Post Sabbatical

I AM BACK!!!

Yes, I gave myself permission to take a year off from painting. Funny, when I have used the word "sabbatical" in my explanation of "why I am not painting," I never looked the word up. In the definition it says "a period of paid leave." That did not happen! Needless to say, I have been enjoying life and that is payment in itself, right?!

At Breakfast Club, inspired by my two creative friends, Don and Linda, endeavors at publishing their written art, I began to paint. Not only that, I signed up for a class at South Puget Sound Community College: Intro to Welding and Creative Metalwork.

I am excited by the unknown possibilities of creativity from this day forward. Is it the quiet before the storm? Maybe the seed germinating ready to sprout? I feel the energy and it feels great!

This collage painting was brewing in my mind after spending time at Gleneden Beach, Oregon. Hiking down to the beach with my good friend Elaine and our doggies, this vista presented itself. I wanted to capture the beauty and delight I felt upon experiencing the view. I needed to give it more personality than just the typical gorgeous view; thus, the watercolor collage painting evolved.

Joanne Osband
Watercolor Collage

Sunday Sketches, Sort Of...

Although these collage paintings do not qualify under the sketch category, they originated from my sketch of last week.

These watercolor/water-based oil collage paintings evolved with input from Bernie Bleha, the instructor of the workshop I have been attending.

This first one I did last week and brought to class today. I love the shapes created by tearing watercolor paper; my old paintings.


Bernie suggested I add more interest by breaking up the shapes.


I was on a roll......

This next one came together quickly as I focused on bright colors, patterns, and shapes.


My fingers need a break, but I WILL BE BACK!

More Sunday Sketchers.....

New Year Collage

I enjoy taking the time to reflect and think about the new year. Last year I made an intention stick; this year a collage.

I gathered with two friends who have been on retreat with me twice this past year. We came up with our idea of an "at home" retreat which proved very helpful in our individual journeys into creativity.

I have made collages many times.....alone and with groups. This gathering to create a new year collage fell on the final days of our second retreat. Together we focused on the year ahead as individuals yet the camaraterie made this time very special.

There are several major events ahead for me this year and I gave them some focus. But the magic of creating collages is that images that are selected may manifest or predict a future event. For example, I made a collage of skiing in the Alps because that is something I wanted to experience. A few years later, I visited Switzerland and randomly selected three ski areas to ski. When I returned home and looked at my collage......................ALL the images were from places I visited and skied. Even a spot where I ate lunch outdoors in the snowfield was in the collage!

So, here is my new year collage. Let the magic to happen.

New Year Collage

In Yesterday's blog, I shared about an Intention Stick.

Another way to focus on the new year ahead is to create a collage. The collage can be made alone or with a group of friends. This year I spent an afternoon by myself contemplating the new year.

I have learned that sometimes images in these collages come to fruition or symbolize a life experience or insight. One time I made a dream collage with images of the Alps in Switzerland. After finally traveling to Switzerland, I skied the Klein Matterhorn in Zermatt, the Kleine Schcidegg Mannlichca, and the Schilthorn in the area of Interlaken. Upon return, I gazed at my collage to find that all the images were of the ski area around the Matterhorn in Zermatt where I went on the spur of the moment - I KNEW ALL THE IMAGES FIRST HAND FROM MY BEING THERE!

How to create a collage:

FIRST, find a bunch of magazines.

SECOND, cut out images and/or words.

THIRD, use a glue stick to paste images anyway you want to a large piece of paper.

TA DA!

New Year Collage 2012


Who knows what meaning this collage has for me in this new year?

Another Black Spider Lily

This second watercolor painting of the Black Spider Lily has been sitting on my drafting table way too long! I cannot seem to get the colors and look I desire.

I gave the painting some attention today, and believe it is done. Or am I just ready to move on?!? On another thought, this subject might make a great collage........

Stay tuned!

Done or not done, that is the question?

More Lupines

I could not resist capturing lupines in another watercolor painting.

This is a newer version of lupines seen through a window. The window is previously painted watercolor paper torn to shape.



Here is a favorite painting I did several years ago. It is one of the earliest watercolor collage paintings; when I began to experiment with this form of creativity.



Lupines Through The Window
Private Collection of Ron and Leslie Case

Waiting for Inspiration

Wikipedia defines artistic inspiration as sudden creativity in artistic production.

Where does inspiration come from?

Today I was hoping inspiration would show up if I went into my studio. I did not know what to paint? I sat at my drafting table where I create my watercolor paintings and waited. Do I create a collage or a more traditional watercolor painting? What is the subject?

My discipline is to paint at least twenty minutes a day. I felt frustrated, yet compelled to put paint to paper. Many times when I am emotional or wanting to make some connection with Self, I paint a mandala; a Sanskrit word meaning holy or magical circle. Basically, I paint inside a circle which becomes a meditation. Maybe if my mind were quiet, inspiration would find me.

Being an art therapist, I am always asking myself the significance of the images which appear. Today it was a duck with something, figurative-like, on its back. I painted playfully and wondered.

I am beginning to believe that there is a process to spark the creativity whereby inspiration visits. It comes from engaging in art. As the saying goes, "just do it!"