Ohso Fabone

Artist Bio & Experience

My name is Ohso. I'm a self-taught, mixed media artist, born & raised in New Orleans, LA! I grew up in Gert Town, a mid-city neighborhood that is also home to Xavier University and Blue Plate Artists Lofts ( Formerly Blue Plate Mayonnaise Factory ).  I primarily paint imaginative, 3-D composition portraits of Women of Color with "Living Waters" as a prominent, recurring biblical metaphor. Water in my work represents purification, spiritual need, & eternal life. Many pieces feature women with "Flowing Tresses" sculptured onto the canvas because I view the hair as the "Crown and Glory" of a woman and in early African civilizations as well as some communities today, black hairstyles indicate social status, tribe, family background, makes political statements, used as a source of empowerment, and act as a conduit for spiritual interaction to God. Other recurring images in my work are swirls, birds & butterflies that may represent death, persecution, salvation, or signify solitude & peace. My mediums of choice are acrylic, celluclay, and sculptamold but I often incorporate airbrush, pastels, ink, fabric paint & watercolors.

I attended New Orleans Center for Creative Arts while in high school, and studied psychology & fine art at Delgado Community College in New Orleans, LA. In 1999 I received my degree in Computer Graphic Design from Southeast College of Technology in Metairie, LA, and was inducted into the Alpha Beta Kappa, National Honor Society. I'm also a 1st Degree Black Belt in Isshogai Ryu Karate-Do and Co-Own Peace Keeper Martial Arts Academy with my husband. In the summer of 2005, I founded ArtistiKIDS! a visual arts program for Young & Talented children but at the close of 2005, my family relocated to Texas after hurricanes Katrina & Rita destroyed our home.

I've taught from kinder to college level for over 15 years but today I work as a full-time Artist, part-time ESL Contractor, and Freelance Graphic Designer. My artistic talents are used as a vehicle to fulfill the “Great Commission”. Through my paintings, I introduce visual testimonies reflecting the beauty of creation.

Ohso actively exhibits in the US & abroad and has participated in exhibitions at ArtEgg Studios, Southern University, Heritage House Restaurant, The Neighborhood Gallery, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, BAND, Freeport McMoran Science Center (New Orleans, LA). She has also shown works at Mexican American Unity Council, The Carver Cultural Center, The Carver Branch Library, Bent Easel Art Gallery, Grey Wolf Gallery, and La Casa Rosa (San Antonio, TX) Guadalupe Art Dogs Gallery (Ingram, TX). Irving Arts Center (Irving, TX) and 100 Sq Ft Studio and Zari Gallery (London).

GRANTS & AWARDS

2020 - Conception Arts Mini Art Grant

2010 - Puffin Foundation, LTD. - Individual Artist Mini-Grant - ArtistiKIDS! / Meet The Artist Project

2007 - TARGET Community Art Mini-Grant - ArtistiKIDS! / Art-A-Go-Go! Program

2006 - Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation - Individual Visual Artist Mini-Grant

2006 - Contemporary Art Center of New Orleans - "SweetArt New York" Individual Visual Artist Mini-Grant

2006 - ArtHouse at the Jones Center - Emergency Relief for Artists Fund

1999 - Alpha Beta Kappa, National Honor Society - Inducted Member

1998 - The Famous Poets Society - Outstanding Achievement In Poetry

1998 - Southeast College of Technology - Superior Creativity in Image Design & Type Design

1996 - Rivertown - First Annual Amature Art Show: First Place

"Please Support Living Artists, Dead One's Don't Need it! Collect my art to cover your Obscene Naked Walls!"