Artist’s Resources

My goal as a pastel artist is to keep improving my skills, both technically and artistically. And because I don’t believe in reinventing the wheel, it makes sense to learn from others who’ve done so already. Luckily with access to the internet, we have a wealth of information and resources at our fingertips! Though there is no beating getting your hands dirty (pun intended!) yourself, there is so much good stuff out there that you can use as an exercise, inspiration or resource.

The pages on the drop-down menu list many of the products I like to use, the YouTube videos, blogs, and artist schools I’ve found useful. Also check out my blog on this website, where I share my own experiences and progress. I hope these resources benefit you as well, in your creative journey!

This page is dedicated to the Art Societies I am currently a member of, as well as the schools and workshops I’ve personally attended.

Art Associations

• Pastel Artists Canada. Founded in 1989, PastelArtists.Ca is a member society of the International Association of Pastel Societies and a sister society to PSEC, Pastel Artists of Eastern Canada. The aim is to promote public appreciation of the renaissance in Dry Pastel, to improve the skills of artists working in this fine art medium and to promote fellowship among pastel artists. To that end, we paint together, indoors and out.
• Southeastern Pastel Society. The Southeastern Pastel Society was established in 1987 as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting pastel painting in the Southeast of the United States.  It sponsors many opportunities for pastel artists through Juried Open International Exhibits, Member Exhibits, monthly meetings featuring demonstrations and other topics related to pastel, workshops conducted by master-level pastel artists, and the newsletter, the DustBuster, which features all kinds of information valuable to pastel artists.
• Beaufort Art Association. Chartered since 1957, the Beaufort Art Association’s mission is to encourage, support and provide opportunities for creative growth for its artist members, as well as contribute to the community with aesthetic and educational experiences in the visual arts. The BAA also has a lovely gallery showcasing its members’ art in downtown Beaufort, right on Bay Street, that you won’t want to miss if you’re in the area. You may even run into me volunteering at the gallery here!
• Photography Association of Beaufort. The Photography Club of Beaufort (PCoB) was formed in April of 2005 by a group of local photographers in Beaufort, South Carolina. Club members participate in club activities including workshops, photo critiques, competitions, and field trips. In addition, PCoB members actively participate in the community providing photography services to groups including Alzheimer Family Services of Beaufort, The Beaufort County Animal Shelter and families of deployed U.S. Marines.

Art Studios, Schools & Workshops

• Attic Studios. Attic Studios is a large airy art studio in the heart of Bangkok owned and managed by, artist in her own right, Elsie Evans. The studio offers painting and drawing courses for any age or ability in a variety of media (oil, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, aquarelle, graphite, mosaic). There are weekly Life Drawing sessions and a host of art classes and lessons. Attic Studios give friendly and supportive instruction by internationally recognised exhibiting artists, with quality art equipment and materials, and artist memberships if you want to use the studio facilities.
• Amsterdam School of the Arts (Academy of Fine Arts in Education – AHK). This is where I received my Bachelor of Fine Art in Education, my Teacher’s Degree in arts and crafts, to teach high school level classes.  When I graduated in 1993, it was still called Teacher’s College D’Witte Leli, and became part of AHK in 2000. The mission of the ‘Academie voor Beeldende Vorming’ is to familiarise its students with the historical richness of the culture and fine art of the past. At the same time considerable attention is paid to contemporary art. Above all, the Academy sees it as its task to train its students to become professional, motivated and committed teachers. Based on their own fascination with art and culture, they learn to coach and instruct others and to guide them through the world of art practice and visual culture.