It is not as if I believe war has no place in the world at al, but we must consider long and hard before we commit to one.....for the children. My husband is a disabled Vietnam Vet due to Agents Orange, White and Blue.

After returning from Vietnam he decided to be a teacher. He wanted to become a teacher because of the faces of the children he saw in war torn Vietnam. He wanted to make a difference in the world and felt it began with the children. He taught in gang zones, high school and middle schools and encouraged freedom of thought. He listened. After teaching for 18 years he was forced to leave something he loved, his disability would no longer allow him to teach.

"Without Blinking"

Last night I dreamed it
I hope it's not true
the shelter for many
had grown to quite few
No resting spaces
and no quiet time
they're closing up our borders
and standing by their lines
hoping the few who're left standing
will die
in little time

Oh my God
we're killing thousands
without thinking at all
Oh my God
we're killing thousands
without blinking

Some people have no faces
they live with withered hearts
they sing "Amazing Grace" only
because they know their parts

In a hungry lost world
it's not enough to say
I go to church on Sundays
and before I eat I pray

Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

I began my career at four years old, in the back seat of my parents car, as they travelled the countryside. I have been exhilarated and tormented by art ever since. I wake up in the morning and go to bed at night thinking about it. I paint and sculpt women primarily; in their daily lives, in lives they might be afraid of, and in lives they wish they had. My goal has always remained the same; to hear them breathing and to know the passion I feel in my soul is met by theirs.

So I sing: "Hold me close dear angel, muster up a little tune, and rock me like a serpent, that rises to the moon."

In every single one of my paintings my objective is to 'know them' . To let each one reveal their own vision or message. I am often astounded as their presence unfolds & I am met with who they are. I then realize that who 'they' are, defines me as well. My hope is that my paintings & sculptures relate to you, their audience & that they give you the message you need for your own heart and soul.