ANNA OSTBERG | BROKEN SILENCES
I was in grade two when I became aware that I had a special gift and ever since then I have been certain that painting is my only choice. The enjoyment of creating something, and watching it gradually appear is my greatest reward. As with any journey, intentional or unplanned, the outcomes are often unexpected, and what happens along the way with a painting is always a welcome surprise.
My favorite works are of the trees, because I grew up surrounded by the dense wild bush of Northwestern Ontario around Lake Superior. These images reflect the silence and comfort of the woods, and the insulating protection of the natural forests. I feel happiest working within the breathtaking gold and orange palette that exists in the changing leaves during the fall season in Ontario. If you have seen it just once, then you know what I am talking about.
But I have also been fortunate to be exposed to the big sky and prominent horizons of Manitoba, the sparse dry landscapes of the Okanogan and the varied geography of Alberta.
The greatest influences on my work would be the Group of Seven, in particular Tom Thompson for his trees and use of colour and just in the way he depicted nature. Ivan Eyre was my professor and a significant role model as well. He was a successful artist in his own right that just having Ivan as an instructor was a huge privilege. He showed me that it was possible to succeed as an artist in life.
My work reflects my personality.... unpredictable. I embrace diversity, and strive to explore different genres and experiment with a variety of images. The use of texture is of key importance to me when I am painting.
When other people see what I have painted, I hope they take away the same sense of joy and fun that I experience during the creation process. Over time I have learned that art is important to people for a lot of different reasons and that it is perhaps more important than most of us realize. I encourage everyone to seek the artist within.
BIOGRAPHY
Anna Ostberg is a local entrepreneur and artist with a strong business acumen and a solid creative ethic.
In fall 2004 Anna opened the Ruberto-Ostberg Gallery to showcase original (and only original) art forms. The gallery shares space with the Purple Door Art Studio, formerly located on 14th Street NW at 20th Ave. This accessible studio space houses several artists who work on site.
Anna currently paints, maintains a space for other artists and teaches as the Purple Door Art Studio. She also curates shows and is the sole proprietor of the Ruberto-Ostberg Gallery and the purple Door Art Studio.
Born in Thunder Bay Ontario in 1961, Anna moved form home in 1981 to peruse her art education at the University of Manitoba where she graduated with honours in 1985. Her major was drawing and her minor was painting.
Exhibitions by Anna Ostberg o Ruberto-Ostberg Gallery, "Broken Silences", November 18, 2005
o Ruberto-Ostberg Gallery, Joint exhibition, November 26, 2004
o Purple Door Art Studio, "Melon Room" Group show, Nov. 16, 2002
o Grain Exchange Studio, Solo Show, Calgary, 1991
o Robson artist run centre, Group show, Vancouver 1987
o Gallery 111 Thesis show, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg 1985
o Jan Ian Cameron Gallery, Group exhibition, Winnipeg 1985
o Jan Ian Cameron Gallery, Group exhibition, Winnipeg 1984
o Juried show, Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Confederation college, 1980