Guest Speaker & Demonstration Tucson Pastel Society (TPS) (Fall 2024)

Invited to demonstrate and lecture!

Sponsored by the Tucson Pastel Society (TPS), this event will be held in the TPS Art Center in Tucson, Arizona. It is open to the general public and members of the guild. Admission is at no charge.

How to Use PanPastels®

Pastel is a medium used for sketching, drawing, or painting since the Renaissance, not an aesthetic. PanPastel® is the world’s first range of pastel colors that can be mixed and applied like paint. They are professional artists’ quality soft pastel colors in a unique cake-like or pan format. They may be used by themselves or with the pastel medium.

This demonstration will have PanPastels® available for the audience to experiment with throughout the demonstration. We’ll do some mark-making exercises focused on techniques specific to PanPastel® medium and then demonstrate how to use them with regular pastels.

Donatello. 5x7. Pastel and panpastel on paper by Christy Olsen.

Date & Time

November 20, 2024 (2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

Location

TPS Art Center
2447 N. Los Altos Ave. Tucson, Arizona 85705

About the Host

The Tucson Pastel Society (TPS) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization established to advocate and promote the pastel medium and have fun doing art in the communities it serves. TPS is an active and vital art organization for pastel artists to flourish, fostering the skills and camaraderie of its members while encouraging community awareness of dry pastel fine art by offering exhibitions and events. For more information, visit the Tuscon Pastel Society.org.

Post Demonstration

PanPastel Colors are a unique and innovative take on the traditional soft pastel medium, offering professional-grade pigments in a convenient pan format akin to a cake-like consistency. These high-quality pastel colors are designed to provide artists with a versatile and user-friendly tool for their creative pursuits.

Christy, an experienced artist and instructor, has shared valuable insights on the many ways these unique pastel pans can be utilized. From using stencils to build up complex backgrounds and layers to seamlessly integrating the PanPastels with traditional stick pastels, the possibilities for artistic expression are vast. The compact, stackable design of the PanPastel pans also makes them a practical choice for artists who need to transport their materials or maintain a well-organized studio space. Overall, the PanPastel Color system offers a fresh and innovative approach to the beloved medium of soft pastels, empowering artists to explore new creative avenues and push the boundaries of their artistic practice. Members were able to experience and play with the PanPastels and papers.

Thank you, Christy, for a great demonstration.

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Guest Speaker & Demonstration Tucson Pastel Society (TPS) (Fall 2023)

Invited to demonstrate and lecture!

Sponsored by the Tucson Pastel Society (TPS), this event will be held in the TPS Art Center in Tucson, Arizona. It is open to the general public and members of the guild. Admission is at no charge.

All About Degas!

Join us for an interactive demonstration! We'll cover Edgar Degas (1834 - 1917), a master pastelist during the late 19th century. It's well known that between 1874 and 1886, Degas participated in seven shows, now known as the infamous Impressionist Exhibitions.

However, what is less known is that Degas used monoprints as the underpainting for his pastels! Monoprints have a unique aesthetic, using a painterly process that does not require a large printing press or expensive materials. Try some of Degas' techniques. You'll be amazed by its simplicity and perhaps make a few discoveries yourself!

Before We Could Vote. 11x14. Pastel on sanded paper by Christy Olsen.

Date & Time

November 15, 2023 (2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

Location

TPS Art Center
2447 N. Los Altos Ave. Tucson, Arizona 85705

About the Host

The Tucson Pastel Society (TPS) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization established to advocate and promote the pastel medium and have fun doing art in the communities it serves. TPS is an active and vital art organization for pastel artists to flourish, fostering the skills and camaraderie of its members while encouraging community awareness of dry pastel fine art by offering exhibitions and events. For more information, visit the Tuscon Pastel Society.org.

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Post Event

TPS Newsletter included the following review of this event.

November Meeting

Review by Ellen Cholski, published by TPS, Vol. 9, December 2023. p. 1.

Christy Olsen was the guest speaker for our November meeting. She is a noted Tucson pastelist who is our vice president, a teacher at the Art Verve Academy, and an engineer with Raytheon. She has a B.A. degree in Art History and Anthropology as well as a B.S. in Computer Science.

All about Degas was the title of her interactive presentation. Edgar Degas was a French impressionist famous for his pastel and oil paintings, especially of dancers. He was also an avid user of monoprints in his paintings. While showing examples of his work, Christy shared that these monoprints helped him be painterly and loose.

