Students brush up on painting at FallBack Festival
Pastel colors might look soft to the eyes, but they’re not quite so on the fingers.
Elgin resident Alessandra Bonasera discovered that Saturday when she participated in a free pastel painting workshop taught by Michigan artist Susan Henshaw. The workshop was part of the FallBack Arts Festival at the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin.
“It’s hard on your fingers when you blend,” Bonasera said. “I’m getting calluses already!”
Thirty people participated in the three-hour workshop on landscapes. Henshaw’s work has been displayed in the Midwest Museum of American Art.
Students created two works, choosing between black sandpaper and heavy grit paper, and soft and hard pastels. They reproduced photographs Henshaw brought in depicting landscapes such as lakes, forests, fields, clouds and even a geyser.
“I wanted them to pick a photo they have not done before, or that would get them out of their comfort zone,” she said.
Some brought their own photos, like Ron Ainsworth, of Elgin, who chose images of Carrabelle, Fla., where he owns a beach house. “I’m trying to figure out how to do these colors,” he said, pointing at a sunset image bursting with vivid purples and oranges.
Ainsworth said he thought he’d give painting a first try. “I wanted to see if I had an interest to maybe develop it,” he said.
Among the students were artists who wanted to try something new, or rediscover something they had long forgotten.
Carol Puotinen, of Elgin, who paints in watercolor and colored pencil under the name Carol Schaley, said she hadn’t used pastels in 20 or 30 years. “I am sure I will keep it up,” she said. “It’s always good to have another medium.”
The FallBack Arts festival continues today with an acting workshop that required preregistration.
At 7 p.m., Moving Dock Theatre Company, based in Chicago, will present a free performance of “The Lydia Études: About Loving Anton Chekhov” at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St. No reservations required. There will be a reception at 6:30 p.m.