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.
oil paintings
“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.
"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.
Waterlilies in Oil - Catherine Twomey, Work In Progress
Enjoying gobs of water lilies this afternoon; looking to balance abstraction and reality in the same moment. Done at the Biltmore Estate waterlily pond; a gorgeous summer afternoon work in progress.
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
20 X 24” Oil on Archival Board
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.
What a year! I remember talking to my sis in February; wondering if we were going to have to cancel a trip to Scotland due to some strange virus. Well, we did, like everyone else. In the meantime, however, we learned to live with it and I painted and sold more paintings than I ever have - along the way finding that I'm pretty much a contemporary Impressionist-type painter. That alone was worth it! Thanks to everyone for your support, your kindness and here's to hoping 2021 is a banner year in so many ways.
2020 Summary and Goodbye; Good Riddance!
in abstract painting, abstraction, acrylic pour, alla prima, animal, art for sale, azaleas, blue ridge mountains, dog portrait, dogwood, dogwood painting, dressage, echinacea, equestrian, equine, family, flower painting, flowers, fruit, gallery, gallery art, gladiolus, horses, iris painting, japan, japanese art, juried show, manifesto painting, mars, mountains, nebula, oil painting, oil paintings, peony, plein air, print sale, rose painting, seascape painting, self portrait, sketch, sold art, spacescape, still life, sunflowers, vineyards, volcano, watercolor, watercolor painting, waterfalls, work in progress, yosemite painting
16 X 20” oil on Ray Mar Board, archival canvas
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
Last Sale Day TODAY, Monday, 12/7
in abstract painting, abstraction, acrylic pour, alla prima, animal, art for sale, asheville art museum, auction art, azaleas, barn, blue ridge mountains, commission, dog portrait, dogwood, dogwood painting, dressage, echinacea, equestrian, equine, etsy print sale, etsyshop, flower painting, flowers, fruit, gala fundraiser, gallery, gallery art, gladiolus, horses, iris painting, japan, japanese art, juried show, kilauea, landscape, manifesto painting, mars, mountains, nebula, oil painting, oil paintings, permanent collection, plein air, print sale, rose painting, seascape painting, self portrait, vineyards, yosemite painting, waterfalls, watercolor painting, watercolor, sunset painting, sunflowers, still life, spacescape, volcano, sold art
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
“Blue Ridge East Fall” oil on canvas.
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!
in abstract painting, abstraction, acrylic pour, alla prima, animal, art for sale, asheville art museum, barn, auction art, azaleas, azeleas, blog writing, blue ridge mountains, charity auction, commission, dog portrait, dogwood, dogwood painting, dressage, echinacea, equestrian, equine, etsy print sale, etsyshop, family, flower painting, flowers, fruit, gala fundraiser, gallery, gallery art, gladiolus, horses, iris painting, japan, japanese art, juried show, kilauea, landscape, life writing, manifesto painting, mars, mountains, nebula, oil painting, oil paintings, peony, permanent collection, print sale, rose painting, seascape painting, self portrait, sketch, SNL, sold art, spacescape, still life, sunflowers, sunset painting, vineyards, volcano, watercolor, watercolor painting, waterfalls, work in progress, yosemite painting
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
New DaVinci Print and Artwork Available!
Order Prints Here:
Commissioned for the cover of the "United States Dressage Federation" magazine Connections, it was inspired by "The Vitruvian Man" by Leaonardo da Vinci circa 1487. This could be considered the "Canon of Proportions" for the horse performing the dressage movement piaffe. It is based on the correlations of ideal horse proportions with geometry. It exemplifies the blend of art and science during the Renaissance.
Winning painting/illustration of the American Horse Publications Annual Awards, First Place in Illustration for "Da Vinci Horse", 2007. This print shows an anatomically accurate transparent horse and skeleton.
All artwork is ©Catherine Twomey. This and all images in my shop may not be reproduced or resold without my permission. Thank you for your support!
Twomey Featured at Asheville Art Museum Gala Auction 2020!
Excited to let you know my artwork is being featured during the Asheville Art Museum’s Gala Auction 2020! All of the funds for the sale of this painting will go to the Museum, so please bid today here: https://www.bidsquare.com/online-auctions/asheville-art-museum/catherine-twomey-art-momentus-max-patch-2012486
Thanks and have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Oil on canvas, commissioned.
"Miss Ellie" Portrait of the Neighbor's Dog by Catherine Twomey
A portrait of Ms. Ellie, next door neighbor's pup. She is just one beautiful dog. Oil on canvas.
BID for ART! Asheville Art Museum Needs Your Support!
One year ago, the Asheville Art Museum reopened their newly renovated museum that cost $25,000,000 to complete. Then, as we all know, COVID happened. It has been a very tough year. Their annual fundraiser is going on NOW - and all the funds from the sale of this painting go directly to the museum (not me). Please follow this link now and BID; retail value is about $1000 while bidding starts at $400. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! Go here and PLEASE BID: https://www.bidsquare.com/online-auctions/asheville-art-museum/catherine-twomey-art-momentus-max-patch-2012486
Momentus, Max Patch, 12 X 16”
Annual Etsy Store Sale!
A big thank you to my followers and friends! For two weeks only, my annual Etsy sale! Worth the wait:
https://etsy.me/3hKfTH8