What I'm working on

Happy New Year.  I'm back in the studio.  Starting off with a small piece this year.  Although I love painting all sorts of beautiful animals in  pretty places, my heart belongs to CATS. Despite the fact that  our beloved Theo and Gracie have knocked our  tree over, broken ornaments and kept us up all night playing hockey with marbles on the wood floors, I can't help but love painting them. 

Self Expression 2016

Well I am wrapping up the year with an abstract self expression painting which I started a few months ago and decided to finish today.  The holidays are a difficult time for me.  Our son Sam has been having some challenging behaviors  lately and it breaks my heart because there isn't much I can do.  I am trying not to spiral downward into a negative place but it's hard.   

 People often ask me how do I paint so many pieces so quickly ?  I paint a lot.  Almost everyday for at least 6, 7 8 hours.  Painting is the one thing that helps me get away in my mind and thoughts. When I paint I don't think of all my troubles.   I find it comforting and healing.  I am grateful for it.  It's been a great year for my work and I appreciate all the kind words and support.  

Face Among The Crowd- small work

Completed on 12-15.  One of two small works  which will be ready to ship by Monday and in time for the holiday!  Giraffes are such amazing animals and A Tree OF Life backdrop suits her well! 

Thanks for looking!  9x12 on a cradled wood panel with painted sides.  for sale at  http://catherinenolin.org/artwork/4120013-Face-Among-The-Crowd.html

The Poet's Dream- New work

Completed on 12/12 The Poet's Dream.  16x20 on a cradled wood panel with painted sides. This painting was one of those lovely epic  journeys that I am grateful  to have taken.  What is the story here? There are many.... 

For sale on my website at www.catherinenolin.org 

Will be ready to ship in time for the holiday! 

What's on my easel

My new painting is coming along and looks like it will be completed by Monday.  This is just a photo I took with my phone but I think you can see most of the detail so far.  It's 16 x20 and will be ready in time to ship for the holidays!

What I'm working on

 I am working on a 16x20 piece in which the title came into my head before I even began.  I love when that happens! (Not ready to show a sneak peak yet)  "The Poet's Dream"  I then realized that it comes from a line in the song American Pie by Don Mclean.  "The lovers cried and the poets dreamed." I still love that song although I haven't  heard it in a while.
I  have  one original available for sale ready to ship.  "Letting Go"  www.catherinenolin.org  This painting would look wonderful in a children's room as well as a dining room space. It's 18x24 with painted sides.  Shipping is free on Etsy as well.  www.catherine47.etsy.com

Magical Thinking ~ New painting SOLD

SOLD Magical Thinking was completed on December 3.  Acrylic on wood panel with painted sides.  I wish you all Peace and Hope this holiday season.  It's been quite a year.  Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.  

For sale on my website along with a few other originals still available for the Holiday giving. 

http://catherinenolin.org/artwork/4113721-Magical-Thinking.html

The Baffled Queen~ New painting

Completed on 11-30.  The Baffled Queen as opposed to the Baffled King.  I have loved that song ever since I heard it for the first time in the 90's performed  by Rufus Wainwright.  It had a calming affect on Sam and become our anthem of sorts over the years.  Sad that Leonard Cohen has left us.  

Anyway, I have painted many queens over the years but this one has the look and qualities  I've been striving for.  The photo doesn't capture all the detail so I've included a close up.  This piece is 16x12 created  on  cradled basswood  with painted sides. ALSO, I am about to finish the dove I started as well so stay tuned! 

The Moon Will See You Now~New painting

Completed on 11-19.  I used the backdrop from " Scenes from the Life of the Virgin" panel located Siena Italy.  I enjoy blending objects and scenes to create my own world.  This painting is 16x12 created on a cradled wood panel with painted sides. I never got to see the Super Moon last week it was hiding behind clouds I guess.   I  wish you all a wonderful peaceful Thanksgiving.

http://catherinenolin.org/artwork/4106208-The-Moon-Will-See-You-Now.html

Pre-Holiday Savings on selected Originals

www.catherinenolin.org    Cleaning out the studio sale.  Offering these three originals at a reduced price before the holiday rush.  If interested go to www.catherinenolin.org 

  Thanks for stopping by. 

