"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

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.

"Point Reyes National Seashore No. 2", C. Twomey Original Work In Progress

18 X 24” on gessoboard; acrylic and mixed media.

The way the mist would flow in from the Pacific, up the dunes and over the hills set such a mood. This cove had fighting sea lions and hundreds of species of birds that I couldn't begin to identify. Whenever I have a bad day (today, unfortunately) this is where my mind goes.

WIP Work In Progress: "Blue Mountain Night" by C. Twomey

There’s something strangely satisfying about starting a painting with a graduated tint. This is going to be the Blue Ridge Mountains as night descends on Asheville. It’s 12X16” on Canson board.

Bank of the Arts Competition Acceptance!

"Electric Storm Approaching"; acrylic; 12X12"; infused with silver, gold and copper

Pleased to announce this piece has been accepted into the national juried show, "Bank of the Arts." Almost 600 works were entered, only a few over 100 were accepted.

About the painting: That moment when you sense a nasty storm about to reach you, but you have no intention of moving. The electricity is in the air, there's no where to go, yet still you can't move. This is an acrylic painting, 12X12", original with pouring and hand painting.

Thank you to the collector; "Blue Ridge Blue Sheep Cloud"

This painting was sold as a print here: 

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/blue-ridge-blue-skyline-sheep-cloud-catherine-twomey.html

Catherine Twomey, "Blue Ridge Blue Sheep Cloud" 30.000" x 21.375", print

Painted live along Skyline Drive in the Piedmont Area of Virginia, in Shenandoah National Park. Made me feel like an angel as the warm summer breezes overcame my easel and me. I loved the patterns; the repetition of shapes and most of all, the color of these mountains. See the sheep cloud to the upper right? My eye finally found him after I thought I was done, but he's welcome to stay.

"Blue Ridge Blue Sheep Cloud", C. Twomey, 

Thank you very much to the collector!

Blue Ridge Swirl

Working on a new series, this piece was influenced by the Blue Ridge Mountains around Asheville NC. The acrylic pour technique is challenging but very interesting to see what will happen with the colors.

artsyshark.com Artwork Feature, 2018

The following piece is featured in the artsyshark.com Showcase, 2018. Thanks for your interest

https://www.artsyshark.com/2018/02/01/artist-showcase-winter-2017/

"Liquid Blue Ridge Sunset" oil on board 

This small but mighty, luminous and liquid oil painting is the ideal accent for a special area in a home. It was painted plein air - outside on a mountain above Asheville, NC, obviously as I watched the sun go down.

The painting has luscious layers of paint which can be seen in the enlargement. I was deeply inspired by the multiple layers of color that changed by the minute.

Working BIG on this ancient Virginia White Oak

Viginia White Oak, 12 X 24", oil on gessoed birch

Gosh am I having a good time lately. I am loving finally getting to paint this rather famous white oak tree in Earlysville, VA. I pass it almost daily and it's really gotten to me over the years. I only paint what I have great fondness for, and this is one of those things. Rumor has it it's well over 200 years old, and that Thomas Jefferson noted it when he'd pass it on the way to visit James Madison's home at Montpelier. 

I've learned that what's really unique about this particular species of oak is the tulip-shaped trunk. It's very wide at the base and narrows rather quickly, hence the "tulip shape." I hope it lives forever.

I spent a lovely morning photographing and sketching it and have been just itching to do this. This is the first LARGE (for me) painting I've done in years, and it's a welcome change. Going to keep going on this about 3/4 finished piece to finish before I hit the road for California then New York City next week.

Dreaming Beyond Cancer

Dreaming Ocean

I had to get out the paints this morning to get down a dream vision. What a contrast my dreams have been lately to those before September 18, when kidney cancer was still a part of my husband's body. From dark and unsettling to calm, beautiful, light and well, dreamy - I much prefer the most recent dreams.

This is a watercolor on Arches watercolor paper. The swelling wave behind the breaking one brings an anticipatory tension to the seascape. It's difficult to describe the sense of relief we carry today, and how previously "critical" problems have been minimized.

Yosemite Merced River Wild

Yosemite Merced River Wild

Plein air watercolor painting of the Merced River in Yosemite by Catherine Twomey, 2011. Sat almost too closely on the banks to paint this. The river's pounding torrent was deafening. The hiking path had actually been washed out. 

This was the year of overflow snow and subsequent water in Yosemite, when over 14 people lost their lives trying to cross the river and falls like this one. Bear was in the air.

Latest Available Work

Sedona October Afternoon Mountains

Just added this piece to "Available Work" page. This was done plein air, in the hot October sun and desert of Sedona, Arizona. Funny how none of that matters when you're in the Flow. The frame is a gorgeous gold crackle which greatly complements the mountains. Ready to hang.