Susan Jenkins Fine Art

Throughout my pastel art career finding storage solutions for finished pieces has been a challenge. I have typically kept finished pieces in the resealable plastic bags that I have shared in videos. I also include a piece of foam core board in the bag for support.  

Because this can be time consuming, I have come up with a nice and efficient way to store my paintings and catalog them as well. The end result also makes for a very nice presentation of my paintings. 
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Check out these pics showing how I use a Sketchbook of Black Canson Drawing Paper as a Pastel Art Storage System.... (see the picture descriptions for more info).  You could use a sketchbook with plain white paper as well (which would probably be less expensive), but I think the black looks professional. I also use a separate sketchbook to paint directly on the pages and protect in the same way.  Check it out! 

Often in life and in art we can feel alone. We don't have to be stranded on an island or a solitary figure on a beach (as in this painting). Sometimes even in a crowded room or in an art workshop with many other artists we can feel isolated and insecure. 

This painting was inspired by someone I know who was innocently thrust into a situation of being alone in a tragic and painful way. And yet, she found her strength by looking ahead and into the light (as the figure in this painting) to a hope that is beyond what we can see with our eyes. 

Perhaps my greatest joy in the success of Monet Cafe' (as an art group for hungry artist around the world), is the feeling of support and encouragement. Sharing and communicating with others helps us to realize that we all experience times of feeling inadequate as artists, or that we don't measure up in the artistic world. 

May I encourage you to look ahead into the light, not to the left or the right by comparing yourself to other artists. Rejoice in the simple ability to create without worrying about how it measures up to prescribed artistic standards. Like the footprints in the sand, time will erase all that we have done and yet the experience of our journey will remain. 

Scroll through Slideshow for Progress Shots and Captions:

The spontaneity of painting can be increased when the supplies are simple, limited and easily accessible. I loved the results when using this unsanded Canson Black drawing paper combined with using only Prismacolor Nupastels.  

This is a cost effective, practical and great way to add life and energy to your work. Give it a try.