Gretchen Acharya
My primary medium is soft pastel. I prefer pastel for a number of reasons: it's directness of execution, the unmatched brilliance and vibrancy of color, its versatility and permanence. I am currently also working with water-soluble oils, watercolors, and mixed media. I am experimenting with multi-layered glazes, which allow colors to evolve as I work. My style has evolved naturally from the interaction between the medium and my artistic vision. While many paintings are completed on location, others evolve in the studio from a combination of sketches, photographic references, and creative imagination.