Blog Archives

Collaboration

5/21/2020

Doug Osborne, the artist's brother and bird photographer.

1. the action of working with someone to produce or create something.
synonyms: cooperation, alliance, partnership, participation, combination, association, concert;
2. something produced or created by collaboration. "his recent opera was a collaboration with Lessing"

I have been asked what makes me paint a bird. The question always makes me stop and take a minute to remember my manners, lest I impulsively answer the question with another one: "why wouldn't I want to paint a bird". Of course there is more to the story, and while I resist stating what seems so obvious to me, I do often share that the reason I "have" to paint a bird is that I have a

a very talented brother who generously shares his amazing photos with me. He is the true genius behind my simple little paintings.
My brother is a man of many gifts, most of which he will deny if asked. He has a sense of presence that matches his physical stature. His lightning fast wit and brilliant mind can captivate an audience no matter what the subject. But watching him grow into his photographic storytelling has not only brought me a great sense pride in the artistic ability his work exudes, but has fed me, inspired me and fueled my own interest in his beloved world of birds.
Doug knows things about birds that one only learns as a result of hours of quiet observation and a deep understanding and respect of the natural world around him.
Doug shares his passion for birds through the lens of a camera with no expectation of accolade. His photos incite me to respond with a palette full of juicy paint and fistful of brushes in a collaborative "amen" to having experienced something very special with my brother.