Sunflowers and Blue Moods

My new painting.   I began with the thought of wanting to use browns with blues.  I started  thumbing through an old  Van Gogh book my son Max gave me for Christmas one year when he was 10 years old.  He wrote an adorable inscription which said, "Thought you could get some ideas for your paintings in here.  Love, Maxwell. " Well I did.  I also started looking at another Picasso book which is where the blue woman came from.  I love using  a lot of symbolism .  I don't want to just paint a room anymore. 

Two gorgeous places for inspiration.

I am about to post two new paintings hopefully today.  I also wanted to mention that my work has recently been featured on two really wonderful blogs.  "The Essence Of The Good Life" 
http://theessenceofthegoodlife.blogspot.com/search/label/Art_Painting

"Electic Revisited".  http://eclecticrevisited.wordpress.com/2011/02/06/matisse-inspired-paintings-by-catherine-nolin/
These sites will be sources of endless inspiration for me! 

Thank you Lene and Maureen. 

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

Congratulations to Angie Lane!  Angie has won this fine art print  "Searching In storms" , matted and framed. 

Prudence's Calling

11x14 painted on stretched canvas.  Prudence's Calling will be for sale in my etsy shop.  I love how this piece came together.  When I started out, all I knew was  that I wanted to use pink and the name Prudence.  The french phone and white desk were obvious.  The abstract painting on the left started out as a girl holding a bouquet of balloons but then suddenly my abstract/cubist alter ego took over.   

Pink

I have been seeing Pink lately.  This is my, not quite done yet, painting.  Tomorrow morning I shall give it a proper posting.  For now, thought I'd just give a sneak peak.  

Nature Network

  I have had many requests to create some larger botanical, bird themed paintings. Therefore,  I am very excited to post this new painting today.  The colors are more vivid and luscious  in person .  It was such a joy for me creating this special painting.  The dimensions are 20 across by 16 long.  painted on stretched canvas.  The sides have been painted so no frame is needed.    

Fine Art Giveaway! Matted and framed YES!

Yikes, here it is almost mid February and time for my monthly fine  art giveaway!  Past winners seem to always comment on the fact that they didn't realize their print would arrive matted and framed.  I will say it again, "The winner of my monthly giveaway will receive a high quality 8x10  archival print of their choice matted and framed."  It's very simple to enter my drawing.

1.GO to my Etsy shop   http://www.catherine47.etsy.com/

2.Decide what print you would like from the many choices available there. ( click on my prints)

3.Come back here to my blog www.catherinenolinfineart.blogspot.com/

      In the comment area of this posting, which is at the bottom of this post,  tell me which print you would like to have.

That's it!! You may have to set up a google acct. email me if you have any problems.
I will pick the winner on February 18th which is next Friday.  I use Google Random number generator to choose the winner. 

Escape from Eden

Things have been crazy lately, but in a good way! I finished this small painting a few days ago and this is the first chance I’ve had to post it.     On another note, my husband surprised me with this book yesterday.  He found it at an obscure library near his work.  I have been searching for it for years, hoping to find a used inexpensive copy with no such luck.  There is was on my coffee table when I got home from the post office.  It's much larger than I expected.     The illustrations are truly magfincant.  Like many people, I have a huge phobia of snakes and bugs but after viewing them so beautifully rendered with such  rich colors and intricate patterns, I find them quite fascinating and absolutely lovely.    I'm not scared!                                                                                                                                                    I am working on a large piece that can be seen in the background. I started this painting well before I got this book, but the book is” A game changer.”   I am very excited to finish it.  BTW  It’s due back in 3 weeks.   

Room With Dali

I was looking around on 1st Dibs.com, which is one of my favorite sites, for a little inspiration and came across a rug with a Salvador Dali image .  I found it so interesting and decided to create a painting around that image.  I am very pleased with the result. I am loving these colors together. As you can see,   I came across some Greek items as well.  This painting is 11x14 .  For sale in my Etsy shop. 

Magical Thinking

My studio is freezing these days.  Maybe it's because we live in a 100 year old house with some of the original windows.  You think?   I managed to finish this painting today with frozen toes and finger tips.  I need to get a small heater I suppose.  I have always been interested in textile design which is where the inspiration for this piece come from.  I love the abstract nature and movement.  It is 11x14 painted on stretched canvas.  For sale in my Etsy shop.