Pastel Society of America Exhibition Award!

I'm absolutely thrilled to report my painting "Full House" received the Canson Excellence in Arts Award at the Pastel Society of America's 42nd Annual Exhibition, "Enduring Brilliance."  The super exciting part for me is that winning this award has given me MASTER PASTELIST status with the PSA!

Ever since I started entering this show (this is my 5th year/3rd award), I've wanted to go back to NYC to see the show in person.  Unfortunately, I was never able to go.  This year, I actually planned ahead, kept my schedule clear, and bought my tickets.  The fact that I won this award and Master Pastelist status is just icing on the cake!  I can't wait!

The show is being held at the National Arts Club in New York City from September 2 to 27, 2014.  I'm so looking forward to seeing the show and meeting new pastelist friends.  And gallery hopping in NYC!

"Full House"

16" x 20"

Soft Pastel

See the PSA web site for details on the "Enduring Brilliance" exhibition.

Pastel Society of America

15 Gramercy Park South

New York, NY 10003

212-533-6931

Pastel Society of America Exhibition

My painting "Saturday Evening Puzzle" was awarded the President's Award at the Pastel Society of America's 41st Annual Pastels Only Exhibition!  

This painting is a bit of an homage to my childhood art hero, Norman Rockwell.  I just loved his work when I was a kid.  Although my composition was confusing at times, it was great fun to be able to paint his paintings.

"Saturday Evening Puzzle"

18" x 24"

Soft Pastel

The PSA exhibition runs through September 28, 2013 at the National Arts Club in New York City.  Unfortunately, I won't be attending this year.  I thought I might be able to, but it's not going to happen.  I say that every year, so next year I'm going to try to plan ahead and see if I can make it to the banquet.

See all the award winners here and the generous award donors here.

Best of Show!

My painting "Train Wreck" was awarded Best of Show at the Northwest Pastel Society's 27th Annual International Open Exhibition!  It's an excellent show, so do stop by American Art Company if you happen to be in the Tacoma area before the exhibition ends on June 15, 2013.  If you are unable to get there in person, you can see the show online here.

"Train Wreck"

18" x 24"

Soft Pastel

For information regarding this painting, please contact American Art Company at (253) 272-4327.

Pastel Society of America Exhibition Award

My painting "Christmas Memories" was accepted into the Pastel Society of America's 40th Annual Open Juried Exhibition, and I'm very happy to report it received the Atlantic Papers Award!

"Christmas Memories"

14" x 18"

Soft Pastel

The exhibition runs through September 29, 2012, and is held at the National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South, New York, NY 10003.  If you're close by, this is an exhibition you won't want to miss!  If you can't get to New York City, you can see the award winning paintings on the PSA web site (click on the link toward the bottom of the page to see all the award winning paintings).

PSWC Distinguished Pastelist

My painting "Nap Interrupted" won 3rd place in the Pastel Society of the West Coast's 26th Annual International Open Exhibition!  This is my third year entering the exhibition, which gives me my PSWC signature.  It is also my third award, which means I am now a PSWC Distinguished Pastelist!  In order to receive Distinguished Pastelist designation, you have to win three awards in the international exhibition within five consecutive years.  There are only 31 Distinguished Pastelists in the PSWC, and I'm thrilled to be one of them!

"Nap Interrupted"

14" x 24"

Soft Pastel

Here are the comments from the Judge, Lorenzo Chavez:

The works that became the top award winners all had two things in common, mastery of drawing, and the artists created from the heart. Congratulations to all and wishing you much success. (Comment on the painting "Nap Interrupted" by Kari Tirrell.) "This is another great example of a big interesting design and fine, fine craftsmanship. The animal portrait is handled with such love and emotion. Every time I viewed this from across the room, it grabbed my full attention. Outstanding!"

The exhibition is being held at the Art Center Morro Bay until June 23, 2012.  

Northwest Pastel Society Exhibition Award

My painting "Nap Interrupted" won the Past President's Award at the Northwest Pastel Society's 25th Annual International Open Exhibition.  I had three paintings accepted into the show, which is being held at the American Art Company in Tacoma, WA, until the end of the year.  The American Art Company is a large, beautiful gallery, and the show is excellent.  If you aren't in Washington and are unable to see the exhibit, you can go to the American Art Company web site and see it online.  Of course, the photos don't do the artwork justice and it is definitely worth seeing in person, if you can.

