July 13, 2010 > Pastels to paper Pastels to paper Submitted By Lucinda Bender The Fremont Art Association is pleased to announce Elizabeth Chavoor as the association's third showcase artist. The showcase "Pastels to Paper" will be on display from Saturday, July 17 through Sunday, August 8 at the Fremont Art Association Gallery. Chavoor was born in Oakland, and raised in Berkeley and Lafayette. At an early age and with great encouragement from both parents, she became immersed in all forms of art. Through Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, Chavoor started with watercolor classes taught by Paula Artac. At this time, she joined Hayward Arts Council and began entering her artwork in local shows including the Hayward Open Studios and Adobe Art Gallery. After five years of watercolor, she decided to go in another direction. Through classes with Sharon Dwyer, Chavoor learned to enjoy the wonderful qualities of pastels. Pastels have such rich tones and are easy to blend into soft forms. Chavoor depends on the visions within her mind to guide her through the creation of a piece of art. When she decides to do a landscape or a flower, it is the softness and purity of the colors of nature that cause her to use pastels as her medium of choice. Chavoor can blend pastels to imitate the soft wisps of a cloud, movement of water, or recreate the softness of a sunset. The rich hues can create an intense deep purple Iris or the most delicate peach blossom. Another class she took from Sharon Dwyer was a collage, or mixed media, workshop, leading Chavoor to discover another area of creativity, far from traditional forms of art. Collage has freed her creativity to explore textures as well as colors, using a variety of paper materials. Almost all of the ideas she envisions for her collages come the instant she sees a certain piece of paper. A small, simple photo clipped from a local newspaper may inspire an entire composition. Chavoor can work layers of papers into shapes and designs which play off the textures and colors of the surrounding areas. This type of art has become her new form of artistic expression, and is her most creative and fun. Chavoor loves spending hours looking through old magazines, newspapers, or any type of paper materials to put together an idea totally from her imagination. You can meet the artist at a reception held in her honor at the gallery on Sunday, July 18, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served. A variety of new works from additional member artists will compliment the gallery's third quarter offerings. Please join with your community in celebrating this award-winning artist. Pastels to Paper Saturday, July 17 through Sunday, August 8 Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reception: Sunday, July 18 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Fremont Art Association Gallery 37659 Niles Boulevard, Fremont (510) 792-0905 www.FremontArtAssociation.org