Soft pastels have enjoyed a new popularity in the past few decades thanks to many converts, but most especially credited to Flora Giffuni. The following quote is credited to the Pastel Society of America, "On the occasion of the 2004 founding of the Giffuni Gallery of American Pastels at the Butler Institute of American Art, Butler director Dr. Louis A. Zona said "If the world of art had such designations [as 'patron saints,'] Flora Giffuni would be deemed the 'Patron Saint of Pastels.'

The favorite medium of many of the past masters, their paintings are still just as vibrant and pure in color as the day they were finished. The problem with these old treasures is the ground (paper) used to hold the pastel. In many cases, the papers and boards are deteriorating, hence the low light conditions in museums that present an air of fragility to the medium. However, the pastel pigments are just as vibrant as when first applied.

Considered the purest art material, as close to raw pigment as you can get, pastels come in thousands of 'eye candy' colors. The new supports are totally archival, and with proper framing and sensible care, a pastel painting will remain unchanged for years.

Another patron of pastels would have to be Urania Christy Tarbet, founder of the International Association of Pastel Societies. Regional societies have been developed all over the world.

Pick a class, pay close attention to the materials of choice from the tutor, and prepare to be astonished at what can be accomplished with soft pastels.

Leslie B. DeMille

Urania Christy Tarbet

Margaret Evans

Kippy Hammond