I adore teaching these classes and nudging people to blossom and thrive outside their comfort zone. It is so good for them as well as for me, and so much love is expressed all around, that my students invariably become my friends.

On this third and last day, sadly down one student who was squeezing in being there for the first two days, they made two works of art using the surfaces and techniques we explored the first two days. In the photos below, you can see their progress on these, some of which are complete, others not. Everyone did well and brought interesting things to discuss to the sharing.

If you are thinking of hosting such a class for your group, here are some of the comments students wrote when evaluating the workshop:

What they liked:

• Polly was generous, both with patient and her own art supplies
• Polly was organized, both verbally and with written hand-outs
• Polly stayed on time and on plan
• there was plentiful one-on-one time with each student
• Polly provided a positive, safe environment
• I felt very nurtured as an artist
• I was encouraged to be my authentic, genuine self
• good the scientific approach to experiments with new pastel techniques: small experiments, in order, so we know what we like and how to get it again
• using new materials, incorporating stencils, expanded gesso usages
• loved Polly’s energy
• it went by so fast and was so full. It never lagged.
• as a newcomer/beginner I was accepted and encouraged
• the setting was perfect, with big tables, bright lights, in a big room, with access to sink, bathrooms, snacks, with supplemental supplies and tools generously supplied by Polly
• The balance between teaching/coaching and practice/production was perfect
• useful handouts outlining key points of composition and how to know when a painting is done
• The workshop had an incredible amount of information that was delivered in a very organized fashion, which was appreciated. The amount of information was tremendous, with a lot to bring home and work on.
• I found the group to be an especially harmonious and very easy to work around.
• Their art practice was “ignited.”

How to improve the workshop:

• Can’t imagine
• Not enough time to experiment with all materials and techniques (my note: is a lifetime enough?)
• At times I felt that there wasn’t enough time to finish a developing thought.
• fewer examples? Too much content?
• Add another day?
• I really don’t have any complaints or things that I particularly didn’t like.

What they learned:

• to be creative with pastels and texture and to do that originally
• to use whole body, arm, and shoulder, and to step back and look at it from a distance
• how to make textured papers with various materials
• very exciting ways to use pan pastels
• got tons of useful tips on what works or doesn’t work, based on experience
• freed to be me– I don’t have to copy but can explore and grow my own style
• 80/20 in all sorts of ways
• wide variety of techniques for preparing surfaces, labeled in samples so I can reproduce them at home
• how to jump start my art practice
• how to use process to deliver content

Written comments from students:

“This was an outstanding workshop. It offered opportunities to explore the pastel medium in innovative and new ways that push our creativity and process to a new level. Felt like a child expressing himself in the purity of the moment without inhibitions and with joy. Polly is an excellent communicator, is very creative, supportive, and nurturing. Her enthusiasm and energy is contagious. At times she can deliver in a very rapid rhythm, but she is able to adjust accordingly to the needs of each student. She is flexible and generous.”

“The workshop was inspiring and ignited parts of me in an exciting way.  I felt that I was particularly encouraged by Polly to continue on my path in abstraction – that is a new discovery for me. I left with an engagement in materials I had never used before. They were materials I was always interested in, but this was a deep dive into those new materials and methods of use.  Exciting and stimulating to delve into. I especially appreciated Pollys ability to express her own connection to making art. I also appreciated the positive feedback given to students and especially found the culminating activity each day to be very helpful and informative.

Thank you to all who made this possible!