“The Island”, 12” X 12” oil on panel.
If a painting could capture a day, this one did. It was blustery (hang on to the easel kind of blustery), and there were thunderstorms all around as I painted. The sun flashed in and out, illuminating the bright greens of the island’s trees as well as the backdrop. It’s hard to describe the joy of such a moment, other than to say it makes you feel as alive as you’ve ever been. Two hours to get it all down, get it right, and not get hit by lightning.
“Sequenced”, 24” X 36” pigments, iridescents, metallics on aluminum panel, framed.
The luminous sky and mountains at over 6,000 feet can overwhelm. Couple that with the late spring blooms of the rhododendrons, and there is a sense of floating high above the clouds as the sun descends. I'm inspired by the mountains and sky, of course - but the flow of the pigments themselves is so freeing; so abstract. It's like it helps makes sense of all of the complex layers and diffuse light spreading through the clouds. Each layer is constructed
separately using pigments, tools, an airbrush and gravity. Although the end result appears realistic, on closer inspection it's made up of pours, ridges and glowing pigment. This 24" X 36" original painting will infuse your room settings with good taste and luminescence. It is framed in a lovely copper and black floating frame.
“Between Storms” is an 8” X 16” oil on archival panel.
The weather is so incredibly variable in the mountains, and this day was no exception. I made my way around a lake, Bass Lake, in Blowing Rock, NC - Blue Ridge mountains. Surrounded by threatening cumulous clouds, I quickly set up and immediately planned out the composition. Suddenly, sunlight flooded the island in the lake's middle, and I knew I had my painting. The flashes of light green and blue highlighted the dark pines against the mountainside. The light fell on a downed log, prompting a highlight that finished the piece. As dozens of people made their way past and around the lake path, it felt like we were all in it together - a race against the lightning in an electric moment.
“Cirrused”, 24 X 36”, pigments, metallics, iridescents on archival panel.
June 9th, 2022! Blowing Rock Women's Show at the American Legion Building in Blowing Rock! Come and meet me, Deborah Squier and Lori McNee! Blowing Rock is SPECTACULAR & so is the art; supporting the Women's Fund of the Blue Ridge. Thanks!
"Waterlily Hearts" is a waterlily watercolor, about 10" X 15" on Crescent board. Painted at the Biltmore Estate, I was as fascinated with the delicacy of the design as I was the colors.
North Carolina/Tennessee border. Imagine sitting for hours along the banks of a somewhat hidden creek. There are fishermen there, friendly and pulling trout out of the clean, clean water. The bugs aren't out yet because it's early spring; it's a bit cool in the morning but warming as the sun ascends. You're soothed by the literally babbling brook while completely absorbed by the task at hand. A most glorious day. Sometimes the shapes are as mesmerizing as the sound of the water! Watercolor, gouache, Arches paper, about 8" X 10".
To purchase:
https://www.catherinetwomey.com/available/upper-falls-early-spring
An hour's drive up to a mountain pass proved to be well worth the trip. I spent a day at Altapass Orchards in North Carolina - and what a sight it was! The day was clear and unusually warm, so I was able to set up for some long range views. The apple blossoms were just coming out, adding to the scene's delight. This original watercolor is 6" X 12" on archival Canson board.
”Roots, Trees, Rocks” watercolor plein air, painted at Lamar Alexander State Park in Tennessee. This is 10 X 15” on Crescent Board.
Painted live on site at the Lamar Alexander State Park in Tennessee. This was painted alongside a raging brook full of trout. A most soothing atmosphere and beautiful scene.
In so many ways, this was a breakthrough painting and has meant so much to me. But the original has found its home and I'm thrilled! In its Provenance, it was chosen by Target for their worldwide in-home collection; it will always be in my heart. "Blue Ridge Cloud Shadows"; made with love and a confidence I never knew I had. Additional prints are available on my Etsy store at CatherineTwomeyArt.
"Rocks Of Watercolor", 10" X 15", now offered on my website at https://www.catherinetwomey.com/available/rocks-made-of-watercolor
A friend said the rocks look like an octopus - I can see that! - but what I loved was watching them emerge from my brush.
Plein air of the California cliffs near San Luis Obispo; watercolor. Thank you to the purchaser who told me this reminds them of their days spent camping along Highway 1.
“Accelerating”, 30” X 30” by Catherine Twomey
Happy that it looks like this painting has found a home! As always, many thanks to the collector.
“Something’s Coming” 30” X 30” framed, on archival artefax panel, https://www.catherinetwomey.com/available
There’s that moment when you’ve hiked to the top of a mountain and you’re finally getting that 360° view. You’re wafting above a slope of rhododendrons in bloom - blindingly pink; luscious - and there at the horizon is a rapidly moving storm (towards you, of course) and suddenly you realize it’s time to descend. Will you?
“Revolution”, 30”X30” on polycotton over aluminum panel, framed. Come by The Village Gallery in Oriental or take a look here: https://www.catherinetwomey.com/available/revolution
The constantly in flux earth, shown with varied and dynamic weather patterns over the global surface. I grew up exploring real globes - the kind you can spin and touch. The earth's revolutions as well as the revolutions of storm systems all at the same moment kept me enthralled. So much of the earth being made up of that stunning teal water and how it influences our climate, all while hurdling through space - complexity beyond my ability to grasp it all.
12” X 12” on canvas, professionally framed.
I am well aware that the United States is not at the center of the universe. This is my tribute to the European, African, Middle East and so on nations; all of us, together - not one superior to another.
My understanding is that fifty years ago, when the Apollo astronauts looked back at the earth from the moon, they were profoundly struck by the beauty of the tiny, fragile, blue planet earth. And so it was.
Whenever gazing at the stars and planets, I too am awed by the enormity and depth of the sky. I've heard some people feel anxiety when looking at the night sky; I'm the opposite. It brings pe
“Sea Leveling” 24 X 36”, archival Artefex Panel and Golden Pigments
I wonder what the moon things of our earthly pursuits? It’s easy to envision the moon’s view of the earth: beautiful, other-wordly, spinning. Look closer, however, and there are changes to see: the seas rising, shorelines changing, existential threats to life on earth. This is a siren call to look far beyond the gorgeous planet, understand what’s happening and then do something.
"Accelerating", 30 X 30" on Artefex Panel. Mixed media, archival.
I've finished an accounting of what I sold at the Kenilworth Artists Association Open Studio Tour - and I am so thankful for the support and interest! 31 pieces sold, some that I've had in the studio for over a decade, but that I always liked and that now have good homes! Thank you very much and I hope to really see you next year, when COVID is hopefully just a bad memory. Alright, back to replenishing the inventory.
Exciting news!
Limited Edition archival giclee prints are now be available through my new gallery, The Village Gallery - Oriental, NC. I will be having a one person show in February, 2022 and hope you can be there! Check back for updates.