The powerful images of Big Sky Country

Michelle Osman’s exhibition “I Saw Above Me That Endless Skyway” featuring paintings of Big Sky Country runs through July 13 at the Oats Park Art Center.

Osman has painted and drawn since childhood, specializing in classical, Renaissance painting techniques that are grounded in observational realism. She has taught drawing and painting at Montana State University for six years as well as private painting classes in oils. She emphasizes technical skills that provide a wide range of tools for personal expression from contemporary realism to conceptual abstraction.

“I use a combination of photographs, sketches and my inner eye to work out the composition,” Osman said. “I first build up the physical presence of the image with strong blocks of color and tonal elements, making each shape pleasing to the eye and cohesive with the whole. I then develop the movement of the image, fleshing out the details. Finally the color tones and surface are enhanced with semi-transparent glazes, until the painting is almost surreal or hyper real. The paintings are oil on canvas.”

Osman considers the storm clouds as powerful, orchestral and intangible and emphasizes that relationship between people and Mother Nature. She also uses a combination of photographs, sketches and her inner eye to work out the composition and then builds up the physical presence of the image with strong blocks of color and tonal elements, making each shape pleasing to the eye and cohesive with the whole.

Exclusive sponsorship for this exhibition has been provided by the E. L. Wiegand Foundation.