9/2026 Adventure: J-3 ~ THREE OF A KIND
Using a group of objects as a focal point can create compelling and dynamic results. Our artists were challenged to paint “three-of-a-kind”, their choice of subject, in this composition oriented Adventure Challenge.
DIANE DE GRASSE ~ Three Of A Kind. 12 x 9", ColorFix Cream paper, soft pastels - "Getting back to pastels after months, from recent surgery, I turned to an old favorite subject which gained me many sales when I lived in Maine. Rows of beer in the fridge for Oktoberfest. I sold nearly a dozen pastel paintings of all sizes, probably for "man caves". These 3 commercial brands were mixed in with dozens of our humble home brews. It was so good to handle pastels again. Thanks for getting me going!" - Black Mountain, NC
PAT QUIGLEY ~ Breakfast Social, 12 x 9", UART 320 and soft pastels - "Sketching these guys from photographs made me wish I was able to draw them from life - birds are so mobile, especially when feeding. The toothier UART 320 really does grab and hold a lot of layers." - Norristown, PA
TERRILYNN DUBREUIL ~ Flanders Field, 12 x 9", UArt, soft pastels, alcohol - "I paint few flowers, but tried this as an exercise in simplicity and texture." - Windham, ME
MERYL MEYER ~ Three Ornamental Teapots, 9 x 12", UArt 400 paper, pastel pencils and assorted soft and hard pastels, Prismacolor 05 fine tip pen - "Took on more than I initially wanted with this still life. All that detail... I stayed with it and overcame many challenges. These miniature teapots I had collected many years ago. I loved the ornamental and creative designs, and different shapes. I set up the still life so they were at different heights and added a sheer drop cloth. Creating the transparency of the sheer cloth was also very challenging." - Weaverville, NC
JANE HUDSON ~ How Do I Get To Three Pines? - "I LOVE Louise Penny's novels - most set in this wonderful place called Three Pines. A mystical adventure." - Fort Mill, SC
MARGARET LYN-SOROKEN ~ 11 x 8.5, pastels on grey pastel paper - "Photo I took of my 3 cats as they observed a lizard. I thought it was funny and fit the 3 challenge... still working on it." - Black Mountain, NC
NANCY CLAUSEN ~ From My Garden - "These are rhubarb leaves from my garden. I am not quite satisfied with what I’ve done, so it might need a redo. The painting is done on Canson Velvet with a variety of different pastels. It was fun to do the leaves, I’m not sure about the background." - Swannanoa, NC
WILL EVANS ~ The Guardians, 6 x 8", Uart 400 - "Late fall, leaves down, standing strong!" - Fairview, NC
ALEC HALL ~ Did You Bring Carrots, 8 x 16", Uart 500 grit paper, Rembrandt and Great American pastels, Carb-Othello pencils - "I found these three burros near a friend's farm in Ontario, Canada. They would only approach if they knew that you had a treat like carrots or apples." - Hendersonville, NC
MARYANN GRIB ~ Exploring Koi, 6 x 8", soft pastels on gesso primed multi media paper - "I've been experimenting with this theme of Koi fish, so thought I would make it three in a triangular pattern using this color combination that I kind of love. I am still playing around with it and I'll probably create a few different versions before I actually get one I would consider finished. But I do love the idea of creating a series to discover various ways to portray a subject." - Gallatin, NC
JANE BEST ~ Three Maples, 8 x 6”, soft pastel - "Had fun painting these trees. Experimented by underpainting with watercolors on watercolor paper which I then coated with clear gesso before completing with soft pastels. Thanks for this enjoyable adventure!" - Morganton, NC
CLAIRE BENTON ~ Onions In Three Steps, 9.4 x 12.6", Canson Mi-Tientes Velvet Blue - "Used pan pastels, pencils, and a couple of softer pastels. What to do with the rectangle that is left... empty?" - Riverview, FL
LYNN NEWMAN ~ Cage Free Chickens, 12 x 12”, pastel on Arches Black - "I loved this challenge! It was a fun opportunity to combine the gestural qualities of drawing with the immediacy and vibrancy of soft pastels." - Clayton, NC
DEBORAH CHASE ~ Spouting Off, 12 x 12” Canson Mi Teintes paper and a variety of pastels - Rutherfordton, NC
KRYSTINA MADEJ ~ Venice Three, 7 x 5", beige Uart 400, Blue Earth, Ludwig and Rembrandt soft and hard pastels - "This was done for one of Alain Picard's workshops where he encouraged a minimum number of looser strokes. I got caught up in some of the detail in the boats but for the most part I felt I got away from my habit of focusing too closely and still managed to distinguish the three boats one from the other. Another practice-to-get-better pastel." - Atlanta, GA and Vancouver, Canada
KAREN KNAUB ~ 9 x 11", Pastelmat with various soft pastels - "We just came back from Iceland so I thought I would paint 3 icebergs seen in Glacier Lagoon." - Lake Lure, NC
KATHERINE HUTCHINSON ~ Rose, 10 x 8", Hahnemûhle Velour green, various pastels - "I am trying to like this velour medium but I'm definitely not there yet. It seems impossible to have any crisp lines. I'm glad this was just an experiment as I am disappointed with my result. Nonetheless thank you for keeping me playing with pastels." - Rutherfordton, NC
LINDA MEDDERS-JACKSON ~ Starting A Painting - "WIP. Starting this painting of 3 deer. Mixed pastels... Pan, Nupastels and stick. In the real ugly stage at this point." - Cross, NC
JANICE JACKSON ~ Aspens, 5 x7", Uart, various soft pastels - "I've painted this scene several times, and this time tried to paint loose." - Hendersonville, NC
JANET CLEMENT ~ 3's A Crowd! - "The local Agriberry Farmer's market described their ad as "Sunrise European Pears - $8.00". - Richmond, VA
CHRISTINA CARROLL ~ 3 And A Quarter - " I was able to catch 3 of my guests talking and I cropped the picture and put myself in as the quarter. Was interesting and enjoyable to paint. Thank you." - New Bern, NC
PAT FENDA ~ Green Trio, 9 x 12", pastel pencil - "Love looking out on my patio to see these beauties!" - Tampa, FL
JAN COBB ~ Colorful Zinnias, 11 x 7", Maimoufin pastel paper - Black Mountain, NC
CAROL ROLLICK ~ 12.75 x 19.75” - "I started this another time, but the challenge for three of a kind was the impetus needed to work on it and finish it. I still don’t know if it’s finished but I like it a whole but I like it much better and will totally finish it in the next day or so. I took the photo." - Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
