Introducing Todd Camplin, pastel artist. “I love pastels because they make you dirty”, said Todd jokingly. He can be found in his studio working at the table or laying on the floor with a pile of pastels at his side.

Born in South Bend, Indiana and growing up in White Plains, Kentucky, Mr. Camplin moved to Bowling Green to attend Western Kentucky University where he achieved a BFA in Graphic Design and Philosophy. Since graduating, he has chosen to make Bowling Green his home. Mr. Camplin attributes his beginning in art to the 4-H Fairs, where he often exhibited his works as a school age child. He found encouragement by winning.

Todd Camplin prefers the medium of pastels, confessing that he is a pastel person. “I have two approaches. When working with pastels, I prefer to let my emotions go, not planning ahead, hoping to achieve the essence of my emotions. These works usually take around three hours. When working with acrylics and oils, Todd makes plans, drawing out sketches and preparing his acrylic and oil works. “I want them to say something, to have a point of view” stated Todd. These can take up to three weeks to finish. When doing his individual portraiture work, he said he likes to build their story within the painting. His canvases range from 12″ x 12″ to a whopping 15″ x 8″. He said that he liked doing large ones.

After viewing a Henri Matisse Show in Atlanta, where cutouts of figures were shown, Todd started experimenting in this form. Following this, a simplified figure exhibit of Paplo Picasso”s work further defined the beginnings of his blooming style. East Village artist, Keith Haring inspired him also. The combination of these and his love for pastels, has taken form as you can see in the pictures here.

“I have been accused of being a colorist. Pastels are such vibrant colors. You can build, spray and build upon them, expressing moods or involving them in the subject. Color on faces can express a variety of moods. Some of his current works are of faces like the earth tone face which shows death in nature and the red face work expressing anger, envy and raw emotion, through color as well as the expression on the face. Mr. Camplin said that he has spirts in his creativity, working on five or six pieces in a row or together, then stopping for a few days.

Todd Camplin has shown in the Western Gallery, the Houchens Gallery, the Mezzanine Gallery, the TransFinancial Shows, the Chamber of Commerce, Lot 916, Artifacts, the Community College and Marh Center in Madisonville, Kentucky. You can currently view his works at Lot 916 in the Indigenous Kentucky Show, the Women”s Studies department of Western or you can call for an appointment to see his works at 793-0187. Also, you can view his works on his web site at www.camplinte.com Loving to travel and the atmosphere of museums, galleries and fairs, Mr. Camplin continues to seek out places where he can show and sell his works. “It”s clearly for my pure enjoyment. It is not

Ronnie Jaggers has been a master crafter and fine artist for years. Her work can be seen on http://Chiseled-Features.com. She reminds other artists “Trust the beauty of your art, for if you see the beauty, others will too.” To be considered for the featured artist call Ronnie at 791-3505 or email ronnie@chiseled-features.com