Artist's Statement
Pastel can be a line, contributing calligraphic and gestural quality to form, or it can be a tonal passage of color. Strokes can be thick or thin, passages of color can be narrow or broad with blended or precise contours. It can be applied in a myriad of ways. My intent is to use this language of line and color to communicate qualities of my subject while maintaining the unique integrity of the medium. My subjects present color opportunities that the rich color quality of pastel can amplify; color experience is always a significant characteristic of my paintings. My challenge lies in discerning and then communicating specific qualities of my subject without allowing the form to dominate. Pastel is a portable medium allowing me to continue in the tradition of artists working directly from a subject. My landscapes are plein aire. The working experience is linked with the ever-changing environment that presents variables of color, value, and texture. My larger still lifes, also tied to the seasonal year, are done from observation. My smaller still lifes are imaginary; my intent is to explore diverse subtleties of color interaction. Mary Padgett February 2010