An Art Journey: Minis at the Arboretum

Sunday, October 05, 2014

Minis at the Arboretum

Yesterday the First Coast Pastel Society had our first plein air outing of the fall season at the Jacksonville Arboretum. We had about 14-15 folks turn out to paint, and the weather was glorious - our first sunny day in weeks I think.

I still don't feel very comfortable with plein air though I go because I love the fun and camaraderie with the group. I bought a 3-pack of Ampersand pastelmat 5x7 boards and thought they were just a perfect size to use for plein air, so I did the two pictures above.

I don't care for either one of them, LOL. but I still had a lovely day chatting with fellow pastelists, and a nice picnic lunch together.

In other news both of my 16x20 acrylics survived the jurying process and are in the "16x20" show at Reddi-Arts. Opening reception this Sunday, should be fun.

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ABOUT ME

: Name:Debbie Cusick; Location:NE Florida, United States

Debbie has loved nature and drawing since early childhood, and spent a lot of time drawing and coloring - mostly animals, and visiting art museums, encouraged by an artistic and nature-loving mother. At age 11 she won an art scholarship of a year’s free lessons at the Montclair Art Museum.

But Debbie veered away from art in her teen years. Her interests lay in more classical drawing, and more representational interpretations, all of which were totally out of vogue, and totally untaught, in those teen years. In her 20s she turned to quilting, and spent many years making quilts, primarily her own original designs.

But she still missed drawing, painting, and the fine arts, and in 2005 began to pursue this passion again. She discovered pastels and finally found an art medium she could love.

From 2005-2011 she continued to take lessons with Master Pastelists – first Alex Piccarillo at the Montclair Art Museum (Life drawing, figurative art) and later with Christina Debarry (still lifes and landscapes) at her home studio. Debbie owes a huge debt of gratitude to both Alex and Christina, to their fine teaching skills and warm personalities.

Debbie is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of New Jersey, and served as their 2^nd Vice President and Exhibitions Chair. In 2011 Debbie moved to northeast Florida where she just completed a 2-year term as President of the Art Guild of Orange Park, is a member of the First Coast Plein Air Painters, and also currently serves as the Webmaster of the First Coast Pastel Society , as well as a board member of the St. Johns Audubon chapter.

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