Outdoor Central Oregon Issue 15 | November/December 2019 | Page 30

30 NOV/DEC 2019 CONGRATULATIONS LANCE HAIDET ART| JONI OLSEN I’m the artist that sees things from a different point of view. Through my mind’s eye, all manners of colors, shapes, places and things find their way into my art with imagination and I think a bit of whimsical flair. The ideas for my pieces can come from everywhere, and sometimes nowhere. The surroundings and experi- ences I have had living in Central Oregon since 1971, play a very major part in what I create. There is so much history, beauty, complexity of colors, and rich textures surrounding me that I always have inspiration. Most pieces have short stories, or thoughts that I send with them that explain or give insight as to what I was thinking of when creating them, or maybe what things to look for that might not be readily seen. I use a combination of “old school and new school” to make my art. I hand draw all of my pieces first in pen and ink, then I watercolor on top of that. This gives me my structure and color scheme. I then scan the piece onto a digital canvas and finish it off with a hand stylus directly on my computer. This allows me to enlarge the piece and everywhere I have already drawn a black pen line, I draw on either side of the line to give it more depth, crispness and character. I can pick the exact watercolor pixel and flood an area with it, soften it, smooth out the bleeds, or pop the color. When I’m finished I have a digital file. I have been drawing and creating for as long as I can remember. My walls were getting pretty full until my best friend convinced me that people just might enjoy seeing my art. So I took a big leap and put my imagination on display for all to see. I must say it has been a wonderful experience. When someone comes by my booth at an art fair and says to me “they get it”, “they are drawn to it” or “they have never seen anything like it before,” my reply is, “thank you, as an artist I couldn’t wish or hope for more.” Oh and did I say it’s pretty colorful, because as I always tell those who look at my art…I like color because color makes people smile. P: Terri Smith 2019 U.S. OPEN OF CYCLOCROSS CHAMPION VALMONT BIKE PARK | BOULDER, COLORADO If you would be interested in introducing some of my “surreal imagination” into your home, or business you can contact me at [email protected]. Also check out my Etsy site at www.etsy.com/shop.joniodesign Then there are always art fairs and events in the area where I will have a booth, those you can find if you follow joniode- sign on facebook. 31