There is a movie star countenance about artist Terrance Osborne. His smile is measured to impress, his body is trim with the posture of a model. No wonder he went off on a retreat to Paris and came back looking like he was ready for the runway.
While in Paris, Osborne camped out at Musee d’Orsay (his favorite art museum) and explored the Louvre with the enthusiasm of a child visiting Disney World for the first time. He made sure, however, to save time to go shopping for clothes.
“Paris is the fashion capital of the world,” he says as he adjusts the charcoal-colored scarf around his neck. “I quickly noticed that a lot of the Parisians wore black and I thought they looked simple, sleek and elegant. I liked the way people look chic but not like they are trying too hard to be fashionable.”
His first purchase was a pair of comfortable black leather Lavin shoes.
“The shoes seemed a fitting way to begin my fashion expedition,” he says. “Black just seemed a natural progression for my other purchases. Wearing black creates a simple canvas that allows all of your surroundings to become art.”
Terrance lives in a world of vivid color. He describes his art as “the colorful interpretation of the culture of New Orleans.” However, he is quick to add, “To the spectator, it might appear that color is my primary interest. But it never is. First, I create an image of the life of the city. That process gives birth to the color.”
And the colors of his art are always pure, bold and exciting.
Osborne just completed the 2015 official Zulu poster – a perfect example of his use of color.
When I walked into the studio-cum-living room of his suburban home, he was a vision in black.
“Everything I am wearing I purchased in Paris,” he says, adding that he prefers to be the backdrop for his art, rather than a flashy fashion plate of color that would compete with his work.
Osborne is coming off a big year – Gambit readers named him “Readers Choice” for the 2014 Best Artist of the year, and Xavier University, his alma mater, named him one of its “Outstanding Graduates Under 40” for 2014. He has been commissioned to do four posters for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and he has done three other Zulu posters.
“I have never been a trendy dresser,” he says. “Growing up with four siblings where funds were always a bit short, I never got involved in fashion. Maybe that’s why I really care about my appearance today and like to feel well dressed.”
So when Stephanie, his wife and business manager, asked him if he wanted a party for his 40th birthday he quickly answered no.
“She knows that I enjoy exploring new cities and getting lost in the architecture, visiting new and old galleries and experiencing the life of a city,” he says. “So she surprised me with a solo ticket to Paris in October.”
“I stayed a 10 minute walk from the Louvre on the right bank, and I did the normal stuff that a tourist would do such as visiting Versailles and the Eiffel Tower, and spending lots of time in the Louvre and my favorite Musee d’Orsay, a converted train station with the ornate designed iron laced throughout the museum,” he says. “It houses the work of my favorite era and artists, from 1848 to 1914, and it is in the center of Paris on the banks of the Seine River opposite the Tulleries Garden.”
It was perfect fall weather for Osborne’s visit.
“The sun was out most days but it was chilly,” he says. “I arrived with four days of clothing and shopped for the rest of my wardrobe. Needless to say, I love everything I purchased in Paris. Each item has a special meaning for me and I always remember exactly where I made the purchase and how exciting it was to add each new item to my wardrobe.”
Today, Osborne can present his complete Parisian style – which includes Balmain carbon black jeans topped with a Maison Kitsune black wool sweater with leather epaulets and seams, and a charcoal-colored Jules scarf – to New Orleans with ease.
“I even bought a Storm watch with an interesting black face and a black and silver band,” he says. “Storm is actually a British company, however it is in beautiful Parisian shops and definitely completes my outfit.
“I came home inspired as an artist and wondering how I ever had the good fortunate to marry such a wonderful woman who would send me off to Paris.”