During the demonstration

Monoprints or monotypes create an image that can only be printed once with sometimes one additional ghost image. Christy demonstrated how to make a monoprint. She uses Akua ink because it dries quickly and prefers Strathmore printmaking paper. First, she placed ink on a glass pane and then rolled the ink smooth with a brayer. Then she drew in the ink with her finger covered with a baby wipe and mentioned how a variety of devices could be used to make a design. Once she had her desired design, she placed paper over it and pressed the paper with a clean brayer to make the monoprint. This is printing without a press.

During the demonstration

Christy enjoys responsive drawing on paper that already has a design. Sometimes instead of a monoprint, she will use an inked brayer to make the marks for her background. Her advice was not to be meticulous and always experiment to make new discoveries. At the end of her presentation, we had the opportunity to either make a monoprint or paint on an already prepared monoprint. Thank you, Christy.

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Guest Speaker & Demonstration Tucson Pastel Society (TPS) (Spring 2022)

Invited to demonstrate and lecture!

Sponsored by the Tucson Pastel Society (TPS), this event will be held in the TPS Art Center in Tucson, Arizona. It is open to the general public and members of the guild. Admission is at no charge.

How to Find Your Colorfulness

Painting can be lots of fun; however, working with color is highly complex, with many elements to consider. Have you even introduced a new color in your artwork only to discover that something else is suddenly out of whack? Let’s try a new approach by introducing neutrals next to highly intense colors to make them more vibrant.

Feeder. 9x12. Pastel on sanded paper by Christy Olsen.

Date & Time

January 19, 2022 (2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

About the Host

The Tucson Pastel Society (TPS) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization established to advocate and promote the pastel medium and have fun doing art in the communities it serves. TPS is an active and vital art organization for pastel artists to flourish, fostering the skills and camaraderie of its members while encouraging community awareness of dry pastel fine art by offering exhibitions and events. For more information, visit the Tuscon Pastel Society.org.

Location

TPS Art Center
2447 N. Los Altos Ave. Tucson, Arizona 85705

Photo from the Event

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Guest Speaker & Demonstration Modern Quilt Guild (MQG) (Spring 2016)

Invited to demonstrate and lecture!

Sponsored by the Modern Quilt Guild (MQG), this event will be held in the classroom of the Quilt Basket in Tucson, Arizona. It is open to the general public and members of the guild. Admission is at no charge.

The Language of Color

Christy will walk us through color theory, including hue, intensity, value, complimentary colors, triads, and more, including some hands-on exercises.

Cactus. 5x7 Ink sketch on paper by Christy Olsen.

Date & Time

August 11, 2016 (6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.)

About the Host

The mission of Modern Quilt Guild (MQG) is to support and encourage the growth and development of modern quilting through art, education, and community. For more information, visit themodernquiltguild.com.

Location

The Quilt Basket (Classroom in the Store)
6538 E Tanque Verde Rd # 130, Tucson, AZ 85715

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Guest Speaker & Demonstration Southern Arizona Artists Guild (SAAG) (Fall 2015)

Invited to demonstrate and lecture!

Sponsored by the Southern Arizona Artists Guild (SAAG), this event will be held in the Kiva building at the Junior League in Tucson, Arizona. It is open to the general public and members of the guild. Admission is at no charge.

A New Approach to Color

Painting can be lots of fun; however, working with color is highly complex, with many elements to consider. Have you even introduced a new color in your artwork only to discover that something else is suddenly out of whack?

Let's try a new approach, choosing colors in the context of relationships rather than in isolation. With excellent tips and packed with lots of information, Christy Olsen will demonstrate her painting techniques and cover all of the basics needed to create a successful painting using the pastel medium.

Yellow Roses. 9x12. Pastel on sanded paper by Christy Olsen.

Date & Time

September 31, 2015 (9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)
Refreshments served.

About the Host

The Southern Arizona Arts Guild strives to provide a forum for the appreciation and advancement of the arts. Members of SAAG meet and socialize to facilitate the practice, improvement, and display of our talents. Composed of painters, sculptors, and creators of all manner of fine art, SAAG welcomes seasoned and new artists and individuals interested in the perpetuation of the arts in our community. For more information, visit https://southernarizonaartsguild.com/.

About the Location

The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. is a private, nonprofit educational women's volunteer organization aimed at improving communities and civil society's social, cultural, and political fabric. For more information, visit the Junior League.

Junior League in Tucson, Arizona

Location

Junior League (Kiva Auditorium)
2099 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718

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Guest Speaker & Demonstration The Drawing Studio (TDS) (Spring 2015)

Invited to demonstrate drawing!

Sponsored by The Drawing Studio (TDS), this event will be held in Tucson, Arizona at TDS. It is open to the general public. Admission is at no charge.

Open House

The Drawing Studio will be having an Open House at its new location! Come see their new digs! See samples of Christy's work and learn more about the classes that she will be offering. Beginners to Advanced Are Most Welcome! Other faculty will also be present with samples of their own artwork to discuss adult and youth classes offered this summer.

