2020 For Pastels Only

“For Pastels Only on Cape Cod” features 100 juried paintings by contemporary pastel artists, chosen from a record-number of submissions from around the world. Click on any image to see award, size, and pricing information.

How to Purchase

If you see a painting you like, click here to email us, and we will put you in direct contact with the artist to see if it is still available. Please include the name of the artist and the best way to contact you (phone, email or text).

Watch a recording of the Zoom Reception here.

Top Three Award Winners

Best In Show

Laurinda O’Connor, “On a Fall Day”

Judge’s Comments:

The markmaking in this painting is just incredible; and stopped me in my tracks immediately. There is a great deal of variety in both direction as well as scale of the mark. For me, this provides so much interest and dynamic movement to the piece. There is also a great deal of value contrast here. The light crossing the bottom third of the composition in a diagonal shape makes the painting feel like its in motion. The palette here is not overly complicated, but so well balanced that it further enhances the contrast between values. This painting has motion, expression, an incredibly strong command of the medium, and moved me the second I saw it. Congratulations to the artist. It is a beautiful piece of work.

Award of Excellence

Corey Pitkin, “Suburbia”

Judge’s Comments:

I absolutely love the limited palette, and soft edges of this piece. There is a beautiful balance of color, found in the shadow reds in the hair, to the little patch of light peaking through the hair. There are beautiful cool tones running throughout both the shadow section on the wall and throughout her hair. I love the suggestive nature of this piece. It has a narrative that holds the viewers interest in a way that is very mysterious and leaves me wanting to know her story. Compositionally, I love her vertical nature versus the diagonal of the shadow behind her. Her shoulder is so well rendered and soft in nature that it feels like the viewer can reach out and touch it. The lost edges against the light background feel so tender and well executed. This is a beauty of a painting, congratulations to the artist.

Award of Honor

Michele Ashby, “A Distant Memory”

Judge’s Comments:

The strength in this piece is incredible. Clearly executed with such precision and command of the medium, it reflects the pure power of women. The fact that she is not addressing the viewer with her eyes is so fascinating and plays even more into the idea that she is so strong and powerful; that she need not address the viewer. The flesh of her arms is round and voluptuous, and the areas of light and value contrast both around the face and the nape of the neck, falling across her arm is just so masterfully rendered. The background integrates elements of abstraction, and the shine of the fingernail on the hand in shadow is just truly amazing. The contrast of the gold against the blue just makes her pop off the page. This piece drips in feminine strength, and is a pleasure to view. Congratulations to the artist.

Award Winners

Read the judge’s comments for all of the above Award winners here.

How to Purchase

All 100 pastels in the show are available for purchase. If you see a painting you like, click here to email us, and we will put you in direct contact with the artist. Please include the name of the artist and the best way to contact you (phone, email or text).