Friday, August 31, 2007

The Figure From Life and "Somethin' Fishy"

THE FIGURE FROM LIFE

Art/ Sculpture Instruction

Study in The-Figure-from-Life will be presented this fall at Don Watson’s New Studio-Gallery at Cypress and Norfolk Avenue in Virginia Beach by Artist and Sculptor William Barth Osmundsen. Osmundsen is an internationally recognized Artist who has relocated from New Hampshire to Virginia Beach.

Watson has recently taken over studio spaces formally occupied by Ruth Laakso. Mrs. Laakso, a beloved Virginia Beach painter passed away this April at age 87. Ruth and her late husband George Laakso, also an internationally exhibited sculptor, came to Virginia Beach in 1962, the year that the couple founded the Studio-Gallery. Mr. Laakso passed away in 1981 and the building was sold. The Studio Gallery which had exhibited most of Hampton Roads prominent artists faded out of view however Mrs. Laakso continued on as the buildings property manager and singular artist in residence maintaining a small portion of the original Studio Gallery spaces where Watson will have the New Studio Gallery. The Artist Gallery recently relocated in the same building. Watson hopes that the building may someday be once again known for art. “I was a friend of Ruth Laakso, and I want to give tribute to this small corner of the building by calling it the New Studio Gallery”, Don stated

Bill Osmundsen, who will be conducting the class is not new to Virginia Beach, he was in fact among the list of artist’s exhibited and promoted by the Studio Gallery in the early 1970’s. In 1971 Osmundsen, the Laakso’s held a major showing at the Gallery called Exhibit 4. “The building was large enough”, Osmundsen stated that each of us had our own gallery room. It was, in fact really 4 one man exhibits”.
Osmundsen was stationed at Little Creek on ComPhibLant Staff he was an Illustrator Draftsman. Prior to his enlistment Osmundsen was a gallery owner and Sculptor Instructor at the Ridgewood Art Association in Ridgewood NJ. “I was 19 years old when he began instructing sculpture, and the youngest person in the class except for a 16 year old, we used live models and I had to get special approval from my young students mother. I had an Hindu Indian Doctor, professionals, several graduates of Pratt Institute and few retires. We developed into a lively class of about 30 individuals. Anatomy study is really a passion with me, it is in my opinion the underpinnings of great art”.

The new classes will use a dedicated life model . “I wanted someone who has a sense of their body and can hold a pose, modeling requires more effort than one might expect. stated Osmundsen The young women who I will introduce on the opening class will be with us throughout the course”.
Osmundsen’s Class study will center around sculpture and drawing applications something on the order of a Renaissance Atelier. Each student will be developed individually and at their own speed. This is place to stretch and risk preconceived notions. The object is for each and every student to gain through the experience. It’s not real important that they leave with a finished work but with a tool chest of knowledge that can be ordered up as required.

Art Classes will be held every Wednesday night beginning the last week of September and will run to the second week of December. Class fees, including Model are $25.00 per 2 hour session. A lab fee of $40.00 per student will cover Clay and Armature materials.



Life Class Student Information

Wednesday Nights 7 pm to 9 pm
$20. Per class + $5. Model
$40. One time Lab—Clay & Armature

Please bring Your sketch pad

Class will use water based modeling clay
Clay Stone
Self hardening / no fire

Each student may proceed at their own rate.
Our principle study will include how to make your
Armature
the Anatomy:
Torso, Head, Hands & Feet
Please bring a Sketch pad for drawing & notes.

The Lab fee entitles you to about 30 pounds of your own clay. You make take your models and armature home. If you wish to create and leave with additional units
An additional lab fee priced per weight & hardware will be assessed.

About Clay Stone
Many of you are familiar with pottery clay, Clay Stone holds better detail, is more plastic then pottery clay; it contains fibers which allow for greater stability when drying and working on an armature and should not be fired. The dried Clay maybe completely reconstituted in water to begin anew. Finished models maybe left to dry and can be shellacked. Rubber molds can be made on completed sculptures to make castings in a variety of materials including plaster and Hydro cal.
Clay Stone has many of the properties of Plastercene (Oil based modeling clay) at about 25% of the cost. Both Clays are manufactured at the Skillman Clay Mines in New Jersey by Sculpture House. You may purchase your own clay for further use at I.e. 50 lb units @ $40.00 FOB Skillman, NJ. .

