
2023 Monthly Slideshow Challenge
Congratulations to the Second Quarter Prize Winner: Shirley Vogelsong
June Challenge: Sunrise/Sunset/Nocturn

Susan Nicholas Gephart 11x14 Pastel on Multimedia Artboard

Joe Nadzady 22x28 Pastel on Artfix sanded paper This was done for a friend and his fiancé inspired by the sunset on the river in Harrisburg the evening before they immigrated to Israel.

Donna Housel 9x12 Pastel on U-art paper I took the reference photo while out walking pups before bedtime.

Susan Nicholas Gephart 11x14 Pastel on Multimedia Artboard
May Challenge: Flowers

Judy Leasure

Shirley Vogelsong I attempted to paint peonies on velour and found out it wasn’t very easy. It was hard to blend the colors for one thing. It was interesting though to see how the pastels reacted to the velour and the black showing through was good for shadows.

Denise Wagner A Plein air painting of flowers on Canson Artist Series Mi-Teintes Pastel Paper using soft pastels. The yellow ribbon and yellow flowers bring unity to the painting.

Judy Leasure
April: Fish
April is the beginning of fishing season here in PA. We could paint fish of any size, shape or color, and fish in tanks or fish in seas or ponds.

Judy Leasure

Jill Foster 6 x 6 As I worked on this painting, I came to the realization that I had used every primary and secondary color to some degree. It made for a very colorful painting and was really fun to do. The bright sunshiny yellow/orange seemed to shimmer through the water and work its magic as it touched everything around it. I used a free photo ref. from Michael Abraham.

Denise Wagner 8 x 10 Multimedia Board I used Carbothello Pastel Pencils. I'm showing the fish slowly moving out of the light.

Judy Leasure
Congratulations to the First Quarter Prize Winner: Denise Wagner
March: Birds
This month we were invited to paint birds of any kind, color, or size. They could be perched or parched or resting or nesting or flying away.

Stephanie Condon

Denise Wagner Pastel pencils and Nupastel

Brooke Peters

Stephanie Condon
February: Warm
February's challenge was to think of all things warm. What might be warm? A furry kitten or rabbit? A hug from a friend or loved one? A color like red? A mug of chocolate? A sunny day in San Diego? We were told to enjoy the warm feelings that come from creating art.

Shirley Vogelsong I find that puppies and dogs give me very warm feelings. Just looking at a dog picture gives me a happy warm feeling and just painting dogs I am in my glory.

Jill Foster Colourfix paper primed with micaceous iron oxide 7x5 When the sun is beginning to set and the last swim of the day is over, there is great comfort in having a small campfire by which to warm and dry one's body and swimsuit. And to look forward to enjoying an alfresco meal of roasted wieners with marshmallows for dessert.

Anna Crane 8x10 I think one of the best feelings in the entire world is smooshing one's face into a black cat that's been lounging in the sun.

Shirley Vogelsong I find that puppies and dogs give me very warm feelings. Just looking at a dog picture gives me a happy warm feeling and just painting dogs I am in my glory.
January: Then and Now
The challenge for January was to find a painting we did back "then" near the beginning of our art journey, and during January, create a similar painting for a "now" version. After we painted the new version, we studied the paintings side by side and answered these questions: What changes do you see in your work? What one change has been the most noticeable or meaningful? Do you have a definite style now?

Shirley Vogelsong 9x12 I feel I have gained a style since my first painting although it looks like I already had started to acquire it. Painting the second painting I felt more confident as I had the knowledge from years of painting on how to do it. The first painting was done on a smooth pastel paper and the second was done on sanded paper.

Shirley Vogelsong 9x12

Denise Wagner

Shirley Vogelsong 9x12 I feel I have gained a style since my first painting although it looks like I already had started to acquire it. Painting the second painting I felt more confident as I had the knowledge from years of painting on how to do it. The first painting was done on a smooth pastel paper and the second was done on sanded paper.