May 2005
News from Membership
Some of you have probably wondered what is considered or how the Panel makes a decision on requests for the Professional category. If you applied for membership at the unjuried level of Associate, at any time you feel that you meet the requirements for Professional, you may submit a request to be juried by the Admissions Panel. Or, if you are reading this and have not yet decided to apply for membership, we hope this will answer some of your questions.
Currently you will see on the site -
"Professional Membership is a juried level for artists whose artwork shows a high level of expertise with oil pastel on a professional level." After discussion, the panel has submitted the following to add a broader explanation to the process of considering each applicant for the Professional category and will replace the current statement.
"The Professional level of membership is to recognize artists who have achieved a high degree of professionalism in their work. The images submitted for review should demonstrate a mature style and a consistency of vision in one’s approach. Regardless of style or subject matter, the artist should show a confident handling of the oil pastel media with a strong command of composition, values and color.
Although, not the most important part of the panel's deliberation, the bio is an important aspect of the artist's application and should include some evidence of show or gallery participation and who the artist studied with, be it college, self-taught, or mentored."
Currently on the site,
"Signature Membership, and the ability to add the O.P.S. initials after the artist signature, will be the achievement by an artist in reaching a level of excellence, both in their artistic creativity and in the use of oil pastels as a fine art medium."
If you're an active Professional Member, you are eligible to submit your application for Signature Membership by March 1 or September 1 of each year. We have had a few suggestions that Signature membership should be juried by digital images in the same way as the Professional level. However, in keeping with the standards set by other Societies and Art Associations, the Signature level will be judged by consideration of slides and bio. As all of you know, monitors vary in color settings and images on the computer screen can vary. Slides are still the most accepted and reliable way of viewing an artist's work.
The site will reflect the additional comments of the panel beginning May 15. If you have questions or comments, please email membership@oilpastelsociety.com
***REMINDER***
"Beginnings", The 2005 Oil Pastel Society Member Show
The deadline for member submissions is quickly approaching!! All entries must be received by midnight, May 15th!! We already have a number of artists who have submitted their artwork so don't delay!!
We are also excited to announce the Awards for this year's show!!
Best Of Show - Cash Award of $250
First Place - Cash Award of $125
Second Place - Cash Award of $75
Third Place - Cash Award of $50
Honorary Mention - Oil Pastel Society Merchandise
Viewer's Choice Award - To be selected by viewers online!
Please check the prospectus, which follows, for image size requirements!! and submission details.
2005 Member’s Show
The Oil Pastel Society presents the 2005 Member's Only Show:
"Beginnings 2005"
Eligibility: All Associate and Professional Members whose dues are paid for 2005
Entry Fee: None
Deadline for
Submissions: May 15,
2005
Submissions postmarked after that date will not be accepted.
How to Enter:
* Submit up to three (3) jpg images at 72 ppi. The longest length not to exceed
600 pixels.
* Images which exceed the size requirements will be returned if received before
the deadline.
* Images should be closely matched to the original artwork and not enhanced with
digital
manipulation. Images should be clear and of the best quality for viewing. Images
should
not include any background or mats or framing.
Art Details:
* Artwork cannot be more than 2 years old and must not have won any previous
prize or award in any other art competition. Current
artist gallery images on the OPS site are not eligible.
* If there is underpainting, the painting must be at least 80% oil pastel.
* Artwork must be original - conceived and created by the entrant. No artwork
created in a
workshop, class, or from published materials (such as art instruction books,
magazines, or
other copyrighted sources) should be submitted.
Judging:
All entries received which meet the entry guidelines will be exhibited in the
online show. An independent judge will make selections for awards.
Notification:
If you are an award winner, you will be notified by email before the show opens
on June 15th, 2005.
Send Entries to:
You may send a floppy or CD with your images to OPS, PO Box 390114, Snellville,
GA 30039. A delivery confirmation is recommended for all mailed entries.
You may send your images by e-mail to
ops2005show@oilpastelsociety.com
Please include your name/address and image title/size/support with your
submissions in the *body* of your email or on a separate piece of paper for
mailed entries. If images cannot be matched with the artist, they will not be
accepted.
Publication:
By entering, you give the Oil Pastel Society permission to publish your artwork
on the Oil Pastel Society website and in any other publication which features
"Beginnings". Any work published will be given proper credit at all times.
Terms:
Submission of entry automatically constitutes the entrant's acceptance of all
competition rules. The judge's decision will be final and no correspondence will
be entered into. Awards will be posted with the winning entries when the show
opens.
Questions:
Contact
coordinator@oilpastelsociety.com
Members, you might want to print out and keep these guidelines handy.
FYI - Terry Ludwig will be serving as our judge for "Beginnings". Terry is well-known for his landscape and figures workshops. He also manufactures his own line of handmade soft pastels. If you'd like to see his work, please check out his website, www.terryludwig.com
Welcome to the Oil Pastel Society!
New Associate Members:
Jane Anderson
Doris Bettin
Sherry Hantz
Nina Pickup
\Gail Willis
Featured Artist of the Month - Stephanie Neely
A conversation with Stephanie Neely
What attracted you to the oil pastel medium ?
I developed an interest in landscape painting a few years ago and began to explore the use of soft pastels as an appropriate medium. I found that I could not tolerate the dust and did not like the chalky consistency of the material. I had an introductory set of Cray Pas Oil Pastels in the studio which I decided to try and was pleasantly surprised with the results. I really enjoy working with Oil Pastels because the process of creating is more like drawing than painting but the results almost always resemble a painted surface.
Click here to read more of a conversation with Stephanie Neely
Member News
Luba Sterlikova's art on exhibit in Barcelona
Luba’s piece - "Negrita-Lavender" - oil on canvas - will be displayed in
a collective art show at Crisolart Galleries, Barcelona, starting April
28, 2005. If you happen to be in Spain, please visit the gallery at C/
Mallorca, 284 bajos, 08037 Barcelona -
España, ph. (0034) 934578785, www.crisolart.com.
Society Profile- Arkansas Pastel Society
Ann Tucker had the opportunity to converse with Catherine Spann, president of the Arkansas Pastel Society. She was interested in how this newly formed group had come about.
The Arkansas Pastel Society is a regional group that embraces both soft and oil pastels. They are having their first National Exhibition this fall with total awards in excess of $4000.
For more of this Profile on the Arkansas Pastel Society –click here
Competitions that Accept Oil Pastels:
The OPS is providing this information as a service to our members. No endorsement is intended. The artist assumes responsibility for reading the prospectus and determining eligibility.
Click here for the list of Competitions
Notes:
One way that all of you can help to make the Oil Pastel Society more visible is by placing a link from your personal website to the Society's home page or you can link to your artist gallery from your homepage. Feel free to use the new society logo as a graphic on your links page!
We are always in need of tips and articles to share with everyone. If you would like to contribute a tip or write a short article, please contact our Newsletter Editor, Ann Tucker, at newsletter@oilpastelsociety.com
If you have a new email address, please notify membership@oilpastelsociety.com so that our records can be updated and you don't miss out on any of the news!
And don't forget, Cafe Press has items for sale featuring our beautiful OPS logo and can be seen at:
http://www.cafepress.com/oilpastels
Your OPS Staff