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

YES, India

I must admit is has been challenging to return to the computer after spending a month in India. Not just the computer, but a life altering experience superimposed on my life in the Pacific Northwest.

My travels focused on the Southern providence of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The tour with Magical Journey captured the essence of India. In contrast, traveling on our own provided George and I with a closer experience of nature and the Indian people. The month was stupendous!

I etched out only a few hours of sketching. "Coconut Lagoon" is a stunning hotel in the backwaters of Kerala. "Hornbill Camp" on the Periyar River borders the Thattekad Bird Santuary.

Coconut Lagoon
watercolor & ink
Joanne Osband

Hornbill Camp
watercolor & ink
Joanne Osband

Too much fun!!!

Minis at Cannon Beach

Back in action!

Two of my mini paintings submitted to the Cannon Beach Annual Miniature Art Show were accepted. The show takes place at the Cannon Beach Gallery located at 1064 S. Hemlock in Cannon Beach, Oregon. It is open during the fall and winter Thursdays through Monday from 10am - 4pm. The show runs from November 2nd to December 2nd.

All entries must be 6" X 6" or smaller and does not include the frame. I photographed the watercolor paintings in their frames hoping to capture their small size. Not sure it worked well plus not the best way to display the art.

Joanne Osband
Lily
watercolor & ink

Joanne Osband
"My Garden"
watercolor & ink

Here are better images of the actual paintings......

Cannot Resist

Hooked again by color and beauty!

Innocently I went to Home Depot to pick up an item for the house. Mistake number one was to enter through the nursery door where I saw the most gorgeous hibiscus flower. The colors were phenomenal!!! The price too was outrageous! I also had no room in my car for the plant.

I continued on my mission to locate the object needed for my project. BUT,this little voice in my head...........said go back.

This beauty won my heart!

George volunteered to hold her on the trip home.

Needless to say, I am enjoying this lovely plant and its blossoms. Here is my first painting in watercolor and ink.

Tiger Lily Love

What is it about tiger lilies that make me smile?

I think they give me a similar joy to the fuchsia with their movement and grace. It is almost like a dance as they develop from bloom to blossom to the final pose before their fall back to the earth.

One day, I got overly excited over a cluster of tiger lilies at a phenomenal garden we visited. Next thing I know the dearest man in my life, George, bought me a dozen tiger lily bulbs. He even helped me prepare the bed for planting.

This summer I was overjoyed with their presence and display.

Here is the first of my tiger lily paintings.

It is watercolor and ink. Stay tuned for the water-based oil painting..........

4th in the Series

The decision was made that an additional watercolor collage painting was necessary to balance my display for Splash Gallery. It is run by local fine artists who work in a variety of media and I just joined them. Splash Gallery is located at Percival Landing in Olympia, Washington; 501 Columbia Street NW.

This month I will feature watercolor collage paintings. Six paintings have been hung and today I finished another to round out the collection. Five of the paintings were created very recently and the subject matter is waterlilies. The other two paintings are ocean themed and center around starfish. The exhibit of paintings will be rotated, if you live in the area be sure to stop by regularly.

Here is the fourth painting in the Yellow Water Lilies Series.....

Yellow Water Lilies Series # 4
Joanne Osband

The other three watercolor collage paintings were featured in previous blogs. Scroll down....

Sunday Sketches

What are six panels called?

I am creating a painting using six one foot square canvas. I am calling it a double triptych for now unless someone knows what to call it.

Continuing with the yellow water lilies series, here is the watercolor and ink sketch for the oil painting:


More Sunday Sketchers

Sunday Sketches

I am on a roll!

This is the sketch that inspired the watercolor collage and oil painting. Here is the progression.......


watercolor and ink sketch


watercolor collage


water-based oil

More Sunday Sketchers

Sunday Sketches

This was a quick sketch for a painting I plan create as part of the workshop I am attending for the next four weeks. Bernie Bleha's "Atelier #2" focuses on the individual artist creative process.

My goal is to create several watercolor collage paintings for my September show at the Splash Gallery, in Olympia.


More Sunday Sketchers......

Sunday Sketches

Spring would not be spring without a new trillium painting!

I could not resist this subject matter for my Sunday Sketch.


