Episodes

  • Pastel Podcast Episode 3: Marla Baggetta

    Pastel Podcast Episode 3: Marla Baggetta
    Jul 1 2025

    Episode 3: Marla Baggetta – Embracing Fundamentals, Freedom & a Life in Pastels

    In this inspiring episode of The Pastel Podcast, hosts Lisa Skelly and Kari Stober sit down with nationally acclaimed pastel artist and visionary educator Marla Baggetta for a rich and insightful conversation about art, teaching, and creative freedom. With over three decades of experience, Marla shares her journey from commercial illustrator to fine artist and how the landscapes of Oregon led her to fall in love with the pastel medium.

    We dive into the power of fundamentals, the value of daily sketching and thumbnails, and Marla’s trailblazing approach to online pastel education. She opens up about her commitment to lifelong learning, balancing creativity with sustainability, and how exploration across mediums keeps her work vibrant and alive. If you're ready to reignite your artistic spark and embrace the joy of painting with pastels, this episode is for you!

    Related Links from this episode of The Pastel Podcast

    Marla Baggetta’s website

    Marla Bagetta’s Instagram

    Marla Baggetta’s Etsy Store

    Plein Air Convention

    Lon Brauer on Art School Live

    IAPS - International Association of Pastel Societies

    #PastelArt #MarlaBaggetta #PastelPainting #PastelPodcast #ThePastelPodcast #OnlineArtEducation #PaintingWithPastels #ArtInspiration #DailyPractice #ArtMentorship #SoftPastels #ArtCareer #CreativeFreedom #ArtPodcast
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    59 mins
  • Pastel Podcast Episode 2: William A. Schneider

    Pastel Podcast Episode 2: William A. Schneider
    Jun 1 2025

    Episode 2: William A Schneider - A Journey Through Art, Music, and the Passion for Pastels

    In this exciting episode of The Pastel Podcast, hosts Lisa Skelly and Kari Stober sit down with master pastel and oil painter William A. Schneider to explore his incredible journey through art, music, and creative mastery! Discover how Bill transitioned from not one, but two successful careers to become a celebrated pastel and oil painter, and a sought-after instructor. We dive deep into his artistic philosophy, the importance of master copies, insights from legendary mentors like Bill Parks and Harley Brown, and the challenges of painting portraits, figures, and atmospheric scenes. Bill shares practical tips on composition, design methods, and blending techniques that cross between pastel and oil mediums. Whether you’re an aspiring artist or a seasoned professional, this conversation offers invaluable lessons on staying a perpetual student, mastering values, and pushing creative boundaries. Don’t miss this inspiring episode!

    Related Links from this episode of the Pastel Podcast

    • The Pastel Today free weekly newsletter

    • William A Schneider website

    • List of Pastel Societies to Join

    • Bill’s instructional courses on PaintTube.TV

    #PastelArt #PastelPainting #PastelPodcast #ThePastelPodcast #WilliamSchneider #OilPainting #ArtInspiration #MasterCopies #PaintingTechniques #ArtPodcast #PerpetualStudent #ArtPhilosophy
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Pastel Podcast Episode 1: Kim Lordier

    Pastel Podcast Episode 1: Kim Lordier
    Apr 29 2025
    Pastel Podcast Episode 1: Exploring the Soulful Art of Pastel with Kim Lordier Welcome to a vibrant journey through the world of pastel painting, where passion, technique, and personal stories intertwine to inspire artists of all levels. In this engaging conversation, hosts Lisa Skelly and Kari Stober, share their experiences, insights, and heartfelt connections to the medium. This article delves into the soulful artistry of Kim Lordier, one of the nation’s finest pastel plein air painters, exploring her approach, inspirations, and the unique magic she brings to her work. Kim is known for her generosity and warmth, qualities that make her not only a brilliant artist but also a beloved mentor and friend. Her approachable nature and encouragement have helped many artists overcome self-doubt and embrace their creative voices. Meeting Kim Lordier: A Serendipitous Beginning Kim Lordier’s story is not only about her mastery of pastel but also about the profound connections that art can foster. The first encounter for Lisa and Kim was serendipitous—sparked by a magazine cover featuring her work. Both Kim and Lisa shared a surprising commonality: they had been flight attendants. This unexpected link led to an invitation to a plein air event in Sonoma County, and eventually a lasting friendship. It’s a testament to how art can unite people. Beyond her artistic journey, Kim shares an unusual family connection with co-host Kari Stober, the Mountain Meadows Massacre. Both descend from siblings who survived this tragic event during a wagon train journey to California. The Soulful Essence of Kim Lordier’s Pastel Paintings What makes Kim’s paintings resonate so deeply? The answer lies in the soulful quality she infuses into her work. She explains that there is no simple formula; rather, it’s about pouring oneself into each painting and blending foundational elements like value simplification and shape composition with personal expression. Kim often employs an underpainting technique, especially for larger studio pieces, which helps her build a strong tonal foundation before layering pastel. In plein air settings, she typically works directly with pastel, capturing the immediacy of the moment. Her process is patient and intuitive, allowing the painting to “talk” to her and evolve organically. For example, in one of her celebrated works, Baby, It’s Cold Outside, she used a Fibonacci spiral to refine the composition, patiently waiting to add a subtle puff of breath that brought the scene to life. From Illustration to Pastel: A Journey of Confidence and Discovery Kim’s artistic path began early, painting animal portraits in pastel since she was 15. She initially pursued illustration but found the competitive environment intimidating. Later, she embraced plein air painting, starting with oils and adapting those techniques to pastel. A pivotal moment came during plein air sessions with her mentor Brit, who encouraged Kim to appreciate the power of simplified tonal shapes and to trust her emerging style. Painting in the Field: The Joys and Challenges of Plein Air Pastel Painting outdoors presents unique challenges and rewards. Kim’s approach to plein air pastel is to capture intimate scenes and color notes rather than finishing fully detailed paintings on site. Her plein air works often serve as studies or inspiration for larger studio pieces. She emphasizes the importance of stepping back frequently to observe the overall composition and values, a practice that helps maintain clarity and depth in the work. Her friend Lisa Skelly recounts painting alongside Kim during a plein air workshop, marveling at Kim’s ability to see and capture elements in the landscape that others might miss. Kim’s vision and mark-making are described as a “dance” with the pastel sticks—fluid, gestural, and full of life. The Dance of Pastel: Gesture, Movement, and Expression Kim likens her painting process to a dance, where every stroke reflects the gesture and growth of the subject. She doesn’t paint individual details in isolation but captures the essence and movement of forms, such as the sway of grasses or the posture of horses. This approach imbues her work with a dynamic energy and emotional resonance. Understanding and Mastering Atmospheric Perspective in Pastel One of the technical challenges in landscape painting is achieving atmospheric perspective—the illusion of depth created by changes in color, value, and contrast. Kim stresses the importance of understanding how values compress and colors cool as the eye travels into the distance. She advises artists to observe how contrasts between light and dark lessen with distance, and how warm colors in the foreground gradually shift to cooler blues and purples in the background. To assist with value assessment, she recommends stepping back frequently and using tools like black-and-white photos or phone screenshots to evaluate the painting’s tonal ...
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    1 hr and 1 min