Jug. 9x12. Tinted charcoal sketch on paper by Christy Olsen.

Date & Time

May 17, 2015 (1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
Refreshments served.

About the Host

The Drawing Studio (TDS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that enriches people's lives by providing artistic inspiration and studio art instruction for people at any age (from 9-90+) at any level of experience. For more information, visit The Drawing Studio TDS.org.

Location

The Drawing Studio (TDS)
2760 N Tucson Blvd, Tucson, Arizona 85716
+1 (520) 620-0947

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Guest Speaker & Demonstration Tucson Pastel Society (TPS) (Fall 2015)

Invited to demonstrate and lecture.

Sponsored by the Tucson Pastel Society (TPS), this event will be held in Tucson, Arizona at the TPS Art Center. It is open to the general public and members of the guild. Admission is at no charge.

A New Approach to Color

Painting can be lots of fun; however, working with color is highly complex, with many elements to consider. Have you even introduced a new color in your artwork only to discover that something else is suddenly out of whack?

Let’s try a new approach, choosing colors in the context of relationships rather than in isolation. Packed with excellent tips and lots of information, Christy Olsen will demonstrate her painting techniques and cover all of the basics needed to create a successful painting using the pastel medium.

Italian Crystal. 16x24. Pastel on sanded paper by Christy Olsen.

Date & Time

September 5, 2015 (2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

About the Host

The Tucson Pastel Society (TPS) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization established to advocate and promote the pastel medium and have fun doing art in the communities it serves. TPS is an active and vital art organization for pastel artists to flourish, fostering the skills and camaraderie of its members while encouraging community awareness of dry pastel fine art by offering exhibitions and events. For more information, visit the Tuscon Pastel Society.org.

Location

TPS Art Center
2447 N. Los Altos Ave. Tucson, Arizona 85705

Photos from the Event

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Guest Speaker & Demonstration Pastel Society of New Mexico (PSNM) (Fall 2014)

Invited to demonstrate and lecture!

Sponsored by the Pastel Society of New Mexico (PSNM), this event will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the Albuquerque Museum in the Auditorium to promote the pastel medium. It is open to the general public and members of the guild. Admission is at no charge.

My Knight in Shining Armour. 19x25. Pastel on sanded paper by Christy Olsen.

A Systems Approach to Painting

Painting can be fun; however, it is a highly complex process with many elements to consider, such as line, value, shape, size, space, texture, and color. Have you ever modified something in your artwork to discover something is suddenly out of whack?

Let’s try a new approach! Packed with excellent tips and tons of information, Christy Olsen will show us how to work through the elements in the context of relationships rather than in isolation. She will also demonstrate her pastel techniques and cover the basics needed to create a successful pastel using a systems approach.

Date & Time

September 13, 2014 (10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
Refreshments served.

About the Host

The Pastel Society of New Mexico (PSNM) is a nonprofit art guild or arts organization formed in 1989 by a small group of artists seeking to promote the appreciation of the soft pastel medium and contribute to the growing arts community in New Mexico. Although PSNM is based in New Mexico, the membership now includes artists from more than half the states in the nation. For more information, visit www.pastelsnm.org.

About the Museum

The Albuquerque Museum, formerly known as the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, is a public art and history museum in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The museum is located in the Old Town area and is operated by the City of Albuquerque Department of Arts & Culture. For more information, visit the Albuquerque Museum website.

Albuquerque Museum in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Location

Albuquerque Museum (Auditorium)
2000 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87104

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Guest Speaker & Demonstration Tucson Pastel Society (TPS) (Fall 2013)

Invited to demonstrate and lecture.

Sponsored by the Tucson Pastel Society (TPS), this event will be held in the classroom at St.James United Methodis Church in Tucson, Arizona. It is open to the general public and members of the guild. Admission is at no charge.

Art Marketing in the 21st Century

The art market has been turned upside down in the past decades by the rise of the digital age. Explore past, present, and future art market trends. Learn how to sell your work online and the basics of what you need to be successful. No prior computer experience is required.

Elephant. 8x10. Pastel sketch on sanded paper by Christy Olsen.

Date & Time

November 13, 2013 (2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

About the Host

The Tucson Pastel Society (TPS) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization established to advocate and promote the pastel medium and have fun doing art in the communities it serves. TPS is an active and vital art organization for pastel artists to flourish, fostering the skills and camaraderie of its members while encouraging community awareness of dry pastel fine art by offering exhibitions and events. For more information, visit the Tuscon Pastel Society.org.

Location

Classroom at St.James United Methodis Church
3255 N Campbell Ave. #2304, Tucson, AZ 85719

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