The New Englander’s medium of choice is pastels. He feels that they’re just starting to receive widespread recognition. Tom says, “I favor pastels because I’m able to draw and color simultaneously, and I love to draw.  It’s a great combination for me.”

Pastels are made from the same pigments used for oil paints.  A binding agent is added to create a chalk-like stick, which is applied to a textured surface, usually paper. Available in many vibrant colors, pastels maintain their just-painted look indefinitely, unlike oils, which can crack and darken over time. “It’s an unfamiliar medium to many people, and I’d like to do my part to help change that,” says Sierak.