Getting Ready for IAPS
April 28, 2007
It’s almost time for the Seventh Biennial convention of the International Association of Pastel Societies. It’s in Albuquerque this year, which is close to where I live, and that makes some things easier for me, particularly the two-day pre-convention outdoor class I’ll teach in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains.
I’ve attended every one of the conventions. It’s a wonderful event, a chance to meet lots of other pastel artists and talk about our favorite subject. Over the years, I’ve made friends with people I may see only at the conventions, so it’s like a reunion now. I often joke that I’d go just for the shopping in the trade show, where there are great bargains and wonderful supplies.
One of the events at the convention, which this year will be on Thursday, May 10, is the Paint-around. Five of the artists who will be demonstrating or speaking at the convention set up easels in a circle. They all bring painting subjects and their pastels. When the time starts, each spends 10 minutes beginning a painting with their own subject and supplies. Then the bell rings and each moves to the next easel for 10 minutes, and so on, finishing back at his or her own painting for the last 10 minutes. The crowd gathers around and cheers them on, cameras flash often, and the 10 minutes at each painting—where you must analyze the subject, determine the next steps, and work fast—go by amazingly quickly. At the end, all five artists sign all the paintings, and they are auctioned off with the proceeds going to the Education Fund.
I was one of the artists invited to “paint-around” at the last convention, and am participating again this year. I don’t know who the other artists will be, or what subjects they may choose to paint. It will be interesting and fun, though, no doubt about that!
The other exciting thing for me this year will be the release of my book at the convention. I’ll be doing my first book signings there. And I’m teaching two sessions during the convention itself, so I’ll be busy. But not too busy to meet with friends and have fun!
If you’ve never been to one of these conventions, you might consider planning now for the next one, which will be in May 2009 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.