Dear VPS Members,

The beautiful weather is here and it provides a special environment for those of you who love to paint en plein air.  Or, maybe you like to just paint on your porch!  Wherever you paint, enjoy your summer!

2016 VPS Juried Exhibition:

The 2016 VPS Juried Exhibition should not be missed.  The Compass Music and Art Center in Brandon has spectacular exhibition space.  And now it is full of breathtaking art from our pastel society.  It truly is a lovely exhibit.  Thanks to all who helped in achieving its success.  The Compass Center has been very accommodating and supportive of VPS.  We thank our jurors (Alan Flattmann (http://alanflattmann.com) and Karen Israel (http://artbykarenisrael.com) for selecting the art for the exhibit and our judge Christine Ivers (http://www.christineivers.com) for selecting the award winners.  The reception was very well attended and it was really nice talking to several of you from the more southern parts of Vermont.  An exhibition takes the work of many cooperative individuals.  Thanks!

At the end of this document, you will find a list of award winners for the exhibition.

VPS Website:

If you have been following this saga, we have been seeking alternatives to our old website.  Finally, we have a web developer working on one now!  We will roll it out to you soon, so be thinking about the art you would like to exhibit on the new website.  This site will allow you to manage your own personal information and upload your own images as well as making payments for membership and workshops.  But, before we can get everyone trained in how it works, we’ll handle the images the first time around.  More to come on this soon.   Remember, find us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Vermont-Pastel- Society-1526769437591380/?fref=ts

or on our BLOG:

http://vermontpastelsociety.blogspot.com/

 November 2016 Annual Meeting:

November 6, 2016 will be the date of the Annual Meeting which will take place in the afternoon in the White River Junction area.  Mark your calendar!  We will try to find some interesting entertainment, as usual, for this meeting.

Also, be thinking about volunteering on the VPS Board.  There has been interest in the President’s position, so we anticipate we will be voting in a new President in November.  But, if any of you are interested, please let me know.

We have a Membership position opening up on the Board.  The duties are as follows:

• Emailing notice of Membership Dues in December
  • Reminders end of January
  • Reminders end of February (If needed)
• Received and record member application and demographic information, including amount received for each member, on spreadsheet.
• Annually, work with Treasurer to reconcile membership records and deposit to verify.
• Process occasional memberships throughout the year
• Disseminates annual membership letters
• Works with Treasurer regarding deposits
• Disseminate VSP-wide emails as needed
• Record and maintain records of membership
• Reports as needed.
• Member of VPS Board

Note: Duties may lessen with new website as people start using it to enter their own membership information.  We anticipate new members will sign up and make payment right online. 

Other Board positions may become vacant, as well.

Board Planning Meeting:

 Each year before the Annual Meeting, the Board meets to discuss the following year’s budget and other potential events.  If any of you want to volunteer to organize a workshop in your area let us know.  The Board members are listed in this document at the top.  Remember if you organize a workshop the workshop is FREE for you.  We have a couple of very experienced members, who have repeatedly volunteered to organize workshops and I’m sure they could talk you through the process.  We also have procedures.  Lastly, if you do decide to organize a workshop, our Board is always available to help you along the way.    I just heard from another VPS member, that a B & B in Warren, VT would LOVE to be a location for an art workshop (http://westhillbb.com/).    Again, if you are interested let one of us know and we’ll add your proposal to our planning meeting.

If there is anything you’d particularly like to see VPS do in 2017, send along an email to one of us and we’ll share that at the Board Meeting.  And remember, volunteering is critical to achieving VPS activities.   Many, many members have volunteered this year to accomplish the success we’ve had with our exhibits!

As a member of VPS, you are always welcome to come to our Board meetings.

 Vermont Pastel Society Member Exhibit 2016

The following is a list of awards presented at the 2016 VPS Juried Exhibition at the Compass Music and Art Center.  Our appreciation goes out to Christine Ivers, the Judge of Awards for VPS.  She included a statement (below) regarding the exhibition in general.

Each award listed, is followed by a statement from Christine Ivers about her impressions of the piece.  Congratulations to all of our winners.  The exhibition is incredibly professional in appearance.  VPS has some amazing artists!

