For nonmembers, Click here to purchase an individual membership and receive the benefits of joining The Center and the $125 class rate.

Please join Karen Watson, Hood River artist and Best of Drawing Winner from the 2014 Sun Valley Center Arts and Crafts Festival, for a fun two day class “playing” with pastels. This class, which is open to all levels, will begin with the fundamentals of pastel and materials. Once the basics are covered students will explore composition, color and, most importantly, value, the key to a successful painting. Karen will teach a variety of application techniques to aid students in creating their own expressive imagery.

Karen Watson works with a variety of soft pastels on toned sandpaper in her studio and in plein air. Favoring loose and bold application of pastel strokes and color, she creates fresh and exciting pieces. The tooth of the paper allows for several applications of pastel, lending the work a "painterly" quality. Karen has received numerous awards for her dynamic pastel paintings and has been featured in Pastel Journal and Style Magazine. Her work is included in both private and public collections throughout the nation. “I love working in pastel due to the spontaneity of the medium and enjoy sharing the experience with others.” Karen also participates in fine art festivals throughout the country and loves to travel.