"Nap Interrupted"

14" x 24"

Soft Pastel on Suede Matboard

My painting "Venice" is on the postcard for the show, but unfortunately someone at the NPS thinks my name is Kate.  I actually like the name Kate, and I don't mind it so much when it's on the web site and I can get it changed, but this time it's in print.  So if you've received a postcard for the show, and you're searching for Kate Tirrell, apparently that's me. :)

Terry Ludwig Award!

My painting "Laundry Day, Venice" won the Terry Ludwig Award in the Pastel Society of the West Coast's 25th Pastels USA International Open Exhibition.  Terry Ludwigs are my favorite pastels, so I am over the moon!  I'm definitely having a good month. :)

You can see the show at the Haggin Museum in Stockton, CA from April 24 to June 19, 2011.

Best of Show!!

My painting "Old Friend" won Best of Show at the Northwest Pastel Society 2011 Members' Exhibit!

The reception was very well attended (it was packed in there!), and I got to meet some people I have known online for a while but hadn't met in person, which is always fun!

There are many excellent paintings at the exhibit, but my favorite paintings of the show were by Sandy Byers, who won the NPS Director's Award for her painting "Symphony of Swans."  Take a look at these paintings online and you will see how beautiful they are, but it doesn't prepare you for how absolutely stunning they are in person.

If you can get to the Kirsten Gallery to see the show, it's definitely worth it!

NPS President's Award

I'm happy to report that my painting "Retired" won the President's Award (1st Place) in the Northwest Pastel Society's 24th International Open Exhibition!  The reception was very well attended, and the show is very impressive.  I was really looking forward to meeting Duane Wakeham, the juror, but unfortunately he was sick and unable to attend.  I was able to meet some other artists whose work I particularly like, though, so overall it was quite a fun afternoon.

If you aren't local, but want to see the exhibit, go to the American Art Company's web site.  You'll see the show under "Current Exhibits."  The gallery did a great job hanging the show, so if you are able to see it in person, do try.  It is so much more impressive in person than online.

"Retired"

19.5 x 27.5"

Also, I'll be doing a pastel demo for the Rainier League of Arts on Tuesday, November 16, at 7:00 pm.  The meeting will be held at the Pierce County Library Processing and Administrative Center, 3005 112th Street East, Tacoma, WA 98446.  All are welcome to attend.  Hope to see you there!

Pastels USA Award

I had two paintings accepted into Pastels USA, the 24th annual international open exhibition for the Pastel Society of the West Coast.  The exhibit is being held at the Art Museum of Los Gatos from June 3 to July 9, 2010, and was juried by Richard McKinley.

I found out this morning that my painting "Old Friend" received the Colorfin LCC award!

"Old Friend"

12" x 19.5"

Soft Pastel on Pastelmat

See more of my work:

My web site

My blog

My facebook page

My YouTube channel

Northwest Pastel Society Members' Exhibition Results

It was so fun to see the NPS exhibition in person!  My daughter and I were staying at a hotel in Burlington (we were having a girls weekend, shopping at all the outlets north of Seattle) and made the half hour drive up to the Blue Horse Gallery for the reception.  It's such a beautiful area up there, it's totally worth a visit.  Anyway, the reception was great.  The gallery is large, and all the art looked wonderful on the walls.  I went assuming I didn't win an award because I hadn't been notified ahead of time, but when I arrived I found out they had decided to let it be a surprise this time.  My painting "Sun Kissed" won second place in the miniatures category.  If you'd like to see the show online and check out the winning pieces, go here and here (the entries are divided alphabetically).

BEST IN SHOW!!

Last night was the artists’ reception for the 7th Annual Peninsula Art League Open Juried Art Exhibition. I entered three pieces to the show, but only one got in, so I was feeling lucky to be included. Imagine my surprise when I found my painting had won Best in Show!

"Sunny Spot"

10" x 20"

Soft Pastel on Suede Matboard

My dog got a huge, well-deserved helping of turkey when I got home last night!

Boots

I painted this for the current challenge on the Different Strokes From Different Folks blog. Since this was a simple subject, Karin suggested we push ourselves in a different direction. That was truly my intention when I started this painting. I blocked in the basic shapes with the side of a pastel, and everything was going fine. But then my brain took over and by the time I realized it was not going how I’d originally intended, I was having too much fun to stop.

10”x8”
Soft Pastel on Suede Matboard

Speaking of fun, I got a nice surprise when the results for last month's EBSQ shows were tallied. In the Portrait Swap show, my portrait of Frankie won Member’s Choice award, and Tracey & Poe won Patron’s Choice. My portrait of Obama won Member’s Choice in the Campaign Art Show. Thanks to all who voted for my work! It was definitely a fun surprise!