He explained to us that the surface of an oil or acrylic painting, while not framed under glass, actually presents more problems of glare to the viewer than does a pastel painting. This is due to the many angles of the reflective medium its self. The many angles of reflections he speaks of reminds me that NPS artists have many facets. John Knapp, seated in the foreground, is an artist, NPS Web Master, a restorer of fine furniture, a minister, and a frame maker, to mention just a few. An active member of NPS since 1996, John launched the first interactive pastel web site, and it is through his efforts that this page is available to you today.
Every journey begins with the first step .
Here, Clark Elster, NPS Distinguished Pastelist and NPS Past President, takes the first steps toward another pastel painting. Clark will be the first to tell you that one must never quit learning and that workshops are invaluable opportunities from which to gain new knowledge. The small class size presented each student with lots of one on one instruction. Always busy and with genuine interest in each student's work, Desmond O'Hagan was continuously giving to his students. Very relaxed in his manner, confident in his knowledge and abilities, he brought a wealth of painting experience and, in a light hearted way, shared it with each student.