“Beaver Lake, Early Morning”, oil on panel, 9 X 12”.
About 8:00 a.m., a crystalline lake surrounded by wildflowers and pines. It was going to be a hot day, so I tackled this early as the joggers and walkers skittered by. Available here: https://www.catherinetwomey.com/available
Original oil painting in progress; this piece is 16” X 20” archival canvas on panel. It is such a joy to watch these glads spring from bulbs and gradually make their spectacular showing. I have now done reds, yellows and here are the pinks.
My new garden has brought a wealth of unique and beautiful plants. The gladiolus did not perform for three years, but the wait was so worth it. This year, the second I saw these white glads, I had to paint them. I tended to them and, knowing I'd only have a few days to paint them before they faded. What greater challenge than to place them against a white board to capture the shadows and highlights? This spring, while COVID reigns, it's been rainy and quite hot. The gladiolus are now six feet tall and stretch to the sun! Most glorious of all, however, was the flowers. At the height of their glory, they reached to the sun on a lovely spring morning as I moved to not overdo them, but capture their life and brilliance using color, value and marks. Their spontaneity was a challenge, but well worth the wait. This is an oil painting that is painted on archival, Ray Mar art board. It is 8 X 16" - perfect for that unique area in your home or office that begs for new life.
"Gladiolus After The Storm" - well these flowers are 6' high this year because we've had very regular storms and lots of heat. I caught these early in the morning as the eastern sun just peaked up the side of Beaucatcher Mountain (I know, right? Gotta catch your Beau...). The blossoms were so heavy some collapsed, but I've just ordered some bamboo poles to prop them up. Always somethin'! 12 X 12", oil on canvas.
Oil, 13 X 13” framed in custom frame, original by Catherine Twomey.
Bid HERE
20 X 20”, oil on canvas, homegrown peonies
Working on this commission, I selected a couple of homegrown burgundy peonies from my garden. They are willingly posing for their posterity. The energy of the petals is simply wonderful.
I had some requests for larger prints of "Dogwood Herd" so I rescanned at a higher resolution, uploaded and prepped the following image. Thanks so much for your interest. Find high quality large prints here: https://fineartamerica.com/featured/dogwood-herd-catherine-twomey.html?newartwork=true
When I moved to Asheville, North Carolina, in 2016, I had no idea what was going to come up in the spring garden. As a nature-loving gardener, however, I knew the long-neglected property needed a lot of tender loving care to be brought back to life. I nurtured a small, scraggly dogwood in the front yard - and it thrived. I've been working on my oil painting, aiming for more translucency and texture. I've been painting abstracts for a while, but for some strange reason I only want to paint realistically now - just the facts, Jack. Boy what a difference the correct brushes make! This "Dogwood Herd" is 6 X 6" and custom framed, on archival board. These dogwood blossoms were right from the home-grown garden and posed very patiently. Neither of us had anywhere else to go - pandemic and all - so we spent several days exchanging oxygen and contemplating the current state of affairs. This painting is beautifully custom framed in a greenish-green patina. It is ready to hang.
Available:
6 X 8”, Iris Portrait, oil
Like everyone else, I’ve been in shock about what’s happened to the world because of COVID-19. So in order not to think about it, I’ve been painting things in my spring garden, including the iris.
When I moved to Asheville, North Carolina, in 2016, I had no idea what was going to come up in the spring garden. As a nature-loving gardener, however, I knew the long-neglected property needed a lot of tender loving care to be brought back to life. A small pod of tulips were in the front yard, but yielded no flowers that spring. The second year I amended the soil and was rewarded with one lonely flower. This year, however, there are a grand total of three - each with their own beauty and personality. There's a lot to be said for spending days getting to know a particular flower. It's pandemic time and I'm in isolation like everyone else, so I have the time. I adored setting up the light and angle of the buds and petals so they caught the light just so. The layers gradually built and as I worked, I was able to achieve that translucency and brilliance that tulips have. This painting is beautifully custom framed in a greenish-green patina. It is ready to hang.
Available: https://www.catherinetwomey.com/available/iris-portrait
“Sunflower Quad” watercolor, 15 X 20” on Crescent board.
Near where I live is a 10,000 acre estate that was once owned by Cornelius Van der Built and family. It's a fantastic, still privately owned "castle" of a home. I have an annual pass, which means any time I want I can go there and pretend I'm a Van Der Built.
At the end of every summer, along one of the main roads, they plant a very large, 20' wide path of sunflowers. I ride my bike there all the time just so I can enjoy them. This summer, however, I had foot surgery. A friend, knowing my love of these flowers, delivered this bouquet - which of course I had to paint. These delightful flowers really kept me focused as I recovered, for several hours a day I could experience the joy of painting them as the hours whiled away.
Helianthus or sunflower is a genus of plants comprising about 70 species. Except for three species in South America, all Helianthus species are native to North America and Central America.
Purchase here: https://www.catherinetwomey.com/available/sunflowers-quad
Watercolor, Work in Progress; 15 X 20” on illustration board
My foot is slowly healing from some recent foot surgery. I’ve pulled out my watercolors and can paint at the dining room table since I can’t reach my studio. A dear friend brought these flowers as a healing gift, and I think they’re working! I’m thoroughly enjoying depicting the personality of each flower; each petal. I’ll continue to show the progress as the work comes alive.
16 X 20”, watercolor on illustration board.
Work In Progress, Sunflowers coming along. It is definitely the Dog Days of August, and unfortunately I can’t walk without a walker yet. Surgery is hard! The foot is healing well, however, and I’ve gotten a lot of delightful gifts for recovery. These sunflowers were just so yellow, so alive, I had to paint them. Watercolor seemed the best way to go since i can’t climb stairs to my studio. I’ll continue to post updates to this challenging work.
“Rose And Water”, watercolor, 11 X 9”
Haven’t been able to paint much after having foot surgery July 30th. Third surgery on my left leg, and hopefully the last. I inherited some wayward bones that had to be put back in their place. All went well and hopefully going to get back into the swing of things soon.
Note: I have an added respect for people who have to use walkers to get around.
Best,
Catherine
Original oil, 18 X 24” on RayMar archival board, in progress
Days like today are difficult to match. I hunkered down right in my front yard, amidst the flowers, bees and various critters (including interested neighbors!). Thank goodness for the umbrella! I’ve been waiting for these flowers since spring, and they’ve gained twice their size since last summer. Nothing like a little fertilizer to make for happy plants. I’ll post the final when I’m finished.