C Caton Folk Art

Work in progress - "Dark Cloud over Paradise Valley" C Caton

2014-09-02T16:19:00.001-05:00

I don't normally post pictures before they are completed - mainly because I really hate cameras - But I have been working on this larger painting for a while now, and thought I'd share it's progress.

"Dark Cloud Over Paradise Valley" by C Caton - work in progress August 2014 One persons paradise is another's hell....

It's 24"x 36" and I'm not yet sure if it will be for sale anytime soon - may hang on to it for awhile. I will post it again when it's finished!

"The Last One" By C Caton

2014-08-30T02:30:00.003-05:00

"The Last One" By C Caton - Just Completed August 2014. This one is a "paint over" - reclaimed a previously unfinished piece. While I would certainly never paint over someone else's work, I can't possibly waste all of the half-finished canvas I have laying about - so recently I have gone to work to turn them all into something I like. Kind of adds a unique "texture" in some cases.

"Ozark Cabin" By C Caton

2014-08-11T16:22:00.000-05:00

"Ozark Cabin" By C Caton Completed August 2014

"Teddy Bear Lake" By C Caton

2014-08-11T00:32:00.003-05:00

Lately I have been going through some of my unfinished pieces, to either finish them or paint over them. I ran across this piece, and just finished it up. I had abandoned it at the time I first started it, because it seemed that my lake looked like a bear! It wasn't at all what I had wanted at that time, but on second glance, I decided that it was kinda cool to have a bear shaped lake - even if by accident. So here it is at long last - "Teddy Bear Lake"

Moonglow By C Caton

2014-06-15T16:40:00.000-05:00

"Moonglow" By C Caton - Completed June 2014

A barren landscape with under the erie glow of an unseen moon - This is my latest painting, "Moonglow" - just finished. The colors don't really come across properly in the photo, though I did my best - it has a lot of metallic paint in it and those are always difficult for me to photograph.

A bit of a rant - taking pictures of pictures isn't much fun at least to me. If you have wondered why I don't post as many these days, well that is why. I hate it. Really, really hate it. I'd rather be painting - or even watching the paint dry for that matter. After nearly standing on my head to obtain this one semi-accurate photo of this painting, I gave up for now. Will try again latter when I'm in a better mood for such. :)

Hopefully soon....

2013-10-13T22:21:00.000-05:00

Hopefully soon I will finish the two paintings that I actually began several months ago, but real life sometimes demands more attention than some of us really like to give it, and that is presently where I find myself.

I know that I am certainly not alone in my predicament, having at once children who while mostly grown are still just on that cusp of adulthood, and also an elderly parent who is now flying solo after many decades of having a copilot. It's sort of a strange place to be, truly. You become a sort of trusted friend role to your children, while becoming a sort of parent to your parent.

I'm adjusting slowly to my roles, and so are they I suppose. But it does all take time and there is only so much of that to go around. However much I may enjoy painting, it is the people in my life that matter above all else.

Another thing that I have perhaps been devoting too much of my remaining time to lately is trying to understand my DNA test that I had done a short time ago. Confounded thing....really it seems like the more I pour over it and try to understand, the more confused I'm getting. I do think it is time to stuff it in the closet for a while, though I do suppose in one way it has been good for me in giving me a "spare time" distraction in the middle of the night, when I'm too exhausted to drag out the painting stuff. For the price of $99, you too can do it at 23andMe.com - but be forewarned, if you really want to know more than the rather skimpy (in my opinion) information that they give you, it will take considerable time, effort, and many other sites "tools" to do that. Even then, there is no guarantee that you will really understand it. I do believe that the day will come when it will be more helpful, just not quite there yet.

But anyway, hopefully by this time next week I will have at least one of my paintings done......I hope.

Everyday Beauties

2013-07-01T19:17:00.002-05:00

Friends along the way - This little butterfly accompanied me on my walk this evening.

Sneaky, isn't he? Do you see him? It's the same one - he was the only one about.

And here is where I left him, enjoying the purple coneflowers. Isn't he beautiful!

This was actually the picture I was wanting to take, when I found my little friend. The bee balm is beautiful this year!

Apples too!

One of the most gorgeous things in the world must surely be the sun-dappled leaves...This is just at the edge of my little woods.

Back up near the house to the coneflowers....and that's the end of my walk today!

**All photographs taken on my own property by C Caton

Accidental Artists Like Me

2013-04-16T20:43:00.001-05:00

I've often thought that I should perhaps seek out places around here to "do something" with my art....Seems sort of strange to me somehow, that I've sold as many as I have, yet they've all gone all over the country and even crossed the ocean - yet I've not even mentioned that I paint to most people around here.

