Who is Kathy Ostman-Magnusen-Kathy's Art and Where To Find It

"A Little Time For Pain - Pathetic Intrusion - 3 Days Grace and I'll Be Fine"

Pain
three days grace
a little time
and I will be back to myself
again.

A little time for pain
pathetic intrusion
soon to be dismissed
perhaps not forgotten
completely
but the goddess in me will go on.

Three days of grace
pain will be on its way
out the back door
and out of my life.

Mourning and delving into the moment
sadness
inner reflection
women in pain
men in pain
we all feel that invisible solitude of heartache
in the darkness
late at night
some
times.

Such pitiful
immortal lyrics
toasting costumes
masks
traded in for new dresses
and a gilded cage.
Yet fighting those troubles
beautiful is the heart in time
once acceptance is sung
and ultimately
conquered
for the masterpiece
of a steadfast sign.

Sadness
exotic in so many ways
many a song has been sung under its
watchful days.
Dances with the devil
dances with drawings of angels
carved into the heart.

I am aware of secret tactics
whimsical angels of fantasy
perhaps disguised
dismissing coincidences
tis a dichotomy
bleeding.
Evil blessing a fairies song
goodness stoned
dismissed
denied
despite her wilting sighs?

Trees change within every season
telling me...
Do not cry.

Blessed be the changes of the moon
and how the earth keeps singing.
Rock me in the daylight
let me be inside the lions roar
lest I reach the end
within my sacred plight
unexplored.

Rescue me
tell me time is short
that's what history tells a wounded soldier.
Tell me then
before I shut that gate
lest I forget a devils pen might steal
mercy for my own self
and this majestic date.

I will plan the perfect end
battle the forces
combat the enemy
platitudes mend.
Strategies set
planned now with a warrior woman's
precision
I will scheme to save myself.
Three days
and I will be fine.
Pain
three days grace.

I will make a shoebox diarama
in the rain
one hundred umbrellas sheltering my cause
and in my stead for a weeping song
I will place at the feet
of every flower
a precious gemstone.
Blossoms to stand guard
for my swaying
confused at times
lowly heart.

15 April 2009
by Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

The image is "Jackie" an 18x24 oil on canvas
This painting lives on Kauai with Jackie's family.
RIP Jackie Hashimoto, I know you were a good man.

~~**~~

Question:

-You have said that you search for Klimpt, have you satisfied that urge and perhaps moved beyond? Also, what is it about him that pulls you in that direction?

KOM Reply:

I am leaning away from my "In Search of Klimt" series. Time to paint some departures I think. My quest for the energy of Klimt has not tired though. As with most artists who paint figurative work, I find beauty is coupled with soul searching in the painting and sculpting women. Klimt will not be put aside entirely, who could tire of the of "The Kiss"? It evokes passion and tenderness at the same time.

It isn't just Klimt that I search for though, no, it is 'all' who seek to speak with clay; oils on canvas; drawings in the sand even. It is seeking the expressions of others that embrace their inner relationship with the adventure of creativity that I relate to. There is an intensity I feel in my being and want to release, as I ponder someone else who has succeeded an artistic performance of any kind. How they achieved that endeavor, be it Klimt, Leonardo da Vinci or even a 5 year old child who creates expression from the heart, is the dynamic that is most astounding. I feel there is value in every single gesture of creativity, knowing there is something to be learned from it, if I take the time to notice. Creativity is elusive if we don't continually notice it when it is right before out eyes.

Considering Gustav Klimt again; he eluded to erotica with his work, which is something I am doing with my "Primal Series". I am fortunate to be represented by Monkdogz Urban Art in New York, and thus I confer with the them, specifically Bob Hogge, about what direction I should take with my work. Bob stresses that the artist should push to feel more, do more, dance the dance, that they know is inside them and to "take 'risks' of failure with pleasure". Never considering the notion that there is a place of arrival. It is a growth process that will not end.

My website is outdated, but I keep it because the 'text' is a journey of discovery, that goes past colors that meet my brush. It is the abandonment of self and yet the paradoxical journey to find self. I am planning for an entirely new website to show my current work, rather than deleting the existing one, because of that journey expressed.

Question:

-Is there any other artist that have strongly influenced your work or your mindset?

