Violet-Purple Berries

As fall progresses into winter and the days are dark and dreary, the crisp greens against the dark bark and ground seem to be the only color. EXCEPT FOR a plant known as "Profusion" with a classified name of Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii.

The genus, Callicarpa, has about 140 species of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and trees from woodland in mainly tropical and subtropical regions of North and Central America, East Asia, Australia and Malaya. The name comes from the Greek word callicarpus meaning “with beautiful fruits”.

And, without question, the fruits are beautiful and still creating a patch of color in my landscape. Check it out.....

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.....

Winter Art

Ah yes, the dismal days of winter are setting in.

But it does not have to be that way.

Get outside and stack some wood.......

And my favorite.....

Dog Portrait Winner

Shelley won the drawing sponsored by Training Collar Source for a dog portrait painting. All that was required for one's name to be entered in the drawing was to click on "like" at the business page of Training Collar Source on Facebook. You can still do that and who knows what exciting things may happen.....

Because Shelley has two dogs, I decided to paint both on separate canvases. They are Wire-hair Pointing Griffons and Mother(Frost) and Daughter(Bailey).

Frost
12" X 12" water-based oil
Joanne Osband

Bailey
12" X 12" water-based oil
Joanne Osband

CONGRATULATIONS SHELLEY!

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.

Art Speaks

Have you heard of HeARTs Speak?

It is a non-profit organization of professional artists who use their artistic gifts to raise awareness of and promote adoptions for homeless and unwanted pets.

Lisa Prince Fishler started HeARTs Speak in January, 2010. She was overwhe.med by the number of adoptable animals euthanized each year - more than 4 million in the U.S. alone. Lisa set out to find a new way to encourage people to adopt from a shelter.

The artwork and stories are a valuable resource for the media, websites, magazines, as well as educational institutions. If you saw a photo or painting of a cute dog or heard its story, wouldn't you be more inclined to give that pet a home?

If you are an artist, an animal advocate, an educator, or just someone who is passionate about helping animals, visit the HeARTs Speak website.

Sunday Sketches

Still trying to hang on to the colors of fall before the dull days of winter. Another one of my favorite trees is the gingko tree.

The fan shape of the leaves of the gingko tree are very distinguishable from any other tree. I love the leaf's shape and in the fall the leaves turn a BRILLIANT yellow which is unmatched on the color wheel.

A friend of mine, Janet, gave me a photo she took of her friend's huge gingko tree which he planted many years ago as a little sapling. Her picture was a view of the magnificent tree through the french doors of his house. The photo inspired my sketch.

More Sunday Sketchers......

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?!?

Trees Take Two

The other day I completed, or thought I had, a sketch of the maple trees along the Chehalis Western Trail. I was not totally satisfied, but posted it on Sunday Sketches which is a group of artists who post art each Sunday as a weekly discipline.

It looks like this.......

And I complained that the computer over did the blues.

Well that was truly not the issue!

VALUES!!!

No values! A classic mistake which can make the difference between a good painting and a mediocre one.

I believe I fixed the sketch and the computer was cooperative.

What do you think?

BTW, for those of you who are not artists, value is an element of art that refers to the lightness or darkness of a color.

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.....

More Garden Art

Last week I enjoyed the beautiful fall weather at Lake Chelan here in Washington.

Perfect days of sunshine relaxing, kayaking, hiking, wine tasting, farmers markets, and SHOPPING! Between the town of Chelan and Manson, there is this fun guy, Bill King, who sells whimsical metal sculptures at Red Duck Nursery.

I could NOT resist this little character!

Garden Art

The last two weekends in September, Southwest Washington entertains art enthusiasts with ARTrails. About 60 artist participated in this year's studio tour through the region's historic communities and the back roads of Lewis County. The studio tour is free and self-guided.

What I have learned over the past few years is that you can only do a handfull of artist's studios in one day as each one is a delight and requires time to visit. I do find myself visiting several of the same artists, but always add a couple of new ones.

