A “pear”antly by Lynda Campbell for Perfect Pear.

PEARS by Lynda Campbell.

A “pear” antly by Lynda Campbell, pastel artist.

“More often than not I’m noticing as I age, that the days are fleeting. Many are consumed with extraneous piddly stuff! They seem to evaporate. Is that what I want? Is that what pleases me? Those are 2 questions I ask myself. At this point, having some escape time is becoming more important. This happens when I pick up my pastels to paint. It is therapeutic and relaxing whether or not a successful painting evolves.

My interests vary as often as the seasons. I’ve found over the years I am attracted to organic shapes and contortions. In winter lab time I often look at gourds and especially PEARS. The oval, earthy shapes are appealing and sensual.

I’ve worked in soft pastels about 14 years. They allow a wonderful, immediate, vibrant palette of colors. I tend to be bold. I lean more towards impressionism.

There is such a great feeling when escaping into a piece. Time disappears. Very few efforts result in a masterpiece but I’ve occasionally had a satisfying conclusion.

With that mention, you notice I’ve accumulated a few observations of PEAR motifs. Some share a bit of humor, all share a pleasurable painting experience for me.” —Lynda Campbell

PEARS by Lynda Campbell.

Lynda Campbell, pastel artist, has worked in the medium for about 14 years. She has a BS degree in Art Education from the University of Oregon. She has lived with her husband and children in Seaside for almost 50 years. She spent the majority of her 24 teaching career years as an Art Education teacher primarily in Broadway Middle School in Seaside Oregon. She was fortunate to start a formal Art Education program in Briggs Junior High in Springfield, Oregon and Seaside High School.

Over the years she has taken classes and workshops from various known artists. Eric Weigardt, Shirley Dahlsten, Tom Benenati, Royal Nebeker, Marla Bagetta, Susan Ogilivie and has appreciated having Kathy Moberg as a mentor.

10708827d158f22c8a1fdbc8180aa257--pastel-art-pastel-paintings

Her work has been represented in several local galleries over the last 12 years from Astoria to Cannon Beach and collected by various private patrons. She has had awards and recognitions for her soft pastels.

Q: What are pastels, you ask?

A: A pastel consists of pure powdered pigment and binder in a stick. It’s basically the same pigment that is used in all art mediums. In appearance, it’s sort of a cross between a stick of chalk and a crayon. They are held in the same way that you would hold a pencil, crayon or paint brush.

Renaissance masters, such as Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1510) and Michelangelo (1475-1564), used chalks for drawing, and it was from this that pastel developed.