Schaefer Portrait-Marian Freeman Peoples Choice Award recipient, Noble Richardson

Noble Richardson and Marian Freeman- Hawaii

Schaefer Portrait Challenge, Marian Freeman Peoples Choice Award recipient Noble Richardson

Schaefer Portrait Challenge Awards Reception, Maui,HI

The response to the artists of the Schaefer Portrait Challenge 2009 and their work has been astounding with over 5,000 visitors to Maui Culture and the Arts Gallery to date!
Thousands of people have cast their ballots to determine their favorite portrait.
Maui Culture and the Arts will be hosting the Marian Freeman People's Choice Award reception Monday Feb. 16th at 5:00 in the gallery.
The top five artists with the most votes will be recognized and the $5,000. award will be given that evening.

If YOU are in Maui, Hawaii during this time be sure to stop by!

MY painting in this invite is top row second from the left. Within this blog I have posted the image of my painting called, "Mr. Magnusen" as well as the narrative.

Aloha, Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

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Drawings of Scorpions and Introducing You to Your Own Tail-Yes How to Draw a Scorpion

"Drawings of Scorpions and Introducing You to Your Own Tail-Yes How to Draw a Scorpion"

Drawings of scorpions
sketches, drawings
of a serpents tail.
I feel their shell
and I become the work
I become the graphite
on the clear white pages
over and over to understand
just how enlightened can an artist be
when patterns are met by the hand?

Scorpion drawings
line my closet.
I hold my moods off balance
off center
dark
light
seeking daylight
yes
daylight.
Taken from my hidden rock
not to be exposed
just free to be myself.

Today
I am somehow entombed
by a lack of expression
my tail doth wane
I cannot feel my tongue
I am folded up
and set aside in secret drawers.
I long to be mesmerized
free from self imposed impositions.

Holding up a mirror
I see my scorpion
backwards
just like I feel I am
at times...
muted song and all.

I am like a memory
just a drawing
trying to create some sort of solum oath
fierce yet frail
dangerous if you provoke me
mindless if the sun is free to meet my back
and sees you wanting
me.
How to draw a scorpion?
You ask...
again?

In flight
I could go anywhere
stare at embankments
and then?
Just jump off!
Yes...
just leap into the abyss.
Why not?

But alas
I am not a bird nor dragonfly
not even a fly on ones wall.
I am inside my drawings
drawings of scorpions
because of you
because you said you'd like to see them.

You promised that you would not
slur your words anymore.
I demand that oath.
Sketches and drawings
colors lined up and waiting for atonement
say it as clear as you can
and I
might
follow you.

Stop asking me how to draw scorpions
OK?
Time to beacon your own.
Scorpion drawings
line my closet.

by Kathy Ostman-Magnusen
copyright 2009

The image is called "Primal Block Party l" by me, Kathy Ostman-Magnusen
It consists of NINE 3x3x2 individual stretched canvas blocks. This is part of my "Primal Series", there are many more to this series... ask Bob or check out http://www.barebrush.com and look for me amount artists under the letter 'O' for Ostman-Magnusen.

To purchase this or any of my ORIGINAL art please contact Bob Hogge at Monkdogz Urban Art, New York. http://www.monkdogz.com


My page on Monkdogz: http://www.monkdogz.com/chelseagallery/artistart/Magnusen/artist_magnusen.htm

Need some inspiration? Watch one of my favorite YouTubes:

Antony & The Johnsons: "Epilepsy Is Dancing" from their new release The Crying Light

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Antony & The Johnsons: Epilepsy Is Dancing
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"I Heard the Night... It Was a Breathtaking Responsibility"

"I Heard the Night... It Was a Breathtaking Responsibility"

I heard the night...
it was a breathtaking responsibility.
A reality I must never dismiss.

My whale had not been sleeping
no
he had been waiting
for me
along the seaside and its mist.

How kind.

I caught a star
with the very tip my tongue.
It melted into
lavender
and roses
and then it enlightened me
yet almost frightened me
knowing
my muse
was not that far.

I imagined myself to be floating...

and so...

I WAS.

And yet...
Glassy eyed
for fear of losing that second of grace
I could barely find my way.

Wrapping promise around me
I would press on.

Dismissing sea weed away from my path
I had to remind myself
once again
that I was no longer a prisoner
despite my past
self imposed
circumstance.

