Left: New Human (pastel on Pastelmat, 39.5x27.5) by Jia Wei; Right: Retrospect (graphite and PanPastel on paper, 28x28) by Sara Gallagher

ART COMPETITIONS INSPIRATION Art competitions, Pastel journal 4 min read

Presenting the Winners of the 25th Annual Pastel 100 Competition 

100 Pastel Winners 2024
Showcase your talent and win big in Artists Network prestigious art competitions! Discover competitions in a variety of media and enter for your chance to win cash prizes, publication in leading art magazines, global exposure, and rewards for your hard work. Plus, gain valuable feedback from renowned jurors. Let your passion shine through - enter an art competition today!

For a quarter century, the annual Pastel 100 Competition has been recognizing the incredible skill and artistry of today’s pastel talents. By bringing forward 100 works in the medium every spring in Pastel Journal, we have — after 25 years — been able to bring 2,500 works of pastel into the spotlight! Thanks to generous sponsors past and present, our Pastel 100 winners have also been the recipients of fabulous art materials that fuel their ongoing efforts. We’re grateful for the many pastel luminaries who have served as jurors over the years and for the many, many artists who have participated in this annual event. Together, we’ve created a prestigious, highly anticipated showcase that not only applauds artistic excellence but also celebrates a thriving pastel community that just keeps getting stronger.  

Grand Prizewinners 

Founders Award 

New Human (pastel on Pastelmat, 39.5×27.5) by Jia Wei 

Award of Excellence 

Retrospect (graphite and PanPastel on paper, 28×28) by Sara Gallagher

Gold Award 

Plaster Room (pastel on paper, 40×32) by Yang Zhao

Silver Award 

Hong Kong Boat (pastel on paper, 15×23) by Andrew McDermott

Bronze Award 

Jim Scott’s Garden (pastel on paper, 23×15) by Nancie King Mertz

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Portrait & Figure Category Winners — Juror: Ellen Eagle 

Grand Dreams (Spring and Autumn Dreams) (pastel on cardstock, 41x29.5) by Zhongshi Wang
FIRST PLACE: Grand Dreams (Spring and Autumn Dreams) (pastel on cardstock, 41×29.5) by Zhongshi Wang
Journeys of Love: Mothers, Moonlight and Milestones (pastel on sanded paper, 48x36) by Glenn Perez
SECOND PLACE: Journeys of Love: Mothers, Moonlight and Milestones (pastel on sanded paper, 48×36) by Glenn Perez
Blue Kimono (pastel on sandpaper board mounted to masonite, 28x22) by Robert K. Semans
THIRD PLACE: Blue Kimono (pastel on sandpaper board mounted to masonite, 28×22) by Robert K. Semans
Khala (pastel on paper, 16x12) by Zartakshtai Babai
FOURTH PLACE: Khala (pastel on paper, 16×12) by Zartakshtai Babai
A Chinese Lady (pastel on paper, 20x15) by Ming Qin
FIFTH PLACE: A Chinese Lady (pastel on paper, 20×15) by Ming Qin

Portrait & Figure Honorable Mentions 

Campfire Glow (pastel on Pastelmat, 16×12) by Barbara Benstein 

Talia (pastel on sanded paper, 16×20) by Melissa Breault 

Eternal Aphrodite (pastel pencil on paper, 38×63.75) by Javier Camacho Cruz 

Performer (pastel on paper, 25×19) by Edgar Carabio 

A Bangla Girl (pastel on sanded paper, 31×22) by Nancy Chen 

She Wondered and Waited (pastel on Pastelmat, 7×7) by Elena Degenhardt 

Bountiful (pastel on Sennelier La Carte pastel card, 15×28) by Ilene Gienger-Stanfield 

La Heladeria (pastel on Pastelbord, 36×24) by Sharon Pomales Tousey 

Red Coat (pastel on paper, 39.5×29) by Shilei He 

Think (pastel on paper, 19.75×23.5) by Cheng Li 

Girl on the Stairs (pastel on Pastelmat, 24×16) by Karin Kiessling 

Tom (pastel on Sennelier La Carte pastel card, 10×8) by Judith Kazdym Leeds 

It Was You All Along (pastel on paper, 25×22) by Carol Peebles 

A Pamir Bride (pastel on sanded paper, 33×43) by Fabang Pei 

Isaiah (pastel on media board, 20×16) by Jody Martin  

Retrato de mi Abuela (pastel and a Swarovski crystal on ear lobe, 27×19) by Sharon Pomales Tousey  

The Rewrite (PanPastel and graphite on paper, 30.5×26.5) by Sara Gallagher 

Luminous (pastel on paper, 20×16) by Vladimir Zlotskiy 

Outing (pastel on Sennelier La Carte pastel card, 24×18) by Ilene Gienger-Stanfield 

