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

"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.

Art Museum Benefit Gala Auction! November 14!!!

“Blue Marble Earth No. 5” is being offered by the Asheville Art Museum on November 14, 2020 for their Gala Fundraiser in the Virtual "Buy It Now" auction. The Asheville Art Museum is celebrating one year since their renovation opening. On November 14, there will be a “silent auction & buy it now” opportunity in which the price of the item will be divided between the artist and the museum. Four of my paintings will be offered! - please check Asheville art museum link for details on how to purchase.

https://www.ashevilleart.org/event/gala-2020/2020-11-14/

Asheville Art Museum GALA Fundraiser - C. Twomey Art Featured!

The Asheville Art Museum is celebrating one year since their renovation opening. On November 14, there will be a “silent auction & buy it now” opportunity in which the price of the item will be divided between the artist and the museum. Four of my paintings will be offered! - please check Asheville art museum link for details on how to purchase.

https://www.ashevilleart.org/event/gala-2020/2020-11-14/

"Monumental Oak" Now On Offer

Purchase this painting here: https://www.catherinetwomey.com/available/monumental-oak

When I hike up a trail approaching a bare area (bald) or rounded hill, I get such an expansive, peaceful feeling. Near my home is the Biltmore Estate which has grounds manicured back in the day (early 1900's) by the famous Frederick Olmsted. I go there often to hike and am often struck by these 100+ year old oaks at the top of the balds. They're so large their branches often hit the ground as they loom over me!

In this painting I was thinking about the cools and warms. This magnificent specimen was just getting a hint of autumn colors. The right side has a variety of purplish and blue/green colors. I was drawn to the brilliant warmth of the trunk as it was hit by the setting sun. Rather than paint in individual leaves, I massed the shapes to suggest their beauty but focused on the patterns of warmth playing against the cools throughout the painting.

This original oil is on stretched canvas with a poplar wood frame. It has painted edges of 1.5".

"Bass Pond White Lily" offered by C. Twomey

I visit these lily pads about once a week. Every time I pass by I have to stop and wish them well. I was so struck by this single white lily, glorious in its simplicity and contrasted by the brilliant greens of the surrounding pads.
Imagine the height of the summer. The crickets are rubbing their wings together, providing a chorus to your wanderings through steep hills and low ponds. This grouping made me pause - I saw the varied personalities of each lily pad, highlighted by the one bright white blossom. The copper undersides of the pads were in striking contrast to the cool greens. I now understand what Monet was drawn to; these were incredibly beautiful and evocative.
Fall is approaching and I'm certain these will hibernate soon enough, but they'll hold me through the winter.

This painting is on gallery wrapped canvas with a 1.5" painted border and is wired and ready to hang.

Available here: https://www.catherinetwomey.com/available

"Hydrangeas Over The Dam" Plein Air Oil

We have had more than 9 inches of rain this year above and beyond the average. The almost daily thunderstorms have poured tremendous volumes of water into our lakes and streams, including this lake below my house. The runoff is so great the typically blue/green water turns all shades of browns, reds, yellows and gold. Of course, the vegetation is growing feet by the second. It's white ball hydrangea time of year. The large popcorn-appearing balls are so beautiful and refreshing against the water. That dam in the foreground is almost a hundred years old, and of course with all the rain it's rather worrisome. So much water running over the side, what kind of pressure is that old concrete under? I painted this outdoors and reveled in the sounds and sights of the water and flowers. So glad I had bug spray on, as much as I dislike it! And of course, sunscreen. This oil in painted on archival canvas and is 11 X 14". It is unframed and ready to complement your indoor decor.