Here is one of my figures that I have been working on prior to the class:

Sitting Nude
Oil on Canvas
24" x 30"
$500


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Goldfish with Nude
Oil on Canvas
24" x 30"
$600


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Rudee Inlet with Boat and Seagulls
Oil on Canvas
24" x 30"
$600


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Roses in Vase
Oil on Canvas
16" x 20"
$200


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Seascape with Tree and Sailboat
Oil on Canvas
24" x 30"
$600


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Four Flowers in the Window
Oil on Canvas
30" x 40"
$900


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Sunday, August 05, 2007

Announcements

Hello all,
I have many announcements in this email of art.

Heratige show this Friday night
This Friday night (03 Aug, 2007) at 7pm, I will be having the
opening Flowers, Beauty and Scapes, a 18 Piece show at the Heritage
Store on 314 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23458-0444. There will
be some light food. All in the area are invited to come out and
socialize and please bring a friend. I hope to see you there.


New Studio

I have moved my studio to a new location....; not too far from the
Artist Gallery (yes I'm still an Artist Gallery member). In fact
my studio is in the same building as the Artist Gallery. The
address of my new place is 641 10th street, Virginia Beach, VA.
23451. The new studio is our recently passed and beloved Ruth
Laakso's old studio. I've already painted 4 paintings in the new
place, good energies seem to be filing my creative spirit. George
Laakso's sculptures were left behind and now stand in the front of
my studio where Ruth and he workd, lived and loved. Please come
down to visit with me (afternoon's are almost always a sure bet; if
you wish to call first my number remains the same (757) 572-4004.
Right now we are rentivating the back space and bathroom but my
studio is open to the public. I plan on having a Grand Opening in
September to coinside with the Artist Gallery's September show
which should be Friday 7 Setember at 6pm through 8pm. I will keep
you posted of any changes.


1st Annual Invitational Surf and Rock Art Exhibit
Where: Artists Gallery, Norfolk Ave., Virginia Beach, VA
When: August 9th - September 5th 2007
Artistsí Reception: August 18th, 7:00 pm - Saturday Night
Theme: Contemporary Art ñ Involving Rock Music and Surfing
Here are my entries for the Surf and Rock Exhibit some will be in
the show and others will be in my new studio.

New Beginnings
Oil on Canvas
36" x 48"
$1000


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Ocean Mystries
Oil on Canvas
31" x 41"
$1100


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Sea and Sky
Oil on Canvas
38" x 24"
$600



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Sea Scape
Oil on Canvas
38" x 28"
$900



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Sea View with Tree
Oil on Canvas
24" x 30"
$500



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thanks for looking
Don Watson

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Summer Scapes

Waterfall with Tree
Oil on Canvas
24" x 30"
$300





















Waterfall in Spring
Oil on Canvas
24" x 30"
$300





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Ruth's Bridge
Oil on Canvas
16" x 20"
$150.




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Ocean's Mystery
Oil on Canvas
30" x 40"
$800





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New Beginnings
Oil on Canvas
36" x 48"
$1000













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Foggy Day on the Beach
Oil on Canvas
31" x 41"
$1000








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Flowers on the Beach
Oil on Canvas
24" x 30"
$500









Saturday, April 28, 2007

Gardens And Flower Show

All,
I've been busy getting ready for the GARDENS & FLOWERS SHOW at The Artist Gallery (608 Norfolk Avenue Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451).
Judged for Awards, an exhibition of fine art, celebrating the Virginia Garden Club. Open House Tours with paintings by regional artists. RECEPTION DATE: Friday, April 20th, 2007, 6 pm to 8 pm. Hope to see you there.


Here are some of my works for the show:

Title: Lady Bugs with Flowers in Vase
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 24" x 30"
Price: $500.