On my easel these days....

Using a classic renaissance backdrop for this piece.  It's 16x12 and just getting started. 

Selfish Daughter- New Painting

Completed on 10-31- The name for this painting came from a song I was listening when I started.   The song  just struck a chord with me.  Sometimes songs, poetic lyrics are so perfect. I am quite excited about this painting.  I feels  luminous,  magical and moody.   16x12 on a cradled birch wood panel with painted sides.  TO view on my website click the link- www.catherinenolin.org 

BTW~  Happy Halloween!  

What I'm working on....

Part Of The Arrangement II- New painting SOLD

Completed on 10-24.  This piece is 16x12 painted on a cradled wood panel.  I love to paint flowers with a Flemish flair.  It 's wonderful that my art is being purchased as gifts for others.  

There is a chill in the air and the trees are wrapping up their color show.  I am taking a short trip out to California.  A few of my sisters and I are visiting my nephew whose documentary is being shown in a film festival in LA and then we head to San Francisco to see my little brother professor/fiction writer.  Should be interesting !

Thanks for stopping by.

www.catherinenolin.org  

What I'm working on....

I've been working on this 12x16 still life.  I love getting lost in the flowers and trinkets.   I should have it completed by Monday.  Have a great weekend.  Thanks for stopping by.   

Sleep Study ~III New painting - SOLD

Completed on 10-18.  Sleep Study III  is 12x16 painted on a birch wood cradled panel with painted sides.  I love this color combination.  Sleep is a recurring theme in my work.  I guess if I paint others sleeping than some  how my son Sam will sleep too.  I believe in "willing things"  and the law of attraction so who knows, maybe this time! 

Anyway, this painting is available through my website and etsy shop as well as Daily Painters.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes yesterday ! 

I am putting together a holiday note card collection in the coming days for a limited time.  More details this week.

www.catherinenolin.org 

what I'm working on

Working on a 12x16 wood panel.  Another version of Sleep Study.  

Ornamental Orchestra - New painting

Completed on 10-11.  Ornamental Orchestra just popped into my head as a title for my newest painting.  I would love a secret nook like this behind dramatic red drapes. Speaking of  drapes- the curtain closed on another season for the Red Sox last night and it wasn't pretty.  I hope you are enjoying the fall weather and foliage where ever you may be. 

http://catherinenolin.org/artwork/4084294-Ornamental-Orchestra.html

    

What I'm working on

Started a new piece yesterday.  Just the under painting shown here so far but it's moving along quickly today. It's time for me to paint and a deer.  The fall leaves are really starting to pop now.  This is such a beautiful time of year.    14x18  

What's Going On. New painting

Completed on 10-4- I've had a 9x12 wood panel in my studio for a while and thought it might be time  to do so a few small pieces in between my larger scale paintings.  The two red spheres or marbles actually have meaning.  My son Sam has developed an obsession with them .  A total sensory thing so naturally I bought A LOT of them because when you have a child ( young adult) with autism anything they take an interest in is huge! They can be found all over my house now rolled into every corner! The cats are thrilled but if you step on one it can be very dangerous!.  

Anyway, this is my new piece in keeping with the seasons. 9x12 with painted sides.  I have a few customer who buy my paintings as gifts for weddings, special birthdays, anniversary's .  Most people don't think of buying original art as a gift but it really is a lovely gesture.  Christmas is not too far away as well. 

for sale on my website.  www.catherinenolin.org 

Letting Go- New Painting

My latest painting is 18 x 24 on a cradled birch wood panel with painted sides.  My photo is slightly blurry due to low light in my studio - a grey day but I was too excited to wait until tomorrow to post.  This painting evolved as many of mine do.  My oldest son Zachary got married last weekend and I suppose I subconsciously expressed it this way.  This would make a great statement piece in any room, even a children's bedroom.  

For sale on my website as well as my etsy shop.  Thanks for looking.  

