Winter

Winter
10.5" x 7.5"
Soft Pastel
Casey Klahn

Winter is definitely here at the Klahn studio. I left some not-fully-dried clothes in the dryer overnight and they froze! Snow is on the ground, but not quite enough for skiing, yet.

Here is a hearty "Thank You" to all who are reading this new blog. One reader writes a question about problems using spray fixative on his pastels. BTW, his name is Chuck Kuhn, of Bainbridge Island, and his photography portfolio is a treat to view. See it here. Not only are his pictures well taken, but you may get a bit of the flavor of Northwest life on the islands of Washington State.

I'll try to put together a good post on fixative use from my own perspective soon. Stay tuned!

Bits @ Kahn

http://www.union.edu/Gallery/Archives/kahn_mason.html
The link above will take you to an interview titled: Separate/Together, Wolf Kahn and Emily Mason. I haven't read or seen enough about EM, or Cecily Kahn for that matter. In this interview, Kahn reveals some insight on the second generation of Abstract Expressionism and intuitive process, and about having an inherent color sense.

Read Lin Wang's blog post, The Dust on Butterflies' Wings-Wolf Kahn in Pastels. It is about the occasion of Kahn's installation at The Hoyt Institute of Fine Art. BTW, this is an interesting blog to read in general.

Best Pastel of All Time

Introducing: The Degas Award for Best Pastel of All Time.

In my considered opinion, the first Best Pastel of All Time Award goes to Edgar Degas for his The Green Singer. Executed in 1884 at the height of his artistic powers, this 60.3 cm x 46.4 cm pastel work represents a high point in Degas' application of color and in his portrayal of the female figure. The turquoise and orange compliments present a stunning motif, and the drama of the low angle (theater) lights on the youthful character please the imagination. The pastel work resides at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.

Congratulations, M. Degas. Would you consent to an interview for a future post?

Pastel Workshop Insight

Here is a blog entry about a neophyte (I gather) who took a workshop on pastels - except that the program was anything but the standard picture making approach! It provides great insight, and is fresh in more ways than one. I thank Lin Wang for sharing his experience.

Kevin McLatchy, pastel artist & workshop instructor.
Urban Art & Antiques Blog.

Vincent van Gogh on Pastel

Self Portrait with Cap
Black Chalk
van Gogh

"Pastel is a process which I should like to know. I shall certainly try it someday. If one can paint a head, one ought to be able to learn it in a few hours," van Gogh.

Agree?

Selected Pastel Artists

The pastel artists linked here represent the best that the medium has to offer. Enjoy.

Kim Fancher Lordier

Harvey Dinnerstein

Jim Few
Don't be distracted by the poor quality layout of this site. Few's art is among the best work anywhere today. His work, Sunday in the Park suggests space and modeled form with a great brilliance.

Sarah Blumenschein

Basic Pastel Techniques

If you have found this blog and hoped for a primer on pastel painting technique, I offer the following links:

Aileen McLeod at Suite 101.
About.com on Painting and Selection of Pastels.
Painting with Pastels.
Wet Canvas, except this is the "dry canvas" part. May require registration.
Squidoo Lens by Lisa Bachman.

These excellent links were chosen for the beginner's interest.