Oklahoma Pastel Society


		Karie Apel has drawn and painted since she was a small child. Using her degree in interior design, she has designed and produced lovely interiors for many happy families around the country. Karie currently lives in Edmond, Oklahoma, with her wonderful husband and charming black lab, "Lucy." See more of her work on her website.

		Phyllis Baker renewed her interest in art after a full career and life raising three children. She started studying with Leslie Lienau and quickly found a friend and mentor and that was the direction and inspiration she needed. She lives in Edmond with her husband and their three dogs. She is a member of OPS, OVAC, EAA and IAPS and is represented by The Dean Lively Gallery in Edmond, Ok.

		Pam Brewer has painted in oils for many years and is new to pastels within the last year. She enjoys painting landscapes and won first place in the OPS miniature show. She is Oklahoma Pastel Society Workshop Chairman extraordinaire!

		Patrick Calloway became interested in painting in early 2007 and studied with Gary Lennon.

		Joey Frisillo is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America and an Associate member of Oil Painters of America and Women Artists of the West. Her work is exhibited at Color Connection Gallery in Tulsa. current work is inspired by nature's subtle beauty in her Oklahoma surroundings and other intriguing locales. "The longer I live in Oklahoma the more I appreciate its subtle beauty." Her pastels and oils are enlivened with rich layers of color and texture. For more information on awards and workshops, check out her website.

		Sherry Hicks has a BA in Art Education. Her pastels are a product of her Southwest Oklahoma roots. Sherry's artwork is known for its Oklahoma perspective. Her pet and wildlife portraits are always in demand.

		Linda Hiller has studied with Sara Oakley, Dale Martin, Maggie Price, Sean Dye, Gary Lennon, and Richard McKinley. Linda's artwork hangs in homes throughout the USA. She is also a member of the Oklahoma Art Guild and the Edmond Art Assn. See more of her work on her website.

		Jan Hutchinson grew up in Oklahoma and has always loved the beauty of the outdoors and the amazing variety of God's creation. She is a member and current president of Oklahoma Pastel Society, as well as a member of Pastel Society of the Southwest and Oklahoma Art Guild. Jan painted in oils for more than 20 years until a chance encounter with pastels ignited a fervor for interpreting the world through pastels. Further studies with Gary Lennon, Lorenzo Chavez, Clive Tyler, Becky Way and many other fine teachers have been both enlightening and encouraging. Jan is an award-winning artist whose works hang throughout the United States. She describes her work as a continuing journey that is at the same time frustrating and exhilarating. See more of her work on her website.

		Debby Kaspari grew up near San Francisco, sketching and observing nature in the hills and marshes at the edge of the city. A graduate of California College of the Arts, she pursued a career in illustration with a strong emphasis on drawing. As a dedicated field artist she uses her signature gesture drawings, field notes and camera to accentuate the rhythms and movements of her animal, plant and landscape subjects to create beautiful paintings. Her work has been shown in Art and the Animal, Society of Animal Artists; Impressions of New England, Art of the Animal Kingdom and American Artists Abroad, Bennington Center for the Arts, Vermont; Birds in Art, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum; and Focus on Nature, New York State Museum. Honors include Harvard Fellowship /Artist in Residence, Harvard Forest (2008) and the Don and Virginia Eckelberry Fellowship (2007). She has taught field sketching and nature journaling and created exhibit graphics and large murals for the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. Debby lives in Norman with her husband Mike. See her website and her blog.

		Gary Lennon teaches art at Francis Tuttle Vo-Tech and the Fine Arts Institute in Edmond. Gary has painted over 150 murals in California and Oklahoma. He is a member of the Mid-Del Art Guild and OPS.

		Judi Mott became interested in pastels while studying with Gary Lennon in 2006. She is known for her love of painting mastiffs, tho enjoys painting other animals and portraits. She painted in oils and acrylics before discovering pastels.

