Pastels Into Paint

Pastels are particles of pigment held together in binder forming a stick, so what is the switch from dry chalk pastels to water-based paint about? It’s about giving up glass.

Why did it take so long?The tree series helped me transition to more paint, less pastel. There are acrylics, new mediums and emulsions, all water based but with enduring matte color all over my studio.

I now make unique acrylic paintings on paper. They are wired and ready to hang; neither glass nor frame is needed.I use other artist materials too, like ink, graphite, casein paint, so maybe mixed media is a more accurate description. I apply the picture with acrylic polymer onto a wood panel, usually bass or birch panels with a 1-inch cradle, then I use Golden brand UV matte varnish to coat and protect the work. It’s like when I first used polymer at about age 9. Decoupage was popular among crafters of the 1970’s.