Passion Flower

This is a new small painting I just completed of a passion flower. I find the structure and design of this flower totally amazing, I just had to paint one. A few things you might not know about them . The leaves are said to have an antidepressant affect. I know that looking at one has that effect on me! Another very interesting fact about the passion flower and it's relation to "The Passion" of Christ. The "Passion" in "passion flower" does not refer to sex and love, however, but to the passion of Jesus in Christian theology. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Spanish Christian missionaries adopted the unique physical structures of this plant, particularly the numbers of its various flower parts, as symbols of the last days of Jesus and especially his crucifixion:
• The pointed tips of the leaves were taken to represent the Holy Lance.
• The tendrils represent the whips used in the flagellation of Christ.
• The ten petals and sepals represent the ten faithful apostles (less St. Peter the denier and Judas Iscariot the betrayer).
• The flower's radial filaments, which can number more than a hundred and vary from flower to flower, represent the crown of thorns.
• The chalice-shaped ovary with its receptacle represents a hammer or the Holy Grail
• The 3 stigmas represent the 3 nails and the 5 anthers below them the 5 wounds (four by the nails and one by the lance).
• The blue and white colors of many species' flowers represent Heaven and Purity.

This painting is 8x10 painted with acrylics on stretched Cotton and linen. For Sale in my Etsy shop

This and that.

My painting, New Years Eve In NYC, was selected as" January" for Massachusetts General Hospital's Illumination's Calendar for 2011. This has prompted me to get going on a few new designs for the holidays and an Autism holiday card as well. I am also working on a new commission for a couple in Cape Elizabeth, ME who just bought a beautiful old farm house with many lonely walls. After receiving many requests for how to frame my paintings in my Etsy shop I decided to offer this service for a very small fee. I actually enjoy framing.

New paintings coming soon.............

The Queen's Chair

I just love the lines and style of this chair. I include it in many of my bigger paintings. We had a similar chair growing up but the fabric was pretty ugly! We also didn't have such a pillow. This painting is 8x10 painted with acrylics on stretched Cotton and linen. The sides have been painted so no frame is required. For sale in my Etsy shop today.

Good Bye Keeper Of The Shade

Never a dull moment at our house. This past weekend we woke to the sound of two huge limbs falling off our beloved oak tree . The two limbs that broke off this massive tree were trees themselves. We are fortunate that they fell away from our home and no one was hurt. However, my husband Scott was very sad when we were told the rest of the massive tree had to go.

It was more than just a big tree in our yard. It provided a beautiful canopy that made our fire pit cozy, where we would sit with friends and family, it was also the home of "Kevin" a feisty red squirrel (we named him that after someone he reminded us of) and who knows how many other animals and birds. It also provided a branch for Sam's swing and kept our house cool in the summer. The yard looks pretty bare and exposed now. Scott asked the tree people to leave the stump so we could use it as a table and a remembrance of our big oak tree.

But as usual , when a door closes a window always seems to open. We can look forward to actually growing vegetables next season with all the sun pouring in, and more light filling our home.

I will be posting a new painting hopefully today!

Anna is the winner of my Fine Art Giveaway!

Congratulations to Anna. I will be emailing you for info so that I can send you your framed print! Thanks for following me.

Check back for my November Giveaway soon!

The Italian Job

This is my latest painting. I have been wanting to do a piece that reflects my love of Italian opera. I have always loved classical music but only recently have I fallen in love with Opera music. To be honest I really don't know much about it except that I find it very moving and inspiring. This painting is 11x14 done on stretched cotton and linen. The sizes have been painted so no frame is needed.

October 17th Giveaway Winner announced.

Just a reminder that you have until Oct 17 at 10 am to leave a comment and be entered into my Giveaway! Winner receives this matted and framed 8x10 archival print of my original painting, "Dreaming of Italy."I have had a lot of interest in this giveaway on both Facebook and this blog! I will be posting a new, very exciting, painting this evening,( hopefully) Another Italian inspired piece! Ciao Bellas

Lily In The Valley

Growing up my Dad wasn't much of a gardener, or lawn care- taker for that matter. It just wasn't a priority. Even as a young child, I couldn't help noticing the golf course looking lawns on either side of ours. We had too much shade for grass to grow he would say. It's no wonder that when a patch of lilies of the valley (they like shade) came back every year in our yard, I was in awe of them.

I still love them along with their lovely fragrance and try to include them in my paintings often.

This new painting is 8x10 and the sides have been painted so no frame is needed. For sale in my Etsy shop. I am obviously crazy for peonies also, I hope to plant some next year in my yard if I can find a sunny spot since my yard is too shady~

When Sam smiles, all is right in my world.

Oct. 17th- is the date of my Giveaway drawing. You can comment here and on my fan page, "Catherine Nolin Art Studio" on Facebook to enter if you haven't yet. I have begun working on a group of new paintings. Tomorrow I will be posting one of them. I will try to add a new one or two every week in my Etsy shop, in between commission pieces. I want to have a good selection of reproductions and originals for the holiday season this year.

I am looking forward to Monday, tomorrow. We had a good weekend with Sam. He was happy full of smiles and eye contact. When Sam is good it's like getting the "okay" to paint.

October Giveaway Time!

With my outdoor art show schedule coming to an end, I can get back to more painting and posting and monthly giveaways. I am posting my Giveaways on Facebook so there's a bit more competition now. This month I am giving away a signed archival reproduction, matted and framed of this original painting, "Dreaming Of Italy". Simply leave a comment and you will be entered to win. Drawing is Oct. 17th. Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you if you should win! Thanks for all your lovely comments and support, Catherine

Cool, Clear and Dry~ Bring it on!

The rain, wind and cloudy skies are leaving. I am looking forward to a glorious autumn weekend in Pound Ridge, New York at the "Pound Ridge Fine Arts and Crafts Show." I don't think I could take another day of the humidity considering my hot flashes are every 20 minutes. Two of my newest paintings will not be making the trip since they have found new homes in both North Carolina and Texas.

If you happen to live in the area (Westchester County) hope you will stop by and say hello.