Pastel Portrait By Picard

At Next SCAN Meeting

The Society of Creative Arts of Newtown will welcome Alain Picard as its guest artist on Wednesday, September 23, at 1:30.

Mr Picard will be painting a portrait in pastel from a live model. The program is open to the public, free of charge. It will be in the lower meeting room at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main Street.

Alain Picard studied at the Art Student’s League in New York City, and currently  makes his home in Southbury. 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, Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists, and 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.” Earlier this year Mr Picard won Best Portfolio Award during the 2009 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.

“I am awed by the beauty and dignity of humanity, and I try to reflect that sense of wonder in every portrait I create,” says Mr Picard.

Reservations are not needed for SCAN programs, but additional information is available by contacting Ruth Newquist at 426-6654