Lena and Her Friends (pastel on paper, 40×32) by Yang Zhao 

Landscape & Interior Category Winners — Juror: Desmond O’Hagan 

Geothermal Spring (pastel on MingArt 250 paper, 15x22) by Lihua Zhang
FIRST PLACE: Geothermal Spring (pastel on MingArt 250 paper, 15×22) by Lihua Zhang
The Glint (pastel on UART 400 paper, 10x16) by Jane E. Robbins 
SECOND PLACE: The Glint (pastel on UART 400 paper, 10×16) by Jane E. Robbins
New England Coastline (pastel on Kitty Wallis paper, 24x36) by Robin Thornhill 
THIRD PLACE: New England Coastline (pastel on Kitty Wallis paper, 24×36) by Robin Thornhill
Clash of Titans (pastel on UART 320 paper mounted on board, 12x24) by Cindy Crimmin
FOURTH PLACE: Clash of Titans (pastel on UART 320 paper mounted on board, 12×24) by Cindy Crimmin
Cody Reservoir (pastel on UART 320 mounted on board, 9x12) by Laura Pollak
FIFTH PLACE: Cody Reservoir (pastel on UART 320 mounted on board, 9×12) by Laura Pollak

Landscape & Interior Honorable Mentions 

Early Evening Low Tide at Burntcoat (pastel on UART 500, 17×23) by Joanne Solway 

Desert Thunderstorm (pastel on Canson Mi-Teintes, 12×18) by Paul Harman 

Outreach (pastel and watercolor on 4-ply museum board, 20×20) by Colette Odya Smith 

Cascade (pastel on Canson Mi-Teintes, 14.75×19.5) by Kathleen Best 

What Lurks in the Shadows (pastel on mounted UART, 11×14) by Barbara Jaenicke 

Carolina Marsh (pastel on Pastelmat, 11.5×12.5) by Anne Strutz 

Creekside Ripples (pastel on UART 400, 12×12) by Clint Howard 

Moonrise (pastel on LuxArchival sanded paper, 9×12) by Jane McGraw-Teubner 

Blue Sky Day (pastel on paper, 12×9) by Stephanie Brown 

Road to the Wild Side (pastel on UART 400, 11×14) by Terri Ford  

Shadowlands (pastel on Pastelmat, 9×16) by Sarah Rose 

Bright And Clear (pastel on paper, 5.5×11) by Lana Ballot 

Sunset Dune (pastel on UART 400 paper, 16×20) by Terri Ford 

The Fire of Evening Light (soft pastel on LuxArchival sanded paper, 16×12) by Charles Peer 

Remnants and Possibilities (soft pastel on LuxArchival sanded paper, 16×20) by Charles Peer 

Green Valley Vista (soft pastel on gessoed Gator Board, 17×22) by Dug Waggoner 

Waiting (soft pastel on Canson Mi-Teintes, 11×26.5) by Jean Kimble  

Invigorating Surge (soft pastel on UART 400 board, 16×20) by Mandy Roeing 

Morning Sun Shadows (soft pastel on Sennelier La Carte card, 21×28) by Steven Hill  

Martha’s Vineyard (pastel on LuxArchival sanded paper, 9×12) by Jane McGraw-Teubner 

Still Life & Floral Category Winners—Juror: Brian Bailey 

Not Only Apples Are Red (pastel on Pastelmat, 10x10) by Alejandra Gos
FIRST PLACE: Not Only Apples Are Red (pastel on Pastelmat, 10×10) by Alejandra Gos
The Pumpkins at the Bottom (pastel on UART 400 Dark, 18x24) by Sarah Blumenschein
SECOND PLACE: The Pumpkins at the Bottom (pastel on UART 400 Dark, 18×24) by Sarah Blumenschein
Rhythm of Leaves (pastel on paper, 27.5x39.5) by Jia Wei 
THIRD PLACE: Rhythm of Leaves (pastel on paper, 27.5×39.5) by Jia Wei
Duo Duo (pastel on sanded paper, 20x14.5) by Tai Meng Lim
FOURTH PLACE: Duo Duo (pastel on sanded paper, 20×14.5) by Tai Meng Lim
Peony for Your Thoughts (pastel on UART 400 paper, 16x16) by Robin Frisella
FIFTH PLACE: Peony for Your Thoughts (pastel on UART 400 paper, 16×16) by Robin Frisella

Still Life & Floral Honorable Mentions 

Celebrating Yellow (pastel on UART 400 Dark, 20×16) by Sarah Blumenschein

Hey Sunshine (pastel on UART 800, 41×41) by Deborah Shea

I Couldn’t Resist a Taste (pastel on Canson Mi-Teintes, 13×17) by Judith Kazdym Leeds

Five Rupees at the Corner Shop (pastel on Art Spectrum paper, 24×18) by Bhavana Vijay

Hmm? (pastel on Pastelmat, 20×13) by Michael Freeman

Red Star Over China (tripych; pastel on sanded paper, 28×21.5 each) by Zhou Tianya

