Colette Odya Smith demo

In celebration of the Pastel Society of America’s 50th Exhibition Enduring Brilliance!, we are offering demonstrations of pastel technique by world renowned
masters. For our first demonstration, I would like to introduce Colette Odya Smith, an award-winning painter, educator and juror. Colette has worked in pastel for over 25 years, and her unique abstract paintings have been exhibited worldwide. Today she will be welcoming us into her studio and sharing her three-step process in making the literal abstract.

[@yellowrose7405]

Colette - you did a wonderful job demonstrating your approach and techniques on this painting. I found it fascinating with your perspectives on how you take photographs with an artist eye and render them into a beautiful painting without being too "fussy" in details. The entire composition somehow works very, very well. I am a beginner artist using pastels and realize that I often see the colors from a photograph too literal without seeing the other subtle colors and hues that blend into the entire picture. You have helped in how you, as an artist, can do that. You do beautiful work.

[@naomizentmyer1858]

your presentation of how you set up, making notes to yourself in sketches and the blending of photographs is sooo enligthtening. Your steady concentration is another great thing to watch. Thank you very much!!!!

[@tslilbearshoppe9870]

I just love and admire the ways in which the artist can share her process so eloquently. I have never tried to put my process into words and I think I would have a really hard time doing that. I give her a lot of credit and appreciation for that. Beautiful painting!

[@victoriagadd6831]

Wow - inspirational. I’ve never seen anything like this approach. It’s on a par with Picasso and Matisse turning the ‘fixed’ rules of art upside down and changing the way art is perceived. Astounding and groundbreaking art. Thank you.

[@annaluczak1402]

With 9 billion people on this planet it has to be a really lucky coincidence to "meet" the person thinking almost the same way like me. I even share your love for the squares, lol. The difference is I wouldn't be able to articulate so precisely my thoughts about the inspirations, methods, process involved in creation, neither to execute the painting as exquisitely as you, Colette. Thank you from Canada🙂

[@leslovesart]

WOW….This is one of the best demonstrations I have ever seen. This was packed full of valuable information, every step along the way. I will be watching this many times over to absorb as much as I can. It is so difficult to paint and teach at the same time, but she makes it look effortless. Wonderful demonstration, thank you so much for sharing!

[@brendadow3354]

Your work and expressions of interest in our ability to feel and understand where you are going was wonderful!! Thank you for this demonstration…. I will watch it again I’m sure!!

[@amybair3205]

I love your work! I am very new to soft pastels, yet completely hooked on them. I have not tried using a watercolor under painting or cotton paper, as of yet. I plan to soon. Thank you for sharing. I will be looking for information on your workshops.

[@janewineinger1569]

The sound of the pastel on the sanded surface is making my cat think I am doing something exciting, and he wants in! Constantly grabbing at my pants! Wish I could see you do the brushy right side of the painting.

[@lethakobulnicky4077]

I have watched this several times. I was able to follow along w your choices by a color theory book I've had for 20 years. I also work w photography and take splices from photos to create additional images which is very rewarding. I never thought about turning the image upside down for abstract. I love abstracts that would help me to be free w design. The square composition is harmonious equal on all sides creates room for positive and negative space. I love this video so intelligent and creative. Thank you!

[@bonniebishop2755]

LOVE Door County! An endless source of painting opportunities. Spent over 10 years vacationing in Egg Harbor and traveled to all the towns/cities on the peninsula.💗

[@kathrynwilson3233]

An excellent video and will be sharing with my painters group. Very informative and thank you for sharing.

[@maryrentscher2316]

Thank you PSA and Colette. I’m purely an observer but was captivated and thoroughly enjoyed this demonstration. Understanding more of the process and thoughts behind it are totally enlightening. Bravo!

[@ginnystocker3436]

Thank you PSA for offering Colette today for your 50th Exhibition demonstration. Colette, this has been such a wonderful afternoon of sharing and learning! I will look aforward to seeing the finished painting! Thank you!!

[@susankashmiri6199]

Beautiful demo! I really enjoyed your discussion on photography and its importance in planning your painting. I learned so much, thank you!

[@susanegan4855]

I am a watercolorist but I do enjoy watching you paint and how you explain the details of your work. I not only enjoyed the demo but I learned so much also your work is just beautiful. Thank you

[@donnamartell9056]

What fun! Your work is wonderful! I loved the story about capturing your own jacket color in the source photo! It's a lesson for us all: Have no fear! Use what comes in the source photos! Use what comes from imagination! I wish you continuing success and surprises! Thank you!

[@susanholland3173]

wonderful... so thorough and education... Beautiful painting. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

[@brunodepaulak]

Very interesting! And I loved the tricks for choosing colors, trying out on small piece of paper, and the comments about not being able to guess the color just by looking at the pastels. I can really relate to that :) Thanks for the great video!

[@a-kjohansson7240]

Thank you.

[@karenetaylor5758]

Thank you!

[@alexandrasanches-fearsnomo3422]

What a spectacular and delightful tutorial! I learned so much! Very grateful! Big hug!❤

[@lethakobulnicky4077]

I am also very detail oriented I didn't realize I need to keep simplifying. The small reference is a great tip!

[@christinedozier6071]

So so thorough! You are a natural teacher in addition to the wonderful paintings

[@karenleah1477]

Beautiful. It is a great tutorial,I have watched it a couple of times. Love your work.

[@marvinspates924]

Very beautifully done!!!!👍👍👍

[@elenorbrodrick407]

Absolutely fabulous Colette and PSVA.

[@Nasauniverse001]

Wow! But it always looks funny watching a lefty using anything like a paint brush or a writing instrument. Love your approach, your preparation, intense and beautiful.

[@TravelingArtista]

Wonderful! Thank you PSA. Colette is so eloquent and a wonderful educator. I have shared this with my other pastel societies to spread the info and joy!

[@donatfairs204]

Thanks for in-depth techniques on approaching a project. Quite interesting on how you use watercolor and pastels. It adds a great dimension in saturated color.😊

[@victoriagadd6831]

Such beautiful work you do and thanks for sharing your process so concisely. Fascinating viewing

[@wizzardofpaws2420]

How very interesting and thoroughly helpful! A wonderful insight to great painting.

[@tgkernow1331]

This was fascinating. I love your work. Thank you

[@pamwalker7273]

Colette, I love your beautiful work. Thanks so much for sharing this.

[@captgray2000]

❤

[@IterativeArt]

I really enjoyed learning about Colette's design process. As a fellow slow painter, I feel like stand a chance 🙂

[@lucyspastels]

What a fabulous and informative video!

[@debrarank928]

Very beautiful !

[@joyceart5949]

What kind of paper do you use?

[@elizabethvcaffrey6353]

How many layers do you usually do?

[@kbent8394]

Do you paint on the Golden Pastel medium before or after painting the watercolor underpainting? Does your board buckle or bow from it, then needing a coat on the back? Thanks so much for your generous talk and demo!

[@arizona6494]

Colette Odya Smith your paintings are fabulous. This is a wonderful video. You mentioned another artist painter. Did you mean colorist Mark Rothko? I love his work.

[@beverlyhayshouston2770]

I disagree. Your photography is exactly what I love.

[@debrasabalewski9144]

Photoghophy tricks

[@brendadow3354]

Your work and expressions of interest in our ability to feel and understand where you are going was wonderful!! Thank you for this demonstration…. I will watch it again I’m sure!!