Carol Strock Wasson: I’ve always found magic in the interplay of layers—the dialogue between control and spontaneity that only a complex surface can offer. I’ve been experimenting with clear gesso, pastel layering, fixative, and using new tools to change the surface and create textures in multiple layers. Each application of a layer creates its own unique characteristic. This multiple-layering technique has pushed me to experiment relentlessly with how pigments settle into crevices and accumulate into their own color vibrancy.
This past year has been especially transformative—not only on a technical level but also in my professional journey. I was recently honored with the Eminent Pastelist award from the International Association of Pastel Societies. Receiving this accolade felt like a culmination of years of persistent exploration into the versatility of the pastel medium.
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![Leon Wyczółkowski, "U WRÓT CHAŁUBIŃSKIEGO [AT THE CHAŁUBIŃSKI GATE]," c. 1905, pastel on paper, 30 1/2 x 42 1/3 in., National Museum in Kraków](https://www.outdoorpainter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Leon_Wyczolkowski_-_U_Wrot_Chalubinskiego_-_MNK_III-r-218x150.jpg "Painting of the Week: “U Wrót Chałubińskiego”")
