Another Best of Show Awarded to Internationally Recognized Northern Michigan Artist William Hosner

Traverse City, MI August 1, 2009 – The Pastel Society of the West Coast recently hosted their annual exhibition, Pastels USA at the Triton Museum in Santa Clara, CA. Northern Michigan based, internationally recognized pastel artist, William Hosner, took home the Best of Show award for his recent work, “Española”. This is the third time Hosner has won Best of Show at Pastels USA and is the second top prize awarded to him this year. Hosner recently received the Grand Prix de Sennelier at the Salon International du Pastel in Giverny, France.

“I believe the Pastels USA Best of Show award really goes to the model in the painting, Olivia. It is she who is represented, not me. It is very exciting to share this award with Olivia,” said Hosner. The painting was executed over four sessions in March, 2009 along the ocean in Montaña de Oro State Park near San Luis Obispo, California. Hosner “first met Olivia at a workshop I hosted in California a year prior to painting “Española”. She was such a joy to work with, she was my first phone call when planning my winter painting trip to California. The weather was a bit of a challenge during that trip, but because Olivia is such a positive person, the painting is really a representation of her smiling spirit.”

Pastels USA is the annual international open exhibition hosted by the Pastel Society of the West Coast. There are 110 works representing 17 states and Canada all vying for 34 awards. “Bill’s work represents the best of the best. We are thrilled to have him as a member of PSWC and are excited to show his work at the Triton Museum as part of Pastels USA,” said Tina Moore, PSWC President and Pastels USA Awards Chair.

A Master Pastelist, Bill Hosner’s work is solely dedicated to the art of plein air painting. For Bill it all makes sense; “A photograph freezes a moment in time. While, over a painting session everything is moving, changing… the artist as well as the subject. During that experience the work evolves, is dynamic and can take on the energies of life. Painting en plein air lifts my spirit. And in so doing, it amplifies my recognition of a God given value and uniqueness in the world that surrounds me.” Bill’s art is available at Suttons Bay Galleries in Suttons Bay, Michigan, Vault Gallery in Cambria, CA, and The Grapevine Gallery in Oklahoma City, OK.