Pastel First Place Award at the 3nd Annual Shelter Cove Plein Air Painting Competition Oct 2016
Winner of The People's Choice Award at the 2nd Annual Shelter Cove Plein Air Painting Competition Oct 2015
Winner of The People's Choice Award at the 2nd Annual Shelter Cove Plein Air Painting Competition Oct 2015
Barry Jamison
General Info
I started teaching pastels in 2002 at my studio "Sutter Street Pastels" in the Historic district in Folsom CA, taking a suite in a building once used as a livery stable long ago, and as an automotive repair facility in the 1950's. I've moved my studio three times within this building and at present, am most pleased with it.
Sutter Street Pastels is my studio away from home - it is a reflection of me. I enjoy its welcoming presence and I try to extend this welcome feeling to guests. It’s the place where I coach students of all skill levels in application of pastels (which is similar to chalk but far, far more permanent) from start to the completed painting. Everyone works individually on subject matter of their own choosing and they work at their own pace.
I also have a private studio setup at home in Cameron Park where I paint in wet mediums mostly.
Pastel Ponderings...
1) Art & creative processes are a way to "create one's own world" People quickly learn how fun and engrossing any art pursuit can be for them. One can shut the door on the craziness of the world and create their own safe place. Or, they can open their doors to the world and show what’s inside themselves.
2) While involved with a painting (especially from a photo), deviate from subject matter, take liberties and if an "accident" happens with it, or something different starts to emerge- go with it and see what happens. Put your own stamp on it.
3) Probably above all, any critiques be of a constructive nature and that we are supportive of one another. My bottom line is that it’s a fun endeavor, and when there is a desire to try this and a willingness to stumble at times, it doesn’t matter; my students will always have my support along the way.
4) Pastel painting is satisfying because one applies it mostly in a drawing-like fashion, all the while keeping in mind painting methodology.That’s what I teach and it’s great because there is no waiting for paint to dry. You can go from A to Z in your painting in one session if you want, and that’s fun!
I started teaching pastels in 2002 at my studio "Sutter Street Pastels" in the Historic district in Folsom CA, taking a suite in a building once used as a livery stable long ago, and as an automotive repair facility in the 1950's. I've moved my studio three times within this building and at present, am most pleased with it.
Sutter Street Pastels is my studio away from home - it is a reflection of me. I enjoy its welcoming presence and I try to extend this welcome feeling to guests. It’s the place where I coach students of all skill levels in application of pastels (which is similar to chalk but far, far more permanent) from start to the completed painting. Everyone works individually on subject matter of their own choosing and they work at their own pace.
I also have a private studio setup at home in Cameron Park where I paint in wet mediums mostly.
Pastel Ponderings...
1) Art & creative processes are a way to "create one's own world" People quickly learn how fun and engrossing any art pursuit can be for them. One can shut the door on the craziness of the world and create their own safe place. Or, they can open their doors to the world and show what’s inside themselves.
2) While involved with a painting (especially from a photo), deviate from subject matter, take liberties and if an "accident" happens with it, or something different starts to emerge- go with it and see what happens. Put your own stamp on it.
3) Probably above all, any critiques be of a constructive nature and that we are supportive of one another. My bottom line is that it’s a fun endeavor, and when there is a desire to try this and a willingness to stumble at times, it doesn’t matter; my students will always have my support along the way.
4) Pastel painting is satisfying because one applies it mostly in a drawing-like fashion, all the while keeping in mind painting methodology.That’s what I teach and it’s great because there is no waiting for paint to dry. You can go from A to Z in your painting in one session if you want, and that’s fun!
About My Art Background
Art has always been an important way for me to spend time and go on "adventures" in my head. Sometimes, these adventures get put onto paper.
Chronologically, Pencil, Tempera, Watercolor, Fluorescent water color , permanent marker , pastels, oil pastels, "block" printing, oils and acrylics. I've used computer tools as well (over 25 years) and have found CorelDraw suite and Paint Shop Pro to be useful conceptualizing tools and sketching aids...
I make my own sanded pastel paper (toned neutral grey) up to 26" x 40"...it has a nice tooth to it. Made a few pastels as well- a messy business but unique colors. Save your small pieces and when you have enough make your own.
I'm primarily self-taught, having been drawing/painting over 55 years now . I've also had the pleasure of studying with some excellent teachers (Joan Jordan, William Scott Jennings, Albert Handel, Ben Konis, Foster Caddell, Bob Gerbracht) through the years, and when it comes to me teaching my own students I wish to pass along what these muses have taught me. I enjoy teaching.
A couple of insights.... always paint/create for YOURSELF FIRST. If you aren't turned on by what you are working on, it probably won't turn anyone else on (if you even finish it)...Satisfy and feed that critic within. If someone else likes what you do, that's cool. If they buy it, that's really nice. Trying too hard to please potential clients is a trap and will kill creativity.
Yes, I have won awards for my work and I've sold quite a few which reside either in this hemisphere or another...I have a HUGE amount of unframed works that will be framed, someday. I love to create works so much I do a disservice to the ones that SHOULD be framed by not "getting around to it.
Art has always been an important way for me to spend time and go on "adventures" in my head. Sometimes, these adventures get put onto paper.
Chronologically, Pencil, Tempera, Watercolor, Fluorescent water color , permanent marker , pastels, oil pastels, "block" printing, oils and acrylics. I've used computer tools as well (over 25 years) and have found CorelDraw suite and Paint Shop Pro to be useful conceptualizing tools and sketching aids...
I make my own sanded pastel paper (toned neutral grey) up to 26" x 40"...it has a nice tooth to it. Made a few pastels as well- a messy business but unique colors. Save your small pieces and when you have enough make your own.
I'm primarily self-taught, having been drawing/painting over 55 years now . I've also had the pleasure of studying with some excellent teachers (Joan Jordan, William Scott Jennings, Albert Handel, Ben Konis, Foster Caddell, Bob Gerbracht) through the years, and when it comes to me teaching my own students I wish to pass along what these muses have taught me. I enjoy teaching.
A couple of insights.... always paint/create for YOURSELF FIRST. If you aren't turned on by what you are working on, it probably won't turn anyone else on (if you even finish it)...Satisfy and feed that critic within. If someone else likes what you do, that's cool. If they buy it, that's really nice. Trying too hard to please potential clients is a trap and will kill creativity.
Yes, I have won awards for my work and I've sold quite a few which reside either in this hemisphere or another...I have a HUGE amount of unframed works that will be framed, someday. I love to create works so much I do a disservice to the ones that SHOULD be framed by not "getting around to it.