March 2024 Showcase - Colored Pencil Artwork
The three artists featured in the March 2024 issue of COLOR Magazine Showcase share the stories behind their beautiful artwork here in our blog.
Lunch in Paris by Kimberly Karum
13.5 x 10.5 inches
Prismacolor colored pencils on Stonehenge paper. Artist’s own photo.
This artwork is a portrait of my mom. My mom was multi-talented. She would stay up after her six kids were in bed and sew our outfits, clean, and cook. She also joined the local elementary school PTA and became their Picture Lady. She would go from classroom to classroom sharing art with developing minds. In her senior years, when the house was empty, she would take art classes at the local community college and joined the local art league, creating her own art.
A dream of hers was to someday go to Paris and see famous art in person. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s crept into her life, unknown to her children. As the years went by, the obvious had become clear. She no longer enjoyed her painting and memories were hard to reach. One day my sister approached me. She wanted to take our mom to Paris. After much discussion it was decided. The tickets were purchased. We were going.
Once in our B&B we discussed our plans over fresh croissants and strong coffee. The day’s agenda was determined. We would go to the Louvre, and see Mona. The next day we would visit the Musee d’Orsay, submersing ourselves in walls and walls of colorful water lilies. But the best part of the trip was the corner cafes and restaurants. We could sit, satisfying ourselves with coffee or a glass of wine, and observe the busy Parisian day. This picture was taken then. Catching the moment of that smile, the glint in her eye and that knowing look. Neither of us was certain of the subject of her amusement. Could it be the man in the background, who seems to have his eye on her, or her joy of reaching her dream, or the love directed at the photographer. We are left only to ponder.
About Kimberly Karum:
Kim Karum began her art career the day she picked up a crayon. She was always drawing, coloring, painting. Her grandmother paid for her to take painting lessons at 11, and high school and college were filled with art classes. She graduated with a bachelor’s in art education and has studied with Teresa Pennington and currently with Beech Tree Studios.
Paul's Rover by Harriet Bevan
11 x 17 inches
Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer colored pencils on Clairfontaine Pastelmat. Artist's own photo.
When I first turned professional in 2019, things didn’t go quite to plan. I was adamant I wanted to specialize in cats, but the work wasn’t coming in as I’d hoped. I took on other subjects (dogs and wildlife mostly) but didn’t publicize them, as I felt it would be counterproductive to my goal of being known for cat portraits. When my partner asked me to draw his old Rover, I was grateful for the work but wasn't keen as it was so far removed from my usual subject matter. Would I be able to plot it out accurately enough? What would rendering a hard, shiny surface be like? In the end it turned out to be one of my most enjoyable creations, particularly the little challenges such as the mascot and badges. It took me about 45 hours and had me seeing shiny metal details and reflections every time I closed my eyes.
About Harriet Bevan:
Eight years ago, Harriet Bevan first started using colored pencil in an informal art class she had been attending. Something clicked, and suddenly she was inspired to spend every opportunity learning and improving. Little did she know it would be life-changing, and would lead eventually to a career as a cat portrait artist whose work is in very high demand.
See more at harrietbevanart.com and facebook.com/harriet.bevan.art
Pears in a Wooden Bowl by Debra Elsby
9 x 12 inches
Prismacolor Premier and some Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils on Canson XL Marker. Photo from Pixabay.
I challenge myself with every new drawing to make it as realistic as I possibly can. With “Pears in a Wooden Bowl,” I was immediately drawn to the different textures in the photograph, such as the cloth draped over the side of the bowl and the grain carved out in the wood of the bowl, and the very surface of wood the bowl and stray pears are resting on.
I derive immense pleasure in figuring out the best possible way to transfer the textures from pencil to paper. What appears at times to be an impossibly lengthy and time-consuming task usually works itself out with a little bit of experimentation.
I find that as I am working, I notice so many details I previously overlooked, so I’ve taught myself to take my time, and study the subject thoroughly. I believe I’ve achieved the realism I was striving for in this piece of work.
About Debra Elsby:
Debra Lee has been drawing as far back as she can remember. She started with her then favorite, graphite, but moved on to oils, studying under the late Don Hall. She found she had little patience for oils, and discovered colored pencils, which in turn opened up an entire new world of control and instant gratification. They are now her first love.
See more at: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063622745714.
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