2 minute read
A Mural in the Making: An Interview with John Osgood
www.DanvilleLivingCA.com @DanvilleLivingCA #DanvilleLivingCA
By Alexandra Sullivan, Resident since 2017
If you haven’t had a chance to stroll through the west side and come across our neighborhood school, Montair Elementary, there is some awesome new artwork gracing the front of the building! I had the opportunity to ask muralist and Montair parent, John Osgood about his process and the products that result from it.
AS: How did you land at the design for Montair Elementary School? Did you approach Ondi Tricaso (principal) about repainting the old one, or did they ask you?
JO: We live pretty close to the school so my son and I would walk over to the school each morning. Each afternoon, I would wait by the Kindergarten classrooms for his dismissal. After the first few days of this, I couldn’t help notice that the previous mural was needing some love as it was in a bit of a rough state. I also volunteered in the classroom as an art docent, so my first contact was through Kim Bowles, our lead parent for the program. Kim mentioned my interest to Ondi and a year later, and some polite hounding, I received permission to give the wall a makeover.
AS: What role do you hope this mural plays in the day-to-day life of the children at the school?
JO: My goal is to keep the kids inspired both through this mural and through volunteering at the school. I want to show them there is a literal and abstracted side to art. Within the mural there are things that are literal, like the bird, acorns, and the trees, but the sky and Mount Diablo are broken down and a bit more abstracted. I want to show the kids there can be more than one way to solve a problem and/ or tasks at hand. Overall, I hope that the mural encourages other inspiring young artists to follow their passion into adulthood.
AS: How can murals, as a whole, add to community life?
JO: I believe murals are very beneficial to a community. The art work breeds communication, it gets people talking and thinking. It can build an affection to the piece of artwork. It also can build ownership. The community can become attached to a piece. When I am out there working I love talking to the people. I get to know who is looking at my work and they get to meet the artist and learn about me and my work. A bond is built and can be shared.
AS: How do you overcome your creative blocks?
JO: I like to switch gears. I paint on canvas almost everyday. When I paint I am processed oriented and start with colors and strokes. When I can see a composition beginning, I run with it until I can make sense of it. That means I’m looking and searching to find the next step in the process. If I get blocked on one piece, I move to the next piece. At any given time, I may have 5-6 pieces going at a time. If I feel creatively blocked I like to work on the mural wall I’ve built in my backyard, or I’ll build masks out of cardboard and other supplies, I’ll work in clay, or create music. I try not to let creative blocks happen though by finding other ways to stay creative.
AS: What advice do you have for kids that want to head down an artistic path?
JO: My number 1 advice is to create something every day. Whether it’s drawing, painting, sculpting, collaging, or whatever medium brings you joy, just do it often. My son has been exposed to art since he was a baby, he grew up in an art gallery and works in my art studio with me regularly. He now draws everyday and creates his own comics. So on top of kids following their passion, I would say that having encouragement from their families goes a long way to their long-term success as well.
Montair Elementary School has a new mural!
