Two Auctions: Original Art

"Pear With Jefferson Cup" 

"Taylor Jug With Pear"

Click the images (or use the links below) to be taken directly to the auctions for these works. Thank you for your support.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121584029012?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Taylor-Jug-and-Pear-oil-painting-by-award-winning-artist-Catherine-Twomey-/121586281364?

Why paint? "Taylor Jug & Pear" oil by Twomey

There's so much behind every painting that, until now, hasn't been said. There has to be an emotional connection to what I'm going to spend time painting. In this piece, it's the beauty of the old, worn jug; so obviously prized by it's makers and now by me. Then, there's the very physical act of creating: which objects? What are the relationships between the objects? What kind of light? How, how do I simplify yet suggest volume and form? The best of all? How wonderful it feels to start to shape something out of the air, to mix the colors until they're just right, and find meaning in the final result. I was there. I touched that surface. I loved those things.

I've been trying to get up to speed on what blogging is, and I've decided much of it is a guess. You have to waddle through all of the self-proclaimed experts and take a nugget here, a nugget there, to come to a semblance of a conclusion. It's maddening! But maybe that's the challenge. New phrase: In The Old Days (ITOD) it was all laid out and clear: galleries, publishers, agents, collectors. Not any more. I hope to blog my successes and failures as this evolves.

Thank you for reading and looking. 

"Buck Mountain Vineyard No. 2", oil, Twomey

Buck Mountain Vineyard No.1

This original oil painting, "Buck Mountain Vineyard No.2" will be available for sale on September 13th and 20th at the Arts Rivanna Tour, in and around Earlysville, VA. It is 6 X 6", and is framed in a beautiful handmade frame.

I was driving down Buck Mountain Rd., about 2 miles from where I live, and came around a curve to this unforgettable site. There wasn't much room for painting, but I got it done and can't help revisiting the moment every time I paint it. Vineyards are popping up all over here, and they bring endless painting possibilities.

The tour will be Saturday, September 13th & 20th, beginning at 10:00 am. If you're needing directions to the Arts Rivanna Tour, see the following. I'll be located at the studio in the middle, off of Advance Mills Road near Fray Road. Hope to meet you then!

"Moxie As Human" Porcelain Sculpture

Moxie As Human

It's difficult to not think of my rescue dog Moxie as not human, so I decided to sculpt her as such. I see her as a sassy retro bouffant chic with attitude - like the ones I knew in high school that always knew where the bones were buried. And well she does. Approximately 10" tall, fired in porcelain. Moxie was rescued from a high kill shelter in North Carolina, and is lab, shepherd and chow. Maybe. 

And I have to mention - last week we had a black bear in the yard. Ms. Moxie ran right up to him and stood there barking in his face. Took him about one minute before he lumbered into the woods, happy to escape all the noise. Thanks, Mox.

Sedona, Arizona Print Sold

Catherine Twomey sold a 20.00" x 16.00" print on FineArtAmerica.com! Please visit:

http://catherine-twomey.artistwebsites.com/art/all/all/all

to purchase prints. Thank you.

Sedona At Sunset

Award Winning Original Art Auction Ends TODAY!

"Advance Mills Hay Bales 1" Auction Ending Today.

Visit the auction on Ebay: Original oil landscape titled

"Advance Mills Hay Bales 1"

Advance Mills Hay Bales 1

Advance Mills was an old mill town about two miles from my home. The road, Advance Mills, is one of my favorites - twisty, turny, on a ridge - the views along it are so spectacular you really have to focus to stay on it. We looked at buying some of this land, so I spent a lot of time walking it and loved catching it at sunset. You can see why. I had to work fast. The woods behind were already dripped in shadow, with sky holes poking thru. What a glorious day.

Original 6 X 8" oil on archival linen board, unframed.

This is how the painting would look framed:

Advance Mills Hay Bales 1

My artwork has been featured at the world renowned TED (Technology, Education and Design) conference (TED MED in San Diego). I recently won the nationally acclaimed ArtInPlace competition in Virginia which placed a 12' X 24' mural on aluminum of my work, now seen by thousands of commuters daily. Two museums currently house my art: The William H. Benton Museum in Connecticut, and The LLoyd Museum. It was a great honor to be asked to exhibit and I continue to add to their collections. Speaking of collections, my work is a part of hundreds of private collections worldwide.Fine art influencers include Georgia O'Keefe, da Vinci, Rembrandt and Degas. I look to their struggles and triumphs, and their unflinching persistence. 

