"Max Patch Hedonism" by C. Twomey

Hike a section of the famous Appalachian National Scenic Trail (or A.T.) on top of Max Patch Mountain near Hot Springs. This 4,600-ft. bald mountain was cleared and used as pasture in the 1800s. Today, it's a 350-acre tract of open land on a high knob with 360-degree views. It's one of the most spectacular settings you'll experience in the Blue Ridge.

"When The Sun Blinds Your Eyes" by C. Twomey

I climbed the rough trail to the bald, or open area, of Max Patch. If you've heard of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) then maybe you've been there. Deep in the Pisgah National Forest, it's a pretty easy climb to the bald - and there you'll find a spectacular 360 degree view of the Great Smoky Mountains, the Black Mountains and the flatland of eastern Tennessee.

Indeed, it feels like you're touching the sky; the clouds; even the air. I watched storms move across the valleys and hollows, constantly wondering if they were about to turn our way and cause a rapid descent. On any given day, there might be a number of other hikers there, but the atmosphere is respectful and peaceful. It's lovely to just lay on your back in the grass and watch the world move.

Advance Mills Hay Bales 1: Auction!!!

Advance Mills Hay Bales

Auction listed at: http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/200537

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, as that shadow in the background rapidly crept over the sun spots. The woods behind were already dripped in shadow, with sky holes poking thru. What a glorious day.

This original oil on archival linen board is 6" X 8" and is unframed.

The painting would look like this if framed:

Sawmill Road Autumn Oil Painting

Just about to call this painting finished. A lovely walk along this gorgeous Vermont road wouldn't leave my mind, so out came the paints. There's a certain abstraction coming out in my work now that I'm finally allowing to remain. 8 X 10", NFS.

Fall Farm Entrance and the Yellow Gate

Just finished this commission. What a joy it was to paint. You get the last vestiges of fall in the bright orange maple leaves and bare branches. I had to do the right hand background three times before I was happy with it. Another lesson in "Less is More."

It's hard to imagine living in a place so beautiful, so ready to pull you in. This is an 8" X 10" on linen panel in a floater frame. The recipient was "Touched and delighted." Thank you!

Twomey Show Hanging

I don't quite know if saying "I'm going to hang today" is the best omen, but that's what I'll be doing! The show at Mud Dauber Pottery goes up today for the Opening Reception tomorrow. 

So given the busyness of the next two days, here's my last post until I can take a breather. It's a tribute to Suzanne Crane at Mud Dauber, and her willingness to take a chance on me and my work by letting it show along with her extraordinary ceramics.

Macro Glaze Dauber (oil) For years I stared at cells through a microscope, and I always loved the abstractions that would appear. Looking very closely at a Crane plate I cherish, it was the beautiful shapes, glaze colors and rhythms that appeared in Sue's work that sucked me in.  Thanks Ms. Crane, more than you know.

"Ocean Storm Sunset" Original Oil Available at Auction

Click Here to Bid

Oil on linen on stretched canvas, 8 X 10", 2011. Carefully packaged; signed by the artist.

About the Painting:  Ocean Storm Sunset was painted near Tampa, Florida in the spring. It is a plein air painting, which means it was painted outside on site, all at one sitting. This painting is full of vivid but accurate color, and the textured strokes add to the beauty and excitement of the coming storm. A layer of varnish has been applied, and archival materials were used throughout. 

Note: the second photo shows how the painting would looked framed. If you are interested in a frame, please add an additional $25.00 for a high quality frame and ready to hang piece. 

The Artist

Twomey's interests have evolved from consolidating and translating the most complex, stimulating visuals into personal artistic jewels. Nature and animals are her stimuli. Her images are founded in a love for the flow of the earth; a desire to convey the direct simplicity of the land as well as living, breathing things. Colors complement the seasons and are melded to reverberate off of each other. 

Complexity is explored as a jumping off point for the ultimate in simplicity. Twomey's goals are to create works that are “jewels” full of color, light, design and emotion. Her work can be influenced by the abstract work of Georgia O'Keeffe, or the realism of Winslow Homer, or the Impressionists, or even Pablo Picasso. 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION 

• TED Conference: invitation to and work shown, the medical division, TEDMED (Technology, Information & Design) 

• Winner of the 2010 ArtInPlace Mural Competition Charlottesville, Virginia; Barracks Road, Charlottesville, 12 X 24' on Aluminum 

• Fellow of the Association of Medical Illustrators (FAMI), 2009 

• Exhibition at the William H. Benton Art Museum, Connecticut 

• Winner of the American Horse Publications Annual Awards, First Place in Illustration for 'Da Vinci Horse' 

• Exclusive medical illustrator for Roche Pharmaceuticals interactive multimedia program, OTIS: Organ Transplant Information Systems –Award-winning program distributed worldwide for heart, lungs, liver and additional transplant patient education 

• Accepted into League of Milwaukee Artists, 2005, juried 

• Founding Member, Illustrators Partnership of America, (Top 100 Illustrators nationally) 

• Salon judge and presenter, 2007 Association of Medical Illustrators Meeting, Bozeman, Montana 

• 17th Annual International Exhibition of Animals in Art - University of Louisiana Veterinary School, entry juried in - only 85 accepted out of 900 applicants 

• American Horse Show Association 'Buy' review of The Guide to Equine Electrolytes: What Every Owner and Trainer Should Know

• International Museum of Surgical Science, juried invitational show 

• Association of Medical Illustrators, Award of Excellence; Concepts in Biology 

• The RX Club/Art Directors Club, NYC, Best of Medical Art, Award of Excellence 

• Association of Medical Illustrators, Award of Excellence; Human Anatomy 

• Association of Medical Illustrators, Award of Excellence; Biology: Visualizing Life 

• The RX Club/Art Directors Club of New York City; Award of Excellence 

• Association of Medical Illustrators, Award of Excellence; Human Anatomy and Physiology 

Twomey is a graduate of the University of Illinois School of Biocommunication Arts and Northern Illinois University. She has also studied at Northwestern and Oxford. Catherine has practiced as a Board Certified Medical Illustrator for 25 years, and is currently working with the international eye-care organization, ORBIS, to produce a series of ocular illustrations that will educate nurses about children's eye pathologies in South Africa. 

PayPal is accepted for payment.