Preserving A Picturesque America Paint Out

Big THANKS to the adventurous folks from Preserving a Picturesque America (www.preservationthroughart.org) for the shout out! What good hearts they have: "The clouds parted and we started the day at the Reems Creek vantage point near Lake Louise in Weaverville. What a glorious morning after a rain. Artist Catherine Twomey joined us and started a wonderful piece. I can’t wait to see the finished product. Others came by to ask about the history and photographers from the local paper arrived. We also had a welcome visit from our adventure buddy Alicia. As nice as the scene was, we had to hit the road again so Mike and I did our sketches and headed out towards Marshall. The falls at the old Reems Creek Mill flows down to the French Broad River and we followed its route as it joined the French Broad River and headed north. This stretch of the hike is a little more scenic and certainly less traffic than 74A. Our destination for the evening was Walnut Island Park which had a historic display talking about the Drovers road that we are hiking. Our wives provided a welcome picnic as ended the day with a lovely sunset and welcome sleep." I wish every plein air friend I have could join us!

"Expressions of the Old Mill" by C. Twomey, Plein Air Oil

I'd like you to imagine the pounding of the water as it pours over the damn. It's early morning, with the sun glinting on the top of the falls. To the left is what remains of the old mill. What was important to me was the power of the water, the values expressed in different colors, each holding their own.

I painted along with the lovely folks from Preserving a Picturesque America (https://preservationthroughart.org/) this morning. The old red water wheel is what’s left of the oldest gristmill site in the valley. This was originally known as the Biffle gristmill, built in the early 1790s by Adam Biffle. There were several owners through the years. The mill was in operation until 1947 - about 156 years - and longer than any other mill in the area. A fire of unknown origin destroyed the original building not long after that.

This original oil painting is 12 X 12" on archival panel. It is unframed.

'Victory Sunset" Now Offered by Catherine Twomey

Painted this on Inauguration Day, so I'm naming it: "Victory Sunset" - inspired by what it took to get here; all the people undeterred by the previous administration who are ready to move up and onward. The original is for sale as are prints. Oil, 12 X 12" on archival board. Have an excellent, safe day.

Here is the link to the original oil:

https://www.catherinetwomey.com/available/g6fsj3zi3839v8okmmc1hg3edx6c6a

and here is the link to prints in my Etsy store:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/catherinetwomeyart?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

Thank you SO MUCH for your interest.

"Buck Mountain Vineyards" Print Sold!

SOLD to a buyer in Wyckoff, NJ - thanks so much! Painted in oil, plein air, along Buck Mountain Rd. near Earlysville, VA. Like the framing! For more prints: https://www.etsy.com/shop/catherinetwomeyart?ref=search_shop_redirect

Last Sale Day TODAY, Monday, 12/7

Please note! Today is the last day of my original art sale. Thank you SO MUCH to the collectors who've already purchased work. Here's the link, shop 'til you drop and Happy Holidays!: https://www.catherinetwomey.com/available

Original Art Sale 25% Off ONLY Until 12/7/20!

ONLY Monday, December 7, 2020 - 25% off original artwork sale:

https://www.catherinetwomey.com/available

Thank you so much for your support this year! It’s been,, well, pandemicky.

When The Pandemic Is Just Too Much....

When the pandemic gets me down, these are the moments I turn to - Plein air painting in Yosemite about five years ago. Hiked up to that ledge where there were still snow remnants in June. That slope was so steep that one slip or dropped brush was over the side with a 100 or 200' drop. Worth it tho - look at Yosemite Falls back there! Thinking of California burning and overheated today and hoping when this misery ends, we will save the earth. It's worth it.

Sold, and Many Thanks to the Charlottesville Collector: "Blue Ridge Sheep"

Thank you so much to the Charlottesville, VA collection of "Blue Ridge Sheep" 20 X 30" oil on canvas. So happy to be connecting with people during these stressful times. For more information on prints of this image: https://fineartamerica.com/featured/blue-ridge-blue-skyline-sheep-cloud-catherine-twomey.html

SOLD! "Blue Door St. Augustine" by Catherine Twomey

Thanks so much to the collector of this original art! It was a painting done with appreciation for the history and lovely blue shades against the red. Hope you enjoy it in Munich, Germany!

