Arts Walk Spring 2014

Another fun Arts Walk experience here in Olympia, Washington!

I showed several new paintings in the upstairs balcony at the Urban Onion.

Current exhibits in the area where my paintings are displayed include:

44th Helen Norris Art Show
Sidney Art Gallery

202 Sidney Avenue
Port Orchard, WA 98366

May 1- May 30, 2014

Waterworld show at University House Wallingford
4400 Stone Way N @ 45th St. in Wallingford, Seattle, 98103

February 23rd - June 15th

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....

Additional Bird to the Flock

I love Arts Walk in Olympia, Washington, especially the Spring one which is two days and includes the Procession of the Species Parade.


I actually quit showing my art because it is more fun to see other artist's creations. One artist, Ray Evans, who calls himself "Old Geezer" was my favorite pick this time.

I could not resist adding his peacock to my collection of yard art.



The shadows are wonderful too!


Unfortunately, Ray's website is not up, but you can view his unique creations at his home in Olympia: 8813 Old Hwy 99 SE in Olympia or e-mail for his next show; geezerevans@comcast.net

Nature Rorschach Test

Once again on my daily walk on the Chehalis Western Trail in Olympia, Washington, I came across a "nature Rorschach test".

Let's see if you see what I see.........

For those of you who are not familiar with a Rorschach test, it is a psychological test in which subjects' perceptions of inkblots are recorded and then analyzed using psychological interpretation, complex algorithms, or both. Some psychologists use this test to examine a person's personality characteristics and emotional functioning.

What do you see in this cut section of tree?


How about an owl face?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Square # 3

As I posted earlier, I will be entering the "27 Feet of Art and More...." fundraiser and auction for the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Olympia.

I purchased a package of seven 12" X 12" canvases and have been busily painting. I am on number five! Number four, when it is dry enough, will be photographed and posted.

Here is oil painting, square #3.......

Square # 3

Remember, you will get to vote on your favorite when the series of seven are completed.

27 Feet of Art.........and MORE!

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. Submissions are in early August and the final selection is announced by mid-month. Last year I attended the event which was not only fun, but also an excellent exhibit.

This year I will submit an oil painting. Since I bought a package of seven 12" X 12" canvases at the art store, I will be asking for your input in selecting the one to enter. Bonus, leftovers will be shown locally at Holiday Happenings in November.

Here are the first two squares......

"Square #1"

"Square #2"

Gull Harbor Art & Gift Fair

For those of you local to the Olympia area in Washington, Saturday, April 14th from 10AM to 6PM is an art show at the Olympia Fire Station, 5046 Boston Harbor Road.

You will not want to miss it!

Not only will it be a fun community event with music, a bake sale, and an African Lion slide show, but also an opportunity to purchase art from some very talented local artists. Ten percent of the proceeds from all the sales will go to benefit the Sigrid Hardy Wellness Fund. Sigrid has been battling cancer and the money will help her pay medical expenses.

I have been painting images from my travels to Peru. This is the first time the full series will be on display.

Here is a sneak preview.....


Peruvian Weaver
©2011 Joanne Osband
water based oil
8" X 10"


Llamas at Machu Picchu # 1
©2011 Joanne Osband
water based oil
8" X 10"


Quechan Children
©2012 Joanne Osband
water-base oil
16" X 20"

Sunday Sketches

Each day my dog and I spend time on the Chehalis Western Trail in Olympia, Washington, rain or shine. The past month is has been more rain than anything else.

Fortunately, it makes great subject matter. With our rain comes incredible cloud formations and what we call, "sun breaks". This was one of those that caught my attention and demanded action in the studio.


I allowed the watercolors to flow and added a touch of detail to the foreground.

Sunday Sketches

I do not know about the Ground Hog, but yesterday was spring-like here in Washington.

After pruning my fruit trees, I was sitting in the sunshine having lunch when I thought about doing my weekly sketch. Why go inside? Instead, I continued to enjoy the sunshine while creating.

This is a fabulous driftwood log I come across when I take a walk along the inlet near Burfoot Park in Olympia. I love its grace....



The Olympic Mountains are in the background.

Another stellar day outside today :)

Sunday Sketches

One day I was driving to our favorite walking spot and I saw my friends on the bridge at Woodard Bay in Olympia, Washington, watching and taking photos of what?

Stopping I learned that the Mama Mergansers will carry her babies on her back to move them. Later when I got home Barry sent me an e-mail with photos! Barry Troutman is not only a great photographer but also a wildlife specialist who shares his knowledge about what you are looking at when you are with him. Even in his e-mails!

"Here are some of the birds we were watching today down by the bridge. The Mergansers nest upstream, then move downstream with their broods within a day of hatching. Once they head out, they don't return, but spend their early days growing up out in Chapman Bay or outer Woodard Bay beyond the trestle."

The photo is dated July 1st, but it has taken me this long to capture Mama and her ducklings in my sketchbook.

More Scribbles

I picked up one of Bet Borgenson's book on colored pencil techniques and shared it with my art therapy client who, unfortunately is now immobile due to Parkinson's. I have shared my recent creations at times, but I no longer get her feedback. I shared my woes regarding colored pencils and brought Bet's book and my sketchbook on my last visit.

What I learned is the importance of paper when using colored pencil. Bet showed a cross-section of different papers and how the colored pencil works with each. Returning again to my frustration and challenge with the paper provided in the sketchbook, I scribbled. The last sketches in my sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project 2012 will be done in colored pencil because gluing the watercolor sketches into the sketchbook has made it rather bulky.

This scene was inspired by a vista from my walk on the Chehalis Western Trail not far from my house in Olympia, Washington. I love to watch the seasonal transitions of the ponds and especially like cattails. I am a frequent flier on the Trail.

Stellar Day in the Pacific Northwest

Yes, sunshine and fall colors!

One of our rare fall Pacific Northwest STELLAR DAY.

I took my dog, Ebony, for a walk on the Chehalis Western Trail here in Olympia, Washington.

I love the arches of color and the depth seen down the trail.

It is like a fairy land.



The leaves are a still-life in themselves.......

Pace Continues

Today I worked late into the evening to complete painting number two for today.

But I did also get a great four mile plus walk at Tomie State Park (Olympia, Washington) before the rains, and an hour's worth of weeding between painting sessions. Needless to say, a full day!

I took a diversion from people painting.

A couple of llamas roaming free at Machu Picchu.

Here are a few more oil paintings


Machu Picchu

Back to Mother and Child motif with colorful textiles.

"Arts to Remember"

Today was my last day creating art with residents at various assisted living centers in Olympia as part of the "Arts to Remember" program. Selected art pieces will be on display at the annual Arts Walk in downtown Olympia October 7th and 8th.

This year I went to two locations, Merrill Gardens and Olympia West. We created mandalas and several different still lifes in craypas and watercolor. The challenge was to relate that everyone can do art and that the art does not need to be realistic. I even got to a point where I "outlawed" any negative talk about one's art creation. But, that was short lived.

Today, I brought a bouquet of strawflowers from my garden. First time I have grown them and what amazing plants. The shape of the leaves and flatness of the stems are as as unique as the flowers themselves.



Here is a close up view of the strawflowers



The bouquet that became the subject matter of today's session.


Closer view



I attempted to explain that we would be doing an Impressionistic version of this bouquet; my demonstration....


Anyways, they said that they had fun!