Why paint? "Taylor Jug & Pear" oil by Twomey

There's so much behind every painting that, until now, hasn't been said. There has to be an emotional connection to what I'm going to spend time painting. In this piece, it's the beauty of the old, worn jug; so obviously prized by it's makers and now by me. Then, there's the very physical act of creating: which objects? What are the relationships between the objects? What kind of light? How, how do I simplify yet suggest volume and form? The best of all? How wonderful it feels to start to shape something out of the air, to mix the colors until they're just right, and find meaning in the final result. I was there. I touched that surface. I loved those things.

I've been trying to get up to speed on what blogging is, and I've decided much of it is a guess. You have to waddle through all of the self-proclaimed experts and take a nugget here, a nugget there, to come to a semblance of a conclusion. It's maddening! But maybe that's the challenge. New phrase: In The Old Days (ITOD) it was all laid out and clear: galleries, publishers, agents, collectors. Not any more. I hope to blog my successes and failures as this evolves.

Thank you for reading and looking. 

For Sale Direct

The following original artworks are available for shipping in the U.S. only. Feel free to contact Catherine Twomey if you have any questions. Please contact catherine@catherinetwomey.com if you need international shipping estimates.

I am in the process of building a new website and hope to have it online and linked to this blog soon.


Apple Meets Crock, Oil on board • 10 X 8" • unframed at the moment.........$525.00


Blue Ridge East Gliding • Oil on board • Framed • 8 X 10”...........................$525.00


I perched along Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park looking to the east, towards Richmond. Had my paints, easel and an outrageously gorgeous day to capture the fall colors. I loved the layers of mountains dissipating in the distance. And the colors! The blues next to the oranges - irresistible. This took longer than expected, I think because I didn't want the day to end. Can't get enough of the Blue Ridge mountains, especially in the fall. 






Earlysville General Store No. 2 (right) • Framed • Signed Poster • 24 X 36”............$80.00


Buck Mountain Vineyard No. 3 (left) • Framed • Signed Poster • 24 X 36”.............$80.00





Earlysville General Country Store as you head south down Buck Mountain Road, Earlysville, Va. Driving by this classic old service station daily, I'm reminded of the era it was built and all the people who've passed through that door. It's still in service today and at lunchtime is jammed with contractors looking for deli sandwiches and a fill up. 

Earlysville General Store No. 2 • Oil on board  • Framed • 5 X 7”...................$325.00






Bleak House Barn Glory • Oil on canvas • 4 X 6” • Framed...............................$275.00

This gorgeous, symmetrical barn is just down Buck Mountain Road in Earlysville, Virginia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was irresistible, it had to be painted; and what I like about this oil is how free the brushstrokes became. The structure became a dreamlike symbol of it's history, and it's history is deep.

The Bleak House Plantation was built in the 1700's and covered hundreds of acres planted in corn, tobacco, wheat and other crops.





Bleak House Barn No.2 • Oil on canvas • Framed • 5 X 7”...............................$325.00



Bleak House Barn No.3 • Oil on canvas in antique frame (not shown) • 5 X 7”.........$425.00







DaVinci Piaffe Horse • Signed Giclee Print on canvas • 8 X 10”..................$200.00

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















A Successful Tour! Thank You!

Thanks to so many who came to see my art on Saturday. It was wonderful to talk art, and it amazed me how much people knew and cared about. 

I have been asked to show again at Mud Dauber Pottery in Earlysville, VA and am working on getting into another show at a downtown gallery.

Your support is priceless and irreplaceable. Thank you.

The following pieces have found new homes:


Twomey
Buck Mountain Vineyard No. 2

Oil by Twomey
Earlysville General Store No. 3

Twomey
Ceramic Horse Head

Twomey
Ceramic Giraffe

Twomey
East Fall Blue Ridge No. 3

Twomey
Pear Portrait

Twomey
Buck Mountain Vineyard No. 1

Twomey
Settin' On The Pier: Key West

"Earlysville General Store" on Arts Rivanna Tour

"Earlysville General Store No. 3" Oil on board, 8 X 10"
Driving by this classic old service station daily, I'm reminded of the era it was built and all the people who've passed through that door. It's still in service today and at lunchtime is jammed with contractors looking for deli sandwiches and a fill up. 

