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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