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Title: White Roses in Vase (work still in progress)
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 22" x 34"
Price: $700
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Title: Plant in Vase
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 30" x 40"
Price: $750

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Some land/seascapes I've been working on:

Title: Rugged landscape
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 24" x 30"
Price: $650

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Title: Waterfall (abstract)
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 24" x 30"
Price: $500

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Title: Boat on the Beach
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 24" x 30"
Price: $550

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Humility
Perpetual quietness of heart. It is to have no trouble.It is never to be fretted or vexed, irritable or sore;to wonder at nothing that is done to me,to feel nothing done against me.It is to be at rest when nobody praises me,and when I am blamed or despised,it is to have a blessed home in myselfwhere I can go in and shut the doorand kneel to my Father in secret and be at peace,as in a deep sea of calmness,when all around and about is seeming trouble. - from a plaque on Dr. Bob's desk

Don Watson
http://donwatsonart3.blogspot.com/

Saturday, March 03, 2007

"The Cat's Meow 2007"

Upcoming Show - March 16 - April 14"The Cat's Meow 2007"
A CATegorically exquisite exhibition of feline art by 50 local artists. Cat attire welcomed at the reception. No dogs Allowed. Fundraiser for the Virginia Beach SPCA. Admission fee: one tin of cat food or donation. PEOPLES CHOICE AWARDS. Opening reception Friday, March 16th, 2007, from 6-9pm.

The Gallery's most popular event comes purring back with art that's all about cats and only cats - no dogs need apply! Fundraiser for the Virginia Beach SPCA. Bring cat food for admission. Come see cats of every color and stripe. A CATegorically exquisite exhibition of feline art. PEOPLES CHOICE AWARDS. Opening reception Friday, March 16th, 2007, from 6-9pm. Cat attire welcomed at the reception.

Here are my entries:

Title: "Sure I like Birds....They Taste Like Chicken"
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 24" x 30"



















Title: Cat Nap
Medium: Pastel
Size: 22" x 28"














Title: Flowers in Vase
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 24" x 30"


















Title: Flowers in Vase II
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 24" x 36"

















Title: Flowers in Vase III
Medium:
Size: 24" x 36"

















Title: Bleeding Heart
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 24" x 36


Title: Nude with Flowers in Vase
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size:

















Title: Nude Reclining
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: [10 (12" x 12")]























Saturday, January 27, 2007

New Art Work and New Medium..... Sclupture

Boggy Marsh
Oil on Canvas
16" x 20"
$150





















Womans Dread
Oil on Canvas
18" x 24"
$400























Bathers
Painted on (6) 12" x 12" Canvases
Oil on Canvas
$100 ea. or $500 complete set




















Bather

Clay

$400































































Flowers in Vase jan07

Oil on Cancas

16" x 20"

$150






































Clay Torso

$400















































































Sunday, January 07, 2007

Fabulous Forgeries (opening night 12JAN07) and Barry Robinson Theater and Fine Arts Center Show (opening night 19JAN07)


All,
I'm back from my vacation and have brought back Arkansas crystals. I went to the crystal mine in Mt. Ida, AR where my nephew Taz, Kat, Herschel and I dug crystals for a day. I have over 50 crystals on display along with my 20 peice one man show titled my soul on canvas at the Barry Robinson Theater and Fine Arts Center 4552 Princess Anne Rd. Virginia Beach, Va 23462. Opening night is Friday 19 JAN, 2007; 7pm till 9pm. All on this list are invited to come and I hope to see you there.



































Local friends and family on this list are also invited to the Artist Gallery for the Fabulous Forgeries show. The very popular annual exhibition and sale of works by artists who re-create paintings by the Great Masters, carry them a step further, or use a bit of humor in their re-creations..but humbly, giving homage to the Great Masters. A surprise visit from one of the Great Masters himself will present the People's Choice Awards. Opening reception is Fri., Jan. 12, 2007 from 6-9pm. Refreshments served. Friends of Bill W. coffee and tea will be served.

Here are my entries for this years show:

Iris Garden by Van Gogh
Oil on Canvas
31" x 39"

















Freedoms Golden Sunset
Oil on Canvas
32" X 48"






















This last peice will be on display at the Barry Robinson Theater and Fine Arts Center
Woman's Struggle for Freedom
(Brooke L.)
Oil on Canvas
31" X 39"


Sending Light
Don Watson