Brought to Life (pastel on UART 400, 24×18) by Robin Frisella

In the Light (pastel on Pastelmat, 9.5×15.5) by Julie Freeman

Momento Mori (pastel pencil on Bristol vellum, 20×16) by Joseph Necci

Roses From a Different Point of View (pastel on UART 400 Dark, 16×12) by Sarah Blumenschein

Pet & Wildlife Category—Juror: Marla Baggetta

The Day Is Done (pastel on UART 500 paper, 21x27) by Elaine Juska Joseph
FIRST PLACE: The Day Is Done (pastel on UART 500 paper, 21×27) by Elaine Juska Joseph
Lion Love (soft pastel on Pastelmat, 19x15.5) by Karin Kiessling
SECOND PLACE: Lion Love (soft pastel on Pastelmat, 19×15.5) by Karin Kiessling
Piper (pastel on Pastelmat, 8x8) by Kelley Rudolph
THIRD PLACE: Piper (pastel on Pastelmat, 8×8) by Kelley Rudolph
Cockatoo (pastel on Pastelmat, 27.5x 27.5) by Brittany March
FOURTH PLACE: Cockatoo (pastel on Pastelmat, 27.5x 27.5) by Brittany March
Puffins on the Rocks (soft pastel on UART 400 paper, 20x24) by Cindy House
FIFTH PLACE: Puffins on the Rocks (soft pastel on UART 400 paper, 20×24) by Cindy House

Pet & Wildlife Honorable Mentions 

The Shy One (pastel on Art Spectrum Colourfix paper, 11×14) by Mary Ann Pals Ewe

Following Me (pastel on Pastelmat, 11×12) by Julie Freeman 

Longhorn Series V (pastel on sanded paper, 11×14) by Mary Hertler 

Lovely Lady (pastel on Pastelmat, 6×6) by Sarah Rose 

Rivals (pastel on Pastelmat, 26×18) by Carol Hall  

Happy Solitude (pastel on UART 400 board, 18×16)  

Shade by the River (pastel on Pastelmat, 14×14) by John Plishka

The Lookout (pastel on paper, 12×12) by John Sherry

Chilling (pastel on UART paper, 14×12) by Malia Bryngelson 

Three Crows (pastel on gessoed Gator Board, 16.5×12.5) by Dug Waggoner

Abstract & Experimental—Juror: Marcia Holmes 

Winter Twilight (soft pastel on multimedia artboard, 8x8) by Loriann Signori
FIRST PLACE: Winter Twilight (soft pastel on multimedia artboard, 8×8) by Loriann Signori
A Day in My Garden (pastel on paper, 30x30) by Debora Stewart
SECOND PLACE: A Day in My Garden (pastel on paper, 30×30) by Debora Stewart
Divide the Sky (soft pastel on UART paper, 24x24) by Jeff Condon
THIRD PLACE: Divide the Sky (soft pastel on UART paper, 24×24) by Jeff Condon
Monkey’s Wedding (pastel on sanded paper, 18x24) by Margaret Larlham
FOURTH PLACE: Monkey’s Wedding (pastel on sanded paper, 18×24) by Margaret Larlham
Glacial Fracture (pastel and mixed media on pastel board, 27x40) by Cory Goulet
FIFTH PLACE: Glacial Fracture (pastel and mixed media on pastel board, 27×40) by Cory Goulet

Abstract & Experimental Honorable Mentions 

Day at the Beach (soft pastel on sanded paper, 11×11) by Patricia McKeen 

A Story of Three Paintings II (soft pastel on UART paper, 10×10) by Martina Zingler 

Quayside (pastel on UART paper, 16×16) by Patricia McKeen Harrow

Red Sky at Morning (pastel on paper, 8×8) by Loriann Signori

Bubble Gum and Ribbons (pastel and mixed media on paper, 21×21) by Cory Goulet

Ones to Watch 

We’re delighted to call attention to the following talented artists who are first-time prizewinners in the Pastel 100 Competition.

Fire in the Sky (pastel on UART paper, 16x20) by Kelly Hine
Fire in the Sky (pastel on UART paper, 16×20) by Kelly Hine
Big Sisters Are So Smart (pastel on UART board, 12x16) by Ken Keith
Big Sisters Are So Smart (pastel on UART board, 12×16) by Ken Keith
Wine Tasting (pastel on UART 400 paper, 11x11) by Katherine Martinez
Wine Tasting (pastel on UART 400 paper, 11×11) by Katherine Martinez
Lili (pastel on Pastelmat paper, 27x19) by Masoud Habibyan
Lili (pastel on Pastelmat paper, 27×19) by Masoud Habibyan
Reef Raider (pastel on Pastelmat, 17x24) by Angela Parr
Reef Raider (pastel on Pastelmat, 17×24) by Angela Parr

Enjoy this presentation of the top winners, with slideshows of the category award winners and lists of Honorable Mentions. To see a showcase of all 100 winners, check out the Spring issue of Pastel Journal. A print version of the issue will be available on newsstands and in our shop in early March.


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