March 2025: This month’s blog has the highly accomplished Natasha Isenhour, asking us to consider the limitations that may come from the use of categories in defining our art. Pastel Society of the West Coast

Mar 1, 2025

Rock and Roll or Country: Some Thoughts on “Categories”
By Natasha Isenhour

“What “kind” of artist are you?”

“Ummm, well, the kind that paints, draws, plays dozens of instruments, and I’m told I really know my way around the kitchen, I’m that kind of artist.”

Laughs, “well, I suppose I should have asked, what do you paint?”

“Oh! I see! Birds, trees, Ferris wheels, chipmunks, storm clouds, teabags….”

“Thanks Natasha, I’ve gotta go.”

I find the nomenclature maze around art to be stupefying. “How nice, you do pastel drawings!” “No, I do pastel PAINTINGS. Sometimes I draw but you asked me about painting?” OK. I do realize that we are the chosen ones, and we do this everyday, so we get what’s going on. I also realize we have an incredible opportunity to educate the poor souls that dare to ask, and I’m happy to oblige.