The Harpist

I love Renaissance Fairs.  The pageantry, the actors, the performances, the crafts, the Old English accents, the jousting....all of it.

Discovering North Carolina's Renaissance Fair in Huntersville last October, I took photos of very obliging actors.  Sarah Marie Mullen was by herself outside under some trees playing lovely, uplifting Celtic harp music.  I was mesmerized and bought one of her music CD's and she politely tolerated me trying to take her picture, unknowing that I was thinking of painting her portrait.

"The Harpist", pastel, 18 x 16" ©Kim Werfel

I loved all the different textures here....the strings, the soft landscape behind her, her skin and hair.  Her expression was challenging, but I think I caught it and the lovely mood she created with her music.

The harp and trees create a strong composition leading up to her face.

Pastel is so versatile, it lets you create such a variety of moods....just love it!

Do you think I should let her know I painted her?  Let me know your thoughts....

Kim

my website

IAPS Recap part 1 - Artist Trading Cards!

From June 6th through June 10th I attended the IAPS (International Association of Pastel Societies) BiAnnual Convention out in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  What fun!

While out there I met Karen Margulis who introduced me to Artist Trading Cards.  I was intrigued with how she created them for pastels.  When I told her I didn't have any, she gave me a piece of pastel paper cut to ATC size (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") and told me to create one for her so we could "swap".

Me with Karen Margulis and her ATC's

After a long day flying in from North Carolina and then attending a lovely outdoor buffet dinner (sitting next to the live band) I returned to my hotel room and created my first ATC from a photo taken at the buffet just hours before.

Albuquerque Sky at the outdoor buffet, Hotel Albuquerque

My ATC Card

After googling ATC Card I came up with this U-Tube Video on them.  They are quite a phenomenon it seems.  Karen backs her's up with a small piece of foam core and wraps them in a plastic bag from Clearbags.

You can buy supplies for ATC's at Jerrysartarama too, or just cut your own paper down to 2 1/2"x 3 1/2".  Little Easels, frames and plastic sleeves can be found there too.

Stay tuned for more about IAPS in my next blog entry.

Meanwhile.....happy painting!

Kim Werfel