October Pastel Demo at NETFAA

October has been a rather busy month, with several art shows and a couple of Pastel demonstrations at local art clubs. October 9th I loaded up some examples of pastel work, along with easel and pastels and headed to the North East Texas Fine Art Alliance meeting in Terrell, Texas. Every spring NETFAA host an annual paint out on the streets of Terrell and I was acquainted with this organization from the past two paint out events. (April of 2015 is the next NETFAA hosted paint out even – check their web site for details)

Steve Miller at the NETFAA October Pastel Demonstration finishing touches

NETFAA October Pastel Demonstration finishing touches

I appreciated the invitation to do a pastel demo and as with the annual paint out, I enjoyed meeting more of the NETFAA artist and participating in their monthly meeting.

The demo consisted mostly of explaining the process/method of working with pastels on sanded supports, Ampersand Pastelbord in particular. The demo included some explanation of completed pastel works, brief descriptions of hard and soft pastels, supports and framing materials.

As always I really enjoy a trip out of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metro-plex to the more peaceful pace of Terrell, Texas.

 

Steve Miller at the NETFAA October Pastel Demonstration completing thinner wash on Ampersand Pastel Bord

NETFAA October Pastel Demonstration completing thinner wash on Ampersand PastelBord

A few days later, October the 13th, I also did a Pastel Demo in Mesquite at the Mesquite Creative Arts Center. I really enjoyed meeting the people at this art club and the facilities there were very nice! During both the Terrell and Mesquite Demos I worked through the same process, materials and subject. I’m finding that working on the same subject matter several times allows more exploration of that subject, as well as the process. Below is the NETFAA demo piece, after I spent a bit more time finishing it up back in the studio.

Final Pastel Demo piece (finished up at Studio). This is on 16 x 12 Ampersand Pastelbord.

“This Old House…” Final Pastel Demo piece (finished up at Studio). This is on 16 x 12 Ampersand Pastelbord.