A couple of days ago, I happened to stumble across an ad for the Richmond, Missouri Mushroom Festival, which is an annual event, held every year just about this time to coincide with Morel mushroom season. They have a carnival, a parade, a tractor pull for kids, live entertainment, and of course mushroom contests.

And an art show....

An art show. Three words, just enough to strike pure terror into an accidental artist like me. With the deadline for submissions today (April 16th), and having only just learned of the art show 2 days prior, I really wasn't sure if I could get 'em framed and down there in time, especially since I'd have to do it myself if I were to make it in time. And I really wasn't sure if I had the nerve.

All sorts of people have purchased my paintings, all over the place. I like them. The people who buy/like my artwork are almost like trusted family friends, for lack of a better way to describe them. They see my artwork somewhere - likely Ebay - and decide that they like it well enough to buy it. They've never met me, never even seen my painting in person, yet they take the time to look, buy, and often correspond. I like it. I live in a rural area, and truly don't go to "the big city" Kansas City very often, so it's worked out well for me so far.

But - there really is a part of me who would like to have at least some of my paintings remain in the area. And that's where we get back to the nerve part...I don't really think that I'd "fit in" in alot of art venues. I'm my own me, you know - never went to art school, never studied anybody else's art, have no idea how they do theirs, didn't even know that I'd like to paint. It just kind of happened.

I was pleasantly welcomed to the Friends Gallery in Richmond by the people running the Mushroom Festival's art show, and I really can't tell you what a relief that was. They didn't run screaming from the room, and neither did I, so we were off to a good start. I told the lady there that this was my first time at doing this, and apologized to her for my "framing job", but she took it all in stride. They were all friendly, helpful people, and I really am thankful that I chose this place close to home to stick my toe into the waters of "art shows".

I ended up taking some of my favorites, and if you're in the area between now and May 4th, do stop in. It's right behind the Farris Theater on Main Street.

"An Evening Stroll"

"At the End of the Day"

"The Yellow Ribbon - Coming Home"

"Abstract #9"

I would have loved to take my big new painting "The North Forty" - but I have no frame large enough yet! Maybe next time. In the meantime, I may not have too many on Ebay for a while, while I decide what to do with it next.

"The North Forty" By C Caton

2013-04-12T15:01:00.001-05:00

I've just completed this one - April 2013 - and it is the largest I've done to date 24"x36".

"The North Forty" Who doesn't long for a place to "get away from it all"...This farmer has his very own paradise to escape to flush with wildflowers, a fishing pond with cattails, trees and a lush green carpet, just on the other side of the windbreak.

(As usual, I've had some glare issues here...It really isn't as easy to take a picture of a picture as you might think.)

"Springtime Prairie Cabin" by C Caton

2013-04-07T19:23:00.000-05:00

"Springtime Prairie Cabin" By C Caton

Just completed, April 2013 - A beautiful Spring day at the little prairie cabin...The trees have leafed out, the wildflowers are blooming, and the grasses are coming out of their winter doldrums!

I can't really tell you how other people paint, but when I do it, it's pretty much a "paint-as-I-go", unplanned thing. I've never sketched out anything ahead of time, as there is usually a quite elaborate story going on through my mind as I paint, much of which I actually leave out of my paintings so that you can imagine your own. In a sense, I suppose that most of my paintings are just a backdrop...Here is a beautiful day - for a picnic? Flying a kite? Reading your favorite book under the tree, surrounded by wildflowers? Children running about? Taking a stroll down the lane? Collecting a basketful of flowers for your vase?

Abstract #9 - "Who's Got the Blues?" By C Caton

2013-03-25T02:42:00.000-05:00

Abstract #9 By C Caton, completed March 2013

Who's got the blues? I do...I don't really know how I came to have so many tubes of blue paint, but they are each represented here all at once! I wish that you could see it in person, as some of the colors don't really come across properly in the photo - it really is quite eye-popping!

"Maple Valley" By C Caton

2013-01-24T09:53:00.003-06:00

"Maple Valley" By C Caton, Completed January 2013

A peaceful country home tucked in among the hills, wildflowers, and trees - just a quiet, simple life. SOLD

Clyde, my trusty sidekick

2012-11-10T01:26:00.000-06:00

I have now, 19 adult guinea fowl, 1 dog, 3 cats, and who knows how many fish in the pond(I started with 10, but they had babies this summer). All but the fish follow me everywhere outdoors. Everywhere I go, I feel as though I'm leading a parade! And then there is Clyde.

