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.
Mother's Day Sale on Etsy, Catherine Twomey Art
I'm having a Mother's Day Sale at my Etsy shop - thanks for your interest! Here is the link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/catherinetwomeyart?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
"Dogwood Herd No. 1" and Happy Spring
Hope everyone who celebrates Easter has a good one! Here is Dogwood Herd #1, WIP but almost finished. Headed to Biltmore today to see the blooming azaleas!
"Dogwood Herd #4" Work In Progress
This oil painting commission is moving along. This is the second layer of oil paintings, so adding more detail and adjusting colors and values.
'Dogwood Herd" Commission In Progress
Work In Progress! This is the first layer.
It has been delightful to work on these four paintings (at once) of the spring blossoms of the flowering dogwood. They will grace the wall of a historic home in Charlottesville, VA once finished. I am so grateful to the commissioner - what a wonderful way to enter into spring. May you all be safe.
"Cosmos & Company" New Work, Catherine Twomey
These are cosmos, zinnias, black eyed susans and more; home grown in my garden. The focus is on the glorious, translucent color that saturates every bloom. The canvas was started with a beautiful two-tone layering of burnt sienna and then a cooling green/blue. Gradually the layers were built up, thinking first about how one color would interact with another before seeking out the shapes.
This series will continue the abstract nature of this interest in color. It's about understanding what makes an exciting, complex and interesting painting above all else. The emotional component, of course, is the work that went into not just the painting, but my first attempt at planting seeds from scratch. The cosmos were so incredible - they grew to over six feet tall and lasted well into the fall. This is homage to them and to their magnificent colors that brought joy to all who knew them.
"Lily Soliloquy" by C. Twomey, Now On Offer
Just finished. Obsessively thinking I'm not finished. Please, rip the brush out of my hand, thanks. 20 X 24", Lily Soliloquy, oil on linen over aluminum. Heading slowly, painfully, towards greater abstraction. Today, spring is in the air, and I can't wait to paint this live again. Have you noticed - this has been a long, cold winter? I will be making this available soon on my website.
"Blue Ridge Cloud Creatures" On Offer From Catherine Twomey
Recently completed and now available: https://www.catherinetwomey.com/available/blue-ridge-cloud-creatures
Infusing dream-like qualities into landscapes is a favorite new thing. I guess it's because once I've actually hiked to views like this, it really is like I'm dream-scaping. There's this sense of wanting to jump! (I guess that's an actual "thing" called "The call of the void (in French, l’appel du vide).") And if I did I wouldn't die; but fly!
If you live in the mountains and the climate is lush and somewhat tropical in the summer, it's difficult to get 360 views from the mountain tops. Last weekend I hiked up to the top of Max Patch on a beautiful albeit transitional day. There, on what's called the "bald" I could see forever; I could touch the clouds. You can spin yourself around and take in the rapidly evolving views - I could even see into other states.
'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.
There was this distinctive light cutting through the water across the diagonal that I couldn't stop looking at. Everything beyond that light was shadowed and cool and my eye focused on the contrasts between warm and cool, light and dark. Picture summer on this cold winter day - but the days are getting longer. How about that incredible reflection of the one magenta/orange/whatever lily? I was so struck by this single lily, glorious in its simplicity and contrasted by the brilliant greens of the surrounding pads.
For reasons I can't explain, the more I see water, the more I want to paint it. It can be so hugely abstract, which is much of the joy of painting it.
I visit these lily pads about once a week. Every time I pass by I have to stop and wish them well.
To purchase, please click here: https://www.catherinetwomey.com/available/74b6k82655yl97nkx7dsqtc8mm6gmj
Waterlilies Work In Progress By Catherine Twomey
Trying to stay centered and peaceful today as a second impeachment is underway. It helps to think about next summer when I’ll be at the Biltmore Estate painting this beautiful Bass Pond again. This painting is a work in progress, on a large 20 X 24” archival canvas on aluminum board. It will be offered for sale soon. Thank you for your interest.
2020 Summary and Goodbye; Good Riddance!
Commission Completed! By C. Twomey
Sending out many good vibes to the collector who commissioned this painting for the holidays. He was a delight to work with and we made the deadline! I am so grateful for the support and kindness of people these days. Stay safe and happy holidays!
"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
SOLD - "DaVinci Horse: The Walk Revealed" to a buyer from Lexington, VA. Horse people, you are my people. Thanks very much. Anatomically correct walk in the Renaissance style. Prints from my Etsy store: 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
25% Off Print Sale By Award Winning Artist!
"East Fall Blue Ridge" prints are now on sale in my Etsy shop! This painting won the 2010 ArtInPlace Award in Charlottesville, VA and for years was viewed by thousands of people as a 10' X 20' mural. Thanks for your interest; visit Etsy here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/catherinetwomeyart?ref=search_shop_redirect
Sold In Support Of Educating Young Scientific Illustrators!
Thanks to Joan for purchasing this original oil painting! All funds go to the Vesalius Trust (vesaliustrust.org) to educate young scientists.
Please visit here for my annual sale: 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.
Now Available As A Print, by C. Twomey
“White Lily Bass Pond” oil painting on canvas.
Thanks to the purchaser from Ottawa, Canada (love you Canadians!) who purchased "White Lily Bass Pond" from my Etsy store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/catherinetwomeyart?ref=search_shop_redirect