The art of Kathleen O'Bryan
Of
all the choices in my life of possible careers or occupations, I had never
considered being an artist until, at the age of 23, I took my first art
class and, at that point, never looked back.
Now, 30 years later, my knowledge and experience with the pastel medium
allows me to capture the nature of light that illumines and defines my
world. Part of the theory I have come to understand through the use of
the pastel medium, is that purity of color is best obtained on a black
surface or ground. Since black absorbs all light waves while white reflects
back all light waves, the pigments I apply to black paper need not 'compete'
in the viewer's eye with a white or other-colored ground. A purity and
special light become a part of each piece. The colors are incredibly vibrant;
the work a study of high desert light and the saturated atmosphere of island
Maui.
Another wonderful aspect of pastel is that I have the option of using
a single hard line (pastel pencil) or of mixing 2 or 3 buttery layers of
color right on the paper to create an infinite palette. Through constant
exploration, I have combined my love of pastels with the landscapes of
both New Mexico and Maui. Each landscape is infinite in form; each sky
is electric. The possibilities of color and form need never reach an end.
My vision begins simply and grows emotionally as I put that first pure
mark of color on each piece of black paper.
It's my hope you feel my love of color and these lands when you view the
results, for it is a connection commonly shared, indeed.
Kathleen O'Bryan-
Slideshow
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1 of 15 |
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| Jacaranda Pastures |
| Original Pastel |
| 29" x 37" - $2400 |
| KOB01 |
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2 of 15 |
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| Olowalu in Pastel |
| Original Pastel |
| 16" x 20" - $1200 |
| KOB02 |
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3 of 15 |
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| Pastel Perfect |
| Original Pastel |
| 10" x 14" - $600 |
| KOB03 |
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4 of 15 |
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| Shore Break |
| Original Pastel |
| 16" x 20" - $1200 |
| KOB05 |
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5 of 15 |
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| The Long Walk |
| Original Pastel |
| 28" x 37" - $2400 |
| KOB07 |
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6 of 15 |
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| Mauka Hali'imaile |
| Original Pastel |
| 28" x 37" - $2000 |
| KOB08 |
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7 of 15 |
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| Maui Pine |
| Original Pastel |
| 28" x 37" - $2400 |
| KOB09 |
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8 of 15 |
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| Across Pi'iholo Pineapple |
| Original Pastel |
| 24" x 36" - $2000 |
| KOB10 |
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9 of 15 |
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| Shower Tree Explosion |
| Original Pastel |
| Call for prices and availability |
| KOB12 |
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10 of 15 |
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| Upcountry in Spring's Green |
| Original Pastel |
| Call for prices and availability |
| KOB13 |
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11 of 15 |
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| Haleakala's Cloak |
| Original Pastel |
| Call for prices and availability |
| KOB14 |
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12 of 15 |
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| Riot on Baldwin |
| Original Pastel |
| 24" x 36" - $2000 |
| KOB04 |
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13 of 15 |
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| Ukumehame Revealed |
| Original Pastel |
| 28" x 37" - $2000 |
| KOB06 |
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14 of 15 |
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| Jacaranda Hurrah! |
| Original Pastel |
| 24" x 36" - $2000 |
| KOB11 |
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15 of 15 |
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| Maritime Sunset |
| Original Pastel |
| 24" x 36" - $2000 |
| KOB15 |