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.
Work In Progress by Catherine Twomey - Pink Gladiolus!
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.
"Glad For Yellow" Gladiolus On Offer
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.
"Island Edge" Oil by Catherine Twomey
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" Plein Air by Catherine Twomey
“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.
THANK YOU ASHEVILLE! Successful Kenilworth Artists Asso. Show!
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.
Preservation Through ART! PAPA Exhibition, Asheville! 9/16 - 6 - 8 pm
Favorite people (you know who you are)! This Thursday from 6 - 8 pm at the Wedge, 5 Foundy St., Asheville is the opening of the free show, Preservation Through Art! Fabulous art will be offered for sale, much of which will go towards preserving wonderful, historic sites captured by current plein air painters! You must come! The first offering of art will be from Chimney Rock, Lovers Leap (Hot Springs), French Broad scenes and Pisgah View from Biltmore.
Paint Rock Overrun - 12 X 12” oil on archival board
"Paint Rock Overrun" - Plein Air by C. Twomey
I've finished "Paint Rock Overrun" - a plein air painted for "Preserving A Picturesque America" (https://preservationthroughart.org/) which means this is a painting with a purpose. Originally captured by artists in the late 1800's, Paint Rock (near Hot Springs, NC) since then has become overgrown and covered with graffiti, unfortunately. The day we painted, I was challenged not to paint a pretty picture, but to show what has happened and what needs to be fixed. Along the French Broad River, the rocks are now quite hidden by invasive species and overgrowth - and then there's the graffiti (don't get me started). Underneath the graffiti are fantastic Indian drawings that will need careful excavation and preservation. This is oil, 12 X 12" on archival board and will be for sale in the PAPA Exhibition this fall. Stay tuned.
Art Exhibition! Save the Date - Oct. 9 & 10!
I know it's early, but you know how time flies! If you're in town, I would love to meet and greet at 1 Plymouth Circle, Asheville on Oct. 9 & 10. It's going to be an EVENT with original art, prints, food, drinks and the kind of people you'd like to know. Save The Date! & thanks. #kenilworthartists
A Day At The Daylily Farm
A lovely, albeit hot adventure yesterday to the Blue Ridge Daylily Farm in Alexander along with the Asheville Plein Air Painters. More work to do, but such a fun group of painters in an overwhelmingly beautiful place. Oil, 16 X 20" on linen.
"Lovers Leap Reclaimed" Original Oil by C. Twomey
I've joined a wonderful group of people, Preserving A Picturesque America, whose goal is to revisit hundreds of sites across America that were documented in the like-titled book of 1857. An artist named Henry Finn set out to draw these noteworthy sites in order to help record and save them for future generations.
Recently the group has hiked to about eight sites, four paint-outs which I was able to make. What fantastic and joyful paint outs we had! This particular scene was right along the Appalachian Trail in Hot Spring, North Carolina. This site is Lover's Leap, and legend has it that there was a star-crossed Indian couple who were told each other had died, so they jumped off the ledge of this rock face. Myth? Who knows, but it makes for a great story.
This original plein air artwork is on archival board and is painted in Michael Harding oils. It is 11 X 14" and is unframed.
Try to imagine horse drawn carriages coming around the bend in that trail - because they did.
16 X 20” oil on linen panel; available
"French Broad River Afternoon" by C. Twomey Available
I just tried to add this recently finished plein air painting to “Available” but the software has changed and won’t save it. If you’re interested, please contact me at 262-893-4126 (USA).
Over several late in the afternoon days, I met with a friend along the French Broad River in Asheville, North Carolina. Setting my easel up on the bank of this mighty river, I was able to focus intensively on the composition and light as the sun slowly receded behind my back. Kayakers, hikers and wildlife came by to say hello and wish me well.
I learned so much while I painted here! At first glance, the scene was overwhelming with great detail and multiple compositions to choose from. The distant mountains were affected by the atmosphere, so I knew I wanted to include them. The river is fast moving and it runs in the wrong direction, so I had to capture that. Squinting helped; as did not getting bogged down in detail and complexity. What a glorious way to spend several late afternoons and evenings.
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!
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
"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.
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.4" Work In Progress by Catherine Twomey
Another day, another group of dogwoods - and how fun is that? Getting down to the nitty gritty on this commission just as the dogwoods are really blooming. Have an excellent day!
"Dogwood Herd No. 1" and Happy Spring
11 X 14” oil on linen over aluminum; Work In Progress
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" 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.
High Chroma Vs. Low Chroma: Never Stop Learning
High chroma vs. low chroma - I've deviated from my standard, higher chroma palette to introduce earth colors. A revelation! The top painting was a struggle to knock back the bright colors and took twice as long to do. The lower painting was eye-opening: I discovered colors I never would have otherwise found in half the time. I LOVE Terra Rosa! Anyway, so much excitement for one session; so little time.
“Cosmos & Company” oil on linen panel, 16 X 20”
"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.