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Welcome to the NPS 'FRESH SHEET'
where you will find the most current NPS news, notices and happenings.

Scroll down this column and click on links to access the latest news!



Steve Hill gave a great demo of painting with pan pastels at the Feb 21 General Meeting.
Thank you Steve!

Barbara Benedetti Newton has posted a great new editorial on "The Business of Art". Click here to read Barbara's editorial.

New!! Minutes from the Winter General and Board meetings are available. Click here to read them.

Scott Milo Gallery in Anacortes will once again host the NPS Signature Show in July/August, 2010. All NPS Signature Members are invited to participate. Contact Clair Ridlon (Pinky) for more details.


The 2009 IAPS Web Show has now been posted. Click here to view the show and catch up on more IAPS news.

IAPS is also offering a newScholarship Opportunity - Click here for details.


Twice a month, NPS members have a chance to win a $10 gift certificate from Dakota Art. Simply check here in the "Fresh Sheet" and if you find your name, follow the email link to claim the prize.
Carol Murphy claimed her $10 gift certificate from Dakota Art Pastels. Congratulations, Carol!

Rob Ramage
, it's your turn! Click here to collect your $10 gift certificate from Dakota Art Pastels.


Member News

Clive Tyler is giving a series of Master Artist Workshops.
Click here for details.

Karen Schroeder is part of the Whidbey Island Studio Tour. Click here for details.

Janet Hamilton's work has recently been published in two books.Click here for details.

Janice Wall is the featured artist at Scott Milo Gallery in February. Donna Trent is showing there as well. Click here for more details.

Debbie Hughbanks has lots going on! Click here for details.

Karen Schroeder has posted a schedule of her workshops. Click here for details.

Several NPS artists were included in the Best of America Pastel Artists, Vol. II. Click here for more information.



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!


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.


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