"Advance Mills Hay Bales 1" Auction Ending Soon

Ending in about nine (9) hours: Visit the auction on Ebay: Original oil landscape titled "Advance Mills Hay Bales 1"

Advance Mills Hay Bales 1

Advance Mills was an old mill town about two miles from my home. The road, Advance Mills, is one of my favorites - twisty, turny, on a ridge - the views along it are so spectacular you really have to focus to stay on it. We looked at buying some of this land, so I spent a lot of time walking it and loved catching it at sunset. You can see why. I had to work fast. The woods behind were already dripped in shadow, with sky holes poking thru. What a glorious day.

Original 6 X 8" oil on archival linen board, unframed.

This is how the painting would look framed:

Advance Mills Hay Bales 1

My artwork has been featured at the world renowned TED (Technology, Education and Design) conference (TED MED in San Diego). I recently won the nationally acclaimed ArtInPlace competition in Virginia which placed a 12' X 24' mural on aluminum of my work, now seen by thousands of commuters daily. Two museums currently house my art: The William H. Benton Museum in Connecticut, and The LLoyd Museum. It was a great honor to be asked to exhibit and I continue to add to their collections. Speaking of collections, my work is a part of hundreds of private collections worldwide.Fine art influencers include Georgia O'Keefe, da Vinci, Rembrandt and Degas. I look to their struggles and triumphs, and their unflinching persistence. 

Auction Ends Soon for "Sedona Day's End"!!!

Auction Ending Soon!!!

Sedona Day's End (oil on linen, 8 X 10")

The auction for Sedona Day's End is ending later today! Please visit this link to place your bid.

As the sun climbed down thru the sky, I was on a bluff painting en plein air (live) as quickly as I could. This was my first trip in 30 years to Sedona, Arizona, but oh, was I glad to see such a sight. 

The rocks really are that color, the mist hangs over the valley and I only had about an hour or so to get my impressions down. I was surrounded by fellow artists, equally inspired, and we were so focused on nature's brief gift of a spectacular sunset. 

I'm heading back to Sedona in May, and can't wait to relive the other-worldly red rock offerings. 

This original oil on archival linen board is 8" X 10", and is unframed.

How this painting will look framed:

Thank you for your interest.

"Sedona Day's End" Auction Ending Today!

Sedona Day's End (oil on linen, 8 X 10")

The auction for Sedona Day's End is ending later today! Please visit this link to place your bid.

As the sun climbed down thru the sky, I was on a bluff painting en plein air (live) as quickly as I could. This was my first trip in 30 years to Sedona, Arizona, but oh, was I glad to see such a sight. 

The rocks really are that color, the mist hangs over the valley and I only had about an hour or so to get my impressions down. I was surrounded by fellow artists, equally inspired, and we were so focused on nature's brief gift of a spectacular sunset. 

I'm heading back to Sedona in May, and can't wait to relive the other-worldly red rock offerings. 

This original oil on archival linen board is 8" X 10", and is unframed.

How this painting will look framed:

Thank you for your interest.

Ebay Auction: Advance Mills Hay Bales 1

Now at auction on Ebay: Original oil landscape titled "Advance Mills Hay Bales 1"

This is how the painting would look framed:

Advance Mills Hay Bales 1

Advance Mills was an old mill town about two miles from my home. The road, Advance Mills, is one of my favorites - twisty, turny, on a ridge - the views along it are so spectacular you really have to focus to stay on it. We looked at buying some of this land, so I spent a lot of time walking it and loved catching it at sunset. You can see why. I had to work fast. The woods behind were already dripped in shadow, with sky holes poking thru. What a glorious day.

My artwork has been featured at the world renowned TED (Technology, Education and Design) conference (TED MED in San Diego). I recently won the nationally acclaimed ArtInPlace competition in Virginia which placed a 12' X 24' mural on aluminum of my work, now seen by thousands of commuters daily. Two museums currently house my art: The William H. Benton Museum in Connecticut, andThe LLoyd Museum. It was a great honor to be asked to exhibit and I continue to add to their collections. Speaking of collections, my work is a part of hundreds of private collections worldwide.Fine art influencers include Georgia O'Keefe, da Vinci, Rembrandt and Degas. I look to their struggles and triumphs, and their unflinching persistence. 

Red Barn Star

The painting below was just added to my gallery at Daily Paintworks.

Red Star Barn

As a new member, I'm beginning to build my gallery there and have added this image to it. In addition, I'm offering auctions of original fine art, two of which are live now:

Bleak House Plantation Barn 3

Sedona Day's End

Hope you have a moment to visit and bid!

Sedona Day's End Oil Painting Auction

Sedona Day's End

To view Sedona Day's End Auction (starts on 2/4/14) click below:

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/197485

As the sun climbed down thru the sky, I was on a bluff painting en plein air (live) as quickly as I could. This was my first trip in 30 years to Sedona, Arizona, but oh, was I glad to see such a sight. 