KOM Reply:

I am a self taught artist, so as I mentioned, I take it all in, even people's work that I don't especially like for one reason or another. Art should bring the viewer into a sphere of wonder, which is what made da Vinci such an extraordinary role model, not just artists, but for all who long to know themselves, the world around them and beyond. He asked questions of himself, just like a child would do. He fed his curiosity by doing research on whatever met his fancy and felt captivated by the simple, because it revealed the nakedness of the complex, so that it might be understood.

Question:

-In experiencing a few forms of synesthesia, I find your cosmopolitan series very exciting, your colors and marks are musical and atmospheric, for many such successful colors come with great difficulty and some with natural ease. How is this process for you?

KOM Reply:

I painted in sepia tones for a long time... no color really. Some of those works are on my back pages within my website. One day a friend came by and talked to me about color and that I should try to use them again. I had never been all that great with color, but yes, I decided that I was pretty bored with browns and beiges. I began to read about color a bit and experiment. It was fun. Later I came across a quote by Matisse, who said to FEEL the color. Now, whenever I paint, before I begin, I actually ask Matisse to help me FEEL the colors. I do! Not as a ritual but as an honest request for some wild, cosmic wisdom. It is kind of funny because I am not all that fond of Matisse's work, but as I wrote above, I try to find value in all artistic expression. Ahh my Matisse, he gave me the treasure of a full array of new sensations to the eye. Colors began to surface everywhere for me after that. I look for as many colors as I can possibly find in anything and everything. I squeeze out their glory from every single tube of oil paint I have, onto my pallet. When I paint I try to fit ALL their brilliance somewhere, even if it is just a trace. Layers of colors onto previous ones, oft times create a patina effect, which has become my style that is found throughout all my different series. I guess you could say I fell in love with color.

Question:

-In looking at the gallery, you have several categories listed, which style/era/subject are you drawn to the most?

KOM Reply:

I have no plans of doing realism anymore. I feel that a lot of that is mere rendering. If I wanted that I might as well settle for a photograph. I use my painting, "Flight" from my "Passion Series" a lot, as kind of my online logo. I plan to use the 'dance' from that series, along with the intrigue of some sculptures of mine, that I recently recovered and blend that effort with my "Primal Series". Like Bob Hogge says though... I am allowing myself risks with that. I succumb to the dance that gives direction.. I succumb to that and the whispers of Matisse, da Vinci and of course Gustav Klimt.

~ Kathy

Kathy Ostman-Magnusen
http://www.kathysart.com
Represented by:
Monkdogz Urban Art, New York
http://www.monkdogz.com

The image is of my painting "Anticipation" 24x36 oil on canvas
by Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

~~*~~

Dark wanderers flooding the night
Celtic tattoos pasted on the moon
dark poetry looming the skyline
looking for free recipes
for dreaming.

I will follow you into the dark
music without lyrics
wedding toasts for the foolish
of folly
whenever you call me.

Angels and airwaves
ancient healing
finding their way to me
despite my loss of
internal exploration at times
my heart does beat for their caresses.

Give me ultimate pleasure
or little tunes of hope
free games
or a Potter Trailer
from Autumn to ashes
so flowers can sing
I will follow you into the dark.
Nothing is so soothing
as whispers in the dark
saying we'll be fine.

Dark Fairy
elusive blossom
brings me printable gifts
and unique birdhouses
pictures of kittens
cats adorned with jeweled collars
kitty beds with pink ribbons.
Isn't that a fairies duty?
Making sure the flowers are content
not held captive
so fairy tales come alive?
Gifts on our back porch
despite the odds of feeling neglected
whenever my name is forgotten?

Fantasy fairies meet the darkness
afraid
as they find out who their friends are
secret friends
meeting fantasy art of exotic women
while forever pretending
only to be within docile pages
of the tattered book left on the table.

Dark Fairy
a queen between the lines
let out of page 765.
Despite my attempts to draw her in
unafraid to meet the present
laced by melodies
a musician's friend
Dark Fairy steadied her eyes on prizes.
Strong for mere determinations sake
she rises to meet her buried pride.
Everyone knows she says
amused
all who become wild women will one day be
female super heroes.
And with that printed inside her book of tales
she met the flowers ransom.

by Kathy Ostman-Magnusen
17 April 2009
copyright 2009