Summary

Barbara Wood has generously developed a free monthly pastel workshop at her home for interested artists. She supplies all the necessary materials, allowing participants to learn which brands of soft pastels they like best. She invites any interested artist to participate.

Barbara Wood remembers that over a year ago the Tempe Artists Guild had a speaker who offered a pastel workshop.  At that time, Barbara grumbled because of the workshop’s expensive materials list. Her irritation morphed into a wakeup call, Wood recalls: “I had been painting with pastels for quite a while and told myself: Quit complaining and do something.”  And she did.

Woods decided to offer an informal monthly workshop of pastels in her home.  She had the background to take this idea forward and make it work. Her love of teaching and an appreciation for the beauty of pastels had led her to buy all kinds of pastels.  She began acquiring them when she was teaching pastels at the Pyle Adult Recreation Senior Center before Covid.  She describes herself as “like a kid in a toy store” when it came to acquiring pastels.  Her idea for an on-going pastel workshop got a boost from the generous folks at the Art Resources Center (ARC), who gave her supplies for free or at very low cost.

Pastels are not for everyone.  Some folks, she explains, have asthma or don’t like to get their hands dirty.  But it turns out that there are plenty of artists who want to learn more about painting with pastels, and Barbara’s workshop offers them a fine opportunity to get better acquainted with this beautiful ancient medium. The monthly workshop is free of charge and located at Barbara’s home.  With her wealth of supplies, she claims, this is not a burden, and the effort is “very minimal”: “I just cover my big table with towels and take all the stuff out. The dust lands on the towels and they’re washable. I usually have a bottle of lemonade but no snacks.”

Barbara’s pastel workshop has been running for about a year and a half.  The workshop is set for the third Friday of each month from 1 to 3 PM. (Occasionally this meeting schedule requires adjustment because of holidays.)  Pastel devotees show up each month to experiment with new papers and all different brands of soft pastels.  Barbara offers advice when asked.  Those who come once tend to return again. The group is growing because it’s fun. Barbara invites anyone interested to come.  Contact her at:

Barbara Wood

921 East Driftwood Drive

Tempe

480-688-9627