Facebook Presence

I would like to announce that I have created a Facebook business page that I would like to invite you to become a fan of. The page title is "Karen Budan Pastel Painting Fine Art". I have linked my blog to this page so all entries will automatically show up on the wall. This creates another easy way for interested folks to follow my blog as a pastel painter. I look forward to having you as a fan on Facebook!

"Nap Time" wins Honorable Mention

The Arizona Pastel Artists' Association Spring Juried Show opened Friday, April 16th at the Sedona Art Center's Community Gallery. Although the entries are juried into the show by digital image, the judge, Vince Fazio, judged the awards Friday morning once the paintings were hung in the gallery. I was pleased to learn that "Nap Time" won an Honorable Mention. I was one of the show monitors Friday and Saturday and it was fun to see people's reactions to the little calf all snuggled down into the straw. He was fun to paint....and obviously fun for viewers as well!

Exciting News in Today's Mail

I just went to get the mail and found exciting news! My painting, "Market Colors" was juried into the Pastel Society of the West Coast's 24th Annual International Exhibit, Pastels, U.S.A. PSWC is one of the largest pastel groups in America with a number of professional artists as members. Their membership shows are competitive.....but this annual open show is very competitive and hard to get into. Needless to say.....I am thrilled. The show will be hung at the Art Museum of Los Gatos in Los Gatos, CA. from June 3rd through July 9th. What great news!!

Santa Barbara Workshop

I recently completed a week long plein air workshop with Richard McKinley in Santa Barbara, CA. I have worked with Richard a number of times, but this was a new group of pastel artists for the most part. I did find some old friends from previous workshops with Richard, Janie Hutchinson, Willo Balfry, and Linda Connelly. All three took part in the Italy workshop with Richard in 2008. This workshop was for advanced painters and with a few exceptions the participants had worked with Richard previously. The weather was mostly sunny....but not very warm. We also had a lot of wind which dropped the temperature. I tried to be in the sun as I painted to keep my fingers from stiffening up from the cold. Richard's goal for the workshop was to push each of us to the next step in our painting. I shared this goal....but I was also seeking help in bringing my landscapes to the same level as my still life paintings. I think I made some inroads into the issues that I am dealing with in my landscapes. More practice in application of Richard's input will hopefully make the difference for me. I worked on 5 paintings during the week. One of them was completed on site.....unless I decide to make any final changes. Here is "Carpenteria Bluffs". Let me know what you think!