New art exhibition that focusses on 'the joy of using soft pastels' comes to Scarriff

Clare Arts Office, in conjunction with the Edna O’Brien Library in Scarriff, is hosting ‘Works in Pastel’ by artist Janet Buell until August 23.

A noted pastelist, Ms Buell invites you to explore the highly pigmented medium of soft pastels at her fourth solo show. It follows on from her successful exhibition at Cultúrlann Sweeney in Kilkee late last year.

The artist began working with soft pastels in early 2020 and has been developing her style and subject matter since then. Her subjects range from semi-abstract landscapes and still-life to animals and gardenscapes.

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Janet Buell said, “The joy of using soft pastels is as much a part of my work as the subject matter itself. Unlike oil, acrylic and other wet mediums, soft pastels have to be mixed on the paper using different layering techniques. I like seeing those layers develop from initial concept through the messy middle, and onto a finished painting.”

Her work has been featured in group and solo shows in the Clare Museum and KAVA Courthouse Gallery in Kinvara, Portumna Castle, the 126 in Galway, Gort Arts Trail, the Limelight Gallery in Oranmore and at the Clifden Arts Festival.

A large reproduction of the artist’s painting ‘Portrait of Bastil as a Young Artist’ is currently featured along the Corrundulla Arts Trail in County Galway. Janet's work can also be seen at the Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery Summer Exhibition, which runs until September 6.

She will be hosting an informal artist talk at the Edna O’Brien Library Gallery on Tuesday, August 12 from 11am to 1pm.

Visitors will be able to try painting with pastels under Janet’s guidance. The Edna O’Brien Library Gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm where you can view the stunning works.