Kilauea, Perhaps the World's Most Active Volcano

All of the paintings below were inspired by a visit to Lava Tree State Monument, Pahoa, Hawaii.

My intension in doing these paintings was to show honor to the Monument as well as the power of nature, the active Volcano Kilauea and Pele, the goddess of fire who does indeed watch over the land.

Pele is a goddess of fire, lightning, dance, volcanoes and violence, a daughter of Haumea and Kane Milohai. She lives on Kīlauea.

Check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pele_(mythology)
to learn more about Pele in Hawaiian mythology.

It is an awesome thought to realize that one lives not far from an active volcano!

Kilauea is Perhaps the World's Most Active Volcano (for more info click the link at the top of the page).

Going through Lava Tree Monument is almost holy as I have written before. The forest of lava trees almost seem human and ghost like. Amazing. For this reason I used titles like "Respect' and "Honor" because that is how I felt upon seeing the wonder of the park and its statues.




"Path To Pele"
40x30 oil on canvas, completed 3/07
Solid Koa Frame




"Respect"
40x30x2 gallery wrap, oil on canvas, completed 3/07




"Honor"
48x36x2 gallery wrap, oil on canvas, completed 3/07




"Giant Ferns of Lava Tree Park"
48x36x2 gallery wrap, oil on canvas, completed 3/07





"ke ala o Pele"
48x36x2 gallery wrap, oil on canvas, completed 3/07

"ke ala o Pele"

About the opening:

The dedication of my One Woman Show, "ke ala o Pele" was written on my show information handout:

"I would like to dedicate this body of work to my husband Dennis Magnusen,
Dr. Douglas Hiller, Anne Carlson, Rehab of the Pacific, Shan and Mailin Moy and Carrie Johnson.

On the back of the handout was my poem about my process of healing and what I learned about myself in that adventure of the soul.

"I Stood Inside A Rainbow"

I stumbled to find myself
wanting to be lifted
and yet
I fell to smell the earth.

I stayed there for hours
me in brown beginnings
researching the treasure
that before
I had only walked upon.

I pointed my finger
into a tiny hole.
I hoped I might discover
one thing different
I had not known before.

Alas I found myself mesmerized
as an ant climbed from its cave.
One ant, one tiny ant
a delicate treasure, and
a focus in my day.

He became like none other
I had ever seen before
because
I chose to lean my attention
sit in pause
and hear life, and its
unmistakable roar.

A reflection in a pond
beyond the ants tiny hole
I leaned to meet the journey.
Who knew a lake would open
by the magic of my own smile.

I found myself host
to a thousand tiny angels
and an afternoon of solace.
I toasted all the Universe
and from roses
I sniffed a glistening vapor of hope.

I knew thirst to touch the dew on roses
and treasure all they had to say
found comfort in their voices
as the sun met their moisture
of an ever so brilliant day.

I stood inside a rainbow
Its colors met my skin.
Stepping then outside myself
decoding past objections
I accepted miracles were calling
and stood back to watch them grow.

by Kathy Ostman-Magnusen




For the opening I was blessed to have Codie King, the director of Wailoa Center help me in a zillion ways. Codie took special efforts in preparing my hand outs, hung the art on the walls with a wonderful volunteer. Her son helped before the opening in setting up tables for cookies, I made my famous chocolate chip cookies of course, and punch.

Thank you dear Codie King, volunteers and friends.


Dr. Hiller came with his mother, Anne Carlson came with her husband, Shan and Mailin Moy came and of course my dear husband Dennis was there. Such dear and sweet people in my life. Carrie Johnson lives on Kauai and could not make it but I felt her love.


There was and is a quilting show going on at the same time which is upstairs. Lovely ladies who made beautiful quilts with their hearts and hands. I thought of them that evening of hours they must have spent together making their wares. So dear.

I met some lovely people during the opeing and it was a very blessed time.

I am thankful to my friends and for all those rainbows known thus far and the ones yet to come.

I will post the final paintings throughout today and tomorrow along with my thoughts about each one.

A hui hou,

Kathy

http://www.squidoo.com/hawaiianartprints/

detail of "Silk"




New Work: "Silk" 40x30 oil on canvas

Aloha!

Kathy

Kathy Ostman-Magnusen
Free Gifts:
www.kathysart.com

Kathy Ostman-Magnusen Cafe Store

The painting process and more paintings waiting to be worked on.




The room is filling up with new artwork. I will keep it all out, look at them constantly and make changes as I 'feel' them needed. I feel art and because of that I know passion and a feeling of abandon as I reach inside to pull out questions that were not there before.

It is more about the emotion of it all to me. I do not paint art that goes above someones couch to say nothing. I just don't get that. If I wanted that I would go to bed.

Say nothing then... so that art will not threaten you or change your mind or cause you to think past what you felt before you saw it. No.. I would not paint at all if I was boxed in to say nothing. I could paint one single color of muted gradation or a landscape of someplace I visited once, I could... but I won't.

I want to stir things up not settle for the same cake I had last week.

I watched Chuck Close on PBS, Charlie Rose, last night. He said that he paints people without emotion. He thinks that by painting emotion a conclusion will be established by the viewer. He wants the viewer to decide on their own. While I like his work I feel what is the point?

I do feel... and emotions are right on the surface with me. I want to convey every single one.






New Work




Detail

More paintings with close ups coming. HUGE SMILE!!

PS.. I did make cake last night.. sugar high!

Art in Action|Artists Watch|Ala o Pele

Here is some work in progress.. more tomorrow

Kath

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