the OIl Spiel

Exhibit of Luba's work

2012-01-08T09:55:00.000-08:00

I would like to invite you to the Artist Talk at my solo art exhibit 'Innergism’ at the Parish-Georgetown Gallery in Washington, DC on Friday, January 13, 2012 from 6 to 8 p.m.

I have been working hard putting together and developing this exhibit and it will be my pleasure to share with you the ideology behind the new painting style of Innergism.

You can get a glimpse of the exhibit by watching a video of the show opening created by Emmy award winning filmmaker David Ewing on YouTube-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RxLhawHhs8
The link is also on my website -www.LubaSterlikovaArt.com.

Congratulations to Bill Creevy

2011-09-23T12:03:00.000-07:00

Kudos to Russ

2011-09-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

Russell Mackensen has been juried as a finalist in the Art Renewal Center's 2010 - 2011 International Salon Competition. Here is a link to the still life page. This is his award winning painting, "Blue Plate Special".

Shows and workshops

2011-09-03T09:32:00.000-07:00

NEW! LISTINGS NOT YET ON MY WEB SITE!

Shemer Art Center and Museum

5005 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix AZ 85018 602-262-4727

Directions

Art, Courage & Creativity

The Original Workshop

This workshop is for adults who want to express themselves artistically but who feel unsure of their natural abilities. We use OIL PASTELS & PAPER to identify and overcome inhibitions that limit us in a playful, relaxed setting. All materials are provided. All you need is an apron or old clothes. This is a one day, fun-filled, and hands-on opportunity to explore your feelings through color, and to see how that experience can enrich other aspects of your life.

LOCATION: SHEMER ART CTR & MUSEUM (Reservations Required)

Click here to register Choose KL-2 Listing

DATE: Saturday, September 24th. 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.

COST: $100 (plus $20 for supplies)

42nd River Road Show

Louisiana Art and Artists' Guild
2490 Silverest Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70816

(225) 926-4657
www.laag-site.org.org

This is a reminder that the deadline for submitting entries into the Louisiana Arts and Artists' Guild's 42nd Annual River Road Show is growing near. All entries must be postmarked by September 16.

The River Road Show is a national juried exhibition which gives artists from around the country an opportunity to compete and participate in the longest ongoing national competition of its kind in the Baton Rouge area. In the 2010 show, 137 artists entered 418 works of art in a variety of mediums. Almost half of those submitting work were from outside Louisiana.

Nationally recognized instructor and artist, Pam Ingalls, will be judge and juror for this year’s show which will be held at the beautiful Louisiana State Archive Building in Baton Rouge, LA. The show will open and be available for the public to view from December 5, 2011 – January 27, 2012 with an awards ceremony and reception to be held on January 6, 2012.

Entry fee is $40 for three entries and $5 for each additional entry, up to 10. This is a national juried competition with cash prizes of $3,000. All United States artists 18 years and older are invited to submit any original two-dimensional art except photography or digitally-created/enhanced works. The Prospectus and pictures of the 2010 show are available atwww.laag-site.org/River_Road_Show.html. Direct questions to Gary Drinkwater at 225-485-8884 or laagbr@laag-site.org.

Award for Stephanie Neely

2011-08-24T05:57:00.000-07:00

Stephanie's painting "Annunciation" was the winner of the Thomas Moran Memorial Award of the Non-Members Painting and Sculpture Exhibition of the Salmagundi Art Club of New York. She has also been accepted as an Artist Member.

Workshop event

2011-08-22T08:20:00.001-07:00

BRIO Fine Arts Center / New Visions Campus

5 Thursdays, October 6th -November 3rd, 2 - 5 pm

Art, Courage & Creativity II --- The Series!

Based upon the popular one day BRIO course with Karen Leeds ("Taking It Further") this new 5 partseries offers longer painting times to more deeply explore composition & feelings. Come relax, revive and reinvent yourself! We use rich, colorful oil pastels, loosening up exercises, and mixed media to gently free us from beliefs and habits that may be holding us back. All materials are supplied. While there is ample technique taught, the emphasis is on creating original art by intuition, and on learning to recognize and act upon the inner guidance of your own unique voice. Appropriate for both newcomers and graduates of Karen's other sessions.

