Art in Action|Artists Watch|Ala o Pele

Art in action, an artist's watch of the progress of this series "Ala o Pele" is coming along. I finished the second image yesterday. I will post it in its finished state today or tomorrow. I had to finish it up because it is the one I have chosen for my invitations of my show at Wailoa Center. With an opeing of April 6 and hanging on the 2nd I need to move along. I totally love how it turned out and the orchids made a wonderful touch. Big Island is know as the 'Orchid Isle" so it if totally fitting.

What I am working on today, the trees a bit, last night, and will complete the figure today I hope. If I do I will post both tomorrow, the orchid painting, titles unknown at this point, probably something Hawaiian or maybe just "Orchids".
OK... onward!

I am thinking too of making cookies today. No chocolate chips though... humm.

Aloha,

Kathy

PS Be sure to sign up for my newsletter OK? Just click my banner above or the title Art in Action|Artists Watch|Ala o Pele. Mahalo nui!

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Hawaiian Painting~Art in Action

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I am on to the next phase of painting. I have made progress past these pics. I will have Denny take more today or tomorrow.

Kisses!

Eat cookies!

Art in Action|Artists Watch|Ala o Pele

Here is some work in progress.. more tomorrow

Kath

www.kathysart.com

The second phase of skin tones is making me wild.. OK.. yes I have said it.

I am working on going with what I know to be right. It is so funny, you can know the right colors and stuff but it feels too harsh or as if I am making too much of a change sometimes.

I believe in being honest.. to a fault. I feel that that is what this blog is about. Hold off though.. don't be writing me with suggestions OK? I am sharing this but I am not saying I won't get it on my own.

I read that if you accept one opinion you may be able to stand on your head and please all but more.. no, impossible.

I believe that some days flow easier than others but that the instinct is always there. Confidence shifts.. ya gotta believe in yourself, not get distracted by outside vibes that mess ya up. Shut up I say to those voices. It all reminds me of an Ellen skit.. all those voices.

OK.. so some of these are keeping me awake at night. I guess doing 10 at a time is not going to change anything. I guess I will just always be that way! Sheesh!

I am off to go paint again now. I have been for the last hour or so. I usually paint for maybe 5-6 hours at a time.

Aloha, Kathy

Hawaiian Art Prints Photos Posters

I look like a woman obsessed huh? Yes, I guess I am.

I think I need chocolate... cookies or cake. Nothing like chocolate cake for breakfast huh? gotta go paint.

I worked on one of the paintings that actually did bother me enough to worry and fret over yesterday. I will post it tomorrow and write about what bothered me. I will post the 'before' image. I won't be taking photos again til I have finished all the second sessions of work on the facial tones. I havn't even posted the first session as yet. OK... onward!

www.kathysart.com

This is ... I 'think' going to be my favorite when done. It is so far a toss up between this one and one other. I tend to like more edgy paintings rather than things that include landscapes so that is partly why. This is a 30x40 canvas. I LOVE doing giant faces for impact. This is just the first session of face tones, I will probably have at least couple more. The orchids will be done once I am pretty sure of the face.

Laying down really dark colors on a face like this is VERY uncomfortable at first. I fight myself over it. I know it is the right thing to do so I just say to myself... 'do it or you are going to be sorry because it will just have to be repainted to achieve what could have been done in the first place.

I lay down the colors from dark to light. I look for colors. I search out greens especially. If you look long enough you will see them.

Each one of the paintings I will be posting now will be of their first facial tone session. I do not walk away from it or let it dry, I want to be able to blend the colors. I am VERY careful not to muddy the work. This is another good reason for painting so many works at the same time. I can acknowledge that something is finished easier. I do not think I will ever paint less than 10 at a time because of this. I also have less nightmares. Painting one at a time keeps me up at night. I can't think of anything else. With 10 going at once small errors are not such a big deal. I know I will get back to them and things will be fine.

