art show

The Biggest Pastel Party On The Planet!

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In 17 days The International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) is hosting the biggest pastel party on the planet in Albuquerque, NM from June 16th – 21st.

If you are in the area, the PastelWorld Exhibit is open to the public. This exhibit will showcase nearly 170 artist from across the globe! It is held at the Hotel Albuquerque on June 18th 9-9, June 19th 9-9, June 20th 9-6.

The exhibition showcases an incredible range of artwork, reflecting both the remarkable quality and the impressive diversity of the pieces selected for this show. It is my honor and privilege to serve as the Exhibition Chair for this event.

The event kicks off with the Convention Opening Reception and Artist Award Ceremony on June 17th.

There is so much happening at this event:

  • Dueling Artist Demos – is four sets of two artists painting from a shared
    reference. The audience can walk around each pair, watch them demonstrate and engage with the artists.
  • Artist Workshops and Demos
  • Autograph Book Signing- meet with and get autographs from your artist friends and hero’s!
  • The “Candy Store” – a vendor hall featuring world-class pastel
    brands, premium papers, tools, and accessories, many available to try before you buy. Enjoy live demos, product launches, artist meet-and-greets, and exclusive convention-only
    specials.
  • Fiesta Night – mix and mingle with pastel societies across the globe. Societies bring their A game with elaborate set ups and costumes.
  • Society Grants – IAPS is committed to promoting pastel and honoring those who have achieved notable accomplishments in the pastel medium. Every two years at the IAPS Biennial Convention, the final grant projects are presented at the Friday Night Fiesta.
  • The Honors Banquet – This is a chance to give special recognition to our legends, volunteers, Master Circle and Eminent Pastelists honorees. With a glimpse into the future.

Can you tell I’m excited about this event! I’m counting my sleeps until the day I leave. It will be a family event as my daughter will be coming as well!

A little about The International Association of Pastel Societies – The cornerstone of IAPS is our commitment to fostering connections and facilitating the exchange of ideas. We believe that by coming together, we can elevate the art of pastel and support each other in our artistic journeys. We are s dedicated to fostering a global community of pastel artists and advocating for this unique art form.

Join Me: Art Exhibitions, Paying It Forward, and Learning

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Wishing you all a safe, happy, and prosperous New Year! Recently, I reflected on the joys and gratitude of the past year, and now I’m excited to share what’s ahead. I’m looking forward to the serendipitous moments that unfold along the way, opportunities to gather with fellow artists, plenty of experimentation, and the lessons that come with it all.

  • I’m honored to serve a second term as President of the Arkansas Pastel Society (APS).
  • I’ll also continue paying it forward by teaching at LifeQuest of Arkansas.
  • I’m especially excited to once again exhibit alongside my daughter in Architecture • Rust • Treasures at the Argent Library in Little Rock, Arkansas.
    • Opening Reception Friday, March 20 at 5:00pm – all are welcome.
    • This occurs during the Friday Art Walk in the Argenta District.
  • I will have a few pieces on display at Arts on Main in Van Buren, AR hosted by the Ozark Pastel Society.
  • Architecture • Rust • Treasures show will then move to the Rialto Gallery in Morrilton, AR
    • Opening Reception Thursday, May 21 at 4:00pm – all are welcome
    • This occurs during the First Farmer’s Market of the year.
  • June brings the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) convention — the biggest pastel gathering on the planet! Artists from around the world will meet in Albuquerque, New Mexico for a week filled with workshops, demonstrations, art supply vendors, and the Pastel World Art Show.
    • I’m both honored and a little nervous to serve as Exhibition Chair this year. The role includes planning, organizing, assembling a team, hanging the show, walking the exhibition with the judge, and so much more.
  • July is our APS Non-Juried Member Show.
  • November is our APS Juried Member Show and Workshop with artist Aaron Scheurr

In between it all, I’ll be spending time in the studio, with family and friends, and embracing new adventures.

