Marianne Nealy
Artist
I have been passionate about pastel painting ever since I first picked up a pastel chalk 30 years ago. Living in Waltham in Addison County, Vermont, I am constantly inspired by local scenes in that lush and green area. As a full time educator and mom, however, I have painted most often with pastels intermittently over my teaching career. After retiring from education in 2020, I have found myself learning and painting more often than ever before. I am an active member of the Vermont Pastel Society in the Chittenden hub.
I have entered both the Member Exhibition and Juried Shows during 2024 and been selected as a first place winner in both. Additionally, I am an active member of the Essex Art League participating in their member shows in the Essex area and plein air painting events with my artist colleagues. I truly love the opportunity to socialize and collaborate with the members of these organizations to learn and grow in my artistic endeavors.
Painting with pastels may be compared to using chalk. However, the soft pastel sticks are often handmade and come in endless colors.
Pastel Painting Challenge
The challenge in pastel painting for me is to find and show a tension between parts and pieces in scenes from nature. A composition as it presents itself in the natural environment given reflections, shadows and color allows me to deepen my skill with the techniques for soft pastel. Brilliant colors provide marked transitions between forms, shape, color, light, shadow, and atmosphere in a landscape. I paint to evoke a sense of excitement for a place that gives the viewer pause to appreciate the beauty of our natural environment and especially Vermont.
Awards
2nd place winner, “Jeffersonville Woodland”
First place winning pastel painting “Winter at Shelburne Farms.”