Click the link to view   http://catherinenolin.org/artwork/4076639-Letting-Go.html

On my easel

Showing a bit  more progress on my painting.  I was planning on having it completed today or Monday but last evening I had a bad car accident on my way to see my son Sam.  I was rear ended and sideswiped on the highway when all the traffic came to a screeching halt.  So scary  but I am thankful for my car.  It was like a tank and protected me as well as other  forces were for sure.  Anyway, perhaps Monday or Tuesday I will be back with this new piece.  

What I'm working on..

I'm back! My son's wedding was amazing.  The setting was lovely in Stowe Vermont.  Great to be with  friends and family. 

I wasn't sure if I could get on track this soon but today was the day .  This painting is 18x24 I decided to work on a few larger scale paintings and zero in on some details.  More statement type pieces with lots of influences.  

Serious Moonlight- new painting SOLD

Completed 9-10  I wont be posting any new work for a bit.     My oldest son Zachary is getting married Saturday in Vermont! When I get back to the studio I have many great new ideas I can't wait to share!    I am hoping to create a series of larger pieces with interesting furnishings and critters together.  Stay tuned.   

  Serious Moonlight is 14x16 painted on a cradled wood panel with painted sides.

What I'm working on....

I started a new piece this week with a familiar theme. It will have a lot of twists and turns of course!   It's 14x18.  I was in Martha's Vineyard last week and found an awesome art supply store there.  They had  a great selection of things,   especially wood panels than had very thin cradles,  which I love to paint on.  I am hoping to have it completed by Friday/ Saturday. 

Marion And Company Custom Painting

Painting for a client in Florida completed.  Love her pups! 

A Reflective August

I've been catching up on my commission work this week.  Commission work  takes me to a different kind of place. I feel very reflective of my own life  during the process which is very enlightening.   I suppose staring at someones else's  personal photos ( of whom I don't know) has something to do with it.   I am excited to show my client hopefully by the end of today.  Next week my husband is on a much needed vacation so I most likely will not be working the whole week.  My oldest son Zachary is getting married in a little more than two weeks! My in studio time will be limited in Sept. but it's all part of the process.  This was a painting from three years ago now.  I've always loved it.

Jerome and The Leopard- New painting

Completed on August 15th.  Henri Rousseau is a favorite painter of mine and this painting was pretty much inspired by his work along with some other magic realism, and surrealism painters as well. I really love working with this red against the many greens and flora.  Jerome and the Lion is actually a biblical story in which Jerome removes a large splinter from the lions paw.  Love that idea too.  16x20 on a cradled wood panel with painted sides.  Thanks for stopping by.  For sale on my website 

www.catherinenolin@comcast.net    

Today's Progress

I am very grateful for the portable ac my husband bought a few weeks ago for my studio.  Our home is very old and our windows, although unique and full of interesting character, just don't allow for window acs very easily.  Today is going to be 100 and very humid again.  My piece is coming along nicely.  A little Henri Rousseau, and more magic to come .   

All in the family - Bragging rights.

I am hoping to have my latest painting completed by Saturday and no later than Monday.  Life gets in the way week to week.  I mention my youngest son Sam a lot since he is my barometer in life for obvious reasons, however I have two older sons Zachary and Maxwell. Both of them are making this world a little bit better and I am quite proud. (:

Zachary working on a 20x20 foot mural in Boston for Beautify Earth. Zach has been drawing and creating since he was about one!  He sells his art and also teaches film-making to inner city kids and does wedding videography  on the weekends. 

Maxwell has started his own certified organic farm in Brooks Maine called Harrow Down Farm.  He and Hannah his partner provide produce to the local area including  CSA  members , the Belfast Co-op  as well as the area hospital.  Oh and he paints too!   

What I'm working on....

Working on a 16x20 .  

The Cat Sitter- New painting SOLD

Completed on August 4.  I started out wanting to create a portrait of a quirky girl A  La Frida K.  I couldn't resist adding a thinner version of my Theodore as well.  There are such things as cat sitters too.  12x16 painted on a cradled wood panel.  Thanks for looking! 

http://catherinenolin.org/artwork/4046961-The-Cat-Sitter.html

What's going on

Working on  portrait piece.  I little glimpse into my crazy messy and out of control work space.  My husband shakes his head every time he walks by, and asks  how in the world  can I  work in such chaos.  After doing some research on famous artists studios, I found myself in some rather good company in that department!   I just can't seem to keep things in order and neat while I am in the midst of a painting.  Unfortunately  this has spilled over to the rest of my house as well- but only when I'm in the middle of a painting.  When the painting is done, I do tidy up a bit but there just isn't time - I'd rather be painting.  

