Kathy Ostman-Magnusen’s blog

Victorian 8

What Have They Done To The Rain?
I have been watching this You Tube this morning.. "What Have They Done To The Rain?" by The Searchers, written by Malvina Reynolds. It was first written as part of a campaign to stop aboveground nuclear testing.. not war at all but it was taken on by many other causes and seems most appropriate for the war in Iraq or the ignorance of people who ignore global warming. Soo this painting of mine.. painted a long time ago, even under another name, lends to the feeling I am having today. It is called "Lost at Sea" because I think many of us are.

The sound on this is not great but ohhh those voices, and oh my goodness the message and sentiment no matter what you choose to apply it to. I apply it to Vietnam and Agents Orange, White and Blue... because I am affected by it. I found my soldier after 27 years due to Vietnam and the follies of a young girl. When I found my soldier again he was afflicted with the results of a Agent Orange. He throws up every day. My painting "Lost at Sea" was done before I found him again through a miracle of circumstances. I always missed him.

The song: is below.

The Lyrics:

Just a little rain falling all around,
The grass lifts its head to the heavenly sound,
Just a little rain, just a little rain,
What have they done to the rain?

Just a little boy standing in the rain,
The gentle rain that falls for years.
And the grass is gone,
The boy disappears,
And rain keeps falling like helpless tears,
And what have they done to the rain?

Just a little breeze out of the sky,
The leaves pat their hands as the breeze blows by,
Just a little breeze with some smoke in its eye,
What have they done to the rain?

Just a little boy standing in the rain,
The gentle rain that falls for years.
And the grass is gone,
The boy disappears,
And rain keeps falling like helpless tears,
And what have they done to the rain?

The little image is of my painting, "Have You Ever Read Anything So Beautiful?" 24x30 oil on canvas from my "Victorian Series"

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Kathy Ostman-Magnusen
free art gifts
http://www.kathysart.com

The Searchers - What Have They Done to the Rain - live 2007

I offer free coloring pages on my website.

I also write poetry.

An excerpt from one of my poems:

I covered my ears
spent the rest of the day silent
sifting through memories
and burning old letters.
I chasten the tag a longs
those things that haunt
they crowd out my mentors

The meanings seem translucent now
Do not waste those lessons
note them well
post them on the refrigerator
with a magnet made of ice.

I fell into this holy space
resting in my Lily's calm.
I wonder if she knew it.
Maybe
in time.
I have learned a lot
and am still searching.
Lily is me
and I am Lily
and everyone else.

The struggle was not in the forgiving
not on Lily's part
the struggle was in accepting  forgiveness
and counting herself worthy of such a gift
of being made to feel whole again.
Being able to say those words
'I love you'
how could she dare?
How could I?
She simply was not worthy
not to her
and it was assumed by her
not to anyone else.
No she would not say them
not for a very long time.
She could not see that flower
and I was not allowed in the garden.

Knowing every single day
that Lily would be here
her loyalties needed to be well spent.

Resting in my Lily's arms

by Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

About Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

Biography:

I am a figurative artist and illustrator. Most of my work is painted in oils. I also do sculpture. I illustrated for Hay House Inc.,"Women Who Do Too Much" CARDS taken from Anne Wilson Schaef's book. I also illustrated for Neil Davidson, who was considered for the Pulitzer Prize in feature writing, and several other publications. My paintings are collected worldwide.

Artist Statement: (Another one.. I have several.  It is always good to update who you are in your own heart as well.)

I began my career at four years old, in the back seat of my parents car, as they travelled the countryside looking for rainbows I suspect. I drew whimsical angel pictures and paper dolls with visions of an elegant tooth fairy that watched over me. I have been exhilarated and tormented by art ever since. I wake up in the morning and go to bed at night thinking about tiny angels and worlds unknown.

I paint and sculpt women primarily; in their daily lives; in lives they might be afraid of; and in lives they wish they had. I also dream of whimsical angel pictures, legends of mermaids and fairies at my beck and call. My goal has always remained the same, to hear my subjects breathing and to know the passion I feel in my soul is met by theirs.

