Pastel Portraits, Joel Spector At Next SCAN Meeting

The Society of Creative Arts of Newtown (SCAN) will host Joel Spector of New Milford, painting a pastel portrait, at the next meeting of SCAN, on Wednesday, August 8, at 7:30 pm. The demonstration will take place at Newtown Meeting House (lower level), 31 Main Street in Newtown (at the flagpole). The public is invited, free of charge.

Known for his images of elegance, Joel Spector was born in Havana, Cuba, and came to the United States at the age of 12. He graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology and attended the Art Students’ League. He started out in the field of fashion illustration, then moved on to general illustration and has worked with prominent accounts throughout the years.

Mr Spector is a member of the Pastel Society of America from which he has won gold medal awards. He has also won awards from the Society of Illustrators in NYC.

He was also selected as one of the finalists in the 2011 International Portrait Competition hosted by the Portrait Society of America. His portrait, “O. Aldon James,” was selected based on skill and technique, as well as aesthetic and emotional content.

Mr Spector’s work has been featured in Artist’s Magazine, Pastel International, Society of Illustrators Annual, Best of Pastels and in international magazines. A documentary was produced for Japanese television showing his working progress.

Besides illustration Mr Spector also does commissioned portraits. A portrait of Claire Bloom was commissioned by the National Arts Club in NYC  and was presented to her on June 6, 2011, in order to commemorate a Lifetime Achievement in acting.

Mr Spector recently completed a portrait of the opera soprano Patrice Munsel, and it will hang at the Metropolitan Opera. Earlier this year he painted portraits of Celeste Holm, Elizabeth Wilson and Robert Couturier.

Reservations are not needed for SCAN programs, but additional information is always available from Ruth Newquist at 203-426-6654.