Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

Kathy Ostman-Magnusen is a self taught figurative artist and illustrator. She is very prolific in oils, glass etching, watercolors, silk painting and sculpture. Kathy also enjoys writing; poetry; stories and articles . She posts a lot of her writing on ezines and her blogs.

Kathy illustrated for Hay House Inc.,"Women Who Do Too Much" CARDS taken from Anne Wilson Schaef's book "Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much". She also illustrated for Neil Davidson, who was considered for the Pulitzer Prize in feature writing, and several other publications.

Prior to being a full time artist Kathy owned and operated her own souvenir pottery business in Northern California. She had eight contracted workers and one full time shipper. Products were created, hand sculpt, wheel thrown and personalized to meet each clients specific needs. Her company shipped to most National Parks, Disney World, J C Penny and over 1000 specialty shops all over the US. After 20 years in the souvenir business she decided to focus on her painting and sculpting. In 1996 Kathy moved to Kauai where she lived for 8 years. In 2004 Kathy moved to the Big island of Hawaii where she and her husband and high school sweetheart Dennis now reside.

Her work is collected worldwide.


Artist Information:


Subject matter for which known:

Figurative. "I paint 'women', in their daily lives; in lives they question; and in lives they wish they had."

Style of work:

Primarily impressionist but also realism.

Methods:

Primarily oils but also sculpture in clay and metals; watercolors; silk; chemical glass etching and acrylics.

Kathy Ostman-Magnusen
Artist Statement:

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.

So I sing:

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

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.