Page 50 - Enso Circle Catalog September 2021

About HARLEEN OSBURN

the I am from Northern Minnesota. Memories of snow angles, wood smoke, Jack

Frost’s windowpane art, sleigh rides and a snowsuit so thick I could barely bend my
Artist knees were part of my winters. The darkness came early, lots of time to draw at the
kitchen table! When the snow melted there were wildflowers, swimming, bike rides
and nights spent laying on the lawn looking at the stars and our glorious Milky Way.
Every now and then we were able to see the magic of the northern lights. I loved
living in the woods, collecting “things” and drawing on anything that didn’t move.

After my parents died my life changed. I was thirteen and had a younger sister
to take care of. Those carefree days were gone, I had to create a future that would
keep my sister and I together. A new town, a new school and so much uncertainty.
Becoming an artist was not a career path that was encouraged. I loved science,
history and English. My relatives thought I should become a secretary – “you will
always be able to find a job” – I chose science. And, I continued to draw!

Then came “love and marriage and the baby carriage”. And, I continued to draw!
When my husband died following a long illness, I started taking my art seriously,
for the joy of it and for the healing. I love experimenting with all kinds of art, but my
favorite is still drawing. Most of my work is done with pencil or charcoal.

My work records a moment in time but represents a myriad of memories and a
blurring of time – the model, the mood, the light. Just like the smell of a cinnamon
About roll takes me back to my grandma’s kitchen and those wonderful rolls coming out

of her wood burning stove. The touch of charcoal to paper draws my soul through
the my hand. I am a record keeper and a recorder of memories and I will continue to HALFSHELL COLLAGE
draw.
Work My home is filled with art, the walls covered with drawings and paintings. Each 6” X 6”

represents a cherished memory, a moment in time. My bookcases are filled with
well-loved books and photos, the result of decades of gathering. Even though it is LEXY COLLAGE
4” X 6”
a comfortable space I am beginning to feel a need to downsize, to simplify my life –
maybe it is the result of growing older. THE PASSION COLLAGE
6” X 4”
As part of this downsizing, I decided to gift my children and grandchildren with the
art that spoke to them. I knew I would miss the pieces, but I had a plan. Each piece
was photographed and resized to just a fraction of its original size. Old photo albums
were mined for forgotten treasures and books were deconstructed. I found images that
nudged me in the direction of things I want to accomplish in the future. I then collaged
these elements into new pieces that brought my past into the present and will help
steer me into the future.

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