“Tango Tree” by Pat Averill
If the idea of colored pencil art takes you back to the fresh Crayola boxed set you had as a kid, think again. In fact, that’s the point of Lake Oswego’s 54th Annual Festival of the Arts Special Exhibit: Beyond the Point: The fine art of colored pencil and graphite. Organizers have taken a medium we are all familiar with and made us rethink what is possible when pencil touches paper in the hands of a skilled artist.
“Beach Buddies” by Pat Averill
One of the featured artists this year is Pat Averill who got hooked on colored pencil thanks to a couple lessons offered by artist and master teacher Bet Borgeson at Marylhurst. She loved its translucency which makes it easy to create complex colors. “I also loved the fact that it didn’t require a huge set-up time, drying time, or special place to work.”
“Free Ride” by Pat Averill
What viewers might like most about colored pencils are their ability to mimic other mediums. “Colored pencil art is amazing!” explains Averill, and “can look like a transparent watercolor painting, an oil painting, and if used on sanded paper, it looks almost like pastel.” And from my very naïve eye, there are many pieces that are as realistic looking as a photograph.
These sample works featured here by Averill begin to show you the possibilities that these wax, oil and water soluble colored pencils offer. Be sure to attend the show to see even more.
Besides the special exhibit on display at the Lakewood Center for the Arts, The Festival of the Arts features live music, dance and performance acts as well as a juried and open art exhibit, craft booths, children’s activities and food at the Lakewood Center (368 S. State Street) and George Rogers Park (611 S. State Street) . Dates are June 23-25, from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Check here for a full schedule.
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