SOLD "Coquina Beach, Florida Sunset" by C. Twomey

SOLD to a lovely lady in Virginia. She had to cancel her long-planned big wedding and go for something safe and simple, then decided to reward herself with this painting of Coquina Beach, Florida. Grateful to have "met" her and wishing her the best with her new life! 12 X 12" on archival canvas board. #seascape #coquinabeach #floridapainting #seascapepainting #contemporaryart #fineartcollection #fineartinstartist #ocean #gulfofmexicopainting #sunsetpainting #beachpainting #collectors #instagood #insta_art #wavepainting #waves #galleryart #gallerycollection

"Vines of the Ocean" by C. Twomey

The real plein air experience. How dare those people sit there!

When the weather is good along the Gulf of Mexico, the water turns a most intriguing green, blue, turquoise and the sky clouds burst up throughout the day. Painting outside, en plein air, is most challenging. At the same time, it's delightfully fun. While I painted this, the beach became increasingly crowded. It became a spontaneous party. A few times, a frisbee flew into the vicinity and I let loose with a big, "Hey!". Fortunately, apologies were offered. After around three hours, a dune buggy arrived suddenly with two policeman. Apparently I was on a no-alcohol beach. The crowd scattered, the police checked ID's and yelled - then within minutes, I was the only human left. I missed the people stopping by to see what I was doing, but at the same time, the quiet was welcome. I learned later that these waters are known as "Shark Alley." No skinny dipping was going on. This painting is 12 X 16 on archival Canson Board. It is unframed but ready to be tastefully framed.

"Tropics of the Pool" by C. Twomey

Acrylic, 12 X 16” on archival oil paper.

I spent a day painting this gorgeous pool on Anna Marie Island, Florida. It was too windy for the beach, so somehow I became engrossed with the water and shapes of the pool. It was mysteriously surrounded by plantings many of which were in the shade. It was quiet and mesmerizing to watch the waves and colors change.

Anna Maria Island Plein Airing

I’ve escaped to a painting sabbatical on the Gulf of Mexico. For two weeks now, daily, it’s been dog walking, biking and painting, especially along Sarasota Bay. There is nothing like color and values as a challenge to keep up the drawing skills and rapid response to a changing environment.

SOLD - "The Gulf and Old Pier" by C. Twomey

Painted this about a year ago at the south end of Anna Marie Island, Florida. Loved all the people coming by to make friends, comment and enjoy the sun. The clouds were so dramatic and beautiful that day. And that green in the surf: incredible.

Please note, my prints are 30% off at this link:

https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/catherine-twomey?tab=artwork

Happy Holidays!

"Missing The Garden" by C. Twomey

It’s kind of a melancholy day with the coolness and the rain. To cheer myself up, I’m working on this abstract showing memories of the summer garden. I have some azaleas that are this deep, gorgeous pink that just popped out of my head. Think I’ll keep going with this one as the days improve.

On a lighter note, plaase check out my print sale! Prices are 30% off for all prints:

https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/catherine-twomey

Happier Monday!

Catherine

"Point Reyes Estuary" Back from i.d.e.a. Museum

This original watercolor was just returned from being on exhibition at the i.d.e.a. Museum in Phoenix, Arizona as part of the Roadside America exhibit. It is now available for sale. The painting is professionally framed.

This was my first trip to the astounding Point Reyes National Seashore preserve, about 1.5 hours north of San Francisco. I hiked all over the area, and painted this sitting on a hill looking towards the cliffs, watching as the midday tide began to waft in. The gulls and seals were talking to me for the several hours while I painted. For a brief moment as I worked, a coyote came by, paused, and quietly continued on his way.

Point Reyes National Seashore is a vast expanse of protected coastline in Northern California’s Marin County. Beaches here include Wildcat Beach, with the cliffside Alamere Falls. On a rocky headland, the 1870 Point Reyes Lighthouse is a viewpoint for migrating gray whales.

"Ecosystem Mountain" by C. Twomey

The silhouette of the mountain looms over the vast ecosystems. I imagined a community of living organisms, interacting and changing, much of it based on what humans are doing to it. The nutrient cycles and energy flows link together the biotic and abiotic components - their connections fascinate and drive me to capture their fluid, dynamic nature.

This 8 X 10" piece is on Arches oil paper, which is a terrific surface for rapid pours of acrylic paints and magical recipes of mediums. The paper is varnished and mounted on an archival board. The sky was hand painted as a transitional tint to heighten the mountain's iconic profile.

"Mountain View" Acrylic Pour by C. Twomey

I’ve done a lot of paint pouring, but for the first time i’m carefully keeping track of what paints I’m using, what mediums are employed, how the pour goes, etc. This is the first piece I’m happy with. It’s a combination of DecoArt acrylics and distilled water. What a joy to have a moment to do testing and record it.