“The Marked Tree”, 12” X 16” on panel
A memory, a feeling, a brief moment of life - this was painted at Marked Tree Vineyards, where I was surrounded by the most beautiful scenery, happy somewhat inebriated people, a good panter friends. I was so drawn to the way the vines pointed at the namesake tree - and the colors, the rich colors of the countryside on a gorgeous summer day.
Finishing up this oil of one of the last hydrangeas in the garden. It’s going to be 90 today, and everything is looking a bit tired and too hot (me too!). The garden colors are shifting to more subtlety, which is quite lovely and peaceful. May you stay cool, healthy and happy.
It was a hike through the Botanical Gardens in Asheville to get down to this stream. It was so worth the effort, however - look at those reflections! and those shadows! Exquisite. I wouldn't have thought this would happen, but once other hikers saw us, they too clamoured down the banks to talk and watch. Sometimes that's annoying, but this day was so perfect; so peaceful - that I welcomed their happy presence and delighted in their kind support. Watercolor on archival board.Just added "Serenity Stream" to my Singulart gallery here: https://www.singulart.com/en/artworks/catherine-twomey-serenity-stream-1670035
Original oil painting in progress; this piece is 16” X 20” archival canvas on panel. It is such a joy to watch these glads spring from bulbs and gradually make their spectacular showing. I have now done reds, yellows and here are the pinks.
The garden is abundant this summer and the gladiolus are no exception. The fluidity of the stem holds the foundation for the bright yellow blossoms. Light seeped over the flowers from behind; I was amazed by the difficulty of rendering the subtle shades of yellow against the magenta background. They only lasted about two days, but it was two days of painting frenzy to get this down. This original oil is 16" X 20" on a linen panel and is unframed.
“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.
I have a difficult time letting go of the garden phases as it moves through the season. Taking sweet williams, delphiniums, ferns, and more, I took a life print of blossoms and leaves, mono printing them until the composition worked. I then enhanced the printing in areas where the textures didn't transfer. Now they will live much longer than the garden allows. 12" X 12", inks, acrylics on paper.
“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.
Oil, 8” X 16” on archival panel.
There is a definite wonder in going to the trouble of painting outside. Everything about the experience is fresher, cleaner (unless you step on your solvent jar, which I just did) and the colors are unmatched. Yes, the weather was somewhat dangerous with thunderstorms all around this lake. However, knowing that, I felt highly charged to choose my painting spot, quickly decide on the composition and squint for optimal color matching. The sun poked in and out; lots of people walking by wanted to talk - but I had to focus and get it down instinctively and purely. And so it goes.
“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.
"Monumental Oak", a 22" X 28" oil on canvas, will be offered at "The Blowing Rock Women's Show" at the American Legion Building in Blowing Rock, NC - June 9th! We are raising funds for women in need and would sure like to meet you! There will be many other artworks, so come on up! Blowing Rock is at about 3,500', where the views are marvelous and the air is clean! Thanks for your consideration.
“Monumental Oak”, 22” X 28” oil on canvas
“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.