Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are.

Searching In Storms

~ No canvas absorbs color like memory. ~ Robert Aris Willmottcc

Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans. ~John Lennon

"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." Pablo Picasso

"Do not believe in miracles. Rely on them."

"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly."

The Italian Job

This favorite painting of mine is still up for grabs.  I thought for sure it would be scooped up by one of my regular Etsy customers by now.   This holiday season is shaping up to be a good one for me after a slow start and for that I am very grateful. On another note,  my son Sam has been doing much better since he had  extensive dental work.  It breaks my heart ever time I think about how much pain he was in for months and being misdiagnosed as behavior problems!    I have recommitted my main focus to working on  his communication skills or lack of them.  We seem to always be starting over in that department. 

I feel energized and optimistic about 20011.  I can't wait to begin a new body of work.

Post Office~ I Love Lucy Style!

   Spending lots of time at the post office lately.  Don't get me wrong, that's a good thing.  I have been busy shipping prints and paintings of all different sizes to places as far as Australia.  However,   if you were to observe what goes on with me at the post office, you would think you were watching an I Love Lucy  episode. Since the post office has this great  flat rate box offer I actually have to pack up the items I am shipping right there!    Any given day you will find me there, looking for a pen that writes because I forgot my sharpie,  with packing tape stuck to my sweater, waiting in line to buy a box, then realizing that it isn't the right size, sealing up boxes without including the contents,  forgetting the shipping address at home, and buying way too much bubble wrap. 
BTW I briefly hired my son Max to take care of these duties so I could get to my real job PAINTING.   That was short lived when he came home with a $54.00 receipt for shipping one small painting !  He said yes to everything the post  office clerk offered about sending the package.  I don't have the patience and time to hire an assistant I guess.  
I am looking forward to 2011 and sharing all the new directions I am going with my work.  For now, it's back to the post office even though I know there is a better way.

Winner Of My Fine Art Giveaway is........

Karena has won my fine art giveaway.  She will be receiving this print matted and framed. 

                    Congratulations Karena and let me know where to send your print.  Catherine

Growing Pains

I decided to go in a more whimsical direction with this latest painting.     I wanted to bring together my love of interiors, textiles and nature (I know very Matisse like .)  You can make up your own story as you look at this seated woman.  She ended up looking a lot like my third oldest sister Susan in a way.  This was not my intent but it works for many reasons.

This painting is 11x14 .  stretched canvas.  For sale in my etsy shop

Story Of A Flower II

This is another variation of a painting I did a while back.  I wanted to mix my love of Middle Eastern and  Asian design within the flower.  This painting is 11x14 painted on stretched cotton and linen.  The sides have been painted so no frame is needed.  For sale in my Etsy shop

December Fine Art Giveaway/YOU CHOOSE

  

 This month's Giveaway will be an 8x10 fine art print matted and framed.  It's very simple to enter for a chance to win. 

  

 

  

1. Go to my Etsy shop  http://www.catherine47.etsy.com/  Choose which 8x10  print and title  you would like to win.      Look under section "8x10 prints".
2. Come back here to my blog http://catherinenolinfineart.blogspot.com/ and leave a comment telling me which print you would like to win.  That's it!

I will choose the winner by Google Randomizer on Monday December 13th.  Please leave an email address so that I can contact you  if you  should win. 
               

Partridge on an Orange Bench

This is my newest painting.  When I was in Sicily a year ago, my sisters and I were very lost down a old dirt road.  I actually saw a partridge just like this one in  a yard under an orange tree.  What a beautiful site.  this painting is 11x14 done on stretched cotton and linen.  the sides have been painted so no frame is needed. 

Resting Gardener

This was one of those paintings that I struggled with and kept making changes.  I almost gave up on it this morning but I am glad I stuck with it.  It's another small piece but says a lot.  8x10 on stretched cotton and linen  for sale in my etsy shop.