Author: Sister Mary Ann Osborne

The last couple months I have been preparing smaller items for my annual “Twinkling Woodchips Show.”  This year it will be on November 10, 2018 from 10:00-4:00 PM.  If you are in the neighborhood please be sure to stop by for some cookies and cider.  It is being held in my Studio in Florian Hall

The past several months I have been working on a large project for the Archive’s of the School Sisters of Notre Dame which is newly housed at Mount Mary University in Milwaukee WI.  I chose to take a quote from Mother Caroline Friess, “Led By Faith and Grace” as the direction for the carving.  She

The women set out walking to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus.  On their arrival they saw the Angel and the stone rolled away and turned around and ran from the tomb.  They were the first witnesses of Resurrection and they hurried to tell others.  Naturally we connect with our family and friends

Many of my carved pieces over the years have been made into cards.  I have created a couple new ones each year and have 16 different ones usually available for sale in my studio.  People have appreciated this because they tell me they can still enjoy looking at an art piece even if they are

During the season of Lent we often look to the cross for meaning.  Over the years I have made and sold many different types of crosses.  In my studio it is probably one of the most popular items for people to buy, when they are looking for a gift to share.  One of the crosses

As we begin Advent this year, we look to Mary as helping us to find our way.  The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated in the Church year on December 12 each year.  Today millions of pilgrims visit her shrine in Mexico each year.  I appreciate the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe

This is a new piece that I recently completed.  Just as Jacob struggled, I too had a hard time portraying what it was that I thought this biblical passage meant.  I had always thought of the text speaking about two different characters, Jacob and the Angel.  When working on this piece, I began to consider

These last days I have been busy creating new Stain Glass Angels in my studio.  We are getting ready up at Good Counsel for our annual Craft Fair which is always held on the second Saturday in October.  This year it lands on October 14, 2017 and runs from 8:30 to 2:00.  As usual my

Sometimes when a person looks out the window we are lucky enough to look through glass colors or at colors of glass that bring a sense of beauty into our lives.  We can get caught up in viewing the soldered pieces as we enjoy the harmony of the colors playing off of each other.  It

The Eucharist is expresses in the grapes turned into blood and the bread turned into body.  Our consumption leads to the fulfillment of the prophets.  As we become Christ's body we are healed by grace.  This piece was an experiment for me in working with a sheet of copper.  I soldered the symbols of wine

As the apostles gather for the Spirits presence in their midst, the color of fire enters into their beings.  The strength of the breath of the feather hovers over their destiny.  New things will be accomplished with Spirit's presence.  When we choose to listen, the Spirit is always speaking to us.  Sacred Fire, 19″

On May 9th we celebrate the death anniversary of our foundress Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger.  She was a Wonder Woman in the best sense of the word.  She believed the need for love, security and food were as important as education.  She was born in 1797 in Bavaria and died in 1879.  The piece of wood

This is a new piece that I just finished recently.  I was happy with how it turned out.  I loved the use of tile with the wood.  We connect with others to find some common place where we feel love.  Together we flow in and through Mercy that has been gifted to each of us. 

I recently finished a new piece to depict the Annunciation.  As we know the Church celebrate this feast day on March 25 each year.  The story is told in Luke 1: 26-38.  The mandorla which is the shape found around the Virgin encloses the entire body of a person of special dignity.  Mary leads us

Growing up in a family where our mother loved flowers, I was blessed to learn and love many different types of flowers.  I always loved when the bleeding hearts, iris, lilies of the valley and bridal wreath were part of one of the many beautiful bouquets that she would create.  I imagine because we just

This is one of the new pieces that I have finished in the last couple of months.  I have been making some larger pieces since my “Twinkling Wood Chips” show in November.  The pieces are on Gospel images.  Longing for Spirit draws us out of our isolation, where we sometimes think that nothing can change. 

Somehow a shaft of light breaks through and shatters the darkness in our lives.  The wise ones choose to follow the star.  We must always remember that our light works best in darkness.  Epiphany, 35″ h X 23″ w X 1″ d

The inner design on the star portrays that Christ's Birth is repeated again and again in history.  Within the context of urban, rural, small and large gatherings, the birth of Christ is happening all around us if we are but aware and accentuate the light instead of darkness.  May our Christmas this year hold new

This Advent piece reflects on the Sunday readings in the year 2016.  1st Week…The Mountain of the Lord’s House shall be established as the highest of the mountains.  All nations shall stream to it.  2nd Week…A shoot shall come forth from the stump of Jesse and a branch shall grow out of

You are welcome to attend an art showing and sale of Woodcarvings and Jewelry on November 19, 2016 in my studio from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  This will be the eleventh year of this showing and as in the past years we will have hot apple cider and homemade chocolate chip cookies for you