I want to add something about studio space. I have been thinking about that. I have done full series in a 500 sq.-ft. duplex before. I painted my Victorian Series in that kitchen. You can imagine how small the kitchen was if the whole place was 500 sq. ft. I will do just about anything to stay by the beach!
I have had large spaces and small spaces... NO EXCUSES not to paint...EVER!

OK.. good night!

Kathy

www.kathysart.com FREE ART GIFTS

Above is the painting I mentioned the other day that I have not shown yet. I am not a landscape painter, I just don't enjoy painting them but this is kind of different because of the location many of the photos were taken, Volcano Park.

Lots of different greens obviously. I don't premix paint at all. I choose to mix the colors every few brush strokes. I feel that pre-mixing a lump of color takes away from the spontaneity of the work. That's just me. Palette of color is shown throughout this blog.

The other pic is one of 3 paintings lined up by the framing chop saw. Sooo chic! These paintings have all had their first session with flesh tones.

I will post more tomorrow.. must make supper.

Aloha, Kathy

Kathy's Art @ www.kathysart.com

Well... I still need to take some photos of my progress. I have made a lot! In the mean time here is some into about Wailoa Center. The Director of Wailoa Center is Cody King.

About Wailoa Center:

Wailoa Center
Museum/Gallery, Hilo
Be the First to Rate It

This circular exhibition center, adjacent to Wailoa State Park, has shows by local artists that change monthly. There's also a photographic exhibit of the 1946 and 1960 tidal waves. Just in front of the center is a 12-foot-high bronze statue of King Kamehameha I, made in Italy in the late 1980s. Check out his gold Roman sandals.


Equal parts cultural center and art gallery, this place should be visited by anyone with an interest in the local art scene. Many artists show their work here in this eclectic venue. Everything from Chinese silk paintings to monkeywood carvings is featured in the changing exhibits. There's a permanent tsunami exhibit on display. The Spring Art Festival, one of Hawaii's biggest art fairs, is held here annually. The Center is located in Wailoa Park in downtown Hilo. It also functions as a visitor information center.

Be sure to check out the up and coming BONSAI EXHIBIT too in late June, early July!

An annual bonsai exhibition sponsored by the Big Island Bonsai Association in the main gallery of Wailoa Center. Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Wed from noon to 4:30 pm. For more information call (808) 933-0416.


OPEN: Mon., Tues., Thurs., and Fri. 8:30-4:30, Wed. noon-4:30, Sat. 9:30-3.

Address: Pi'opi'o St. off Kamehameha Ave., Hilo, HI, USA
Phone: 808/933-0416

Aloha, Kathy

Kathy Ostman-Magnusen's free art gifts

I will be working on this painting today. I have another painting that I have not shown as yet. Hopefuly new photos will be taken today updating my progress on several of the paintings.

I have also decided to TRY to paint several small paintings of flowers for the show. We will see how it goes. I may be biting off more than I can chew esp. if I hope to do at least one sculpture.

Yesterday marked the end of my Physical Therapy scholarship. I thank them all so much!
I will continue to work on getting full use of my hand back on my own now. I made huge progress considering I could not even hold a pencil or a fork last April.

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Below are differnt elements in progress of the ten paintings I am working on. as I have written I am painting all 10 at once. I am just amazed at how much easier it feels to paint 10 at once rather than once at a time or 2-3 at a time like I normally do. I think now that I will always paint this way.

There is one more painting that I have not shown images of that I will try to photo today. It has the background almost all done so I need to get it photographed before I move on with it.

I am finding a new confidence that I did not have before my fall last April. Part of it is because I have a purpose in mind but most is because my 'comeback' is more than I had considered possible for myself. I CAN still paint and I CAN do it with more passion towards my goal than before. I find that I am often overwhelmed with the fact that a goal set is being met. It is much like physical therapy. I will to get the use of my hand back... I WILL!