COST: $160 +$10 supply fee each session ($50)

Click Here Or call 480/941-8310 (Diane)

Space is limited. Registration Required.

Directions to New Vision location

Exhibit opportunity

2011-08-01T14:24:00.000-07:00

The deadline for the 42^nd Annual River Road Show is approaching. This show is a national juried exhibition sponsored by the Louisiana Art and Artists’ Guild with cash prizes of $3000. Entries are being received until September 16, 2011. Entry fee is $40 for three entries and $5 for each additional submission up to 10. All United States artists 18 years and older are invited to submit any original two-dimensional art except photography or digitally-created/enhanced works. The exhibition will be juried and judged by Pam Ingalls, renowned artist and instructor. The actual exhibition will be held December 5 – January 27 at the Louisiana State Archives building in Baton Rouge, LA. The Prospectus and pictures of the 2010 are available at www.laag-site.org/River_Road_Show.html. Direct questions to Gary Drinkwater at (225)485-8884 orlaagbr@laag-site.org.

Luba's workshop

2011-07-21T13:35:00.000-07:00

Luba will be teaching 2 workshops at Plaza Artist Materials:
Sat. July 23, 1-4pm - Introduction to Oil Pastel. Baltimore (Towsen) MD (410-823-6406)
Sun. July 24, 2-4pm -Painting Flowers in Oil Pastel: rose. Rockville, MD (301-770-0500)
For more info please visit her site: http://www.LubaSterlikovaArt.com

Tatiana news

2011-07-03T12:07:00.000-07:00

Two of Tatiana's oil pastels are represented at second annual show of Daily Painters of Pennsylvania. The show was hanging for a month (June) at Capitol Building of PA and now moved for another month to "Gallerie 13". Mechanicsburg, PA. I'm showing two of my bigger paintings - Spots of Attitude (Jaguar) and "Double Glory" (irises).

http://dailypaintersofpennsylvania.b...lvania-at.htm

Tatiana was invited and juried into American Society of Traditional Artists. Fairly new group, very similar to Guild of Realism (mostly the same people, but also plenty of Western Artists). Group will be concentrating on promotion of traditional classical art, running annual museum exhibitions etc. So far to support my position there I'll have to work in traditional oils and egg tempera, which is OK with me. Perhaps some day I'll be able to show my oil pastels too, but not at beginning. http://www.astartists.com/new_members.htm

Workshop with Luba

2011-06-18T11:05:00.000-07:00

Please, join me to share your interest in oil pastel :)
Here is information on my 2-day workshop in Lorton, VA.
'Oil Pastels & Painting the Orchid ', 2-day workshop at Lorton Workhouse Art Center, Lorton, VA , Sat July 2 & Sun July 3 (11am-2pm, each day)
To get registered, please, call the Lorton Workhouse Art Center at 703-584-2909. (Debra)
Artists who participate in Lorton workshops are entitled to submit their works for the annual art exhibit in January-Lorton Workhouse has a beautiful gallery.
Purple Orchid, oil pastel on Canson paper,25x27 (63x68 cm)
http://www.facebook.com/l/ebfb94uG7edFYkx0xTO-hjkK64A/www.LubaSterlikovaArt.com

Exhibit Opportunity

2011-06-15T07:51:00.001-07:00

THE 42^ND ANNUAL RIVER ROAD SHOW, a national juried exhibition sponsored by the Louisiana Art and Artists’ Guild, is receiving entries for the December 5 – January 27 exhibit at the Louisiana State Archives building in Baton Rouge, LA. Deadline for entries is September 16. Entry fee is $40 for three entries and $5 for each additional submission up to 10. This is a national juried competition with cash prizes of $3000. All United States artists 18 years and older are invited to submit any original two-dimensional art except photography or digitally-created/enhanced works. The exhibition will be juried and judged by Pam Ingalls, renowned artist and instructor. The Prospectus and pictures of the 2010 are available at www.laag-site.org/River_Road_Show.html. Direct questions to Gary Drinkwater at (225)485-8884 or laagbr@laag-site.org.