Cheers to the New Year

Caprise

A Wonderful Evening at the 2025 OPS Member’s Exhibition

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What a beautiful night at the 2025 Ozark Pastel Society Members’ Exhibition, hosted at ACHE in Fort Smith! The staff did a phenomenal job with every detail—hanging the artwork, arranging delicious hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, setting the mood with music, and welcoming guests with the sparkle of Sissy’s Log Cabin Fine Jewelry.

The exhibition showcases 98 paintings by 26 talented OPS members, and I was honored to have four of my own pieces included.

It was also a wonderful surprise and a true honor to see paintings created during the Rust Workshop I taught for OPS artists now hanging in the exhibition. Watching those works come to life in class and then take their place in the gallery was deeply rewarding.

Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed watching live demos by Diana Harshbarger, Burneta Venosdel, and Susan Hurst, each creating beautiful pastel works while chatting with visitors. The hands-on pastel table, hosted by Jeanette Foreman and Julie Mayser, was a constant hub of creativity and fun. A big congratulations goes to our own Anne Parat, who won the $1,400 jewelry bracket from Sissy’s Log Cabin!

Special recognition also goes to our award winners:

  • People’s Choice Award: Randall Kronblad for On the Way to Evening
  • Julie Mayser’s Painting: Field of Dreams

If you haven’t seen the show yet, there’s still time! The exhibition will be open to the public through November 18 in the West Gallery at ACHE, 1000 Fianna Way, Fort Smith, AR (479-434-4400).

A heartfelt thank you to all the OPS members who worked so hard to make this event such a success.

  • Hands on Table
  • One of the paintings created in the workshop I taught.

Mark Your Calendar – I’m Showing at Arkansas College of Health Education

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I’m excited to share that I’ll be showing my work at the Arkansas College of Health and Education from September 11 through November 18. This is part of an exhibition by the Ozark Pastel Society.

Location: Arkansas College of Health Education (ACHE) Event Center 1000 Fianna Way, Fort Smith, AR
Hours: Meet the artists, Opening Reception, on Thursday, September 11, from 5:00pm – 7:00pm

This is a great chance to see four of my paintings — including a new piece, “Peace Maker”. I’ll be there to chat, answer questions, and connect with fellow art lovers. There is also an exclusive Trunk Show by Sissy’s Log Cabin.

If you’re in the area, I’d love for you to stop by and say hello. Bring a friend or two — it’s a great event for discovering local art and creativity.

Thanks, as always, for being part of my art journey. Hope to see you there!

“Generations” A Mother and Daughter Exhibition – Take 2!

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Evelyn and I are excited to announce that “Generations” will be on display at the newly renovated Rialto Community Arts Center in Morrilton, AR. We are thrilled to be a part of bringing art back to the community where we live. We will be adding a few new pieces to the exhibit.

Opening Reception on Thursday, May 16, 2024, from 4 pm to 7 pm

2nd Reception on Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 4pm to 7pm

Rialto Community Arts Center Gallery

215 E. Broadway Street

Morrilton, Arkansas

Generations is an exhibition that celebrates art and the special bond between mother and daughter through their love of art.  Generations is about sharing the love of art, imagination, and creativity and how this passion has been passed down through the generations of our family. 

The exhibition is a collection of old structures that have stood for generations, some of which belonged to our family.  A series of old rusty vehicles which began with a 1951 Mercury converted truck bed we found on our homestead. The other pieces demonstrate a variety of art mediums and genres, such as oil, pastel, pencil, ink, and printing, reflecting the diversity and versatility of our art.

Photos of three murals we did together at the Museum of Automobiles on Petit Jean Mountain are included in the exhibition.  It was an honor to be asked to use our creative talents to create these pieces at such a special place.

At four years old, Bearrett, the third-generation descendant of the Cooper family, is stepping up to the easel with his first painting “The Black Hole”. 

We hope the artwork in this exhibit, and the generations that brought it to life, find you inspired, moved, and deeply touched. 

The exhibit will be on display from May 16, 2024 – July 12, 2024.

The Gallery is open Saturday’s from 10 am to 2 pm.

Contact the Gallery for hours during the week.