Page 5 - PSC 2023 Mile High International Show Catalog

Rita Bhasin
Anne Cooper Salazar
Message from the Co-Chairs of the 19th Mile High International Pastel Exhibition
We hope you will enjoy your visit luxuriating in the sometimes bold yet sometimes subtle pastel paintings. The Mile High International Exhibition has been a staple event for the Pastel Society of Colorado, with this our 19th show! Talented artists from throughout the US submitted their artwork, and our judge/juror Aaron Schuerr selected 84 paintings. This year’s exhibition has a wonderful selection of impressive luminescent paintings in a variety of styles and subjects; there are landscapes, urban scenes, portraits, and still life rendered in realistic and abstract form.
This is an example of the breadth of the possibilities of pastel painting, which is an art form that has been around for centuries. It was made popular by some of the best impressionist artists such as Degas, Renoir, and Cassatt. Pastels come in a wide range of colors, and artists use them to create vibrant, textured artworks. It’s a very tactile, hands-on medium. Paintings are created by using pastel sticks, which are formed from dry, pure pigment powders bound with a liquid binding solution. Working with pastels is not complicated, and it is fun to learn the techniques of strokes, smudging, blending, etc. across various types of surfaces, building layers which leave hints of the underlying colors.
We want to thank the Pastel Society of Colorado for its dedication to promoting the use of pastels as a medium for fine art and encouraging the growth and development of artists who use pastels. The PSC functions thanks to the many volunteers which make up the organization. We would like to thank all the volunteers who have helped this exhibition come together. First and foremost we thank Ivadell Marie, PSC Co-President for her guidance. We thank Jeannette Stutzman for her tireless work as our Webmaster and many other tasks. There are many others we owe thanks to: Nicole Huggins as Volunteer Coordinator, Workshop Chair Jane Christie, Treasurers Susan Hommel and Doug Graybeal, Awards Chair Josh Runyon and committee members Diane Ceynar and Ivadell Marie for acquiring the Sponsors for the exhibition and organizing the Award distribution and packages. Thank you to our Sponsors. Also, last but not least, thank you Aaron Schuerr for his work as a judge and juror and the 3 day Workshop “Direct, Simple, Fresh & Honest”.
We thank all the artists for submitting artwork for the show and congratulate those whose work was selected for the exhibit.
Rita Bhasin & Anne Cooper Salazar