The rocks really are that color, the mist hangs over the valley and I only had about an hour or so to get my impressions down. I was surrounded by fellow artists, equally inspired, and we were so focused on nature's brief gift of a spectacular sunset. 

I'm heading back to Sedona in May, and can't wait to relive the other-worldly red rock offerings. 

This original oil on archival linen board is 8" X 10", and is unframed.

This painting would look like this if framed:

Sedona Day's End Sample Framed

Planning 2014; Sheep Cloud Mountains

Blue Ridge Blue Skyline Sheep Cloud Above, 5" X 7" oil on linen board; painted live along Skyline Drive in the Piedmont Area of Virginia, in Shenandoah National Park. Made me feel like an angel as the warm summer breezes overcame my easel and me. I loved the patterns; the repetition of shapes and most of all, the color of these mountains. See the sheep cloud to the upper right? My eye finally found him after I thought I was done, but he's welcome to stay.

Today: an auspicious start to the New Year 2014, Year of the Horse, spent meeting a lovely group of fellow artists. We're planning an upcoming Studio Tour for northern Albemarle County, north of Charlottesville, for either the spring or the fall. Cannot wait to get to know such an inspiring group of fellow artists, including watercolorists, painters, weavers, art manufacturers and more.

Red Barn Star

Red Barn Star by Twomey

I am very excited to release this painting that was commissioned by a patron in the Earlysville area. It's hard to describe how picturesque these acres are, and the barn epitomized all there was to see. Morgan horses are kept in this barn, which is an original "antique" although it's been restored and is in perfect condition.

Coming from the Midwest, it's still hard for me to believe how beautiful the Blue Ridge mountains are. Throw in the history here and I get all carried away. 

This is an 8 X 10" oil on linen board.

Wear Your Helmet USDF Illustration

Lateral Brain Structures and Skull ©2013 C. Twomey • All  Rights Reserved

Just finished this medical illustration of the lateral structures of the brain for the United States Dressage Federation Connections magazine to be published in an upcoming issue. The article will be about the critical need to wear a helmet at all times when riding. Fortunately, the USDF is changing their competition rules to accommodate helmet wearing at all levels.

Equestrian head/brain injuries are no joke. They can happen in an instant and change lives forever. So NOT worth the risk. Check it out.

Hucksteps Garage III

Huckstep's Garage III

Working on another Huckstep's Garage, the third one. This is the base layer. Subsequent steps will include color corrections, blending and greater detail, especially on the garage to the right. This building really strikes a chord with people.

The focus on this version is the sign on the garage to the right, above the door. The commissioner of this painting has an actual connection to the sign maker, his father, who created the iconic "Huckstep's Garage" sign in the 1960's.

I just love the emotional human connections that keep popping up as I work my way around, painting Albemarle County.

New rumor about old Free Union History: Huckstep's, Maupin's Store, etc., known as the "Free Union Mall (!)" have all recently been put on the market and sold within days for the asking price.

I really, really, hope whoever purchased these irreplaceable landmarks decide to rehab, not replace. There's a great winery just up north on Free Union Road, The Glass House Winery that combined with this historic group of buildings possibly offering touristy services would make a great day drive visit for visitors from around the world to this area.

Quintessential Virginia, indeed.

One Person Show in Earlysville, Virginia

Hope you can come sometime between Oct. 13, 2012 until Jan. 1, 2013!!!

From TED and ArtInPlace to a One Person Show: “Iconic Earlysville”

Earlysville, VA (Oct. 3, 2012) Earlysville artist Catherine Twomey will be featured in a one-person show at Suzanne Crane’s Mud Dauber Pottery at 4225 Earlysville Road in Earlysville. The Opening Reception will be Saturday, October 13, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Since arriving in the Charlottesville area over five years ago, Catherine has painted the Piedmont en plein air (“in the open air”), primarily in oils and watercolors. The upcoming exhibition, “Iconic Earlysville” includes the old farms, buildings, trees and mountain views that make Earlysville such a beautiful and distinctive place. 

In the fall of 2010, Catherine’s oil painting East Fall Blue Ridge won the Art In Place (http://www.artinplace.org/) mural award, and is currently on display as a 12’ X 24’ mural on Barracks Road.

As a medical illustrator, Catherine has carved a career that has garnered national and international awards and accolades in the world of science and medicine.

In the fall of 2011, the medical branch of the prestigious TED (Technology, Education and Design) Conference selected and featured Catherine’s medical illustration work for presentation at the TEDMED Conference in San Diego, which is touring nationwide.

A horse lover and equestrian, Twomey also received the prestigious First Place in Open Illustration award category for the “Da Vinci Horse: Biomechanical Piaffe” illustration. The illustration was created for the September, 2007 cover of the USDF Connection magazine, with prints in collections worldwide.