Juror’s Statement

First, I would like to thank VPS for giving me the opportunity to judge this wonderful show for awards. It was truly an honor and it was most difficult to choose the winners from so many wonderful pastels. From the moment I walked into your facility I knew I would be spending hours trying award only a few awards when I honestly could have handed out at least another five or six. The variety of styles, the skilled use of the medium, and the professional presentation of all of the artists involved made for a beautiful show and I commend all involved. I hope that you will continue to create more terrific work and help to educate others as to why we love to paint with pure pigment. Thank you so much again.

• Christine Ivers, PSA-MP, IAPS/MC

First Prize:

Diane Burns, “The Golden Hour”

As soon as I saw this painting I was awestruck with its dynamic composition and incredible use of color temperature. The vibrancy of light turning from the “magic light” of the sun to the subtle harmonies of beautiful shadows made me feel as if I were standing in the scene. The boldness and directional strokes pulled me to the destination that the artist intended. This painting was as incredible as “The Golden Hour” always is and is deserving of this show’s highest award. Kudos to the artist!

Second Prize:

Matthew Peake, “Overlook #26 Partners in Time”

Motion! Energy! The creative and imaginative way of looking at the world from a different angle made this composition filled with a circular motion of the figures, all the while in contrast to the geometric floor. The bold use of color complimented the piece, which kept me feeling that I was spying on the musicians and dancer from the balcony above. By truly “thinking out of the box” this artist has definitely found a creative niche that should inspire others to look at the world differently. Great job!

Third Prize:

Patti Braun, “Spring Run Off”

The dancing light on the waterfall contrasting the forest in luscious dark and vibrant color immediately drew my attention! The exceptional use of color choices in the lit and shadowed sections of the painting made me feel the perspective of the water and cascading rocks. I particularly loved the use of the violets in the shadows, which made what are normally overlooked supporting actors, such as the rocks, come alive with those delicious strokes of color. Excellent presentation as the wooden frame seemed to be part of the composition. Beautiful piece. Congratulations!

 Honorable Mention: The Philip M. Danylik Memorial Award sponsored by Christine Ivers

Jean Pollack, “KaBOOM….pshhhhhh….”

It wasn’t only the crashing wave or the excellent composition that drew me into the scene; it was the fantastic rim light on the rocks that spoke to me! The use of alizarin and violets against the warmth of the sand and sky is absolutely beautiful and kept me looking deeper into the areas that were almost imperceptible shadows. Motion and power contrasted by a serene sky and gentle sand makes for a powerful work. Totally enjoyed this terrific piece.

Honorable Mention: sponsored by Otter Creek Frame Shop of Middlebury

Carol Eberlein, “Sunshot”

The contrasting aspects of this painting were what drew me to it the moment I saw it. Bold, defining strokes, a spectrum of values and the flickers of light on the horizon and trees gave me the feeling that night was falling or that a storm might be coming in. I enjoyed trying to figure out which of those two scenarios this painting might be trying to convey, which I found interesting enough to make me linger with it. Striking is how I would describe the artist’s approach and I hope to see more of her work in the future. Congratulations!

Honorable Mention: sponsored by Phoenix Bookstore of Burlington

Kathrena Ravenhorst-Adams, “Autumn Reflection”

The abstract qualities and the freedom of the artist’s strokes were what first caught my attention in this work. The movement and serendipity that was achieved in this painting is wonderful! “Bouncing” light that created the bold reflections, the artist’s use of the extreme light and dark values, and the color temperatures that gave the piece depth, are a true testament to her skill as a painter. The simplicity and tone of the painting is beautiful yet difficult to achieve. I applaud Kathrena for creating such a memorable piece.

Honorable Mention: sponsored by Zephyr Designs of Brattleboro

Norma Jean Rollet, “Garden en Plein Air”

The atmospheric perspective in this painting is telling me much more about the artist’s ability to give her viewer a true taste of depth in a landscape. From the softness and coolness in the background hills to the crisp strokes that make the flowers in the foreground jump out at you in the composition, these techniques alone absolutely makes this painting worthy of recognition. Add to that the use of value and temperature to create a piece that is not only beautiful but shows just how beautiful the medium can be. Truly deserving on an award.