Congratulations!!!

2011-05-30T06:28:00.000-07:00

Russ Mackensen's painting "Mine Eyes Have Seen" was accepted into "Tell Us A Story: 2011 Summer Group Exhibit" at Segil Fine Art in Monrovia, CA.
Show dates are June 18, 2011 to August 20, 2011.
Not only was the work juried there was a requirement of a 100 word "Story" about the piece, his was:

My Eyes Have Seen, what you may wonder. Have I seen death in my family, the destruction of my home or terrorists running my country? I’ve seen a life alone without my husband and children. I’ve seen the daily struggle to survive in a land that is not hospitable to a widow. I’ve seen foreigners looking at me and wondering who I am and how pitiful I appear. All this I have seen, but now I see strength and resolve to overcome all this because I am a proud woman, a strong woman because My Eyes Have Seen.

Stephanie Neely news

2011-05-08T13:41:00.000-07:00

Stephanie was juried into the Art League of Hilton Head's Biennial National Juried show. Her oil pastel "Midnight" took first place in pastel. Congratulations!!!!!! Stephanie was also accepted into the International Guild of Realism and the OIl Painters of America.

On a side note it is interesting that in some juried shows there seems to be no distinction between the soft pastels and the oil pastels, even though the painting is submitted as an oil pastel.

New workshops

2011-04-23T08:00:00.001-07:00

NEW! LISTINGS NOT YET ON MY WEB SITE!

Art, Courage & Creativity Reservations Required

"THE SERIES" NEW!

Each session we combine painting with oil pastels with different methods of Self Inquiry in order to expand our awareness and creative receptivity. This Series explores the connection between making art, and the art of being fully present. We may draw (literally!) inspiration from these (and more) meditations and techniques:

"Big Mind" as taught by Genpo Roshi; "The Work" as taught by Byron Katie; "The Mandala of Being" as taught by R. Moss; Lojong & Tonglen (Shantideva - Tibetan Buddhism); and Course of Miracles to name a few.

LOCATION: Karen Leeds Studio DIRECTIONS

DATES: (5 Saturdays) April 23, May 7, May 21, June 4 & June 18

TIME: 9:30 am to 12:30 pm (3 hours)

COST: $65 each or $260 for entire Series (20% discount)

(plus $15 for supplies each session)

Art, Courage & Creativity Reservations Required

"OPEN STUDIO" NEW!

Due to requests from graduates, I am now offering open studio access to painting with oil pastels. Each session will start with a short loosening up exercise, and provide ample time for individual painting in a relaxing group setting. All materials provided. Beginners are also also welcome!

LOCATION: Karen Leeds Studio DIRECTIONS

DATES: 5 Thursdays April 21, May 5, May 19, June 2 & June 16

TIME: 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm (2.5 hours)

COST: $55 each (plus $15 for supplies each session)

Art, Courage & Creativity Reservations Required

II - TAKING IT FURTHER

This longer ACC Session introduces activities designed to help novices and experienced artists alike relax, revive, and reinvent themselves. While there is ample oil pasteltechnique taught, the emphasis is on creating truly original art by intuition, and by learning to hear, recognize and act upon the inner guidance of your unique voice. We thhrow in just enough mixed media to delight and inspire...

LOCATION: Karen Leeds Studio DIRECTIONS

DATE: Friday, May 20

TIME: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (6 hours)

COST: $100 (plus $25 for supplies)

Art, Courage & Creativity Reservations Required

The Original Workshop

This workshop is for adults who want to express themselves artistically but who feel unsure of their natural abilities. We use oil pastels and paper to identify and overcome inhibitions that limit us in a playful, relaxed setting. All materials are provided. All you need is an apron or old clothes. This is a brief, fun hands-on opportunity to explore your feelings through color, and to see how that experience can enrich other aspects of your life.

