Bennerstrom's control of chalk pastel transcends common perceptions of the medium. By working the color directly into the paper with her hands, she achieves sharp edges and intense color in what is often a soft and dusty means of expression. Unafraid of juxtaposing strong colors and employing complex compositional strategies, Bennerstrom extends the boundaries of traditional pastel work.

Those fiercely loyal to Susan Bennerstrom and those seeing her work for the first time will be impressed by the thorough discussion of her work and the wealth of illustrations in this volume. Carefully selected plates show her full range of subjects cast in her particular language of light which have earned her an impressive following reaching far beyond the Northwest.