IAPS AWARD

Whoo hoo!!! I just got off the phone with Paula Ford, Chair for IPS, the  International Association of Pastel Societies 2012 Web Show. She announced that I have won an Honourable Mention in the IAPS 2012 Web Show. I am thrilled to bits!!

I was so happy when I received an email from Paula back on 15th November informing me I was accepted into the show with my pastel, Remembering Those Days. This was a piece I almost didn’t enter! Am I ever glad I deliberated further and decided, yes, it was good enough.

So here’s the pastel:

Let me tell you a bit about this pastel. I was visiting my friend and artist Stephanie Birdsall in Tucson. She has an amazing studio – large, full of easels and activity with a beautiful view of the desert of Arizona. I can’t believe I don’t have a photo of the inside of her studio but here’s one of the view:

While I was visiting, Stef was in the middle of an oil painting that she was committed to finishing so I thought I’d better get busy on my own work. Hanging outside a wood case was a dress that looked like a prom gown from days gone by and I thought, why not pastel that? It looked so lovely with the soft light coming through windows. It turned out to be pleasure (and a challenge!) to pastel. All that fabric, frothy and semi-transparent, and all those delightful details of rose buds and pleats led to some serious looking! And now the end result is an award. Doesn’t get much better!

The great thing about a web show is that an artist can enter a painting, be accepted, but then not have to ship the piece to a venue. This gives many more people an opportunity and motivation to enter which of course means more competition so you can understand why I was so delighted to be accepted into the show. And now to have an award – pretty faaaaantastic! The show should be on the IAPS website in early December. As soon as I hear it’s up, I’ll let you know. I am eager to see all the entries!

Here’s some info about IAPS taken from the IAPS website:

The International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) is a non-profit organization representing pastel societies uniting in a common cause — to demonstrate the validity and quality of pastel fine art around the world. The coming together of pastel societies provides a strong voice for pastel artists and the luminous medium of pastel. The foundation of IAPS is based on networking and sharing. Individual artists benefit and expand their knowledge through the IAPS society of their choice.

And because I am full of gratitude for so much in my life, I offer you a YouTube TEDx clip that was sent to me today by my good friend Sandy. It reminded me to make sure I live each day fully and with presence.

And a Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends!!!

And thank you to ALL of you for reading, for commenting and for sharing my blog with others. I sure do appreciate it.

In gratitude,

~ Gail