It’s not unusual for people to ask about the medium of my work, and be surprised to hear that it’s pastel. Many hold the misconception that pastel means soft, milky colors that easily fade. But pastel doesn’t mean “baby blue” or “barely-there yellow.” Instead, pastel describes the medium that transfers the colors onto the surface (in my case, acid-free artist paper). Pure pigments, bound by gum tragacanth create the dense blocks or sticks of color called pastels. The word pastel comes from the Italian “pastello,” or, “paste.” Today, this paste comes in a huge range of color values. Color scales and styles of pastel artwork vary as widely as the artists who use them. While oil paint is a heavier medium, and the one most commonly associated with museum pieces, famous artists have used pastels to create finished works for centuries. It is wonderful to hear someone overdosed with oil painting after oil painting exclaim: “Oh! There’s a pastel!”

As with any valuable artwork, when you’ve purchased a pastel piece, you will want to protect it. Most reputable framers will recommend a high-grade non-glare glass to be spaced just slightly away from the actual surface of your artwork. Fading is no more a problem with pastel than with any other painting medium. ANY painted artwork should be kept out of direct sunlight, and surrounded with acid-free materials.

Properly cared for, your treasured pastel art can be handed down and enjoyed through multiple generations.

For a more comprehensive description of this medium, visit pastelsnm.org or pastelsocietyofamerica.org.