Art supply order!

After a self-imposed hiatus of nearly two years, I splurged and ordered a BUNCH of new art supplies.

As a pastel painter, I always want to try another brand to see how I like them and if their colors will be the resplendent glories I imagine. The problem is I probably will like them and then I'll simply need EVERY color in the line. Since I began pastel painting in earnest, I dreamed of the day when I'll order the complete set of some brand of my choosing. What a day that will be!

Diane Townsend's Soft Form Landscape sets A and B were my selection this order. They are beautiful and the sticks handle well on the Pastelbord I have and the Hahnemuhle velour paper. Lovely. If there's any negative it's the selection in these sets - a LOT of muddy warm greens that I seem to have too many of in my general pastel collection. If you're looking for a go-to set to bring with you on a plein air painting outing, this would not be my set. Instead I'd bring the Sennelier plein air 80 half stick set. The colors are perfect.

At a workshop with Deb Quinn-Munson, she mentioned that she uses Cretacolor hard pastels rather than Nupastels. I figured I'd give them a shot and so far so good. The color assortment is just beautiful!

Since the pastels arrived I've been squeezing in painting time. So far so good. Love getting new supplies. What a treat it is!

Surfaces for pastel

Tonight I'm doing a demonstration for the Foxboro Art Association.

©2011 Kim Morin Weineck
BRANT POINT ROSES
original pastel, 5x5" Sold

I have to say that I love doing demonstrations. Standing up in front of a group and discussing your talent is a sure-fire way to solidify how you work.

I'm taking the girls with me to Jerry's Art-A-Rama this morning for a fun materials buying spree. A little art supply fix also is a sure-fire way to get inspired about your medium!

©2011 Kim Morin WeineckSCONSET PATH
original pastel, 5x5" Sold

The focus of tonight's demonstration is about pastels and contrasting the various surfaces available.
There are so many but my time will concentrate on Sennelier's Pastel Card, Clairefontaine's Pastel Mat, UArt paper, Wallis paper, and perhaps Canson Mi-Teintes paper (I never know how to pronounce that last one.)

©2011 Kim Morin Weineck
PASTEL MARSH
original pastel, 5x5" Sold

More information on supplies I use in making pastel paintings as well as sources for everything can be found here on my blog.

I enjoy making pastel paintings thoroughly. It's my hope that tonight's demo will impart this joy to other artists. What a wonderful opportunity!

Asking for your vote

Click on Jerry to vote!

Today I received an email from Jerry's Artarama, a wonderful source for art supplies, informing me that I have been selected one of seven finalists to be their artist-of-the-month for June. I don't know how many artists submit their works to be juried into final selection, but I'm certainly honored to be considered.

©2011 Kim Morin Weineck
SUNLIT HAY
original pastel, 20x9"

The news is also pretty exciting because the winner receives $65 in art supplies from their website or their stores. Yippeeee! All you artists out there know that art supply stores are like candy stores filled with inspiration and the materials to create all kinds of great work. $65 would be a fun little spree!!

I always go to the Jerry's location in Providence when I need something right away. (For those local to my neck-of-the-woods, Olga's Cup and Saucer nearby is a wonderful location for lunch or coffee and a snack after your art supply buying trip.)

©2011 Kim Morin Weineck
YELLOW MARSH GRASSES
original pastel, 36x12"

Hats off to Jerry's marketing department because now the onus is on me to get the word out to friends, family and my art fans about this little contest and in the process advertise all about them. Seems like a win/win in that regard, but still scares me because it's also a popularity contest.

©2011 Kim Morin Weineck
MARSH COLOR
original pastel, 36x12"

If you like, click over and vote for me. I would obviously appreciate it. You probably have to 'like' them first on Facebook, too. So many things to 'like', I know.

©2011 Kim Morin Weineck
NIGHTFALL
original pastel, 20x9"

Here's a link to the work I submitted for consideration by Jerry's. The paintings in this post are from the selection I emailed them a few months back.

©2011 Kim Morin Weineck
TUSCANY
original pastel, 4x4"

If you're an artist, email them some of your work and see what happens. It's a great shot-in-the-arm to be among those considered, get your name out there, and who knows what else!

Thanks for reading (and maybe voting for me, too!)
kmw