This work along with many others will be available Saturday, Sept. 13 on the Arts Rivanna Tour, Earlysville, VA. Would love to meet you there.

"East Fall Blue Ridge Gliding" on Tour

C. Twomey oil
East Fall Blue Ridge Gliding
Can't get enough of the Blue Ridge mountains, especially in the fall. The Earlysville, VA area is in the foothills, not far from Skyline Drive. 

This 8 X 10" oil painting will be available for sale on the Arts Rivanna Tour this Saturday, Sept. 13 and Sept. 20. Additional information available here:

"Buck Mountain Vineyard No. 2", oil, Twomey

C. Twomey original oil
Buck Mountain Vineyard No.1


This original oil painting, "Buck Mountain Vineyard No.2" will be available for sale on September 13th and 20th at the Arts Rivanna Tour, in and around Earlysville, VA. It is 6 X 6", and is framed in a beautiful handmade frame.

I was driving down Buck Mountain Rd., about 2 miles from where I live, and came around a curve to this unforgettable site. There wasn't much room for painting, but I got it done and can't help revisiting the moment every time I paint it. Vineyards are popping up all over here, and they bring endless painting possibilities.

The tour will be Saturday, September 13th & 20th, beginning at 10:00 am. If you're needing directions to the Arts Rivanna Tour, see the following. I'll be located at the studio in the middle, off of Advance Mills Road near Fray Road. Hope to meet you then!


Arts Rivanna Tour - Please Join Us!

Oil on linen by C. Twomey
Bleak House Barn No.6, 4x6", oil on linen board


I'm taking part in an upcoming studio tour, so hope you can join us!:

A R T S  R I V A N N A  T O U R : 
September 13th & 20th, 2014; 10 am - 5 pm

Contact: Judith Townsend
434-978-7937
judy@judithktownsend.com

Start the Tour here: 3023 Colonial Drive, Earlysville 22936
Take 29 North; turn right on Route 649 (Proffit Rd.);
go one-half mile; turn right on Colonial Dr. 
to 3023 Colonial Drive, Earlysville

"Moxie As Human" Porcelain Sculpture

Porcelain sculpture by Twomey, Catherine
Moxie As Human
It's difficult to not think of my rescue dog Moxie as not human, so I decided to sculpt her as such. I see her as a sassy retro bouffant chic with attitude - like the ones I knew in high school that always knew where the bones were buried. And well she does. Approximately 10" tall, fired in porcelain. Moxie was rescued from a high kill shelter in North Carolina, and is lab, shepherd and chow. Maybe. 

And I have to mention - last week we had a black bear in the yard. Ms. Moxie ran right up to him and stood there barking in his face. Took him about one minute before he lumbered into the woods, happy to escape all the noise. Thanks, Mox.

"Moxie As A Human" Sculpture

Original Ceramic Sculpture Catherine Twomey
MOXIE As A Human
As I'm recovering from foot surgery, to keep from losing my mind I have finally finished up a sculpture done in the spring. 

The concept is somewhat bizarre, but that's alright. The day before she was to be killed at a high kill shelter in North Carolina, we rescued the sweetest, foxiest most adorable pup. We named her Moxie, and she's owned us ever since.

Moxie is as smart as they come. We think she's chow, shepherd and lab. I knew I had to incorporate that personality into my art. She just barked "sassy retro girl" and that's what she became, in clay. From the bun on her head to her flashy Egyptian tail, there's no messing with Moxie. She sits like that all the time, with that right-at-you stare that lets you know she's got you.

I think I'd like to work on more of these, it was that challenging.

Thank goodness for dogs.

Surgery Is Finished, Back In The Saddle!

Well it's going to be a long, prone summer. That's the price to pay for finally having a long overdue surgery done on an inherited,  unbalanced left foot (hammertoe & bunionectomy). I can see how straight the foot is now, despite the bandages and boot, so I'm going to focus on September when I should again  be back on all two's.