LOCATION: Karen Leeds Studio DIRECTIONS

DATE: Friday, April 22

TIME: 9:30 am to 12:30 pm (3 hours)

COST: $65 (plus $15 for supplies)

Reservations are required for all workshop sessions. Payment check or cash only.

Call or email:

KAREN LEEDS 602/321-0219

www.karenleeds.com art@karenleeds.com

Richeson75 Still Life

2011-04-21T16:22:00.000-07:00

Two of Russ Mackensen's still life paintings made it into this show. This is the oil category and his are the only oil pastels....Awesome!!!!
Check out the paintings at this llink.
http://www.richeson75.com/stilllife/sloilgal.html

Workshop news

2011-03-21T13:39:00.000-07:00

BRIO Fine Arts Center Friday, April 8th, 9:00am to 3:00pm

"Art, Courage & Creativity II --- Taking it further "

This second version of the popular one day BRIO workshop hosted by Karen Leeds introduces new activities designed to help novices and experienced artists alike, relax, revive and reinvent themselves. We still use rich and colorful oil pastels -- and throw in a few delightful twists along the way -- to gently free us from beliefs and habits that may be holding us back. All materials are supplied; all you need to do is show up.

While there is ample basic technique taught, the emphasis is on creating truly original art by intuition, and on learning to hear, recognize and act upon the inner guidance of your own unique voice. This session encourages abstract exploration but anything goes; portraits, landscapes or whatever emerges. This workshop is appropriate for both newcomers and graduates of Karen's other sessions. $20 fee payable to instructor on day of class covers the cost of supplies.

COST: $100 plus $20 supply fee

TEL#: 480-941-8310

CLICK HERE

To register and for directions to BRIO Fine Arts Center in Scottsale, AZ.

Congratulations

2011-03-19T16:31:00.000-07:00

Congratulations and welcome are in order to new associate members.
Marsha Lippert, Patricia Tuglus, Nancy Heindl and Harold Kirby.
Also our newest profesessional member, Janice Rangel.
Check out their bios and work on our website.

Bill Creevy

2011-02-22T05:30:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to our first honorary member. It has been officially announced that Bill Creevy was selected to be the 2011 inductee into the PSA Pastel Hall of Fame. This honor is awarded to only one artist each year in recognition of outstanding artistic merit and lifetime achievement in the field of pastel painting.
What a wonderful honor.

Congratulations to Tatiana Myers!!!

2011-02-18T13:28:00.000-08:00

Tatiana's oil pastel paintng "Iris Garden" is a finalist of International Artist Magazine "Flowers and Gardens" #62 art challenge/competition. This will be published in International Artist issue #78 April/May 2011. What a great boon for oil pastels and this is the second time an oil pastel has made finalist. Congrats, Tatiana.....

Competition

2011-02-12T13:04:00.000-08:00

Here is information about the Artists Magazine's annual competition.

The Artist's Magazine's
28th Annual Art competition

5 First Place Awards: $2,500 each
5 Second Place Awards: $1,250 each
5 Third Place Awards: $750 each
15 Honorable Mentions: $100 each

Nine finalists will be featured in “Competition Spotlight” inThe Artist’s Magazine; twelve finalists will be featured in “Artist of the Month” on our website; the works of twelve finalists will be offered on our website as desktop wallpaper. All winners and finalists will receive a certificate suitable for framing.
Winners will be featured and finalists’ names published in the December 2011 issue of The Artist’s Magazine.
For more information aboutTHE STUDENT/BEGINNER DIVISION
please visit http://www.artistsmagazine.com

PLUS—all award winners and honorable mentions receive a 1-year membership to NorthLight VIP Program.

Compete and Win in 5 Categories!
All entries must be postmarked no later than April 15, 2011.

Visit http://www.artistsmagazine.com for complete guidelines and to enter online.

Interview with Stephanie Neely

2011-02-12T08:08:00.000-08:00

Great interview with one of our signature members. Stephanie talks about her art and how she got started.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSiYKOTb7kE

Congrats to Anita Gersch

2011-02-08T13:11:00.000-08:00

Anita's painting of the dog "Sitting Pretty" was accepted into Art Show at the Dog Show on Wichita, KS and in conjunction with a very large AKC dog show. This event is now in its 25th year and runs from 3/1 - 4/10, 2011.

Anita has also been accepted into the Academy of Equine Art and the Society of Animal Artists. All of these Acceptances were based on her work with oil pastels. Her painting "The View" is in the Ex Arte Equinus 4 show for 2011.

Great news for OPs.

Kudos to Russ Mackensen

2011-02-08T12:54:00.000-08:00

Russ has recently been accepted into the Oil Painters of America and the International Guild of Realism. He is probably one of the only oil pastel artists in these organizations. Great news for oil pastels.

George Shipperley news

2010-12-20T06:44:00.000-08:00

George will be holding a SUMMER WORKSHOP 2011 - July 14, 15, 16
at the Peninsula School of Art
3900 County F
Fish Creek, Wisconsin
920-868-3455
For more information, visit Peninsula School of Art or contact George Shipperley

Also in the Jan/Feb issue of The Artist Magazine is a full page article showing how George paintind the included still life. A great plug for the promotion of Oil Pastels.

Congratulations to Russ

2010-12-18T10:17:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Russ Mackensen! One of his OP landscapes was accepted onto the Richeson 75 landscape competition..

2011 dues

2010-12-18T10:08:00.000-08:00

I hope you're having a wonderful Christmas and holiday season with family and friends, keeping warm if you're in the colder climates! and thinking about how to get inspired for the New Year! One way to do that would be to sign up for the New Oil Spiel blog hosted by Pat Isaac. Be sure to leave comments and keep up to date on the happenings with oil pastels! Instead of the old version of the Oil Spiel, this will be a faster, more productive way to communicate with all of you.

We also have an Oil Pastel group on Facebook, hosted by Tatiana Myers, that has grown in the past few months with new members! Thanks to Tatiana and others who have opened this opportunity for other artists to learn more about our versatile medium!

News for the 2011 Members Only Show! Sennelier will be sponsoring the Sennelier Award of Excellence once again and sending their wooden box set of oil pastels (the big one!) to the chosen recipient! They have also provided an oil pastel category on their website for artists to upload images of their paintings!

2011 will be our 7th year online! Seems like only yesterday, a few of us were chatting online at WetCanvas and the idea for a Society was born! Today we can truly say that many of our goals have been reached but we still have much to do! Each year artists who have never tried oil pastels are finding what a great medium it is, entering shows and getting more recognition! Some have even captured attention in national magazines!

As you know, it's time to renew your membership! If you joined in 2010 after October 1st, your dues are already current and you do not need to pay again. I'll be posting a * (star) beside member names this year to help keep track of renewals. The information for renewing can be found on the website. A notice is posted on the front page at http://oilpastelsociety.com

I hope all of you will continue to support the Oil Pastel Society so that we can continue to further oil pastels as a fine art medium!

News from Luba Sterlikova

2010-11-26T05:37:00.000-08:00

One of Luba's posters made it as a finalist at the Abrau-Duro Sparkling Wine competition and will be presented at the exhibit in Moscow, December 1, 2010.
To see the posters, please go to this direct link.

http://www.lubasterlikovaart.com/id58.html

Enter your oil pastels....

2010-11-22T13:17:00.001-08:00

Richeson75 small works (144 sq. in or less) competition.
DEADLINE is 11/30.

Best in Show is $2,000 cash plus three 1000 merchandize certificates for 1st place (one for best miniature 25 sq. in or smaller)

AND two $500 prize merchandiise certificates.

Gallery exhibit, online exhibit and hard cover, full-color exhibit book.

