Ohso's Biography
Ohso is a self-taught, International mixed media Artist, born & raised in New Orleans, LA! She grew up in Gert Town, a mid-city neighborhood, home to Xavier University and Blue-Plate Artists' Lofts (formerly Blue-Plate Mayonnaise Factory). Although her family history is riddled with poverty, abuse, addiction, estrangement, and transitional homelessness, her work often repeats the themes of peace, beauty, strength, and growth thru wisdom. Ohso began creating detailed drawings by the age of three & primarily paints imaginative, 3-D composition portraits of Women of Color, with "Living Waters" as a prominent, recurring biblical metaphor. As a mixed media artist, she enjoys incorporating acrylics, airbrushes, celluclay, inks, pastels, fabric paints, and block stamp printing in her work. Ohso attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts – N.O.C.C.A. and is a graduate of John F. Kennedy Sr. High School. She also studied psychology & fine art at Delgado Community College in New Orleans, LA. Ohso later graduated with a degree in Computer Graphic Design from Remington College (formerly Southeast College of Technology) in Metairie, LA, and was inducted into the Alpha Beta Kappa National Honor Society in 1999.
Although she gained valuable skills while at N.O.C.C.A., the instruction at the time focused on "Old Masters" so there was a disconnect because she didn't identify with white, male artists. For a long time, she was left with the impression that artists lived poor lives and didn't make money until after they were dead. Even as a freshman in college, one of her art professors was so impressed by her portfolio stated, “There is nothing I can teach you.” After this, Ohso found herself in limbo and considered her art more of a hobby until 1996 when she had her first gallery experience where she met "Living Artists!” “They were Talented, Black, Indigenous People of Color that I didn't even know existed and my mind was blown! They looked like me, I could make connections and even got some guidance from them, and it was then I decided to make art my profession!” Over the next few years, Ohso worked in retail sales and management. In her spare time, she took on a non-paid internship at The Neighborhood Gallery under the guidance and support of the owners Sandra Berry & Joshua Walker, while functioning as a Freelance Art Educator & Graphic Designer. In the Spring of 2005 Ohso founded ArtistiKIDS! An arts program for gifted & talented children! Sadly, the fall of that same year Hurricane Katrina destroyed her home and business forcing her family to relocate to Texas.
For over 15 years Ohso has worked in the field of education, teaching visual arts, stop-motion animation, graphic design, and Martial Arts in public schools, private schools, and non-profit organizations including Remington College, YAYA Inc., My House Inc., Young Audiences, NEISD, Qkids, and SayABC. Today Ohso is a full-time Artist, Entrepreneur, ESL Contractor, Published Poet, and co-owner of Peace Keeper Martial Arts Academy with her husband in San Antonio, TX. Ohso's work is exhibited throughout the United States and Abroad. Most recently, her work has been exhibited at Electric City Barn, Schenectady, NY. Brooksville City Hall Gallery 201, Brooksville, FL. Pablo Center at the Confluence in Eau Clair, WI. InterUrban Arthouse, Overland Park, KS. GLH Gallery, Houston, Texas. Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital View Point Gallery, Schenectady, NY. and Zari Gallery in London, UK
Ohso is on the Autism spectrum with Asperger's Syndrome. She also suffers from Dystonia & Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is irreversible & symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time. It can damage any joint, but it primarily affects her hands. Dystonia is a neurological hyperkinetic movement disorder in which involuntary muscle contraction results in twisting or abnormal fixed postures; however, she remains active & productive as an Internationally Collected Artist.
I'm a Visual Artist, Graphic Designer, Educator, Poet & Entrepreneur.
Mediums of CHoice
Celluclay & Sculptamold
To create the 3-D effect in my pieces I usually employ celluclay and sculptamond interchangeably. CELLUCLAY is an instant papier-maché made with *virgin recycled paper, and SCULPTAMOLD is a cellulose-based compound that combines the best features of clay, plaster, and papier-maché. I've been incorporating them into my work for nearly 30 years. Colors are also very significant as you will see a lot of blues because it's my favorite and provides a sense of depth, tranquility, calmness and truth.
* Virgin paper is a high-quality paper that does not contain any recycled content and is made directly of the pulp of trees or cotton.
Acrylic, Inks & Airbrush
I enjoy working with acrylic paint because of it's versatility. Acrylics are water based, yet water resistant and flexible once dry. Acrylic paint & Acrylic Inks which can be thinned and used like watercolors and since they dry fast I can add layers upon layers without disturbing underlying paint. I also use black archival ink and black fabric paint mostly for bold outlines. Many of my order fantasy illustrations were created using an Aztek airbrush. Today I rarely use it because I prefer rich, heavy color application achieved by traditional hand painting.
Textiles & Other Media
I make handmade earrings using African, Ankara Wax Print Fabrics. I dont like throwing anything away so I sometimes incorporate the scraps in my paintings to create headwraps & textured mosaic backgrounds. You will also sometimes find Czech glass beads, small stones & hand carved mini block print designs in my work.
EXHIBITION & Sale!
FERVENT LEGACY exhibition showcases the passionate and vibrant body of mixed media artworks Ohso has created in her lifetime. Her home and studio space are filled with wonderful creations but need to make space for new collections! Many haven't been seen before.
Come support this LIVING ARTIST! I’d be honored if you’d consider my work! Take home something special or just come along to sneak a peek and chat about my art. - Ohso!