In every single one of my paintings my objective is to 'know them'. To let character reveal their own vision or message. I am often astounded as their presence unfolds and I am met with who they are. I then realize that who 'they' are defines me as well. My hope is that my paintings & sculptures relate to you, and that legends of mermaids; whimsical angel pictures; and tooth fairies fantasies give you the message you need for your own heart and soul.

I am Represented by:

Monkdogz Urban Art, Inc.
547 West 27th Street
5th floor
New York, NY 10001

http://www.monkdogz.com

ORIGINAL ART may be purchased through Monkdogz Urban Art

Inspiration:

Gustav Klimt and music.

I start my fantasy art woman paintings with music, usually Enigma, Dead Can Dance or something from Loreena McKennitt. Music fills the air and helps me to open my heart. Music lifts into space and forms tiny beads of light and energy that feels just like a rainbow. The fantasy inside of me begins. It feels like a daydream, a magical adventure that I must pursue to discover it's intentions. It is a dance and I become covered with all the colors seen in my oil paintings and on my palette. My imagining becomes so real that sometimes I can hear the angels breathing and feel a light breeze from the fluttering of their wings. It isn't the realism of the brushstroke on watercolor paper or canvas that I capture in this series that makes it come alive to me, it is something less tangible than a rendering. It is that warm glow of peace you feel when smelling the air after a rain. It is the tenderness of seeing a mother with a new born infant and the wonderment of the life ahead of its fresh beginning. It is seeing the vastness of a mountain range and the curiosity that builds as you wonder what lies within its boundaries. It is every magical thing you dream of and hope to know intimately. Have you ever met an accomplishment you thought you couldn't, then stood back and wondered where the energy came from? Like lace and whispers I say, "Did I do that, did this come from me alone?" Sometimes feeling startled by the women and their presence, something is imported from another time in space and captures me. I pause from the dance, the fantasy art woman inside of me stands still to focus my eyes and I see life. I breathe in the art of the exotic women I paint. My journey begins. Beautiful women goddess art is a wonderful dance waiting to surface anytime I decide to call its name.

Quote:

"Hold me close dear angel, muster up a little tune, and rock me like a serpent that rises to the moon."

~ Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

Kathy Ostman-Magnusen
free art gifts
http://www.kathysart.com

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"I Have Come to Know the Rain" is the title of a poem I wrote as well.  I will have to post it here sometime. smile.

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"An Art Fantasy Woman Folds Magic On the Top of a Hill"

I am an art fantasy woman
I look behind corners
to find my way.
I write about stories
I have lived and thus
relay them here for you
today.

The ground was hard
it did not yield
it told another message
this heartache shall remain there
deep under the ground.
Times I tried to find that spot again
alas
I never will.

An old woman came across my path
she beckoned me,
"Come my way art woman, artist child."
I followed her to the top of a nearby hill.
There
flowers around
we sat down on the grass together.
I felt the sun
heard the birds
applauded the possibilities of imagination
at her lovely bidding.

There on the hill we had cookies and tea
felt the day
shared the awe
that only nature can bring.

Old woman
graceful and seemingly wise
shared secrets and insights into books she had read.
I embraced them all.

She took a napkin from her lap
and told me to wait for magic.
I loved her tired hands and worn eyes
focused on her surprise for me.
She began folding the bright blue fabric
first into a triangle
then another
and as she separated the petals
I could see
she had indeed created two babes.
Her mouth formed a knowing smile.
For me
she rocked them
two rolled measures of bright blue fabric
back and forth
just to make me imagine
and what I had pretended
become real.

The day began to turn
dusk settled
birds nested
stars and moon would light my return.
I bid the old lady farewell.
"May I keep the babies?
Dear as they are?"

The old women grew sullen
took the babies from my hands
unfolded the triangles
that once seemed so splendid
so wonderfully grand.

"But... what about the babies!"  
I said in horror.
"I thought they were magic
I thought we shared that view?"

"Ohh, never mind about them
art woman of fantasy
they never exited anyway!"

The old woman had changed!

Why oh my
it grieved my mind and heart
where was I to go now
that she took imagination
stomped it out
unfolding my world
my fantasy fairy heart?