Link for further info.... http://www.Richeson75.com/

Artist in residence program

2010-11-22T13:15:00.001-08:00

2011 Artists in Residence Program at I-Park

Application Deadline: January 11, 2011

The I-Park Foundation, Inc., a 450-acre natural woodland retreat

in East Haddam, CT, announces its eleventh season hosting its

multi-disciplinary residency program. Self-directed artistsâ019

residencies will be offered from May through November 2011, with

possible off-season sessions in April and December. Most

sessions are four weeks in duration. Residencies are offered to

creative individuals working in the following disciplines:

Visual (including Environmental) Art, Music Composition/Sound

Sculpture, Moving Image, Creative Writing and Landscape/Garden

Design. Work samples are evaluated through a competitive,

juried process.

There is a $30 application processing fee required. Accepted

artists are responsible for their own work materials as well as

transportation to and from the area. The facility is otherwise

offered at no cost to accepted artists, including a basic meal

program where most, though not all, of the food is provided.

Accommodations at I-Park include comfortable private living

quarters in an 1850â019s era farmhouse and a private studio on

the grounds. An abundance of power tools and equipment, musical

instruments and peripherals, site materials, an electric kiln,

wireless internet and library facilities are provided.

International applicants are welcome. To defray the cost of

travel, six $750.00 grants will be offered in 2011 to

international artists whose work is held in particularly high

regard by the Grant Committee.

Application materials will be available online as of November

22, 2010. For details, visit

http://www.i-park.org/residency.html.

In 2011, I-Park will also be hosting its third Environmental Art

Biennale as well as a summer Special Inter-Disciplinary Projects

residency. Application and program materials for these separate

events will be available online in late December.

For more information, contact I-Park by e-mail: ipark@ureach.com

or by phone: 860-873-2468.

News from Tatiana...

2010-11-13T05:35:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Tatiana Myers. Her oil pastel "Awakening" has been accpted as a finalist in Blosson-II International Art Conpetition. The show premiere will be in Naples, Florida Museum of Art in February 2011 and then it will travel around the US.

Open Studios

2010-11-12T05:18:00.000-08:00

Pat Isaac is part of the 19th Open Studio event in the building that houses her studio.

November 20 & 21, 2010. 11am - 5 pm each day. There are 60+ artists between 2 neighboring buildings. Art for sale, demos, refreshments, free parking. Come join the fun.

Karen Leeds studio toru

2010-11-05T14:27:00.001-07:00

Sonoran Arts League presents its

"14th annual "HIDDEN IN THE HILLS" Art Studio Tour"

Two Week-ends (6 Days)

November 19th, 20th & 21st

November 26th , 27th & 28th

Friday, Saturday & Sunday Hours: 10:00am to 5:00pm

Greetings!

The working studios of Karen Leeds & Bela Fidel will be Studio #26 for six days in the "Hidden in the Hills" Art Tour sponsored by the Sonoran Arts League. This year we will be four artists, one studio. We are pleased to have Joan Waters and Jane Nassano as guest artists. The show begins Friday November 19th week-end and continues the following week-end after Thanksgiving.

DIRECTIONS TO STUDIO

This year's "Hidden In the Hills" showcases the creations of 145 artists in 45 private working studios nestled in the hills and vales of the beautiful Sonoran desert throughout North Scottsdale, Carefree and Cave Creek. Visit the official web site to preview artists and customize your own tour on-line. MORE INFO HERE

DEMONSTRATIONS ... Bela, Jane, Joan and I will be demonstrating silk painting, oil pastel and soft pastel, acrylic and the ancient art of encaustic (hot wax) on Fridays & Sundays. In addition, Joan will be discussing her inspirations and how she creates her compelling metal scuptures. Last year our informative & entertaining demos drew large crowds.

HOLIDAY GIFTS & REFRESHMENTS ... Besides our larger works of art, we will have small original treasures suitable for stockings and holiday gift giving. Please come enjoy refreshments and drink, and browse through our galleries. We will have official show directories for other studios available on site free of charge.

Karen Leeds

www.karenleeds.com

Acrylic * French Dyes/ Silk * Oil Pastel

"Art is where I go to explore and to express; it's where

I lose my self, but find my way. In a world that grows

more complex by the moment, I yearn for simplicity

and clarity - the way light falls upon a leaf or leans

against an abstract symbol. I strive to understand

and to integrate my experiences and perceptions

through color, texture, shapes and forms."

