Happy 4th of July to all our USA friends! Although the holiday weekend is at a close, it’s always a good time for some pastel inspiration. And who better to offer it than Carol Peebles?!
Carol will be teaching at Pastel Live in August and so I’d like to spotlight her and give you a chance to get to know her work and philosophy if you haven’t encountered this artist before. (And if you have, you know what I’m talking about!)
If you’re interested in portraiture, pay attention!
I’ve always been a huge admirer of Carol Peebles who kindly wrote a blog about her work and process on HowToPastel.
Carol originally worked in oils but it was her first pregnancy that led her to draw with charcoal and from there, use conté and pastels. Trained in a classical realist tradition at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, today Carol teaches at the Blue Easel Club which she also founded and runs. When not teaching, Carol is painting and showing nationally and internationally.
Carol has a deep belief in the power of life drawing, that is, drawing from nature and what’s in front of you, to bring us together as human beings. Growing technological advances, as wonderful as they may be, also create isolation and detachment.
“Life drawing creates a synergy, encouraging a sense of responsibility to our fellow man and our world. It awakens our sense of life.”
Carol encourages everyone to pick up a pencil and draw. Ability comes from the doing. And in the meantime, she reminds us that drawing is solely for our own pleasure.
“You will slowly feel its warming effect on your spirit and I guarantee it will bring happiness and connect you to this wonderful world of ours. Faith in this creative process, and faith in your ability to achieve it, can change your life.”
I so love that quote from Carol. The creative process is something to treasure!
Hope you enjoyed this wee spotlight on artist Carol Peebles. Let us know in the comments.
That’s it for this time,
Gail
PS. Thanks to so many who wrote to wish me well on my Covid-19 recovery. I feel fortunate to have gotten off lightly and am so thankful to be fully vaccinated!
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Pastel Society of the West Coast Exhibition Opens in Morro Bay, California
The PSWC 36th Annual International Open Exhibition “99 Voices in Pastel” opened on 30 June and will run until 7th August.
99 paintings were chosen in the three categories by three jurors: Isabelle Lim, Lyn Diefenbach, and Clarence Porter. The judge of awards was Dr Luis A. Zona, Executive Director, Butler Institute of American Art-Youngstown State University.
I was over the moon to see that one of my mentees, Susan Lee, take the First Place Modern/Experimental Wakeham/Sutherland Award with her magical painting, Holiday Stroll. It always fills me with a deep warmth to see a student of mine succeed!
Congratulations to all the winners and to those who were juried into the show. There’s some spectacular pieces so go check out all the work here.
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Calling all Pastel Societies!! Feel free to email me your Call for Entry notices and also your online exhibitions. Let’s spread the word!
And if you hear of any story that you think would be good for every pastellist to read, be sure to let me know about it!
