Marsha Lyons
This summer, the PebbleCreek Art Club has featured paintings using the medium of colored pencil. Most of us are familiar with oil paintings, watercolor paintings, and acrylic paintings, but many are not familiar with colored pencil paintings. We are so appreciative of the fourteen artists who have participated in this display. Those participating are Judy Caruthers, Penny Cooper, Rana Cukierski, Susan Gleason, Margaret Hulbert, Gary Kotula, Marsha Lyons, Gail McCabe, Desiree Mansell, Donna Mund, Loretta Pruitt, Charlene Romano, Sherri Van Schaick, and Dennis Whitley. As you view the artwork, you will see a variety of styles and some artists combining pencils with other mediums to accomplish their pieces. Most of all, you will be amazed that this work is done with colored pencil.
Why work in color pencil? Desiree Mansell says, “My favorite art mediums are colored pencil and watercolor—virtually on the opposite ends of the art continuum! I find colored pencil very relaxing, as long as you stay in the moment and don’t think about how much more you have to do to complete your art! Adding the many layers of color slowly and with varying degrees of pressure, gives your colored pencil painting gradations of color and adds depth and texture, unlike any other art medium! I love depicting living things with wings—such as birds, butterflies, and penguins. Yes, penguins technically and scientifically have wings! I call them my winged inspiration! Winged creatures take flight to varying degrees and make my spirit soar! Colored pencil paintings best depict these winged creations both in the realistic and abstract forms.”
Many who work with colored pencil agree with what Gary Kotula says. “Working with colored pencils for me is that they’re so forgiving. Unlike pen and ink, which I’ve been doing for 30 years, it is much harder to hide my mistakes. One can easily erase colored pencil with a CP eraser, brush away, and start anew. If I get a phone call, a knock at my door, all I do is set my pencil down. No rushing to clean my brush.”
The display shows all new pieces of art, so if you saw the display earlier in the summer, you will see different works now. Be sure and stop by the Creative Arts Center and view this display with a variety of work, along with the many other pieces of art in the building. This featured display will be up until the end of the month.
Though the PebbleCreek Art Club has featured colored pencil art this summer, the club offers classes in a variety of mediums. If you are new to PebbleCreek, or have been here for some time but have never explored the opportunities in the art club, check it out. You might discover an artist in you, and you don’t need to draw a straight line!