"Blue Ridge Vineyards On Buck Mountain Road" by C. Twomey

Soon to appear on the cover of Select Traveler magazine: "Buck Mountain Vineyards and Blue Ridge Mountains."

For prints: https://fineartamerica.com/featured/vineyard-blue-ridge-on-buck-mountain-road-virginia-catherine-twomey.html

"Sun Over the Blue Ridge" by C. Twomey

“Sun Over the Blue Ridge”, 12 X 16”, acrylic on raw canvas, ready to hang.

The weather here in Asheville has been rather spectacular the last few days. The nights are getting colder, it's almost Halloween, and this week the time changes. Life moves on!

Another spectacle: the mountain hikes. And - my foot has just "graduated" post surgery to being able to hike again! We headed to Black Balsam Knob and switchbacked to the 360 views. I was mesmerized by the clouds, the changing trees and of course the layers of rocks and hills below the top. Nothing quite as dramatic as the autumn sky and swirling clouds.

I am exploring a new technique. It involves using raw canvas and literally "staining" the canvas using pigments and a wetting agent. I've found working like this leads to very intense, rich colors that leap off the fabric. This allows me as little or as much control as I desire, which is exactly what I was looking for in a technique. 12 X 16" on raw canvas, wired and ready to hang.

Purchase here: https://www.catherinetwomey.com/available/sun-over-the-blue-ridge

"Nebula 2019" by C. Twomey

It's definitely fall now - we're going to get a frost tonight. In advance of fall, I hate the thought of it. The lower temperatures, the dark - but once it's actually fall, it's spectacular. The bugs are gone, the sky is an incredible cerulean blue - and the nights; so crisp.

This painting is about the nights. I can look up at the sky and sense the universe; the stars, the planets and the enormity of it all. This nebula, or an interstellar cloud of dust, hydrogen, helium and other ionized gases, hovers in the sky with the richest of colors and blues.

So fall is inevitable. I've learned to embrace it, and this is an example of that.

Max Patch Hedonism

"Max Patch Hedonism" 20 X 20" on gallery premier canvas. 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.

Added to the Mission Art Collection, by C. Twomey

This painting was sold a while ago, but I’m happy to say it lives on. “Sedona Afternoon Sun” is currently being added to the Mission Hospital Advanced Medicine Collection.

"Falls of Catawba: Blue Ridge Mountains" by C. Twomey

“Falls At Catawba”; the sound hits you before you can smell the water; the reward is climbing to sit near the soft ferns as the water finds its way down. Is there anything more peaceful than sitting beside a gently flowing waterfall in dappled shade?

The headwaters of the Catawba River are beautifully scenic. Just east of Asheville, the river tumbles through a rolling forest, cascading in a series of waterfalls and flowing over a mossy riverbed set in a shady, scenic stretch of the Pisgah National Forest. This fantastic day hike explores waterfall after waterfall in a sun-dappled valley, hiking just over two miles through a shady forest to the seeping wall of vibrant green moss and tendrils of water known as Catawba Falls.

This painting is original, and is wired and ready to hang. It is unframed. It was painted on raw canvas, allowing the beautiful stains of the paints to saturate and spread. It is enhanced with metallics such as silver and copper.

"The Falls At Catawba" Work In Progress, C. Twomey

Work In Progress, “Falls At Catawba”; the sound hits you before you can smell the water; the reward is climbing to sit near the soft ferns as the water finds its way down.

"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.

"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.

"Occupy Mars I.0" by C. Twomey

12 X 12”, acrylic and oil, on stretched canvas.

It’s no secret i’m fascinated with the solar system, and the planets, and the thought of living beyond earth. I can’t afford to hop on with Elon Musk, but I can dream, can’t I? I worked with High Flow Acrylics for this painting and a magic potion of ingredients. I loved the way the colors held up despite the large amount of swirling and surface to cover. So, will we occupy Mars? We’ll see.

This will be offered for sale soon.

Painting & Staining Frenzy

Raw cotton canvas experimental. Magical mixes of acrylics and, well, magic - combined to allow for freedom and flowing and beautiful transitions. Channelling Helen Frankenthaler at the moment, but soon to expand the program.

"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.

Offering: "Sunflower Quad" Watercolor by C. Twomey

“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

Summer and Sunflowers WIP by C. Twomey

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.

Sunflowers Work In Progress by C. Twomey

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.

Addition to the Mission Hospital Advanced Medicine Art Collection

SOLD to the Mission Hospital Advanced Medicine Collection, "Running Dogs Cloud Shadows," 12 X 12" acrylic. A blustery summer day popped up what I saw as dogs running thru the sky above the layered mountains.

Grateful!!!

"Last Glad of the Season" by C. Twomey

5 X 10.5”, watercolor on Winsor & Newton #120 paper; Available HERE

Slowly recovering from some foot surgery. Got a good prognosis from the doctor on Thursday, but two more weeks of slow walking and elevating. In the meantime, the kids next door are getting ready for school and the garden is looking weary. This beautiful stalk popped up this week and I had to paint its portrait. I will miss the flowers, but the Black Eyed Susan’s are going strong.

A Rose For Your Thoughts...

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