In Search Of Gaia

                                                                     SOLD

                       “There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” ~Henri Matisse



The inspiration for this painting comes from various sources. One in particular would be my middle son Maxwell. He has had a great influence on Scott and myself over the past 6 months, as passionate young adults often do. In his search for what to do with his life, one thing has remained constant, his caring for the environment. After many discussions and soul searching he has decided to head out to Northern California to a remote farm and learn first hand how to live self sufficiently, treading very lightly on the earth. He hopes to take what he learns there and create his own homestead someday. We are really going to miss him.
This painting is 20x24 painted on a cradled birch wood panel. The sides are painted to match.
Thanks for looking. www.catherine47.etsy.com
www.catherinenolin.org

               “All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost.” ~J.R.R. Tolkien




               

Ode to Henri

I have started on a new painting that I hope to post by Weds. of this week.  For now, here is a piece I painted last year in tribute to one of my favorite painters. 

The Piano Lesson

Leo our new kitten is making it difficult for me to get things done but I managed.  This is my new painting. Meet Margret , (Leo is on top of the piano) she is waiting for her lesson to begin but her teacher seems to be late.  Maybe he is lost in the topiary garden?  This painting is 11x14 painted with acrylic on stretched canvas. 

www.catherine47.etsy.com

You can also view and purchase my work at :

www.catherinenolin.org

Feel free to contact me with any questions at

catherinenolin@comcast.net

c

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

 

Dear Saint Anthony Please come around................

I came across this great photo of Matisse on the Art Project site.  This is just one of many wonderful pictures.  My week has started out very slow.  I feel a bit like Henri.  I misplaced some very important papers and that was all I needed to throw me off track.  I have been instructed to pray to Saint Anthony by my mother but so far the documents have not surfaced.  Today is the day that I am going to paint no matter what.  I will be starting a piece involving a music theme.  I have been listening to the most glorious piano and cello music which brings me to tears.  As I listen I see my whole life before me, as though it was a music video.  Maybe I should pray to Saint Henri.

Win one of my fine art prints matted and framed.

Once again it's time for my monthly giveaway.  This month I have also posted it on Facebook. 

It's very easy to enter folks.

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

2. Select which print you would like to have. (remember the title.)

3. Come back here and leave a comment as to which print.  That's it!

4. If you spread the word and post this giveaway on your blog or facebook you will be entered twice!  Make sure to leave your email address or some way for me to contact you.

Winner will be chosen by Google random generator on March 17th. 

http://www.freegrechen.com/

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Portifino painted 2008

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

Letting Go

In between my more serious and epic paintings I enjoy throwing in a whimsical, care free piece here and there. It gives me a chance to experiment with color, pattern and texture plus I saw a Matisse painting (not in person) this morning that put me over the edge. I just love peonies and every year I say I am going to buy some to plant in my garden but I am always too busy painting and forget. This little number is 9x12 and done on stretched textured linen. The sides have been painted so no frame is needed. For sale in my Etsy shop. Stop by on Saturday, July 24th to see this painting and the rest of my new work at MANCHESTER BY THE SEA ART FESTIVAL. It's going to be really hot~both the show and the weather!

Ode To Henri

"It has bothered me all my life that I do not paint like everybody else."
Henri Matisse. It's no secret that Matisse is one of my favorite artists. I love everything about his paintings and I draw much of my inspiration from them. This 16x20 painting is my newest piece. Available for sale in my Etsy shop.

Be Still Life

I have decided to begin a series of small test paintings. Some of them will be more abstract and whimsical than others. I am getting ready for my summer art shows, which take up a lot of my time, time I would rather be spending in my studio. Creating small fun works will alllow me to keep painting. This little Matisse-like piece is 8x10 done on stretched cotton. For sale in my Etsy shop.

Love the journey not the destination.........

This is an original painting done on 18x20 stretched cotton and linen with acrylics. The light house in the background is in Montauk, Long Island. Go to www.catherinenolin.org for more details.

One Less Bell To Answer

This new painting is 11x14 done with acrylic paints on stretched linen and cotton. I just finished this about 10 minutes ago and photographed it with out natural light in my studio. I plan on taking another better photo in the morning. I am very happy and excited about this painting.

Long Island Tea

18x24 on stretched linen and cotton. art work with in the painting inspired by henri matisse.

Grounding

In this painting you can see the Matisse inspired elements. The boy in the painting within the painting represents my son Samuel. In my own home, you can always find him on the couch. He has autism and finds comfort in rocking against the couch. I especially love the yellow curtain paired with the blue wallpaper. Manhattan in the background.

Matisse's Room

By now you must know I love Matisse. A lot of people do. The colors, the interiors, the scenes. It's obviously more than that but I d rather stop there.

I spent an overnight with my FIVE sisters. It was a quite interesting, and inspiring 24 hours. Being the youngest, and the oldest 60 years young, I have been exposed to wisdom well beyond my years on a regular basis. That can be a good thing and a bad thing.
I feel like the woman in this painting. I think too much. I tend to over analyze everything to the point of exhaustion. I could go on and on about this. I probably will. For now, this painting was created in 2007. It was 11x14. It has sold but I get many requests for reproductions.
reproductions: 8x10 matted and framed $70
5x7 matted and framed $49