LEO OSBORNE IN HIS STUD

In recent years, you have turned more of your attention to painting than to sculpting. Why? Well, when I started out in art school in the 1960s, I studied painting and had several shows in Boston and Cape Cod. But as the years progressed, I went to sculpting full time. Ten years ago, I decided it was time to start painting again. I knew I couldn’t sculpt 10 to 14 hours a day like I did when I was in my 20s. I needed to divide up my time physically.

How is your studio conducive to your new direction? I have just revamped my whole painting approach. I now have a hydraulic work table that I can raise and lower. I usually keep it about 18 inches from the floor and use an exercise ball to sit on. When I was standing all day and leaning over the table, it was stressing my back and neck. Now I have complete freedom to stand up and look down or move from side to side. Just by moving my rear end and legs, I can roll along like a ball bearing.

How does the outside environment influence your work? The gardens that surround the studio space are full of my sculptures, and it’s like having these old friends around all the time. This place is like a retreat, and people have asked my wife, Jane, and I if we would consider letting them rent our cottage.

What makes your home and studio special? Well, we have 13 great blue herons that fly over the house daily and then roost in the fir and cedar trees in our back yard. Then we have two great big bald eagles, and their song is so beautiful. Also, my favorite muse, Jane, is a fabric artist. She is a spinner and dyer of her own yarns that she uses in creating garments, along with her silk pieces she has created for me. I love color, and so does Jane. She has a natural eye and instinct for color, and she has the same gift about creating vignettes in our home. Each painting is placed in perfect “sculptural” harmony with all else around it. There are hundreds of such vignettes around this place—each nook and corner has a story to tell.

Why do you focus on animals in your artwork? I have always had a fascination with birds. I don’t know why. Birds have incredible power for me. I identify with them personally and spiritually even though other animals also are inspiring. I can go to the water and see a river otter coming up on the beach and get the thrill of being close to nature.

What are you working on now? We are just back from visiting our daughter in Maui. When we walked through a Japanese Buddhist cemetery there, we saw a pair of shorebirds standing on a stone monument. I came home knowing I had to paint that.

What music do you play in the studio? It’s usually a wild blend. I still love rock and roll—Van Morrison and Bob Dylan. But also some of the newer, younger people like John Mayer and Wendy Rule.

Any movies you have seen lately that have impressed you? “Across the Universe.” It was magnificent.

When you’re not painting or sculpting, what do you enjoy? Walking. We have a mountain on the island, and the hike up takes about an hour. Also gardening. It calls to me. It’s great because in between painting, I can get up and go out and weed for a half hour and then come back and paint.

When people come to visit, where do you like to take them? The beach.

What is the one thing people will never find you doing? Anything ordinary or normal.