I had been redressed by tiny angels
those fairies that comfort you
when no spark
of light
can be found.
Images buried
deep beneath the surface of a clouds cover
understanding little
for its barely singing sound.

I maintain the deepest gratitude
for the whale who waited
despite my protests
eluding to
my most unflattering moods.
Doorways blocked
with the rhythm of my songs
gated.
Yet
the whale
had pinned music to my veil
and washed away doubts
with the oceans logic.

And there
within my hand
trembling
yes
a star
did twinkle...
'backwards'
and an unforgettable wish...
granted.

"My MUSE!" I cried.

And there between my canvas
and my brush
most delicately
disguised.
The colors
would yet flow freely
knowing
their essence
would never die.

Whatever caused my nightmares
to surface
sad tale
I will refrain from hearing them
no matter how pale.
Oh, not a promise
exactly
mind you
just a world I live in
performing tasks
in pretend.

Pulling leaves from my pocket
I still will choose to know
nightmares have no space to score here
and nowhere
to land past the grove.

After hearing what the moon had to say
I am resolved
and understand
stars are not all that far to reach for
when near
a destined plan.

Ahh yes
I heard the night...
it was a breathtaking responsibility.

by Kathy Ostman-Magnusen
copyright 2009

The image is of my painting, "For Isa",by Kathy Ostman-Magnusen copyright 2009, it is an 18x24 oil on canvas and part of my "Passion Series", which is an ongoing body of work. I always paint in series and continue on with them until I tire of their theme or the style they are presented in. I confess that I rarely do refined work anymore as I find it tedious and boring, opting for a freer dance of the brush so that my emotions meet the canvas in a more honest form.

Interested in purchasing the original? Contact Bob Hogge at Monkdogz Urban Art, NY http://www.monkdogz.com

Interested in a giclee? Humm that might take a bit of convincing so don't contact me lest you are sure you LOVE it! Smile.

Aloha, Kathy

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Visual Artists, Goddess Art, Fantasy Art-Improving SEO

Visual artists, goddess art, fantasy art...Exchange links with the 'right' website, keep within your subject or niche! I have 'finally' realized why that is so important.

I came across a great article about improving website traffic:


http://www.isnare.com/?aid=265229&ca=Internet

Not a question but a note that I took in about this article. First off I am a visual artists so I am coming from that frame of thinking. When I first created my website a few years ago I linked to fellow artists but not similar in style. I linked a lot to abstract artists instead of what my art suggested, which is basically goddess art, fantasy warrior women of passion that are erotic in nature. I had not put it together 'why' I was linking so just got out there with my requests to exchange links. Good info I caught in your article that reminded me that I need to pursue 'like art'.

The 'image' above is of one of my paintings called "3" it is a 36x48 oil on canvas. Looking at it as I post it on here I am reminded that not all of my work is goddess art or fantasy art. It is all passionate art though but finding other artists who describe their work that way, being a good keyword that is. Ahh me it is all a science huh? I can see my work as fantasy art warrior women but that may not be within others minds when they see my work that that is what I do either. Hummm and smile!

If you Twitter come follow me! http://twitter.com/KathysArt

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Andrew Wyeth, Artist, Passes at 91-Famous For "Christina's World"

Andrew Wyeth


"Christina's World" by Andrew Wyeth

Sadly, artist and illustrator Andrew Wyeth passed away today. Son of N C Wyeth, father of James Wyeth, passed away January 16, 2009. Andrew Wyeth was a probably most noted for his painting, "Christina's World".

From the New York Times:

"Andrew Wyeth, Famed and Infamous Artist, Dies at 91"
by Michael Kimmelman

" Andrew Wyeth, one of the most popular and also most lambasted artists in the history of American art, a reclusive linchpin in a colorful family dynasty of artists from tiny Chadds Ford, Penn., whose precise realist views of hardscrabble rural life became icons of national culture and sparked endless debates about the nature of modern art, has died at his home in suburban Philadelphia, The Associated Press reported."

Read more at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/17/arts/design/17wyeth.html?_r=1&hp

RIP Mr. Wyeth, you will be missed yet not forgotten. Thank you for all your glorious artwork.

Check out my Squidoo Lens for more info, pics, YouTubes, etc., about Mr. Wyeth:

http://www.squidoo.com/andrewwyeth

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"Mr. Magnusen"

"Mr. Magnusen" 36x48x2 oil on canvas at the opening for the Shaefer Portrait Challenge.