"White On White" Oil Offered by Catherine Twomey

My new garden has brought a wealth of unique and beautiful plants. The gladiolus did not perform for three years, but the wait was so worth it. This year, the second I saw these white glads, I had to paint them. I tended to them and, knowing I'd only have a few days to paint them before they faded. What greater challenge than to place them against a white board to capture the shadows and highlights? This spring, while COVID reigns, it's been rainy and quite hot. The gladiolus are now six feet tall and stretch to the sun! Most glorious of all, however, was the flowers. At the height of their glory, they reached to the sun on a lovely spring morning as I moved to not overdo them, but capture their life and brilliance using color, value and marks. Their spontaneity was a challenge, but well worth the wait. This is an oil painting that is painted on archival, Ray Mar art board. It is 8 X 16" - perfect for that unique area in your home or office that begs for new life.

Work In Progress: "White Lily" on the Biltmore Estate's Bass Pond

WIP Work In Progress, White Lilly on the Biltmore Estate's bass pond. What a challenge it is to work larger, but I'm learning a great deal at 22 X 28". So interesting how each pad has its own look and personality. If you're ever in Asheville (let's hope all this pandemic stuff is done sooner rather then later) call me; I'll show you where it is. 

Commission Work-In-Progress, Catherine Twomey

Working on this commission, I selected a couple of homegrown burgundy peonies from my garden. They are willingly posing for their posterity. The energy of the petals is simply wonderful.

"Dogwood Herd" Oil by C. Twomey

When I moved to Asheville, North Carolina, in 2016, I had no idea what was going to come up in the spring garden. As a nature-loving gardener, however, I knew the long-neglected property needed a lot of tender loving care to be brought back to life. I nurtured a small, scraggly dogwood in the front yard - and it thrived. I've been working on my oil painting, aiming for more translucency and texture. I've been painting abstracts for a while, but for some strange reason I only want to paint realistically now - just the facts, Jack. Boy what a difference the correct brushes make! This "Dogwood Herd" is 6 X 6" and custom framed, on archival board. These dogwood blossoms were right from the home-grown garden and posed very patiently. Neither of us had anywhere else to go - pandemic and all - so we spent several days exchanging oxygen and contemplating the current state of affairs. This painting is beautifully custom framed in a greenish-green patina. It is ready to hang.

Available:

https: //www.catherinetwomey.com/available/dogwood-herd

First Pandemic Posting: Iris Portrait by C. Twomey

Like everyone else, I’ve been in shock about what’s happened to the world because of COVID-19. So in order not to think about it, I’ve been painting things in my spring garden, including the iris.

When I moved to Asheville, North Carolina, in 2016, I had no idea what was going to come up in the spring garden. As a nature-loving gardener, however, I knew the long-neglected property needed a lot of tender loving care to be brought back to life. A small pod of tulips were in the front yard, but yielded no flowers that spring. The second year I amended the soil and was rewarded with one lonely flower. This year, however, there are a grand total of three - each with their own beauty and personality. There's a lot to be said for spending days getting to know a particular flower. It's pandemic time and I'm in isolation like everyone else, so I have the time. I adored setting up the light and angle of the buds and petals so they caught the light just so. The layers gradually built and as I worked, I was able to achieve that translucency and brilliance that tulips have. This painting is beautifully custom framed in a greenish-green patina. It is ready to hang.

Available: https://www.catherinetwomey.com/available/iris-portrait

"Vines of the Ocean" by C. Twomey

The real plein air experience. How dare those people sit there!

When the weather is good along the Gulf of Mexico, the water turns a most intriguing green, blue, turquoise and the sky clouds burst up throughout the day. Painting outside, en plein air, is most challenging. At the same time, it's delightfully fun. While I painted this, the beach became increasingly crowded. It became a spontaneous party. A few times, a frisbee flew into the vicinity and I let loose with a big, "Hey!". Fortunately, apologies were offered. After around three hours, a dune buggy arrived suddenly with two policeman. Apparently I was on a no-alcohol beach. The crowd scattered, the police checked ID's and yelled - then within minutes, I was the only human left. I missed the people stopping by to see what I was doing, but at the same time, the quiet was welcome. I learned later that these waters are known as "Shark Alley." No skinny dipping was going on. This painting is 12 X 16 on archival Canson Board. It is unframed but ready to be tastefully framed.