I do not normally let "my girls" sit on their eggs, unless I know someone who wants some guinea keets in advance of them hatching, but this year I made an exception due to the aging of my little flock (they are 6 years old this year).

I do not know what was going on down there, but it seemed that I kept finding only dead or nearly dead keets this time around. I rescued Clyde and one other baby, but the other one seemed to have some sort of neurological damage from the start, as his little legs would barely hold him upright.

Keet #2 soon died, and that left only Clyde, who was thriving.

Feeling rather sorry for the little fellow, being left all alone in the world, I promptly took on the task of surrogate guinea mom.

Which leads me to where we are today. I now have a spoiled rotten little adolescent guinea keet who loves classical music, has his very own bedroom, and who loves above all else, to perch upon said mother's head.

Going out for a walk

Clyde is a special little bird, that's for sure and for certain. He does not make the loud noises that most guineas his age and older are famous for. Only a songbird-like peeping, which I like to believe indicates his contentment.

I can't possibly send him down to live with the "general population" down at the coop, given the fact that he is a male guinea, and, well - they are a little bit scrappy to put it mildly. He being the smallest at this point, would make a most excellent target for their aggressions I'm afraid.

If he were a female, it probably wouldn't be an issue at all - but he is not, and so at least for the time being, he is here in the house.

I can't really complain too much. He has been a perfect house guest actually. He's quiet, not too messy and has been quite entertaining as he learns about his surroundings.

Both of my daughters boyfriends think that he is the coolest thing ever, and so I am hopeful that I may be able to find him a permanent home as a house guinea.

Back in jail...

Abstract #8

2012-11-04T15:08:00.000-06:00

Abstract #8 - "Red Sky at Night" By C Caton -

Black and red abstract - SOLD

(Still unable to eliminate the glare - apologies)

Price increases and some random thoughts on art

2012-11-03T03:35:00.000-05:00

Those of you who have either dealt with me before, or who perhaps check out my blog here well know that I am totally unschooled in art.

The one thing that I have attempted to "study" - albeit on my own and primarily on the internet - is pricing of art. And I've got to tell you right here and right now, that I don't "get it". There seems to be very little rhyme or reason to it.

But, I do know that the time has come that I must raise my prices - I simply cannot afford to sell them so inexpensively any longer. Ebay/Paypal fees being what they are, plus the shipping costs, and well - that doesn't leave a whole lot leftover. I love to paint - I really do - but, my urge to paint is not greater than my urge to eat and have a roof overhead.

So - if there is a piece that I currently have available on Ebay that you like, this is the last week that you can get one at the lower prices.

Painting artwork is sometimes such a contradictory thing...on the one hand it is a joy and a delight, and finishing a painting is always a bittersweet ordeal. Then comes the decidedly not fun part for me - the photographing of the piece, listing it online, getting it loaded up onto this site or that one so that others can see it.

And then finally, another bittersweet moment when your work has sold, and the realization that you'll probably never see it again sets in - but also the realization that some other person or people may glean some measure of enjoyment from it. And you can't help but hope that your creation is headed off to a "good home" - much like sending a child out into the world.

Other strange contradictions that I've found regarding art - Now I'm the first one to admit that I don't know a lot about art - but I do not understand how it is that some of these pieces sell for the prices that they do.   I've seen pieces that couldn't have taken more than an hour to paint, that consist of very little skill - some literally are just splotches of color - sell for thousands of dollars. Why? Am I missing something?

Which I guess brings me back to the pricing increase (no, it isn't going to be thousands of dollars) - but really, I just can't afford to spend so many hours working on something to sell for $40 or so, though I really wish I could.

If I actually lived in my perfect little world that floats around in my mind, I'd give them away to whoever wanted one - but unfortunately even us dreamers have to pay the bills in the here-and-now!

So here it is - last call at the lower pricing. Just click on the "Items for Sale" under my picture here to see all that I have available at the moment.
http://myworld.ebay.com/ccatonart

Heavy on my heart and mind....

2012-10-24T13:36:00.001-05:00

All of these women and girls who have met with a horrible end lately....From Malala in Pakistan to Whitney in the USA and all of the countless others. My heart breaks for each and every one of them...

"If I Could Paint A Perfect World" By C Caton

To find such a perfect place as this
That exists only in my mind, in my thoughts...

A place to escape this sad human race -
Is there such peace? Is there such a place?

No "leaders", no "followers", no politics, no religion
To argue and fuss and fight over and over again,
the same old fights since time began.

No kidnappers, no murderers, no thiefs,
No liars, no cheats...

No taxes, no charges, no bills and no fees.