This year my new artist is a rare gem; Ron & Victoria Smith. They create metal yard art welded from recycled "found objects" collected throughout the West which include farm machinery parts, garden tools, car parts, horseshoes, ranch items, antique items, and the list goes on......

It was love at first sight! I saw the sculpture I wanted as we entered their driveway. The bird has found a happy home in my front yard.

Is that cool or what?!?!?!

The wings move with the wind!

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

Online Auction

Over the past weeks, I have mentioned the art show and auction at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts:

"27 Feet of Art.....And More."

The online auction has begun!

It runs from September 21 to October 6, with proceeds going to The Washington Center for the Performing Arts to support the Arts in our community. The Center was built by the community; it serves the community; and it is community supported.

There are 90 12" x 12" pieces of art that were donated by local artists exclusively for this auction and are on exhibit in the Mezzanine gallery at the Center. An additional 13 artists contributed artwork for a special exhibit which is found in the Orchestra gallery.

Bidding is fun! You recieve e-mails letting you know of other bids which were made on your favorite piece. That way you can decide to stay in the game or not.

You can bid on my painting or others by checking the website.

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

Not surprising that my sketch this week is of a magnolia blossom after my exciting encounter the other day as I was leaving the house. I do not want to boast too much, but there is a second bud ready to bloom.

I absolutely love the shapes of both the blossom and the leaves of the magnolia tree!

Visit more Sunday Sketchers

Magnolia and Bee

The other day as I was leaving my yard, I notice that the magnolia blossom had finally bloomed. This was tremendously exciting because it is the second magnolia tree that I planted and I placed it in the ground this spring.

You can see from the photos that I literally jumped out of my car to take in this fascinating display of nature. To my surprise I found a bee absolutely molesting the stigma of the flower. The bee was stuffing pollen into a huge sack near its back feet. I stood mesmerized and felt as if I were watching a nature film.

When I returned later that day, the lower part of the stigma lay in total disarray at the base of the petals.

This is what I captured with my camera.....

See if you can see the sack of pollen.......

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

The Chosen One

Summertime in Washington is soooo outstanding that I have been rather negligent in posting blogs and probably left you hanging as to which painting was chosen for the 27 Feet of Art.....and More.

Thank you for your input in helping me select which paintings to enter. By popular demand and also "the chosen one," the painting of the fuchsia flowers was selected.

Ballerina
Joanne Osband
water-based oil
12" X 12"
The opening reception is Friday, September 21 from 5:30PM to 9:00PM. The artwork will remain in the gallery through Arts Walk. The closing reception is Saturday, October 6 from 6:00PM to 9:00PM. All artwork will be part of a silent auction to benefit The Center’s arts education programs.

Creative Marketing

Having several artist friends and colleagues, I am always impressed with ways to market one's artistic creations.

Marion Pollmann, a local Olympian ceramic artist, has created a lovely, short video capturing her spirit and art.

I would like to introduce my friend, Marion...

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

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!

I need your help......

Each year in Olympia, The Washington Center For The Performing Arts has an annual fundraiser called "27 Feet of Art....and MORE!" It is an art exhibit and online auction fundraiser which began with 27 artists, but has grown over the years.

Artists donate a piece of art that is 12" X 12" to raise money for the arts in our town. I bought a package of seven 12" X 12" canvases at the art store. Now, I have seven oil paintings to choose from.

I could use your help in selecting the painting to enter to be juried for the exhibit.

Please vote on your favorite.

Square # 1

Square # 2

Square # 3

Square # 4

Square # 5

Square # 6

Square # 7

Thanks, I appreciate your help!

Leftovers will be shown at Holiday Happenings in November in Olympia.

Last Three

Completed my goal of painting all seven 12" X 12" canvases!

Here are the last three......

Alpine Lily

Calla Lily

Fuchsia

Next week you will have a chance to vote for your favorite oil painting and help me select which painting to enter in the "27 Feet of Art......And More" art show and auction to raise money for The Washington Center of the Performing Arts in Olympia, Washington.