First Holiday Painting Giveaway.

I am pleased to announce my first ORIGINAL Painting Giveaway on this blog. This is a chance to win my original painting , "The Holiday."8x10 painted with acrylics on stretched linen and cotton beautifully framed in a baroque style wooden frame.

Simply, go to my Etsy shop :http://www.etsy.com/shop/catherine47

Then come back here to my blog and post a comment about an item you especially liked. That will be considered your entry. You can double your chances by posting this giveaway on your blog and triple your chances by actually purchasing something in my shop! That's it.

I will randomly select a winner on Saturday December 12Th at 10 am. Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you if you should win. You will receive your framed original painting ready to hang or give as a very special gift by Dec. 16Th. Good Luck!

Not so Empty Nest/Refrigerator Art

Today all the boys come home. Actually when I woke up this morning, I found one, Max on the couch, TV on, snacks all over the coffee table. I think he even left the fridge open slightly. I will be picking Sam up at noon. Zach should be coming in about the same time. What does this have to do with art? More than I will ever realize but I will be taking an unwanted break from my work. It always happens this was. I become totally inspired full of ideas right before a holiday. This is our refrigerator. It use to feature the greatest art from Zach and Max growing up but now has evolved into a family inspiration place. I love checking out other people's fridges. I am sure mine will be left open a few more times over the next three days. I am just hoping they don't leave the freezer open. That's the worst! Happy Thanksgiving.

Villa Parmina

" Those Who Bring Sunshine To The Lives Of Others
Cannot Keep It From Themselves." JM b

I read that quote a few days ago and then decided to do a painting based on it. The photo isn't just right once again. I need to spend a little more time working out the problems I am having with my camera even though I don't feel like it. Villa Parmina in Sicily is also partly responsible for a lot of the colors and patterns in this piece. The view in my painting is similar to the one from the villa. I guess my trip is beginning to seep in to my painting........finally.

Do you remember The Art You Grew Up With?

I don't know about you but I have vivid memories of the art that adorned the walls of my house on Lincoln Circle. I suppose the art doesn't make an impression on every child but for me it did. I remember thinking about it being really beautiful . We had what I thought was a real oil painting over our fireplace (Baroque style ) an elegant man with a white wig playing chess. The colors were actually quite beautiful. The clothing was ornate with texture and patterns. That image really influenced me more than I realize. It was a room with a lot of detail. umm..... I think about my own sons growing up looking at my paintings and how that has influenced them. Maxwell is a student at the Museum School in Boston doing very well his first year. Zachary my oldest, although taking a different route, is creating amazing art along with music videos and commercials. I am very anxious to see what he will do next.

Think about the images you grew up with on the walls of your house that you looked at consciously or subconsciously every single day. . This is the actual painting. The artist is Francesco Beda(Italian) I remember the older I got the more I realized that it wasn't an original and was a very tacky version. But looking at it now I love it even more than when i was little.

Makes Me Wonder

I just read a great article on painters and what makes a great painting etc. The writer mentioned that an artist needs to ask why. Why do I paint this subject? Why do I paint this way?

My answer. I paint interiors, rooms full of still life objects in which I trying to create a narrative. I love to combine color, patterns and objects in a captivating and contemplative way.

remembering Sicily

Missing Sicily

Missing Sicily. I painted this piece about 6 months ago, before I knew I was going to Sicily with my mother and 5 sisters. Looking at it now, it could be from the beautiful Sicilian country side. Etna could be in the distance there on the right. I imagined how overwhelmed I would be going there and so inspired to paint. I even saw this exact bird through a small crack in a fence that led into a beautiful yard. (we were lost of course) The Italian country side- the ultimate visual feast for an artist. Right? I never once opened my sketch book! It was absolutely breathtaking and surreal and everything I imagined but for some reason -nothing, yet.........

Odessey NEW Original Painting by Catherine Nolin 8x10

I am leaving for Sicily in two days and yet I paint a  Greek themed piece.  I saw a photo with a greek style urn and that inspired me.   Anyway, Greece is very close to Sicily! 

Count Down to Sicily

I still can't believe I am going to Sicily with my FIVE sisters and 81 year old mother on Friday.  I am really not sure what to expect in terms  inspiration.  If feeling overwhelmed with inspriation after going to little ole  Cape Cod or Maine  is any indication then I may have a nervous breakdown in Sicily!  Of course I am bringing a good sketch pad and camera.