Lee's Awards

• Pheiffer University
  
  Lee was awarded "Best of show"
  
  
• Stanly Arts Guild Members Show
  
  Lee was awarded "Honorable Mention"
  
  
• Lee has paintings in Falling Rivers Gallery in Albemarle, North Carolina.

Pastels are a mixture of pure pigment mixed with a binder and formed into a stick. Most pastel artists use a paper with a rough or gritty texture that will easily hold the pastel and allow the artist to use several layers of color. There are several kinds of paper available and the grit will vary. I like use Wallis, UArt 400 or 500 grit, and Richeson, all very good surfaces for pastel.

Watercolor is also pure pigment mixed with a binder and intended for use with water using several application techniques, and usually applied to a textured surface.

I use Arches brand 100% cotton 140 pound rough. I often use watercolor as an underpainting for my pastel paintings as it adheres well to the gritty surface also.

Pastel paintings can be stored until ready for framing by being placed between sheets of parchment paper or preferably acid free glassine sheets (available at art or hobby shops). It is important that they be laid flat, image up, and away from sunlight and moisture.

When framing, use acid-free mat boards and backing. Acidic boards can destroy color and cause yellowing. I often use UV protection glass but it is not necessary if you hang the painting in a place where it will not receive direct sunlight and pastel paintings should not be exposed to moisture. These are just a few pointers that may help you keep your art protected and looking like new many years from now!