The old woman handed me the napkin
a grin on her face
kindness replaced.
Such evil intent
never expected
I cried behind sorrow
for the babies rejected.

She softened just a tad
as I turned and looked back
plotting my way down the hill.
I guess it was and still is
impossible to understand
this woman
so kind
so gentle
giving me magic
falling from grace.

At home alone
later that night
I opened my satchel
and pulled out my plight.
Those babies unraveled
I'd taken them home
and folded them back
to the  babes I had known.

I sought out a lesson
confused and let down
no matter the delivery
of a promise found
I would remember
 the old woman with fondness.
No misdeed would take that away.
I had been given something splendid
after all
I had imagination
for the whole of the day.

Imagination my friend
I will find you again
be an art fantasy woman
in the land of pretend.
Past the cold ground
I would go
and delightfully so.
Ahh yes,
the ground was hard
it did not yield
it told another message
this heartache shall remain there
deep under the ground.
Times I tried to find that spot again
alas
I never will.

16 March 2008
Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

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I heard there were myths to follow
legends of mermaids
fantasy art warrior women
sirens of the sea.
Out on the water
trickles of light
dancing
on the shores of Kauai
a mermaids tale indeed.

"I have measured every star", she said
Sea goddess of Kauai.
"How do I find the time?
I have taken every dream
and colored them with crayons
sprinkled them with fairy dust
and framed them in seashells."

I sit and think of her often.
I have captured spectacular moments
Water spirit legends
that  simply could not escape.
I held them close
heard their messages
made pencil drawings of dragons
fire dragons to save me.
I drew dolphins on the sand
of the ones I've know for years.
Dolphins to take me anywhere
always within reach.
Water spirit legends
tales of mermaids
dragons of the sea
dolphins sharing magic
alive.

I wept for knowledge and its sake
then wrapped all my tokens
my dragon drawings
pieces of sand
glorious wonders
cradled my package
covered in silk
and tied with ti leaves.

I waited for the time to be right
the moon full
and made promises to night.
Legends of mermaids spoke
and I heard them."

This legend or myth?
Sea Goddesses
Water Spirit Legends
sirens
mythical creatures
alive and well
on the shores of Kauai.
This mermaid's love affair
sailors at sea
sings with an island that stands for love.
Out in the middle of the Pacific
it whispers
with every bit of potential
every spiritual lesson
every breath
I could possibly invoke.

Standing on the shoreline
Hanalei, a dragons den
remembering too my lovely Silver Strand.
Treasuring the time
my pencil drawings of dragons
I see
Puff does welcome travelers in.
He hears the longings
of a surfers plea
waves to ride with dolphins
and me.

Wanton cries
I will forever be blessed
by a mountain long and wise.
Legends of Mermaids
lost at sea?
Myths no not ever.

'Tis true these tales
and magic calls
open you heart to see
feel your life
'tis just a breath away.

02 March 2008
Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

~~*~~

ABOUT Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

I paint and sculpt female fantasy art and map fairy tale adventures. I dream of beautiful women on canvas and art of exotic women.

I have illustrated for Hay House Inc.,"Women Who Do Too Much" CARDS,  taken from Anne Wilson Schaef's book.  I also illustrated for Neil Davidson, who was considered for the Pulitzer Prize in feature writing, and several other publications. My paintings are collected worldwide.

I am Represented by:

Monkdogz Urban Art, Inc., 547 West 27th Street, 5th floor, New York, NY 10001

ORIGINAL ART may be purchased through Monkdogz:

http://monkdogz.com/chelseagallery/artistart/Magnusen/artist_magnusen.htm

To view my "Primal Series" of art check out Barebrush:

http://www.barebrush.com/Artists/ALB43e.html

http://barebrush.blogspot.com/search?q=kathy%20ostman-magnusen/

~~*~~

I have always been an artist, ever  since I was a little girl I knew it.  Art is all I think about so being creative is just kind of a a force that I can't help.  I am not saying that I don't sometimes go short though.  I do, but I can usually pull myself out of it by doing simple things.

Watching a DVD  on art or artists like Camile Claudel or Basquait... those movies  make me feel passionate again.  

Books!  I have an art library that I constantly add to.. all those art books on sale at Borders and stuff ya know?  Who can resist?

