What I am not

I have discovered that I really don't care to paint outside(so much for plein air). Here in Hawaii, it is always windy and the vog covers the sun by noon for the rest of the day. No shadows, no highlights, just monotone. So I tried a floral........and another, and another. Some 80 or so florals later, I actually feel I have something a little new and different to offer, instead of the multitude of tourist Hawaiianna that perpetuates Hawaii art. We shall see. j

The Sailing Club

I started this 11" x 14" on location in front of the sailing club. I liked the way the trees back dropped the building and the row of boats. The club is in the back corner of the marina, and everytime I would drive by it, I would think...."I have to paint that". And looking back now.........I'm glad I did! :)

Bring on the color

I saw this little cluster of palm trees without a whole lot of anything else going on. I was going to move on, but I really liked the movement of the tree trunks, so I decided to just see what would happen. This cute little 8"x 10" happened! I've added cerrulean Blue and Cad red light to my pallette, and am enjoying the color pop. This piece gives me confidence to create.

#41, The winter surge

Took my paints for a long walk down the coast line. Its all lava rock cliffs with the winter surge splashing up against them. I found this small cove where the water swirled as it washed in and out, so I thought I would give it a try. I think I did a good job creating movement in the water, and a strong center of interest with the deeper cerrulean blue pool, and the gold bleached lava rock. I like the work, but wonder is this subject "saleable"?? It seems to need something more, but what?? More color?, Maybe a stonger group of rocks in the left side of the pool? Anyways this is painting number 41 on my way to 100 plein air works. Maybe by 100, I will know the answers. :)

Arrrrrrrrgggh!

I like to paint. Its more fun when things go smoothly, but struggling with problems are a part of the process. Then there are paintings like this one. You set up and wait for the light..........when it finally happens you start. And your color mixes are off, and the light is changing too rapidly, and you all of a sudden you start painting each rock, instead of a coast line, and your paint is drying before you can get it off your pallette. ARRRRRRRGH!!! I have this vision of picking up my french easel and throwing over the cliff into the ocean. Phew.. You have to know when to say when, and I finally did here, and packed up and went home. Lumps of coal like this one make you appreciate the diamonds even more. On we go. :)

Studio Osterberg says hello world!

Welcome....My name is James, and I love color! The more pure and vibrant it is, the more exciting it becomes. In this opening post at Studio Osterberg, lets look at some of my art, and some really eye catching color!

This piece is titled "Dancing in Frisco" and was completed after arriving home from my first trip to San Francisco. It was my first trip to California, and the the first time I'd ever been to a city like San Francisco. Needless to say I came home with a sketch pad full of ideas and a ton of enthusiasm.

My aim with this piece was to capture the quirky, exciting people and night life that comes out "after dark" in the bay area. A swirl of color and activity....the twinkling and reflections of background light, a seductive embrace and surrender, all go into the making of this piece.

So welcome all painters and color enthusiast, and remember......Life is to short to not live it in COLOR!