I've already overdone it, according to the doctor. Too much weight bearing, walking, etc. He's told me to rest (almost impossible!), elevate and make friends with the foot. So here goes:

My Left Foot
You just have to have a sense of humor to get through this kind of thing.

I'll be getting back to painting, although in bed, this week so that should help. I have a dog walker college girl coming in daily and a lot to divert my attention from the sheer boredom.

Thanks for your support  - here's to the dancing days to come. 

Ebay Auction Original Oil Painting

Twomey oil painting original
Strawberry Eggplant Locked, 5 X 7" Original Oil
This original 5 X 7" oil painting is now at auction. Having just returned from a workshop in Sedona, Arizona, I immediately started a painting that would highlight what I'd learned. The terrific instructor was Abbey Ryan. She was prepared, patient and thorough throughout the workshop, which lasted one week. We even were located very close to a 20,000 acre unconfined wildfire, but we continued undaunted.

What was most informative about the workshop was learning that the skills I'd developed over the last thirty years as a medical illustrator translate over to oil painting. What a joy to be able to control the paint, using layering and coloring to control the emotion and focus of the painting. Abbey helped me a great deal with how to use and hold the brush as well as how to logically work my way through a painting to achieve what I intended.

The painting is offered unframed. Here is a sample of what it would look like framed:



Jefferson Cup, Tomato and Sedona Rocks Auction

Auction ends today! This is an extraordinary opportunity to own an original, quality oil painting by an internationally award winning TED participant. Thank you for your attention.

 Jefferson Cup, Tomato and Sedona Rocks
Jefferson Cup, Tomato and Sedona Rocks

Sample framing, Jefferson Cup, Tomato and Sedona Rocks





"Strawberry Eggplant Locked" Original Oil

Original Oil by Catherine Twomey
Stawberry Eggplant Locked by C. Twomey
Having just returned from a workshop in Sedona, Arizona, I immediately started a painting that would highlight what I'd learned. The terrific instructor was Abbey Ryan. She was prepared, patient and thorough throughout the workshop, which lasted one week. We even were located very close to a 20,000 acre unconfined wildfire, but we continued undaunted.

What was most informative about the workshop was learning that the skills I'd developed over the last thirty years as a medical illustrator translate over to oil painting. What a joy to be able to control the paint, using layering and coloring to control the emotion and focus of the painting. Abbey helped me a great deal with how to use and hold the brush as well as how to logically work my way through a painting to achieve what I intended.

There is much to be said for devoting myself completely to art for a set amount of intensive time. I was surrounded by fellow artists all looking for inspiration and progress, and the support we willed to each other was amazing.

Tomorrow, June 10, this original oil will be offered for sale at auction

The painting is sold unframed. The image below shows how the painting may look if framed:


Original oil by Catherine Twomey

Thank you, and thank you Abbey!

Daily Paintworks: Auction Pick of the Day!

Original Artwork by Catherine Twomey
Jefferson Cup With Tomato And Sedona Rocks
I am thrilled to announce that my painting at auction, above, has been selected as a featured auction "Pick of the Day"! A big thanks to this popular website for original art. Means a lot to me.

This original oil painting, 7 X 5", is currently offered at auction. The painting is unframed, but if you frame it it will look like the image below.

Back from Sedona; with a Jefferson Cup & Tomato

Original Artwork by Catherine Twomey
Jefferson Cup With Tomato And Sedona Rocks
Just painted this in Sedona, Arizona while a 20,000 acre wildfire burned nine miles down the road. These are genuine red rock bricks, and they literally glowed in the natural light. I'm in a still life mood lately - it's been just too hot out - and this beautiful reflecting cup is a reproduction of one Thomas Jefferson commissioned for his home in Virginia, Monticello. The Loch Ness monsterish tomato stem reflected in the cup really grabbed me.

This original oil painting, 7 X 5", will be offered at auction starting tomorrow. The painting is unframed, but if you frame it it will look like the image below.

The good news is the fire burned no structures and is almost contained. The bad news is the future for similar fires and heat in Sedona is very real, and quite frightening. The cause? Too many people (with their body heat), oh, yes - and global warming. Felt very real while I was there.