If I Could Be Your Angel-Or... If YOU Might Be Mine (?)

OK... so here is how it works; all those inspirations and how they find their way to canvas;how it works for me anyway. A friend on MySpace sent me some pics, these quotes below and a YouTube that shows a drawing, not the one above, but yes this song.
Sooo I felt and feel inspired by it all. I am not into 'angels' nor biblical agenda's but find a certain comfort in the magic these quotes and angels suggest. I have added one pic sent by my MySpace friend and one of my own "Primal Block Party 1", for I am indeed in chains to my own evils and angels of the artist soul. I like the image of angels here because it suggests some sort of secret. I feel inspired by the whole thing and plan on doing some art regarding chains, angels and all those demons that surface when we allow reality in.

Quotes:

Yes, love indeed is light from heaven; A spark of that immortal fire with angels shared, by Allah given to lift from earth our low desire.
~Lord Byron

We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another.
~Lucretius

If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give.
~George MacDonald

I love good and pleasure, I hate evil and pain, I want to be happy and I am not mistaken in believing, that people, angels and even demons have those same inclinations.
~Nicolas Malebranche

It is not known precisely where angels dwell whether in the air, the void, or the planets. It has not been God's pleasure that we should be informed of their abode.
~Voltaire

The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
~Socrates

It is by suffering that human beings become angels.
~Victor Hugo

For why should we not admire more the angels themselves and the blessed choirs of heaven?
~Giovanni Pico della Mirandola

The hours I spend with you I look upon as sort of a perfumed garden, a dim twilight, and a fountain singing to it. You and you alone make me feel that I am alive. Other men it is said have seen angels, but I have seen thee and thou art enough.
~George Edward Moore

Angels are spirits, flames of fire; they are higher than man, they have wider connections.
~Matthew Simpson

Adam was placed in Paradise in perfect estate, and in the company of God's angels; God walked and did talk with him. He heard the voice, and beheld the presence of God.
~John Jewel

A babe in the house is a well-spring of pleasure, a messenger of peace and love, a resting place for innocence on earth, a link between angels and men.
~Martin Farquhar Tupper

Kathy Ostman-Magnusen's "Mr. Magnusen" in Schaefer Portrait Challenge

"Mr. Magnusen"
36x48x2 oil on canvas
by Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

Artist's Statement:

Mr. Magnusen, the subject of my painting, shares many of my same memories. We grew up not far from one another In S. California and later attended the same high school. It was in high school that I fell in love with Dennis G Magnusen. That love story was put on hold for some 30 years.

In 1967 Dennis was drafted by the US Army, and subsequently went to Vietnam in 1968. Circumstances and follies of youth would cause us to follow separate paths.

While in Vietnam Dennis was strongly affected by the children he saw there. "Children were never meant to experience war", he told me years later. He decided that he wanted to do his part to change the world. "Real change in any society begins with the children," was Dennis' mantra, so he became a teacher. He worked with gang zone high school kids in the evenings and intermediate students in the afternoon. Grades of F's and D's were bought up to A's and B's. Mr. Magnusen reached beyond his own expectations, leading kids to an understanding of their own worth, thus opening doors to their potential futures. He created a surf club and got the community to help. He was often featured on local TV and newspapers as someone who was making a difference in children's lives. Dennis also became a Mentor teacher, lending help to other educators. Being somewhat of a rebel he advised fellow teaches of ideas that reached beyond standard textbook techniques.

Sadly the ghost of Vietnam took away Mr. Magnusen's strength in the form of Peripheral Neuropathy, caused by Agent Orange. By 1990 he was too ill to continue his beloved teaching career. It broke his heart. Seeking rest, relief from stress, needing a special place to deal with the physical pain that comes with Small Nerve Fiber Neuropathy, he relocated to Hawaii. Hawaii has been his solace and a cool breeze when memories of who he once was for kids becomes faint.

About three months ago "Mr. Magnusen" was contacted by a former student. Amy had been looking for him for eighteen years. She had heard he had died from Agent Orange complications, but still hoped that she would find him. You see, Amy became a teacher and she wanted to find Mr. Magnusen to tell him how much he had affected her life. While working on her Masters in Literature, Amy wrote a paper describing the most influential person in her life. That person was Mr. Magnusen. Amy called to tell Mr. Magnusen that she wanted to make a difference in this world too. For a teacher there can be no greater reward.