I write a lot.  I write poetry or stories or articles and post them on ezines. I also post articles 'about art' ... getting out there, how to deal with not being accepted in juried show and things like that.  I feed the process.

I keep things around me that make me happy.  Sometimes those things are kind of dumb.. I like dolls and tea sets and things that make no sense but who cares I like them.  

I  join artists groups and enter shows.  I volunteered for 'everything'!  I was shy at first but I knew that if I volunteered in art clubs, to do anything at all, I would get busy and come out of it.  I have.  

I go online a lot and look at what other people are creating.  I have a MySpace and that is the place that continually surprises and makes me happy because of all the amazing work people do.  

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!  Keep doing what you love.!  You can only get better.. I do.. I get better every time I go to my canvas or put my hands in clay.

DON'T  decide you stink based on one thing or one effort.  I do that sometimes.  If I am shut down somewhere I decide I stink about everything.  Stupid but you know how your mind can get going right?  

DO ART.. I saw a blog today where an artist posts one new work a day.  What a great thing to do!  I am thinking about it too.

Lastly, if you are an artist in your heart.. be sure an say so.  If people ask you what you do... tell them, "I AM AN ARTIST" ... because you are!

Kathy Ostman-Magnusen
free art gifts
http://www.kathysart.com

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To purchase  my Hawaiian Art and Mermaid Baby, check out the url above.  I have posters, note cards and giclees.. yay!

Aloha, Kathy

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Title:   "Primal Block Party 1"
    Artist:   Kathy Ostman-Magnusen
    Medium:   Oil on canvas
    Size:   9-3x3 blocks=12x12
    
Description:   "Primal Block Party 1" is part of an ongoing self portrait body of work. It is ONE of FOUR of a SET. They can also be purchased separately.

Full series can be seen at Barebrush:

http://www.barebrush.com/Artists/ALB43e.html

Kathy Ostman-Magnusen is represented by:
 
Monkdogz Urban Art, Inc.
547 West 27th Street
5th floor
New York, NY 10001

ORIGINAL ART may be purchased through Monkdogz.
   
Website:   http://www.monkdogz.com

Ask for Bob Hogge

  Hours: 11 am - 6pm
Tuesday thru Saturday and by appointment
Gallery Directors:
Bob Hogge
Marina Hadley

Email Bob: bob@monkdogz.com
Email Marina: marina@monkdogz.com

Tel: 212-216-0030
Fax: 212-216-0031

~~*~~

I am an artist discovering my way.  The images I post on my profile are tame but not for children, nude art, mostly from the waist up but erotica is most assuredly explored by me.  Not for kids.  I do have a VERY tame website however where I offer free coloring pages and a letter from the tooth fairy that is indeed suitable for children and adults alike. 

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1 comment

The painting I refer to in my story below is from the Monkdogz show called, "Flashing Flesh" is "Primal 1".  I was not there for the opening but I wrote about what it would have been like if I had.

I have never been to New York... that may surprise a few. My art is there, I am represented in New York by Monkdogz Urban Art.  I have had several shows there, but for reasons I will not share I have never been to New York.

I tend to share a whole lot more of myself than I should to remain healthy, but I think in the end there are people who are just as insecure about who they are as I am.  In the end we are quite honestly no different from one another.  Success or lack of it depends on your perspective of life in general.  

Someday... I will travel to New York.

~Kathy

"A Tree Grows in Brooklyn... Too"

It wasn't hard to pack, I took only the important things with me, a handful of leaves from trees  to remind me where I had come from.  Yet I expected more.. there had to be more.  

There are journeys that people seek out that lend to experiences not  yet lived, I am one of those travelers.  My  plane to New York would arrive late, but it came and I could not stop myself from crying.  A dream met,  the hope of all who seek out distant lands, but never speak of them out loud.  Whatever keeps the prize from those silent souls is often hidden in boxes with labels that remark there is no return.  Boxes full of tape that bind  gifts and treasures, only released in dark spaces while completely alone.  