More Sunday Sketchers....

Sunday Sketches

The other day, my favorite place to walk my dog, the Chehalis Western Trail, had been cleared of leaves. I realized it was a metaphor relating to having a clear path and it appeared that everything along the path was inviting and beautiful.

When I returned home, I decided to create a mandala capturing this walking meditation. I started by painting a colorful path across the circle and then added some of my experience. I felt the need for words and let them flow along the path.

Walking Mandala
watercolor
18" X 24" More Sunday Sketchers.....

Holiday Happenings

I spent last weekend at the holiday art show; Holiday Happenings. I believe it is the start of many art shows in Olympia for this holiday season.

If you missed this gathering, I displayed my latest art including oil paintings and watercolor sketches. They can also be viewed online at my website: Coloring Out Of The Lines under the gallery tabs for oil paintings and watercolor sketches.

The display was rather amusing as being at the Elk Lodge in Olympia I had to include the elk.

He watched over the event, so to speak.

Sunday Sketches

The colors of fall here in Washington have been exquisite!

Notice I used the past tense..........the Pacific Northwest rains have returned; days and days of it. Although sometimes if you watch for it, you might be lucky to catch a "window" without rain. I have learned to get outdoors no matter what otherwise it can become depressing.

In my studio I am still enjoying the fall colors and creating watercolor paintings of the brilliant colored leaves. The big leaf maples are one of my favorites. The shape of its leaves and colors are awesome!

More Sunday Sketchers.....

Return of Froggie

What is it about those little green frogs which create delight.......
not just for children, but also for adults who cannot resist calling them "cute"?

A couple of Sundays ago, I shared a watercolor and ink frog sketch and story on Sunday Sketches. Here is the sketch....

Well, that little froggie stayed in my thoughts and sparked the desire to paint its portrait in oils.

Now, isn't he cute?!?

Sunday Sketches

My goal today was to paint and post a watercolor sketch. I did this even before taking my dog for a walk!

The subject of my sketch is a little green frog that hung out on my deck. This guy had a favorite rose petal which became his meditation spot. I could always find him there even after my grandson harassed the little frog.

Hot off the drafting table........

More Sunday Sketchers.....

Sunday Sketches

The leaves are turning! What a beautiful time of year.

I did a quick watercolor sketch........and I mean quick!.......to express the turning of the colors. This one is preparation for an oil painting which is on the "to do" list.

The colors did not photograph well as they are way too blue :(

More Sunday Sketchers

Sunday Sketches

I woke early the other morning with lots of thoughts going through my head. I took a dose of my own creative remedy.........a mandala painting! Painting a mandala is like a meditation and a journey through the "mind field."

I usually let the colors and shapes flow and go with whatever appears be it an image or pure nothing. At first, the two center images were bonded and floating together in a sea of...... Then, one image sprouted branches followed by its separation and trajectory of the other. I am not sure of the meanings and will allow some time and space for processing.

Any thoughts?

More Sunday Sketchers

Sunday Sketches

I believe in echinacea.

It is the herb I turn to when I feel a cold coming or when I am around someone who has a cold. Echinacea linked with some vitamin C are my first choice for cold defense.

I am also very fond of the grace and color of the echinacea flower. After it goes through its first bloom the petals begin to fall and drape gracefully from the center. The orange-ish center contrasts beautifully with the pinkish petals.

Unfortunately, the colors did not come through as clearly in this photo of my painting.

Visit more Sunday Sketchers

Sunday Sketches

Fuchsia........the ballerina of flowers. Each one is so enchanting.

I tried to keep the flow of watercolors, but I think I over painted the background.

I have been known to tear up paintings and create new. I think I might make this one into a mini painting. What are your thoughts?

Please help me decide which of the seven oil paintings I should enter in the "27 Feet of Art....And More" show and auction. Thanks!

Visit more Sunday Sketchers

Sunday Sketches

We are so in the throws of summer and I am loving it! Thus, I am posting early as I am off on another hiking adventure this time in the Olympics.

My gardens are going wild. I have lots of beautiful flowers for painting subject matter. I keep going back and forth with watercolor and oil paint.....

Today's sketch is a gardener's still life.

View more Sunday Sketchers