TSC (Tallahassee Senior Center) Presents: Four Artists, Four Perspectives

Born and raised in Northwestern Pennsylvania, I was fortunate to have a mother who was creative and encouraged me. My childhood interest in art grew to be a study in art; first in high school, then in college.  After college I moved to New York and loved every minute. During this time my interest, while art related, switched to pottery making which I pursued exclusively until a few years ago when I had a revival of interest in painting; pastel painting to be precise.  After studying with several nationally known pastelists, I have found a passion for this medium and have been devoting my time to it.

I love the immediacy of pastels; the color goes on intense and beautiful.  There is no waiting to dry and no surprising color changes.  Everything is in the moment, in the present. The pigment is the same as other mediums, but the binder is different.  I use many different sticks of color as there is no mixing of color in the traditional sense.  It is possible to achieve some mingling of color and it is possible to do a visual mixing of color. While pastels do need to be protected under glass, they are as lasting and as brilliant as oils.

I also prefer painting landscapes, especially if I can paint outside plein air.  I can pack up my lightweight easel, my paint box, a bag for miscellaneous “stuff” and be off!  Since pastels are most usually done on paper, either regular or with a sanded surface, there is no need for stretched canvases or pre prepared watercolor paper.  I prefer the sanded surface as it is more versatile than regular paper allowing for under painting, if I choose, and many more layers of color giving a richer surface. I frame my works with archival materials that will ensure the lasting beauty of the pastels.

“It is never too late to live happily ever after.  Life is a journey, not a destination”.

Wendy Devarieux teaches Pastels in Landscape on Tuesdays.

Time spent in nature awakens Hope and our connection to all Life.

I hike, camp, and kayak to observe flora and fauna in their natural settings. I make sketches and poems on the trail to help remember special experiences. I consider both the North Florida forests and the Everglades to be my art studio, where I am so lucky to walk and work most days. My three years of work animals in their real habitats. Art can inspire us to experience and protect our vital natural resources. Nature also holds the keys to solutions and awareness.

Teaching art, and making art with long-time art friends, is crucial to the continuing development and improvement of my own work.

Mark Fletcher teaches Clay Creations and Sumi-e Workshops on Mondays and Draw, Paint, Create: An Artists’ Forum via ZOOM Workshops on Wednesdays.

Since 2008 I have been teaching Watercolor Painting for the Tallahassee Senior Foundation. I retired to Tallahassee with a master’s degree in art education and 28 years of teaching art in New York State public schools. I live a joyful and creative life.

My paintings are diverse in both subject and style. Something about each subject attracted my attention. Color is a big factor. Each painting tells a story that I either experience or observe. They are all personal. The techniques I use to render the paintings provide the challenge that I crave and respond to. There are a lot of tricks to painting with watercolor pigment. Messes occur in the process of mastering each trick. Success brings much gratification.

I teach Experimental Watercolor Painting where the first rule is to have fun. Make learning a joyful process. With watercolor the artist is never in 100 percent control. The mix of water and pigment creates surprising effects that turn into fantastic paintings. My paintings reflect the techniques that I teach in this class.

Linda Pelc teaches Experimental Watercolor Ongoing Classes on Thursdays.

A Tallahassee native, Eluster began painting as a child and has won numerous awards for his paintings and has exhibited in a variety of museums and galleries, collected by museums such as Custom House Museum in Clarkesville Tenn., Polk County Museum of Art in Lakeland Fl. and the Riley House Museum/Center here in Tallahassee and Colquitt County Art Center, Moultrie, Georgia.

Public Collections includes All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fl., Big Brothers Big Sisters of Gainesville, Gainesville, Fl., Florida League of Cities here in Tallahassee, Leon County Libraries here in Tallahassee, and Tall Timbers research Center, Tallahassee, Florida. There are also many private collectors from around the country. Eluster is the Artist-In-Residence for the Riley House Museum and Resource Center.

His fascination with history, particularly the people and places of North Florida has resulted in a body of work that is treasured by history and art lovers of the region.

In these works, he conveys a sense of grandeur through the diversity of the scenes and landscapes close to home and far away. He enjoys capturing the people, the fauna, the flora, and the objects that inspire him, drawing the viewer in with his detailed brush strokes.

Eluster Richardson currently teaches Watercolor 200 Workshops on Thursdays and Oil, Advanced Ongoing Classes on Fridays.