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.
alla prima
"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.
'Victory Sunset" Now Offered by Catherine Twomey
Painted this on Inauguration Day, so I'm naming it: "Victory Sunset" - inspired by what it took to get here; all the people undeterred by the previous administration who are ready to move up and onward. The original is for sale as are prints. Oil, 12 X 12" on archival board. Have an excellent, safe day.
Here is the link to the original oil:
https://www.catherinetwomey.com/available/g6fsj3zi3839v8okmmc1hg3edx6c6a
and here is the link to prints in my Etsy store:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/catherinetwomeyart?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
Thank you SO MUCH 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
"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
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.
When The Pandemic Is Just Too Much....
When the pandemic gets me down, these are the moments I turn to - Plein air painting in Yosemite about five years ago. Hiked up to that ledge where there were still snow remnants in June. That slope was so steep that one slip or dropped brush was over the side with a 100 or 200' drop. Worth it tho - look at Yosemite Falls back there! Thinking of California burning and overheated today and hoping when this misery ends, we will save the earth. It's worth it.
Sold, and Many Thanks to the Charlottesville Collector: "Blue Ridge Sheep"
Thank you so much to the Charlottesville, VA collection of "Blue Ridge Sheep" 20 X 30" oil on canvas. So happy to be connecting with people during these stressful times. For more information on prints of this image: https://fineartamerica.com/featured/blue-ridge-blue-skyline-sheep-cloud-catherine-twomey.html
SOLD! "Blue Door St. Augustine" by Catherine Twomey
Thanks so much to the collector of this original art! It was a painting done with appreciation for the history and lovely blue shades against the red. Hope you enjoy it in Munich, Germany!
SOLD "Coquina Beach, Florida Sunset" by C. Twomey
SOLD to a lovely lady in Virginia. She had to cancel her long-planned big wedding and go for something safe and simple, then decided to reward herself with this painting of Coquina Beach, Florida. Grateful to have "met" her and wishing her the best with her new life! 12 X 12" on archival canvas board. #seascape #coquinabeach #floridapainting #seascapepainting #contemporaryart #fineartcollection #fineartinstartist #ocean #gulfofmexicopainting #sunsetpainting #beachpainting #collectors #instagood #insta_art #wavepainting #waves #galleryart #gallerycollection
12 X 16”, archival Canson Board
"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.
"Tropics of the Pool" by C. Twomey
Acrylic, 12 X 16” on archival oil paper.
I spent a day painting this gorgeous pool on Anna Marie Island, Florida. It was too windy for the beach, so somehow I became engrossed with the water and shapes of the pool. It was mysteriously surrounded by plantings many of which were in the shade. It was quiet and mesmerizing to watch the waves and colors change.
12 X 16” North Shore, Anna Marie Island
Anna Maria Island Plein Airing
I’ve escaped to a painting sabbatical on the Gulf of Mexico. For two weeks now, daily, it’s been dog walking, biking and painting, especially along Sarasota Bay. There is nothing like color and values as a challenge to keep up the drawing skills and rapid response to a changing environment.
Happy New Years, A Summary
SOLD - "The Gulf and Old Pier" by C. Twomey
Painted this about a year ago at the south end of Anna Marie Island, Florida. Loved all the people coming by to make friends, comment and enjoy the sun. The clouds were so dramatic and beautiful that day. And that green in the surf: incredible.
Please note, my prints are 30% off at this link:
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/catherine-twomey?tab=artwork
Happy Holidays!
"Missing The Garden" by C. Twomey
It’s kind of a melancholy day with the coolness and the rain. To cheer myself up, I’m working on this abstract showing memories of the summer garden. I have some azaleas that are this deep, gorgeous pink that just popped out of my head. Think I’ll keep going with this one as the days improve.
On a lighter note, plaase check out my print sale! Prices are 30% off for all prints:
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/catherine-twomey
Happier Monday!
Catherine