Alain Picard To Return For SCAN Program

The Society of Creative Arts of Newtown (SCAN) will welcome Alain Picard for a demonstration of painting a portrait in pastel on Wednesday, September 14, at 7:30 pm. Mr Picard, who has offered programs for the group in the past, will be painting from a live model.

The free program will be at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main Street (at the flagpole).

Mr Picard earned a BA in illustration from Western Connecticut State University and went on to study at the Art Students League in New York City. Mr Picard cites Sargent, Degas, and Sorolla among his artistic influences. A love of light and beauty are immediately apparent in his pastel and oil paintings.

Mr Picard’s work has been featured in such publications as The Artist’s Magazine and The Pastel Journal. He has garnered top awards throughout the Northeast in esteemed exhibitions including the Pastel Society of America, Hudson Valley Art Association, the Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists, and the Connecticut Pastel Society where he holds signature member status.

In 2004, The Artist’s Magazine highlighted Mr Picard as one of 20 contemporary artists “On the Rise.” In 2009 Mr Picard won the Best Portfolio Award at the Annual Portrait Society of America conference in Washington, D.C. He was also published in the April 2009 issue of The Pastel Journal as a finalist in two categories — Portrait and Figure, and Landscape — for its Annual “Pastel 100 Competition”.

A frequent workshop instructor and demonstrator for art associations, schools, galleries and museums, Mr Picard was recently invited to demonstrate a portrait in pastel at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. He lives with his wife and two sons in Southbury.

Reservations are not needed for SCAN programs but information about the group and its programs is always available from Ruth Newquist; call 203-426-6654.