The Winter 2010 General Meeting was held on February 21 at Kingsgate Library in Kirkland. Election of officers for 2010 - 2012 were held. Our new, exciting lineup of NPS leaders is:nn Sullivan,

Jo Ann Sullivan from Gig Harbor, WA - NPS President
Jo Ann was introduced to pastels a couple of years ago and has plunged into it with vigor. After receiving encouragement, guidance, and instruction from local pastel artists, she has received some award recognition. This has created a lot of excitement and energy to pursue it full time and forward.

Jo Ann Sullivan's "Mystic Sea"

Bonnie Griffith from Walla Walla, WA - 1st Vice President
I am a landscape artist who works mostly in the medium of pastel. This rich pigment medium allows me to create paintings that have brilliance and the bold color we see in the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Pastels let me present this world with rich color and texture.

Bonnie Griffith's "Cheatgrass Hills" was awarded the NPS Presidents' Award at the 2009 NPS Open International Show. Bonnie has accepted a nomination for NPS Vice President.

Denise Champion from Bellingham, WA - 2nd Vice President
There is a language of color, in nature, that can only be interpreted by being there. This is why plein air painting so attracts me, being on location when painting is, for me, the ultimate, a meditation. Color does not express itself on film or from the corners of my mind,the way it does by being on location. The little small whispers of color in the shadows and the loud voices of the light are what excite and inspire me. The colors change constantly and very quickly, so it is important to be intuitive and spontaneous.

Denise Champion, "Mustard"

Susan Scott from Bellingham, WA - Secretary

Many thanks to all of you for volunteering your time and expertise to the Northwest Pastel Society!

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NPS Members’ Exhibition
April 23 – May 28 2010
Blue Horse Gallery
301 W Holly St, Bellingham, WA
11 am - 5:30 pm Monday - Saturday

The Blue Horse Gallery proved to be a hugely successful venue for the 2009 NPS Members’ Exhibition.
We are delighted to be returning this year.
And once again, we invite members to enter
experimental and “outside the box” artwork.

Entry Deadline is February 26.
Be a part of this exciting show!

Click here to download the interactive prospectus, which can be completed and returned online via Adobe Reader.

Click here to download Adobe Reader.

Blue Horse Gallery

With over 3000 feet of space devoted to an eclectic mix of fine art, the Blue Horse is unrivaled as the largest fine art gallery in the area. Our highly respected and experienced juror and gallery owner, Wade Marlow, was thrilled with the quality of last year’s show and is anticipating another passionate, adventurous and visually stunning show. In addition, the NPS will be branching out with a first-ever “Miniatures” category for the 2010 Members’ Exhibition.

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Pastel Painter`s Curse
xxxby Bill McEnroe

The tilted easel leans toward me
xxxnot away as normal,
to allow the blazing pastel dust
xxxxxx to drop off past
the colored areas already done, saving
xxthe arching cobalt sky and nimbus clouds - xxxxbrows lit with white and gold -
xxxxxxtheir underbellies reflecting fields below,
from being annoyed by errant particles.

Oil painters have it easy
xxxbecause the loaded brushes of Van Eyck
xxxx and Pieter Brueghel,
and the Tamerlane-like horde that followed,
xxx(the list includes of course
xxxx Rembrandt through Jackson Pollock)
xxxxx were not annoyed by falling dust - - -
xxxxxxx their paint has the decency
xxxxxxxx to stay put where it belongs.

Copyright 2009 Bill McEnroe