Curtain Call

I love it when I have a lot to say about my inspiration for a new painting.    I grew up in a large creative family of 6 girls and one boy.   Two of my older sisters left home as soon as they turned 18 to become “actresses”.    My parents weren’t too happy.  I can remember going to many of their plays from Macbeth to West Side Story.  Mostly community theater but to an 8 year old it seemed like Broadway.  Another sister, my oldest,  who didn’t take off to find the foot lights,  actually looked just like Barbara Streisand.   Naturally  we were huge Streisand fans.  I have a great memory of going to see Funny Girl with her  in the most beautiful movie theater in New York, red velvet curtains and chandeliers galore.    I was an instant fan at 10 years old. 

As for my two sisters, well they never pursued professional acting careers.  However, I am very excited to say that this weekend I am going to see my niece perform her   one-woman show, “A Visit from Victoria” produced by the Tenement Museum in New York City. 

    This is the link to find out more info.  http://thewildproject.com/performances/2011-between-the-seas.shtml

  

Botanical Symphony

I wish summer wouldn't end.  When I look out my kitchen window, I don't see the vivid hues coming from our garden anymore.   We've gotten tired of dead-heading the flowers as well.  At least we are starting to enjoy the tomatoes and eggplants!  I do love the fall (just not the winter.)  I must be getting old.  Hope this little painting keeps you thinking about summer and the beautiful weather we have had.  

Mr. Tabby and the Mirror

My latest painting. When my kids were little, we had a cat just like this named Barney (of course! ) He was very cool and when we got Abbey our yellow lab he decided to take off. We are hoping to get another one soon! This piece is 11x14 painted on stretched canvas. Sides have been painted so no frame is needed.       

The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.Marcel Proust

I can relate........

There is in every artist's studio a scrap heap of discarded works in which the artist's discipline prevailed against his imagination. ~Robert Brault, 

~Art Quote Of The Day~

Man will begin to recover the moment he takes art as seriously as physics, chemistry or money. ~Ernst Levy

Is Anybody Listening ?

 

11x14 painted on stretched canvas.  Don't ask me  why I've chosen this title. 

THE RETURN OF CAPTAIN ROY

                                                      11x14 painted on stretched cotton.

Zebras and Vases

The weather is looking good on Saturday for Art in The Park in South Portland Maine.      As you can see, I have been in my groove.  I must say that I enjoyed painting this piece very much.  In keeping with my more relaxed, abstract, painterly approach (thank you Henri) It’s all about the colors and the movement.  This painting is 16x20 painted on canvas.  For sale in my Etsy shop or some see it in person in South Portland Saturday. 

Madeline Dreams of a more simplistic life.

The painting within my paintings was taken from a black and white photo I came across on one of the millions of blogs I peruse daily.  I wish I had bookmarked the site so I could tell you more.  I just liked the way she looked and of course her lovely contrasting dress.  I believe that is called pasymetry?  Anyway, as I began to paint this piece I decided to loosen up my brush strokes and create a more painterly look.  This painting is 16x20 painted on stretched canvas and will be accompanying me to South Portland this Saturday.  I will be for sale in my Etsys Shop until then. 

                                                               Catherine

 

Flowers Gone Wild

I reworked "Wild Blue Yonder," which has turned into , "Flowers Gone Wild."  I was never satisfied with the painting before.  Every time I walked by it in my studio I knew it needed to have more going on.  My thought at the time was to do something more simplistic.  I guess that's not the type of painter I am . 

Enlightened Botanical

This is my latest painting.  It's 11x14 painted on stretched canvas.  I will be showing my new work at Art In The Park in South Portland ME on August 13th.  This is new show for me but  since my sister lives right down the street in Cape Elizabeth, it's a good excuse for a visit as well. 

I plan  on posting another painting this week however, my son, Max (20 years old) is preparing for a cross country trip which also involves organic farming along the way.  He is leaving Friday morning for 4 months!  Although I am not thrilled that he has decided to put finishing college on hold, this is a once in a life time experience that he will have with his cousin and another good childhood friend.  I have been feeling both anxiety and excitement for him.  They are going to many of the major national parks along the way camping for weeks at a time.  It really hasn't hit me yet that he is leaving and what he will be doing!  Everything happens for a reason and I know that this experience will be with him for the rest of his life.