Pastel Society of NC

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Susan Panzarella

Inspired by her father, a Chicago architect, Susan has focused on creating art since her early teens. She began a lifelong pursuit of painting after studying at the Art Institute in Chicago. Specializing in oils and pastels portraiture, she also creates landscapes, florals and still lifes and is constantly fascinated by color and the transfer of light.

Susan spent 25 years in California and had the opportunity to study Life Drawing and Anatomy at Long Beach City College under the tutelage of Michael Daniel and, soon after, concentrated on the art of portraiture. She continued her studies with Daniel Greene, Ramon Kelly, Chuck Hammond, Michael Shane Neil and Robert E. Wood in various workshops.

In her paintings, Susan conveys her own philosophy of art and loves to explore the complexities of color, engaging collectors with uplifting paintings, filled with the harmony of vitality. While striving for truth in her work, she believes that “perfection is the enemy of great art.” Since a single brushstroke can convey volumes in a painting, Susan is inspired by John Singer Sargeant and Edgar Degas.

Her work has received many Awards of Merit, consistently over the last 18 years and her paintings hang in many art collections in the U.S. and Scotland. She is a member of the Portrait Society of America, and in Charlotte, N.C. participates in the Piedmont Pastel Society, the Pastel Society of North Carolina, the Cabarrus Art Guild and the Mint Hill Art Guild. She lives in Charlotte with her husband, Greg, and their two Australian cattle dogs.

click on the thumbnail pictures below to see the full painting

March 13 – Liz Haywood Sullivan

Landscape demos on painting sunlight and shadow and the concept of underpainting using three values of blue for the shadows and three values of yellow for sunlight.

“World’s End” by Liz Haywood-Sullivan, PSA-MP, IAPS/MC, IAPS/EP

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Upcoming Shows / Workshops

2021 North Carolina Statewide Pastel Exhibition
On Common Ground: From the Mountains to the Sea
June 1-30, 2021
Download the Prospectus
Online Entry Deadline: Monday, March 29, 2021 (midnight)
Juror/Judge: Stephie Clark


PURE COLOR: Online International Juried Exhibition of Pastel Paintings

September 1, 2021 – September 30, 2021
Juror of Selection: Isabelle V. Lim, PSA-MP, IAPS/MC, SPF-MP
Judge of Awards: Nancie King Mertz, PSA-MP, CPP-MP, IAPS-MC&EP
View more information and apply online.

Recent News / Announcements

If you are a current PSNC member and want to share your news, fill out the form here.

Member News, Lorie Callahan

Member News, Chris Berndt

Member News, Jim Hallenbeck

Member News, Judith Cutler

Member News, Diana Coidan

Member News, Roxanne Lorch

Creating Clouds in Pastel, Online Workshop with Diana Coidan

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