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.
flower painting
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!
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
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
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
I am not making this up! For the next two weeks, prints of my work are on sale for 15% off, Happy Holidays! Well, as happy as you can make them given the circumstances. Thanks, and here is the link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/catherinetwomeyart?ref=search_shop_redirect
"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
Charity Auction, Original Oil Paintings and Much More Offered!
“Azaleas Late Spring” and other fantastic items will be offered at the Vesalius Trust Auction beginning Sept. 16! Preview items here and mark your calendars:
https://vesaliustrust.org/upcoming-events/online-silent-auction/
22 X 28” gallery wrapped canvas, “Bass Pond White Lily”
"Bass Pond White Lily" C. Twomey, On Offer Soon
Almost finished, Bass Pond White Lily, 22 x 28” oil on stretched canvas. Learned a LOT from working larger. Hard to go wrong with a scene this beautiful.
"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.
"Gladiolus After The Storm" by Catherine Twomey
"Gladiolus After The Storm" - well these flowers are 6' high this year because we've had very regular storms and lots of heat. I caught these early in the morning as the eastern sun just peaked up the side of Beaucatcher Mountain (I know, right? Gotta catch your Beau...). The blossoms were so heavy some collapsed, but I've just ordered some bamboo poles to prop them up. Always somethin'! 12 X 12", oil on canvas.
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.
Auction Ending in One Day: Tulip Portrait 2.0
Oil, 13 X 13” framed in custom frame, original by Catherine Twomey.
Bid HERE
With this second portrait of a tulip I was aiming for luminosity and translucence. This tulip positively glowed! 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.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.
"Tulip Portrait 2.0" Auction, C. Twomey Original Oil
To Bid, click:
20 X 20” Oil on canvas.
"Homegrown Peonies" by Catherine Twomey
"Homegrown Peonies" Commission completed! 20 X 20" oil on canvas. These were my mother's favorite colors! It's humid here in Asheville today so this may take some time to dry, but it will be on it's way soon enough. I'm thinking a large painting of one of every flower in my garden may be up next.