At least it isn't as bad as  Francis Bacon 's!

Be Still- Life . New painting SOLD

Completed on July 29th .  I had been thinking about doing a still life for a long time but wasn't feeling it until this past week.  My inspiration  is from many of the beautiful Flemish works of the old masters. I especially loved painting the  vase and lover's eye.  The dimensions are 14x18 on a cradled wood panel with painted sides.  

for sale on my website www.catherineolin.org   

What I'm working on....

I finally started working on a still life painting.  This piece is 14x18 on a wood panel.  It's slowly coming alive. 

Emotional Rescue- New work

Completed on 7-21.  16x20 on a cradled wooden panel with painted sides.  Everything I love yet not under a roof! I have been inspired by so many things in this piece.  It was a great journey.  Thank you for looking.  www.catherinenolin.org 

Today

Made some good progress today started at 7 am and wrapping it up for the day.  I decided to take my walk before I started working this morning and it felt pretty good! Now if only I can continue this routine for more than a week.  I am feeling like I will have this done on Thursday/ Friday morning.  

"Because the world is so full of death and horror, I try again and again to console my heart and pick the flowers that grow in the midst of hell"

- Hermann Hesse, Narcissus and Goldmund 

The Journey Begins....

Today I began working on a 16x20 wood panel.  I'm drawn to classical design but with bold color and detailed patterns.  I finally watched Tim's Vermeer and not sure what to make of it all. As a result  I've been looking at a lot of Vermeer's work.   The colors alone are just amazing to me. As usually,  I started really getting into my work around 3 pm which on a Friday isn't such a good idea according to my husband anyway. 

The Corners Of My Mind- New painting SOLD

Completed on July 12.  SOLD   First off,  I didn't crop the image because I didn't want to chop off any of the edges of the painting.  Usually my son Zachary takes a proper photo but he's moved away so I guess I'll have to learn the right technique  myself.  Anyway, I really wanted to paint  a surreal piece with lots of rich  blues, golds, and sienna.   The colors have lots of depth to them which  is difficult to see in a photograph. I was truly inspired by a lovely background in a renaissance painting for my screen.   Yes, that's a hawk and a morning dove.   This piece is 16x20 painted on a cradled wooden panel with painted sides.  Thanks for stopping by.  For sale on my website 

www.catherinenolin.org   

What I'm working on.....

Coming up for air.  On my easel this week. 

Love Horse- New Painting

Completed on July 1.  While working on this piece I was inspired by so many great songs about Love. It's 16x20 with painted sides. Click this link to view on my website. www.catherinenolin.org 

 Not much more to say accept "Only Love Will Win In The End."  Mumford and Sons. 

Today's Happenings

The horse hasn't come to life yet.  Time to wrap it up for today.  I've put in another 8 plus hours but time seems to stand still when I work or maybe it's fly by? Perhaps  it's both.  

What I'm working on now....

 I was planning on doing a floral still life next however, I've decide to paint a white horse first.   I haven't done a horse yet so I am excited. ( I've done a zebra ) When these ideas pop into my head I need to go with them.  It  will be a similar composition as my black bear.  I love to pair the contrasting  backgrounds with the solid focal point. I'm working on 16x20 surface.

 

Dominant white Thoroughbred stallion

White horses are born white and stay white throughout their lives. White horses may have brown, blue, or hazel eyes. "True white" horses, especially those that carry one of the dominant white (W) genes, are rare. Most horses that are commonly referred to as "white" are actually "gray" horses whose hair coats are completely white.^[1]

Throughout history, white horses have been mythologized in many cultures. For example, Herodotus reported that white horses were held as sacred animals in theAchaemenid court of Xerxes the Great (ruled 486-465 BC),^[26] In more than one tradition, a white horse carries patron saints or the world saviour in the end times, including Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam.^{[citation needed]}