Aloha, Kathy

www.kathysart.com

OK... that is all I am posting today. More tomorrow!

www.kathysart.com FREE ART GIFTS

OK... moving along here. I will post progress on the backgrounds tomorrow.

Are we having fun yet? Yes.

www.kathysart.com FREE ART GIFTS

I have been working on this series for a couple of weeks now. I have, as I said, finished all the backgrounds and am ready to move on. I am posting the images in their rough state thus far.

www.kathysart.com FREE ART GIFTS

As I drove to physical therapy today I thought about my paintings and how far I had come from last April. I thought about the people who have helped me on my way... wow. Where would I be without those people.

As I have said I fell down a flight of stairs last April and have been trying to get full use of my hand back ever since. I have what is called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. UG!

I am so thankful to Dr. Hiller and his staff who took me on, monitored me and encouraged me because I am an artist and Dr. Hiller has a soft spot in his heart for them. Such a kind and dear man.

Anne Carlson and the people at Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific. They have worked with me and helped me every step of the way when I was sure I couldn't do it. I am getting closer to my goal of recovery because of them.

Carrie Johnson... oh my gosh she is my savior on so many levels. She does my website and anything else I need for my art. More than that though she is a level head. When I write emails to her feeling like I am scattered and insecure she comes back with logical thinking and even describes pathways for me. She is my acting buddy, my soundboard and my partner in business. She is an amazing woman and I adore her.

Ahh my dear, dear friends Shan and Mailin, who came to visit me and remained friends even when I would not come out of my bedroom. I was so sure that I would not paint again. I love them for calling me and loving me anyway... wow. I love them for taking me to the Volcano Artist Studio Tour, I felt back into the art world somehow.
I needed to come out of my house. After 6 months I finally did. I cannot describe the dark hole only that I was in one.

Most of all though I thank my husband Dennis, my soul mate, my high school sweetheart and love of my life. He is in fact the most unselfish person I have ever met. He went through a lot with me, tears and fits of rage. He took care of me in body and soul. He has ALWAYS believed in me and the reasons I paint. He nags me when I need to be and strokes me when I am crazy... which perhaps it a lot! He has sacrificed so much for this life of an artist.

I thank Cody King at Wailoa Center for the show coming up... wow! A reason to paint with vigor.

Thank you Bob Hogge at Monkdogz Urban Art in New York. He called me at my sisters house in Nevada to see how I was after my fall. My show came up in New York just weeks after. He has also set up a show for me this April. Thank you Bob Hogge and Marina Hadley his business partner.

NO ONE stands alone right? We all at one time or another rely on the propping up of people who come across our pathway.

Blessings and Aloha for today. Kathy

www.kathysart.com buy cards,posters,giclees

I apologize that so many photos are blurred. I move quickly so it is just the nature of things. I must say that vanity causes me to be secretly happy about the blur! ha ha.

I have finished the background of 9 of the paintings and need to take new photos to show my progress.

I am going to block in 2 more canvases today that I had not included in my frenzy.

www.kathysart.com buy cards,posters,giclees

Art always calls for wonderful cookies, special coffee and tea. Here, because it is in fact Valentines day is my famous cookie recipe.


HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

I SEND YOU RAINBOWS FROM HAWAII

and


I send you cookies!

"Kathy's Chocolate Chip Cookies"

Cream together:
1 cup 'real' butter (not margarine!)
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 Tbl. black strap molasses
1 tsp. salt
add and blend two eggs
don't overdo this part or your cookies will turn out weird.

sift together then fold into sugar mixture:
2 1/2 cups flour, 1 tsp. baking soda

add and mix to above mixture:
1 cup coconut
3/4 cup old fashioned oatmeal
2 full cups chocolate chips

Bake at 325 degrees for about 12 minutes. Use only an old junkie cookie sheet... not one of the new ones, they tend to make these cookies cake. Take the cookies out 'just a hair BEFORE they are done'. Let them finish up after they come out of the oven.


Kathy @ www.kathysart.com
has FREE gifts!