhibited and taught around the world. When not out with his wife exploring some beautiful place elsewhere on the planet, he is painting landscapes, recording original music, or working on his latest novel at home in Portland, Oregon. Click to read Mark's in-depth interview in How-to-Pastel: https://www.howtopastel.com/2024/08/mark-ivan-cole-deep-observation-and-emotional-realism/ View his work at https://www.markivancole.com/
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Titan, Pastel Painting by Mark Ivan Cole
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The Forest Awakens, Pastel Painting by Mark Ivan Cole
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Here for Now, Pastel Painting by Mark Ivan Cole
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