 "I'm on my way to meet my creative side face to face, lest it lose its resilience," I said inside my mind.  "Oh fragile path, its time to stop along the way and breathe in those desires. Time to take out your paints and splash their blood from  head to my toe, lick up complaints from the wounded, give solace, because they are you".   I cried again..."That's how you got here, you paid for a thousand and one days, time to feel your worth."

My goal met, I stood before my shadow, a painting on the wall.  I recognized its worth beyond my past objections and wanted only to soothe myself.  I had met one of my emotions head on and its fragrance became the charm I had been looking for.  I stood before my painting, my painting of me and gave it back a smile of recognition.

"Did you bring the book?"  I heard a voice behind me say.

I did not turn around to see the face from where the voice came, instead I closed my eyes and felt the essence from its breath.  I felt it on my shoulder like a  bird that rested after flight.  I had the book, indeed I did.  I took it from my pocket and in the process all the leaves that I had carried so carefully, fell to the ground.

"OH NO!"  I opened my eyes and saw their green veined figures on the tiles on which I stood.  "However will I find my way home again!  However will I remember those graves from all my sadness, reminders from where I came from!?"  

The door to the gallery opened and a wind swept in.  It took up the leaves and caused them to begin dancing.  I could only watch in disbelief.  They seemed happy and unconcerned about me. I wanted to gather them again, put them in their place and demand they stay put, do as they were told.  The next thing  I knew they rushed right out the door, on to the elevator and into the street.  I ran blindly waving my arms, screaming and frantic.  I would not know who I was without them.  However would I  find my soul again?  I watched the leaves swim through the currents of freedom.  To be understood later? I was not sure, I was alone.

I walked back up to the gallery.. sensed a shadow but I was too bereaved to search out its eyes.  Standing again in front of my painting I wept.  Mysteriously the voice of before, was once again behind me, and it  began to sing.   It was soft and gently, something about it felt  soothing and I wanted to stay there forever.  I closed my eyes and bowed my head inhaling the music to my ears.  I felt its presence, breathing on my neck, then kissing my shoulder.  Opening my eyes, holding the book in hand, I knew a question could be asked of the melody that came from the figure behind me.  

I heard myself speak up, "What am I going to do? My tokens, my history have left me, I have no more leaves to remind me of me."  

Kisses on my shoulder the melody did reply, "You don't need them anymore, no more regret.   No more waiting for life to begin or unrewarded promises of  places you have never been only to wonder about.  There are fresh leaves on every tree on every journey you will step out to meet."  

I turned around to see the figure. Confused at first at what I saw but accepting, the voice I saw  came from me. I had met my worth, acknowledged the relief of letting go and knew it was just the beginning.

Remembering the book,  I opened up the pages to a treasured quote:

"I wept because the process by which I became a woman was painful. I wept because from now on I would weep less.  I wept because I had lost my pain and I was not yet accustomed to its absence."

~Anais Nin

Placing the book on the floor beneath my painting,  still open to the words I have understood so many times, I knew exactly what she meant.  I then took off all my clothes, left the book behind and entered the world outside.

Kathy Ostman-Magnusen
6 December 2007
copyright 2007 & 2008

Represented by Monkdogz Urban Art,, Inc.

Monkdogz Urban Art, Inc.
547 West 27th Street
5th floor
New York, NY 10001

http://www.monkdogz.com

also viewed at:

http://www.barebrush.com

Discover my journey.

I paint and sculpt female fantasy art and map faery tale adventures. I dream of beautiful women on canvas and art of exotic women.
S taken from Anne Wilson Schaef's book.  I also illustrated for Neil Davidson, who was considered for the Pulitzer Prize in feature writing, and several other publications.  My paintings are collected worldwide.

Giclee canvas art work, greeting cards and posters are available for sale on my website: www.kathysart.com

Sign up for my mailing list for FREE ART GIFTS: Drawings of whimsical angel pictures, legends of mermaids and fairies in art. Tiny angels whisper fantasy art  for shrink art, or coloring pages.  Also a "Letter From the Tooth Fairy".  Ya just never know when you might need one!   New free magical  gifts are in my newsletter along with stories, poems and good thoughts.

Discover my journey.

Kathy Ostman-Magnusen
free art gifts
http://www.kathysart.com