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PASTEL UNITED STATES

DEMONSTRATION

Michele Poirier Mozzone

Mixing Realism and Abstraction

Michele Poirier Mozzone’s series of underwater figures
melds two styles through sunlight rays and water distortion

alking the line between realism and
Wabstraction intrigues me in my series
of underwater figurative paintings titled
Fractured Light. Watercolor was my medium
of choice for many years after earning my
Bachelor of Fine Arts in college. My paintings
were controlled and rather tight—mostly still
life and florals. Painting lost its appeal for me
after a while and I began to move away from
art and into other creative avenues. Six years
ago, I tried soft pastel, took some excellent
workshops and began to have fun again!
When I found I could combine my first
love, watercolor, with the expressiveness and
immediacy of pastel, I was completely hooked!
The last few years have been an intensely
focused period of creative rebirth for me.
I have pushed myself to experiment with the
medium and my process. Shortly after I started
using pastel, I decided my creativity needed
a kick in the pants, so for a few months
I painted completely abstract works without
any planning—just free-flow abstraction.
It was one of the most difficult, frustrating
periods for me. Besides a new appreciation
for good abstract art, I came away with many
mediocre paintings and a feeling that maybe
this was a waste of time. I still hadn’t hit upon
anything that I felt could lead me into a series
of successful paintings I was in a creative rut.
One exceptionally beautiful afternoon at
the pool in 2011, I was struck by the ribbons

These Changes 5, pastel, 26 x 16" (66 x 41 cm)
This painting was awarded First Prize at the
Providence Art Club’s 2016 Members’ Exhibition.
It was important to me to achieve that strong
sunlight shining down on this figure. Much of the
initial writing/scribbling stage is evident in this one.

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