That Old Bone

My newest piece is a symbolic self portrait titled "That Old Bone." A crusty, scary femur dangles behind a woman's head, and she is resentfully aware of it. I was inspired to paint this image by my own experience with anxieties and pointless yearnings. After a while, mental narratives become rote and tiresome, like an addiction that no longer delivers a high, an old bone that one can't help chewing on every day. Eventually, we must learn to turn our backs on the bone and refuse to pick it up again. The process of leaving behind our defining narratives about ourselves is liberating but difficult.

"That Old Bone." 11x14". Watercolor and collage. $150.

The Denouement

I've started doing some self portraits, eschewing any serious attempt at a physical likeness of myself, and instead striving to capture a gesture, mood, and activity with which I identify.  There is boundless potential for originality in self portraits, because you are guaranteed that no other artist has done a self portrait of you!

This one is called The Denouement. I was shooting for a late-night feel, the gesture is of a reader slouched over a book, tired and maybe uncomfortable sitting at a table, but rapt with angst over the fate of the characters in her book. A place I've been many times.  (Thank you to my friend A., who posed for a reference photo).

The Denouement.  11x14".  Watercolor, acrylic, and collage.  $150.

Coho Totem

In the spirit of "Snake Crossing" (June 2012), I have continued working on a 2-foot by 4-foot scale, achieving life size images of animals that feel symbolic of this region of the world.

Images of wild animals inevitably speak to the viewer about more than just animal-ness: animals in art represent human attributes, memories, and beliefs, and we humans make them into totems, fetishes, and spiritual companions. Some may look down their noses at such habits, but I think that we need to relate to other animals more, not less. Their flesh is our flesh, their welfare is ours. We are all Earthlings together.

I have named this painting "Coho Totem." For a month this painting sat, fully framed, in a state of pastel-and-white coolness. Then I took it out of the frame and darkened the waters, to make the fish "pop" and make the whole work more powerful and memorable. I love how the dark paint brought out the texture of the layers beneath.

"Coho Totem." Watercolor, acrylic, and collage on a wood panel.  2'x4'. SOLD.

Illustration Samples

Dear Editors and Art Directors:

Thank you for visiting my website. On this page, I have posted samples of my artwork that I believe carry a strong narrative punch and would be compelling illustrations.  Most of my work is watercolor, but not conventionally so. I use watercolor crayons frequently to achieve texture and opacity, an effect I have rarely seen which differentiates my art.

I am currently available to do freelance illustrations for future projects. Please contact me at heather.d.ogston@gmail.com if you are interested. I look forward to working with you.

"Afghan Man." Watercolor.

"Forest Treasure." Accepted into the juried televised/online auction for KVIE.  Watercolor.

"Sailor Tart." Inspired by Moby-Dick. Watercolor.

 "At the Feet of the Watchman." Depicting a switchback on a trail in Zion National Park. Watercolor.

"Among the Giants."  Depicting a tiny girl exploring the coastal redwoods of California.  Watercolor.

"Mountain Morning."  Watercolor.

"My Child My Joy."  Watercolor.

"Upon the Starry Bog."  A Celtic spirit sails his fairy boat among ruins. Watercolor.

"The Red Bee Hums." Watercolor. 

"Fragrant Evening Hymn."  Watercolor.