Pastel Workshop

My Mom and I spent last Saturday at a pastel workshop in Ojai at Bert Collins' studio. What an amazing teacher! I have never taken a pastel class. I usually just wing it ... which is a little tough when I am trying to teach other people how to do it! I usually think of it in terms of painting, but it's nice to know some of the actual technical clues to this medium. I have to say though, It will take a while before I am doing something really expressive without having to really think about what I'm doing every step of the way.

In this piece I did the same basic composition Bert did in her templet. (previous post) It saved time so I could focus on the technique, however I decided to make my drawing an end of summer/fall scene. Nice memory of our October day in Ojai. Mom and I had a blast and Bert Collins is one truly amazing woman! She is such a joy and truly a light.

"Just before the death of flowers,

And before they are buried in snow,

There comes a festival season

When nature is all aglow."

~ Author Unknown

"Today, I allow myself to be aided and guided

by those who have gone before.

Just as the mighty tree springs from the tiny seed,

my full flowering is rooted

in all that have gone before me.

I celebrate the continuity of life.

I am part of a larger whole and it is a part of me."

~from Transitions by Julia Cameron