PASTELS

I often think of soft pastels as an underappreciated art material. Yet, I find them to be vibrant, exciting, and complementary to my process and work. Not just an extension of drawing or a cousin to painting, pastel is something of its own.
Pastel is almost always included in my mixed-media works. The immediacy and expressiveness that can be exploited through these pigment sticks are crucial to my mark-making and layering. Additionally, working in pastels strengthens my oil painting and mixed media. I rotate between materials after a few pieces of art, finding that it helps keep my work fresh.
I am a member of the Pastel Society of America.