The exhibition will run through January 1, 2013:

Mud Dauber Pottery

4225 Earlysville Road

Earlysville 22936

http://www.artscraftspotteryandtiles.com

Studio/Suzanne 434-973-7943

Marketing: Emerging Artist Tips 2.0

Introduction

• Recently I was contacted by a young, fresh out of art school "artist" who specializes in illustration. I put "artist" in quotes because he's currently working at a Starbucks in New York City and trying to succeed on the side. A hard-working, very talented person who just can't seem to break into the field, and finding that the information given in art school just wasn't enough. 
• Although it's been many years since I've had to start out attempting to become a successful artist, and though the tools have changed, the basic principles remain the same. I'm still marketing all these years later, so I'm going to occasionally post edited versions of the questions asked, along with my responses. 

Q: 

• "I get overwhelmed by how to go about getting clients and remembering who I contacted and when. Things keep falling through the cracks and I feel like there are opportunities I'm missing because of it. How can I get my act together and start to run like a business not a class I just need to pass?"

A:

• You need software or some kind of formal note taking to help you keep track of names, titles, addresses, phone, etc. It's the kind of thing that will tell you what you mailed to someone, and when, so you know when to make a follow-up call to the mailing to see if you can open a door or elicit a response. You MUST keep this updated. You'll be amazed at how quickly people change jobs, titles, cell phone numbers, etc. There is expensive and dedicated software out there to do this, but I have found that just setting up a table in Word or getting a program like Filemaker pro works just as well. 
• Whatever software you get, you have to use it to make it worthwhile! I would force myself to cold call, say, five or ten contacts a week (minimum) unless I was so overwhelmed with work that I wasn't getting any sleep. This is something that I had to do throughout my career. Cold calling and being more extroverted is not fun or easy at first, especially if you're shy and/or reticent. Believe me, I know, as that describes me to a "T". Often, it's the way of artists. For more information, I'll get into how to recognize and deal with this in depth later on.

A sample sheet from 2000 when I was marketing for medical illustration work. Life moves on! Every bit of contact information on this page has long since changed!

Marketing: Emerging Artist Tips

• Recently I was contacted by a young, fresh out of art school "artist" who specializes in illustration. I put "artist" in quotes because he's currently working at a Starbucks in New York City and trying to succeed on the side. A hard-working, very talented person who just can't seem to break into the field, and finding that the information given in art school just wasn't enough.
• Although it's been many years since I've had to start out attempting to become a successful artist, and though the tools have changed, the basic principles remain the same. I'm still marketing all these years later, so I'm going to occasionally post edited versions of the questions asked, along with my responses. 
Q: "My marketing strategy at this time is what I would consider bare-bones, but definitely not unknowledgable. As soon as I graduated from art school, I set to work gathering a long list of potential clients. I started at the magazine rack at Barnes and Nobles, and moved on from there to the internet. I find mastheads wherever I can, I grab the names and addresses for Art Directors, assistant ADs, Creative Directors, and so on, and I add them to the list. I do this whenever and wherever I can. Every three or four months, I then mail postcards with my work to everyone on this list. I feel strongly as if I need more diversity in my marketing strategy. I do not email because I can't be convinced that it's remotely effective or even worth the time that it would take to gather the few email addresses I could find (people seem to protect these better than their mailing addresses). I also believe that it's too easy to automatically get sorted into junk folders, whereas with a physical mailing, at the very least there's a good chance that someone will take a look at what I can do, at least for a few seconds. If I can grab their attention in that time, I win. If not, at least I had that shot."

A: Gathering contact information whenever and wherever you can is a great start, as is creating and mailing postcards. Your take on emails is correct; they're often lost, forgettable and viewed as somewhat lazy and intrusive.

• I have known people who've spent a large amount of money on creating show-stopping, die cut, expensive mailers. I'm not convinced that's a good investment. If you're already getting some calls from your mailings (and they're not mega printing dollars to do) then your talent speaks for itself. 

• From my experience, the same goes for purchasing (what are often hugely expensive) ads in the big advertising books like the Black Book. Before I would do anything like that, I would talk to some illustrator agents, art directors, other illustrators, etc. to try to judge whether the investment is worth it. I've spent thousands of dollars on ad books and sometimes gone for a long time with no results, although some claim consistency of your message (over the years) is critical.

• The world has changed a great deal, but you need to start doing cold calls. Mailings are not enough; they're too passive. You need to constantly get to the front of people's minds, and you can't do that if you don't talk to them and happen to connect with them the moment they have a need for your work.

• Here's a sample of one of my early marketing pages which was published in a specialized medical art marketing book: