Click to View the 2025 Members’ Show
April 14, 2025
Christine Ivers, Judge of Awards
Philadelphia Pastel Society 2025 Online Members Exhibition
Judge’s Statement & Artist Awards
“I would like to thank the Philadelphia Pastel Society and Al Richards, Director of Exhibitions, for inviting me to be the Judge of Awards for the 2025 Members Exhibition. It is truly an honor and is humbling to be chosen for such a task. That being said, I spent many a day and hours traveling through the 135 images from which I was to award only ten prizes. My choices are dictated by the many factors surrounding the medium we all love. From composition and originality to mark making and command of technique, I take my job incredibly seriously. Knowing that each painting was created with the heart and soul of each artist, and having to choose from a diverse and wonderful panel, I always wished that I had more prizes to hand out. I hope you will enjoy the write-ups about the paintings that I chose, because I believe that it is important for everyone to experience these ten paintings the way I saw him or her through the eyes of the artist. Congratulations to the award winners and again, thank you for choosing me for this honor.”
– Christine Ivers, PSA/MC, IAPS/EP, CPS, PSWC
Best in Show ($500)
“Purple PJ’s” by Nicole Maloy
This close to monochromatic masterpiece is absolutely breath taking! Executed with great skill and working nuance to its highest form, this portrait was absolutely created by an artist who possesses a great deal of skill. The subject is looking into the viewer’s soul with those glorious eyes and almost begs for conversation. This is a stunning use of the medium and I hope to see more of this artist’s work. Congratulations!
2nd Place Award ($300)
“Little Blue Towel Too” by Wendy McClatchy
Only creative people recognize that white is made up of all colors. And this Vermeer like piece plays off that theory well. With its fine execution and the total control of their craft, this artist manages to “top it all off” with the surprising blue pitcher rim and cloth. The color temperatures are what grabbed me in this piece as they jumped from warm to cool and back again in the painting. Strong composition and subtle lighting complete the arrangement. Well deserving of an award. Congratulations.
3rd Place Award ($200)
“In Gaza” by Teresa DeSeve
The definitive marks that make this painting an award winner drew my attention from the first go around. Bold and strikingly masterful is this artist’s use, of not only color, but also their ability to focus on what might be an unimaginable sight below them. There is a bond in these three women that drew me in and kept me traveling around this composition. Congratulations! Truly a magnificent work.
West Charlton Frames Award ($150 value)
“Late Afternoon Breeze” by Drew Scarpa
I can just feel the force of the wind in this painting of a windswept beach. Judging from the many footprints leading to the shore, I believe this is a popular pathway used by many in the summer. But the hues that make up this piece tell me that this is the off-season shore. Wonderful use of the cool tones that make me want to visit but only if I have a windbreaker on. Great composition completes the story. Kudos to the artist!
Honorable Mention ($100)
“Summer Trio” by Stephanie Brown
Soft and sweet is what I would label this little gem of a painting. From the wispy petals to the play on light and shadow, this piece lets me know that the artist is definitely in control of the medium. It almost seems that the light-handed touch of the painter plays with the surface and pastel with a beautifully sensitive mark making technique. This little still life reminds me that sometimes less is more and big isn’t always better. Thank you for this wonderful painting!
Honorable Mention ($100)
“I Will Overcome” by Judith Kazdym Leeds
Bold and beautiful, this woman is ready to take on the world! She is looking down at all of us letting us know that she is capable of anything life may throw at her, so the world had better get ready! This artist is adept at not only producing a great portrait, but also by being able to tell a great story about this great lady. The play of light and shadow helps to define the strength in her soul and brings her to the forefront of a colorful background. Congratulations… I hope to see more work by this talented artist.
The Christine Ivers Pastel Award of Excellence ($100)
“Building Supplies” by Bill Sweeney
Executed with great drafting skill, this still life of the makings of the nest is a feast for the eyes. Such attention to detail made this painting one that told the story of an industrious creature who designed that nest with the greatest of care from the available materials it had at hand. I especially loved how this painter was able to capture the randomness of this event. This is a wonderful work of art. Thanks to the artist for creating it!
Ampersand Award ($100 Value)
“Hot Stuff” by Jacqueline Meyerson
My fellow pastel artists who work with Photorealism always amaze me. The patience that these artists possess is something that I have never been able to have when I paint. With the bright colors and beautiful reflective skins of these veggies, I can’t imagine the time spent to put this incredible painting together. This artist has an incredible eye for detail and is an incredible draftsman. I very much enjoy looking at this painting and I hope to see more of your work. Congratulations!
Blick Arts Materials Award ($100 Value)
“Bright Light” by Jeri Greenberg
Let’s face it! What could be better than yellow, purple, and a smack of bright red in a painting? Bold and beautiful with a great composition, I love the mark making as well as the colors in this piece. And anyone who has tackled drapery in his or her paintings knows how difficult this can sometimes be. The cast shadows and transparent vase elevate the structure of this piece. Please keep painting! Kudos to the artist.
Blick Arts Materials Award ($100 Value)
“Ricketts Glen Wonder” by Donna Pearce
Movement! This painting carries me around the entire composition only to bring me back where I started. Between the rushing water on the stones to the depth of field that pulls me forward and eventually pushes me back, I find myself intrigued by the upward motion of the scene and the cascading water that falls at my feet. The push and pull of the composition is played well with the value structures enhanced by the viewer’s perspective. There is wonderful mark making in this painting. Thank you so much for its creation!
UArt Award ($90 Value)
“Valley Forge Path” by Anne Whalon
Talk about leading you into a composition, this painting pulls me in from the bottom and forces my eyes to travel up to the sky above. Beautiful use of temperature to push and pull you from the cool shadows on the slate to the warming colors in the landscape above. This artist has great drafting skills and uses that talent to create the wonderful white structure that they lead you to. Kudos to the artist!