As for me? I found Dennis once again after 30 years, through a miracle of circumstance, but that I guess is another story.

~ Kathy Ostman-Magnusen
copyright 2008






2009

About the Schaefer Portrait Challenge

The Challenge is open to artists 18 years of age and older who are residents of the state of Hawai‘i. Work created under direct supervision is not eligible. A select portion of the exhibition will travel to The Contemporary Museum, First Hawaiian Center in Honolulu.

Jurors for Schaefer Portrait Challenge 2009

Maile Andrade
artist; assistant professor of art
at University of Hawai'i-Manoa (O'ahu)

David Behlke
artist; director of Koa Gallery
at Kapiolani Community College (O'ahu)

A. Kimberlin Blackburn:
artist (Kauai)

Wayne Miyamoto:
artist; professor of art
at University of Hawai'i-Hilo (Hawai'i Island)

What is a Portrait?
Portrait subjects may include any person living in Hawai`i. Artists must have direct contact with the subject, to include at least one live sitting. A broad range of interpretation and styles from representational to experimental is encouraged. Self portraits are also accepted.

Media
All works entered must be original one of a kind and newly-created specifically for this exhibition. The work may not have been previously shown in any other exhibit, gallery or website.
• Acceptable media: drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media and monoprint.
• Non-acceptable media: photography, photographic reproductions and ink jet (giclée) reproductions.
• All works must be submitted in final presentation, ready for display.

Awards
The Challenge is pleased to offer the following awards:
• The Jurors’ Choice for $15,000, graciously sponsored by Jack & Carolyn Schaefer Gray, will be chosen by a jury committee.
• The Marian Freeman People’s Choice Award for $5,000, sponsored by Gage Schubert, will be awarded to the artist who receives the most votes by gallery visitors during the exhibition period at MACC.

http://www.mauiarts.org/schaefer_SPC09.html


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My Art Accepted -Schaefer Portrait Challenge-Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

My work, "Mr. Magnusen" a 36x48 oil on canvas, was accepted in the Schaefer Portrait Challenge 2009

About the Schaefer Portrait Challenge

The Challenge is open to artists 18 years of age and older who are residents of the state of Hawai‘i. Work created under direct supervision is not eligible. A select portion of the exhibition will travel to The Contemporary Museum, First Hawaiian Center in Honolulu.

Awards
The Challenge is pleased to offer the following awards:
• The Jurors’ Choice for $15,000, graciously sponsored by Jack & Carolyn Schaefer Gray, will be chosen by a jury committee.
• The Marian Freeman People’s Choice Award for $5,000, sponsored by Gage Schubert, will be awarded to the artist who receives the most votes by gallery visitors during the exhibition period at MACC.

Jurors for Schaefer Portrait Challenge 2009

Maile Andrade
artist; assistant professor of art
at University of Hawai'i-Manoa (O'ahu)

David Behlke
artist; director of Koa Gallery
at Kapiolani Community College (O'ahu)

A. Kimberlin Blackburn:
artist (Kauai)

Wayne Miyamoto:
artist; professor of art
at University of Hawai'i-Hilo (Hawai'i Island)

Schaefer Portrait Challenge 2009

January 6 – February 22, 2009

Schaefer Portrait Challenge 2009

Schaefer International Gallery

MACC’s signature triennial: a prestigious statewide juried exhibition that has become a showcase of outstanding Hawai‘i artists and a chronicle of the changing face of our community. The selected explorations in portraiture include a broad range of interpretation and styles—from representational to experimental in drawing, painting and sculpture—all of which reveal the rewards of observation and the essence of human connection.

Schaefer International Gallery, Tuesday – Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm. FREE admission.

Maui Arts & Cultural Center

One Cameron Way

Kahului, HI USA 96732

Island Area: Central Maui

Phone: 242-2787 admin, 242-7469 box office

Email: info@mauiarts.org

Website: http://www.mauiarts.org

Location Specifics: Schaefer International Gallery

http://www.mauiarts.org/schaefer_SPC09.html

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Passion of Dance-Inspriration

YES WE CAN! Congratulations Mr. President!

YES WE CAN!!

Unfolding Shadows and Other Images of Art

Setting up an artistic mood...



Our shadows are unfolded

I Don't Paint Fruit-Tori Amos "Sugar" I Want to Inhale It!

