Saturday, April 23, 2016

Plein Air Day in the Ventura Keys!



2016 was kicked off by the Pastel Society of the Gold Coast with a wonderful day of plein air painting and socializing at the home of member Sydney Kopeikin! 

The morning started a bit windy and overcast but being the coastal town Ventura is, the weather can be ever changing! The morning gave the members who arrived with their plein air supplies in tow, a chance to enjoy some visiting, along with coffee, fruit and pastries!

Next step as the wind died down ... find a spot to paint!


Yep, this was a fabulous view across the Ventura Keys! Up goes the tripod and pastel box!


Lucinda Keller starting with a vibrant watercolor underpainting ...


... before adding adding layers of pastel and details to the houses and boats on the water.


Little visitors!




Kale Starbird with her set-up looking across the channel ...





Lori Corradi, above sketching in her composition from a smaller field sketch, and working in her pastels below.





Judy Klement, finding inspiration in the beautiful boat across the way ...


Judy sketching in with pastels and pastel pencils ...



Donna Vis, going in close on a sailboat ...


It's wonderful to see what inspires us, and how we all choose differently, what to paint and how to paint it! It makes each artist unique and different.


Judy Klement's Field Sketch ...


What a gorgeous and fantastic day! Thanks Sydney Kopeikin!!!


Photography in the Ventura Keys by Lucinda Keller

This write up, below, talks about our connection with Camarillo Hospice.


And, just around the corner we will have members doing demos for the Spring Garden Tour! If you are in the neighborhood, check it out! It will be a beautiful afternoon!



For me, a landscape does not exist in its own right,
since its appearance changes at every moment;
but the surrounding atmosphere brings it to life - 
the light and the air which vary continually. 
For me, it is only the surrounding atmosphere 
which gives subject their true value.
~Claude Monet


Thursday, March 19, 2015

PSGC Plein Air Day at the King Gilette Ranch


What art offers is space ~
A certain breathing room for the spirit.
~John Updike

Santa Monica Mountains by Lynn Simon


Last fall Pastel Society of the Gold Coast had a wonderful day of plein air at The King Gillette Ranch, in the Santa Monica Mountains. What a beautiful place to create art and spend the day!



Above, a view from a little hike, down to the Ranch below.







The artists scouted the beautiful ranch, taking photos and getting inspiration for an afternoon of creating art! The morning was beautiful but windy, but it all worked out, as the afternoon was lovely and perfect for plein air.




After some visiting and an early lunch, they settled into their locations ...
Below, Lori found a beautiful spot!





Donna Vis' lovely view of the bridge ...


And a wonderful, colorful path by Nelda Gruenthal ...



A watercolor underpainting of the old 1920s stables (now visitors center) by Lucinda Keller ...


And then, pastels over the top!



Below, Donna Vis, Patrish Kuebler, Emily Goldfield, Lynn Simon, Lori Corradi, and Nelda Gruenthal. What fun!


For more information on the King Gillette Ranch, please click here.
For information about the visitors center, click here.


If one really loves nature,
on can find beauty everywhere.
~Vincent van Gogh



Friday, June 27, 2014

Passion for Pastels 2014 ~Thousand Oaks Community Gallery


Here it comes! Our biggest show of the year! 
Passion for Pastels 2014!
It opens next week, July 1st! 

"Wide Open Spaces" by Emily Goldfield


Thousand Oaks Community Gallery

2331 Borchard Road, Newbury Park (next to the library)
11:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Saturday
 (Closed on July 4th)           

"Heaven Above" by Donna Vis


PSGC has named Camarillo Hospice as it's charitable beneficiary for this year's show.  A special benefit drawing for free original art and other gifts will be held at the reception on July 13th with 100% of the proceeds going to Camarillo Hospice.  In addition, 10% of all sales made during the month long show will also be given to Camarillo Hospice.  

Camarillo Hospice is a volunteer hospice and grief counseling center dedicated to the dignity of life by providing free care, comfort, support and counseling to individuals and families facing a life-limiting illness and/or grieving the loss of a loved one.   All Camarillo Hospice services are provided free of charge.

"Afternoon Reflections" by Lucinda Keller


Our receptions are always a great time, and these works are but just a tiny sampling of our many amazing artists, in the Pastel Society of the Gold Coast! 

Meet the Artists Reception 
and 
Fundraiser for Camarillo Hospice:
                             
Sunday, July 13th, 1 - 3:30 pm
Meet the Artists!
Enjoy refreshments and watch art demonstrations.



The artist's world is limitless.
It can be found anywhere, 
far from where he lives or a few feet away.
It is always on his doorstep.
~Paul Strand

See you there!