LUMINOUS Acrylic, 60 x 48

Bela Fidel

www.belafidel.com

Oil * Encaustic * Mixed Media

"Discussing my manner of working

reinforces the knowledge that I

am an artist in love with the very

process of creating. Some of my

work is carefully pre-planned,

whereas other work is a direct

result of impulsive, creative

intuition".

"My Zen Series aims at showing

the elegance of simplicity, the

richness of colors and the depth

of minimalism."

STAND BY ME Oil, 24 X 24

Jane Nassano

www.janenassano.com

* Soft Pastel

"To create art is part of my purpose in this life. I see compositions for paintings everywhere I look and colors in places that no one else sees. When I see something that is visually pleasing to me, it makes me happy and I'm honored to be able to capture and share this with the world."

PERFECT ROSE, Soft Pastel, 53 x 53

Joan Waters

www.joanwaters.com

Metal Sculpture * Acrylic * Mixed Media * Public Works

"My work explores the ambiguity and dynamic qualities of metal, as I turn flat, hard, industrial steel into organic textures and forms that seem to shift and move as they reflect light. I use welding tools, hammers and grinders in the same way one would use traditional artist tools. I also create large abstract paintings and public projects from my Tempe, AZ studio."

FIREDANCE 1, Welded Steel / Patina / Enamel, 27 X 35 X 3

News from Shelley Schoenherr

2010-11-02T12:57:00.000-07:00

Shelley's oil pastel "Rosie's Gaze" has been accepted into the publication of Strokes of Genius 3 which will be published October of 2011. Congratulations!

Rosie is currently on exhibit in the History and Genealogy of the Williams County Library, Bryan, Ohio. Shelley has a solo exhibit of her oil pastels and pastels now through the holiday season at that location. (40 originials and 75 photographs).
She also received an HM for her pastel "Rain on the Hill" in the Pastel Journal's Pastel 100 this past season.

Q&A

2010-10-29T13:52:00.000-07:00

Question:
   I am trying to find out what the ingredients of oil pastels are, and if they are suitable for vegans. Vegans do not use any animal products, including beeswax. I have found some ingredients on the web, but they are not specific about the type of wax. Do different types have different ingredients? I do hope you can help.

Answer:

   Mineral wax, (okoezite) mineral oil and pigment. are the basic ingredients in sennelier oil pastels. There have been rumors of things like safflower oil in sennelier oil pastel products, they use this oil in there paints. However I have it on very good authority that they do not use safflower oil in oil pastels. They do in some of there paints.

Beeswax in particular would be a bad choice for oil pastels because of its rather hard nature. Some of the cheaper oil pastels do use this wax. If i where trying to stay outside of the realm of animal products.. My choices for oil pastel would be sennelier, Caran d'Ache, or holbein. in that order. Again the information in this regard that I have from the chief chemist at Caran D'ache affirms that they use a mineral wax, and oil in there products as well. Though I am not certain with Caran D'Ache what mineral wax they are using.

Other interesting waxes for oil pastel are carnuba wax - this is natural plant based wax. There are no current forumalations of oil pastel I know of that use this though. There is a manufacture that I can not mention at this point in time that is doing some research based on this wax in regards to oil pastel.

Robert Garrett

Oil Pastel Society Memership Administrator

Members Show

2010-10-29T13:36:00.000-07:00

Be sure to check out our Members Show. Click the link on our home page www.oilpastelsociety.com. Bill Creevy was this year's judge and he will be our first Honorary Signature Member to the OPS. Bill's painting style is representational and he is at home in still life, landscape and figure painting. His favorite medium is simply drawing, but has extensive knowledge of both pastel and oil painting. He is the author of "the Pastel Book" which has a section on oil pastels.
Sennelier will be giving us the 120 boxed set of oil pastels for next year's show. Their Award of Excellence will be added to our awards and they will have a link from the Sennelier site to the OPS.