"Primal Block Party" There are 4... can't remember offhand which one this is. Its a 12x12 consisting of 9 3x3x2 canvas blocks.. by me of course!



This is the BEST painting music! As nuts as it might sound to someone else who does not get as caught up in the erotic pleasures of painting on canvas or clay between ones fingers shaping a sculpture......I could play this one single song all day long and not get enough. Art is being swept up not sitting in compacentcy painting fruit.. sorry fruit painters but that is my honest opinion if you ever want to understand the passion that can flow through your pores.

My new Blip.fm profile... sooo cool!

http://blip.fm/profile/KathysArt

This song is at:

http://blip.fm/profile/KathysArt/blip/1015999

KathysArt Work- Some of my work on a slide roll

Turn on some Dido first!

Foolish Little Girl and other Political Thoughts

Loving Twitter these day.. lots of good artists and of course politics. Supporting Obama in full force right now till have the election. We need this to be a landslide so there is NO Doubt.


"For Isa" 18x24 oil on canvas

As for Sarah Palin? Sarah you're gonna be back in Alaska soon... please stay there!We know you are going to be a fickle girl to John McCain, and quite honestly who would blame you!? BUT.. you are not National material, so stay in Alaska, moose hunt on the weekends, and enjoy your new baby... and grand-baby.



"Foolish Little Girl" by the Shirelles

Accepted Into the Schaefer Portrait Challenge

My painting "Mr. Magnusen" was accepted into the Schaefer Portrait Challenge. It is such an honor!! I cannot post the work, nor the narrative here on my blog, until the opening at Maui Arts and Cultural Center.

I think what it all says to me is to do your best, continue to strive and the way is up from there. Continue to work and try to get better always.

One of my favorite songs by Joan Baez:



I guess I've always been a protester. My painting "Mr. Magnusen" is a protest of sorts in the it draws attention to the fact that the war in Vietnam left many with problems with Agent Orange, White, Blue and Pink. "Mr. Magnusen" is my husband of course who is disabled due to his exposure. I am always amazed when people tell me they had no idea US Government does not recognize fault.

I believe that the arts must be promoted in schools, that many kids go astray because they have an artist's soul and simply did not know what to do with that treasure. Prison Trilogy by Joan Baez speaks to those feelings in some ways.

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Tim Buckley For Some Inspiration

Loving the music of Tim Buckley lately. I had forgotten that 'voice'.. wow, just so moving. Great painting and sculpting music.

Tim Buckley - "Sweet Surrender"



Makes ya feel like you could create the heavens doesn't it? Gotta get his CD's again!

Back to DOING ART

"The Light"
36x48 oil on canvas

There is LIGHT at the end of this tunnel I have been on regarding my house for sale.. YAY! Trudy Tom of 4% Realty SOLD my house! It's under contract and will close on the 13th of Nov. Ahh me what a HUGE relief.

Yes it is true that I am VERY distracted with the election of Barack Obama for any that follow me on Twitter or Plurk or notice my focus on MySpace, Facebook and some of my Squidoo lenses are about getting Obama elected. He is the man!!

Did you know that the Republicans have NO platform for the arts? YUP it's true1 I posted the Dems and Obama's platform on another one of my blogs as well as MySpace.

There are HUGE differences between RNC and DNC, if you don't know that differences you owe it to YOU to find out what they are.

OK so back to painting and discovering colors and ohhh YES sculpting!

Much love for the day,

Kathy

PS YAY! My painting "Mr. Magnusen" was accepted into the Schaefer Portrait Challenge! This is a HUGE deal in Hawaii and I am most honored to be a part of it!

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Pan's Labyrinth, Camille Claudel... and me

Can't resist posting more of Pan's Labyrinth!

Inspiring.. the imagination reaching out and finding glorious images. I gotta get this CD and DVD for sure!

I listen/watch the DVD "Camille Claudel" while I paint often. Yup its in French and subtitled, nope I don't speak French, Yup I look at my painting most of the time as well as the subject I am working on. It is about the obsession of Camille Claudel that fills my soul and for some reason I am inspired by just having it on.

So true by the passions of Pan's Labyrinth I think. I am not normally attracted to Lord of the Ring type stuff. I know... weird since I write in that vein.. not really sure what that is all about! Whacky!

Music is a muse as well as passion so I am swimming in these videos trying to catch those stars around Saturn.

Pan's Labyrinth Soundtrack



Pan's Labyrinth: End of All Hope