This post should have been on my blog a few months ago. And to be honest, I regret not having finished it sooner. I had it pending after some email exchanges with Laurinda O'Connor in which I let her know how much I loved her work. I also told her that I was very interested in sharing her work on my website. She was very happy with the idea and responded right away: "Yes, I would love to be on your blog! Will start taking in-process photos. Thank you so much for the opportunity! Your new fan! Laurinda.

Once again, the annual exhibition of the Pastel Society of the UK was held in London this January. This event is, in my humble opinion, currently one of the best dry pastel exhibitions and competitions in the world.

Hundreds of Soft Pastel artists or painters using other dry techniques presented their works hoping to be selected in this wonderful art and cultural event. The Soft pastel technique stops being considered a minor technique to become the protagonist, and shines with its own light in the walls of the Mall Galleries, in London.

This exhibition contains an extraordinary collection of Russian drawings, paintings and watercolors. In its rooms, the visitor will encounter the main movements, themes and concerns of Russian art in the period from the end of the 19th century to the end of the Second World War. Many of the most famous Russian artists of that era are represented, and experts and lovers of culture and art will find much to admire, learn and discuss.

The 6th international biennale "Pastel d'Opale", France, was held last month, In the north of France, Saint-Léonard, commune de l'agglomération Boulonnaise. From 9 March to 24 March 2024 visitors were able to see she exhibition with several paintings on soft pastel, made by many different artists.

This is a very good way to start the new year!
Mamut Pastels has been featured in one of the most important Art Magazines in France,;“Pratique des Arts”.
I was contacted by a representative of Pratique des Arts few months ago on the possibility of having an independent review made on my pastels. The review would be performed by the artist painter Joel Simon.

Another year and yet another Pastel Society Exhibition in the UK for all the lovers of soft Pastel and drawing techniques!
This was a special date. The Society was celebrating their 125th anniversary. Unfortunately I couldn’t attend personally this artistic event but I got all the information and material to share on my blog., This year's Pastel Society Exhibition motive was “Remarkable”. And looking at the selected works, it was indeed Remarkable!

This August Mamut Pastels received a special visit from a dear friend-Mihaela Zoeva, who is also a very talented young artist.
We were happy to invite her to try our pastels , and share with her our entusiasm about color!
We improvised an open art studio on the communal terrace at the top of our building and we filmed her ,while she was creating an unusual series of big-size abstract figurative drawings.

Another year, the Soft Pastel contest of the Central Mass Pastel Society of Massachusetts, Marks of Distinction National Exhibition, was held, in which Mamut Pastels had the opportunity to participate by awarding three prizes to the jury's selection. The jurors of selection this year were Loriann Signori and Javad Soleimanpour, and our Judge of Awards, Mim Brooks Fawcett.

Mamut Prize at the Pastel Society Exhibition 2023. Finally, the big day arrived! The opening of the Pastel Society Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London, 2023 and the time to select the Mamut Prize winner among all the amazing artists exhibiting their work. A privilege I did not want to miss!

Robert Weinblatt, Soft Pastel painter.