Mamut at Pastel Society Awards 2022

Very recently Mamut pastels was invited to participate as a sponsor in one of the most prestigious events in the Soft pastel world; The Annual Exhibition of the Pastel Society, United Kingdom, 2022. The exhibition was inaugurated on February 15, at the prestigious Mall Galleries in London.

It was a pleasure and honor to be part of this event since it brought together the most prestigious artisans, manufacturers and representatives of Soft Pastel.

“Still Life with Quinces”, Joana Fowler PS Oil pastel on collage 42x30cm ©photo by Pastel Society 2022

Pink Drink, Joana Fowler PS Oil pastel on collage 38x49cm, ©photo by Pastel Society 2022

The Kitchen at Fattoria Mose, Jenny Halstead PS 43x33 ©photo by Pastel Society, UK, 2022

Among them many important names such as Henri Roché (France) Unison (UK), Caran dÁche, Schmincke (Germany) or Derwent… All of them recognize the work and virtue of different artists and the culminating moment of this event, in addition to the opening of the exhibition, is the awards ceremony.

Each of the sponsors awards its own prize to the artist with whom it feels most represented and with whom it connects better. The level of this exhibition was very high!

“Across the Marshes”, Cheryl Culver PPPS RBA 48x48cm ©photo by Pastel Society, 2022

“The High Pass”, Cheryl Culver PPPS RBA 62x62cm. ©photo by Pastel Society, 2022

Those Blue Hills, Cheryl Culver PPPS RBA 48x48cm, ©photo by Pastel Society, 2022

“Nocturne”, Anne Magill, Winner of the Henri Roche Award ©photo by Pastel Society, 2022

Lilies & yellow Daisy, Moira Huntly 24x21,5cm ©photo by Pastel Society, 2022

“The almost inconceivable twelve o´clok chance of Ulberto de Fraud”, Adam De Ville ©photo by Pastel Society, 2022

Although it was not easy to decide on the work of a single artist, the “Mamut Award” went to the pastel painter Norma Stephenson. 

Norma Stephenson's work is magnificent! Her style is light but solid at the same time, with a free line and a very balanced and virtuous composition. I found her work group very coherent and cohesive. Personally, I loved the subtle palette of colors, shapes and the freedom of her strokes. Norma Stephenson's work suggests landscapes through ethereal and suggestive atmospheres that leave much room for the imagination…

“Falmouth Estuary”, Norma Stephenson 56x56. Soft Pastel ©photo by Pastel Society, 2022

“Farms and Barns”, Norma Stephenson 30x30, Soft Pastel ©photo by Pastel Society, 2022

“Forest of Bowland hills”, Norma Stephenson 56x56, Soft Pastel ©photo by Pastel Society UK, 2022

The richness of the textures achieved with the pastel are poetic. All this qualities make me feel close and connected on a personal level to her work.

Norma Stephenson finds her subjects in the hills and moorland of the Forest of Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales. Her paintings are semi-abstract, with a twist: in the wild, very loosely executed, landscapes, man’s contributions – such as farm buildings – are realistic and solidly anchored.

“Mr Price´s old farm Shed”, Norma Stephenson 56x56. (Mamut Award) ©photo by, Pastel Society, 2022

Sam Stephenson receiving the “Mamut Award” in the name of Norma Stephenson, ©photo by, Pastel Society UK, 2022