		A native of Osaka, Japan, Mitsuno Ishii Reedy began her career in mid-1970's painting portraits, still lifes, and landscapes for collectors throughout the United States. She was elected a full member of Pastel Society of America in 1978, an associate member of the Pastel Society of Japan (Gendai Pastel Kyokai) in 2001, has been listed in Who's Who in the South and Southwest and Who's Who in American Art. Reedy's commissioned portraits include corporate and civic leaders, college deans, doctors, military officers, and family and children's portraits. Her portraits of the famous opera tenor Luciano Pavarotti were presented to him in 1982 when Mr. Pavarotti gave the first of several charity concerts. She also enjoys plein-air paintings, as well as still life paintings and figure studies in oil, pastel and Cente pencil. Reedy is represented by Howell Gallery, OKC. See more of her work on her website.

		Don Reynolds Jr. says two good things happened to him in 1995: he received his first social security check and spent part of it on an art class. He soon discovered a passion for charcoal and pastel portraits. “When I’m working on a portrait,” Don says, “There’s often something about the subject that captures my soul. And sometimes – when God’s in His heaven and the stars are just right – the completed piece reflects this unique relationship. “ Don lives in Tulsa with his wife, Rose. You can see more of his work on his website.

		Charlotte Rodgers has studied with the master pastelist Ben Konis of Amarillo and with Urania Christy Tarbet. She has won numerous awards, including first place in OPS fall shows in 2005 and 2006, and her work hangs in many private collections. She is past president of the Amarillo Art Association, and is a member of the Oklahoma Pastel Society and the Central Art Association of Oklahoma City. See more of her work on her website.

		Sue Ann Rodger's diverse subject matter reflects her long-time interest in art, design and architecture. She has studied with Gary Lennon, Julie Miller, Dale Martin, Barbara Balina and Sara Oakley. Sue Ann is a member of the Pastel Society, Edmond Art Association, Sooner Scribes Calligraphy Group and Oklahoma Art Guild.

		Dea Scales works in oils, pastels, and pen & ink. She enjoys painting sky-scapes and abstracts. Dea is a member of OPS, Mid-Del Art Guild, OAG, CAA, (Central Art Assoc), and NFAA (Newton Fine Art Assoc) in KS. She is represented by the Contemporary Art Gallery in Oklahoma City.

		Janie Schmitz has studied with Gary Lennon, Julie Miller, Sara Oakley and Janeice Linden. Janie’s art has wonderful color, a superb form that tantalizes your imagination. Janie is a member of the Oklahoma Art Guild and a founding member of the Oklahoma Pastel Society (OPS).

		Anita Tacket is a retired teacher and currently working in real estate sales. A class at Francis Tuttle with Linda Hiller has opened a new medium to her - PASTEL. She has worked in watercolor and turning wood, making bowls and vases.

		Becky Way draws inspiration for her more impressionistic landscapes from her travels through the United States, Belize, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, as well as local adventures. Objects found in Way's stilllifes are often favorite family antiques or borrowed objects. Most of her pastel paintings are painted with Ludwig Pastels on Wallis paper. Way teaches painting and drawing workshops in Oklahoma, Colorado and Texas. She is currently represented by House Gallery in Oklahoma City and The Blue Pig Gallery in Palisades, Colorado. Check out her website.

		Marie Weltzheimer's subjects consist primarily of still-life, figures and landscapes. Her award winning artwork is widely circulated. Her credits include multiple Who's Who entries. Her artwork has also been published in two Rockport art books. Marie is a member of the Oklahoma Pastel Society (OPS) and the Pastel Society of America (PSA). Check out her website.

		Ronda Zenker has studied with Gary Lennon, Julie Miller, Mitsuno Reedy, and Dale Martin. Ronda’s artwork speaks to your imagination through her wonderful use of form and color. Ronda is a member of the Oklahoma Art Guild and a founding member of the Oklahoma Pastel Society (OPS).

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