Artwork in National Juried Show, Knoxville

A couple of my pieces have been curated into the National Juried Show in Knoxville, TN. Additional information is here:

https://www.knoxalliance.com/national-juried-exhibition-of-2020/

so if you have a chance please stop by! The show will be running until February 28, 2020.

"Full Moon, December" by Catherine Twomey

Winter is advancing. The sun sets earlier by minutes, every day. Something extraordinary happens to the sky, however. It seems clearer, crisper, more beautiful then any other time of year. It's energizing. I want to let the paint have a mind of it's own, with a little help from me. I want to capture the contrasts and clarity. Tomorrow, December 12, the full moon of December, called the Full Cold Moon, will arrive overnight tonight just after midnight eastern time, and as it rises it will be joined in the sky by the planets Venus and Saturn, which will be close together after reaching a conjunction on Dec. 11. This painting is unframed. It is on archival RayMar linen panel and is of the highest quality. Acrylics were used, along with inks and flow medium. It is a luminous, 8 X 10" original painting.

"Tomales Trail" Sold and Shipped; Client Thrilled

"Tomales Trail, Point Reyes National Seashore" just SOLD and shipped; from the client: "This is for my 10 year old daughter. This was our first “big hike”together 10 miles and we share wonderful memories of it.
Thank you for painting it so beautifully. She is so excited to hang up on her room."

Made my day!

"Sun Over the Blue Ridge" by C. Twomey

“Sun Over the Blue Ridge”, 12 X 16”, acrylic on raw canvas, ready to hang.

The weather here in Asheville has been rather spectacular the last few days. The nights are getting colder, it's almost Halloween, and this week the time changes. Life moves on!

Another spectacle: the mountain hikes. And - my foot has just "graduated" post surgery to being able to hike again! We headed to Black Balsam Knob and switchbacked to the 360 views. I was mesmerized by the clouds, the changing trees and of course the layers of rocks and hills below the top. Nothing quite as dramatic as the autumn sky and swirling clouds.

I am exploring a new technique. It involves using raw canvas and literally "staining" the canvas using pigments and a wetting agent. I've found working like this leads to very intense, rich colors that leap off the fabric. This allows me as little or as much control as I desire, which is exactly what I was looking for in a technique. 12 X 16" on raw canvas, wired and ready to hang.

Purchase here: https://www.catherinetwomey.com/available/sun-over-the-blue-ridge

Max Patch Hedonism

"Max Patch Hedonism" 20 X 20" on gallery premier canvas. I climbed the rough trail to the bald, or open area, of Max Patch. If you've heard of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) then maybe you've been there. Deep in the Pisgah National Forest, it's a pretty easy climb to the bald - and there you'll find a spectacular 360 degree view of the Great Smoky Mountains, the Black Mountains and the flatland of eastern Tennessee.

Added to the Mission Art Collection, by C. Twomey

This painting was sold a while ago, but I’m happy to say it lives on. “Sedona Afternoon Sun” is currently being added to the Mission Hospital Advanced Medicine Collection.

"Falls of Catawba: Blue Ridge Mountains" by C. Twomey

“Falls At Catawba”; the sound hits you before you can smell the water; the reward is climbing to sit near the soft ferns as the water finds its way down. Is there anything more peaceful than sitting beside a gently flowing waterfall in dappled shade?

The headwaters of the Catawba River are beautifully scenic. Just east of Asheville, the river tumbles through a rolling forest, cascading in a series of waterfalls and flowing over a mossy riverbed set in a shady, scenic stretch of the Pisgah National Forest. This fantastic day hike explores waterfall after waterfall in a sun-dappled valley, hiking just over two miles through a shady forest to the seeping wall of vibrant green moss and tendrils of water known as Catawba Falls.

This painting is original, and is wired and ready to hang. It is unframed. It was painted on raw canvas, allowing the beautiful stains of the paints to saturate and spread. It is enhanced with metallics such as silver and copper.