A place to be happy, be kind and to dream -
To watch the squirrels play and hear the birds sing

To watch little children laugh and play

Without the worry, fear and dread
That some lurking stranger wants them dead.

This world that exists only in my head,
Has none of these headlines I've grown to dread...

That someone's dear sister, daughter, friend or wife
Started out their day, just to loose their life.

I don't understand it -
No I don't think I can
This great growing evil
That lurks inside man.

"Away From It All - Fall on the Prairie" By C Caton

2012-10-24T13:19:00.000-05:00

"Away From It All - Fall on the Prairie" By C Caton

The trees are putting on their fall performance, and hidden behind them a prairie home - a simple place. A place where you can "be" - be yourself, think your thoughts, paint your paintings, read a book, write a book, live your life - and most of all - be happy!

That's the short and simple explaination - if you wish to "delve deeper", then read on...

Every since I began painting, I suppose that it was/is in many ways, an escape. I can get away from quite literally anything in my paintings. I can create a world as I wish it to be. And while I'm painting it, it is almost as though I live there in my painting.

I look around this "real" world we exist in, and I really don't like what I see. There are - I know - many, many really good and kind people in this world.

But the evil lurks everywhere. Have the men of this world gone collectively crazy? Have they totally lost their minds?

Yes I said MEN, and NO I'm not being sexist, I'm stating a fact. The fact is, that nearly all of the violent people are men. Sure there are isolated cases of women committing some heinous act, but it is largely and overwhelmingly men.

What's causing it? Is it some horrible genetic mutation? A virus? A vitamin deficiency? I don't know. But I do know that it's not an American problem, or a Middle Eastern problem or a South American problem - it is a worldwide problem, and it really does seem to be getting worse as time goes on.

Thyroid Cancer

2012-10-16T05:33:00.001-05:00

I haven't ever mentioned it on here, but thought that perhaps I should, because though thyroid cancer is somewhat uncommon, it is increasing and in fact is the most common endocrine cancer.

My own diagnosis was delayed by three years because my primary care doctor really wasn't at all concerned about the 22mm (2.2cm) lump in my thyroid gland that was found on a CT scan after a rather nasty fall.   It was really after I changed doctors - and even then, it took the anger of a family member before I was eventually referred to an endocrinologist.

It has been my experience that most general practitioners know absolutely nothing about thyroid cancer, and even if your lump is readily visible as mine was, and even if you complain of trouble swallowing and neck pain, they tend to not worry about it at all, even when it walks like a duck, talks like a duck and looks like a duck they still refer to zebras and horses. It can be frustrating beyond all belief or reason.   About all they do is repeatedly check your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels and tell you you're fine.   What they don't seem to realize or know is that most people with thyroid cancer are euthyroid - have normal hormone levels.

By the time they took out the first half of my thyroid gland, the lump had grown to 3.3cm, of which 1.9cm was cancerous. I then had to return 2 days later for a second surgery to remove the other lobe of my thyroid - and it too had cancer (.9cm) in it.

It's now been a year since I had it removed and went through the radioactive iodine treatment, and I've just had my 1 year scan - which I am happy to report came back with "no evidence of metatastic thyroid cancer".   Still waiting on my bloodwork, but am confident that it too will be good news.

I still must stay on top of it, as it could come back at any time - even decades later. But I'm lucky. Lucky because delay in diagnosis can be a really bad thing. Mine threw me into a higher risk category due to my age. The thing is, it was not teeny tiny when it was found. It may have been in there for a decade. Had it been diagnosed when the lump was found I'd have had a three year headstart - not to mention it wouldn't have cost me nearly as much money as I had double insurance coverage at that time.

So the bottom line and my advice to you - if you have a thyroid lump, nodule, whatever that you are concerned about, get yourself to an endocrinologist.   They can rule out true problems from non problems far more quickly and inexpensively than a doctor who knows next to nothing about it.

Know this:

If you have a lump over 1cm, standard protocol calls for a biopsy as a rule.    Again, mine was delayed, and even then came back as "undiagnostic" - so press for answers.

Cold nodules are more likely to be cancerous than hot ones (ones that produce thyroid hormone).   If your thyroid hormone levels are normal, yet you have a larger sized lump press them for answers as to what exactly that lump is doing there. Do not just take their word for it that "these are very common". Small ones yes, but larger ones need to be investigated.   Insist on going to an endocrinologist.

I'm lucky in so many ways, not the least of which is having an endocrinologist who is very sharp - a very bright lady who has taken excellent care of me. The trick was getting to her in the first place, but once I did things started happening and she got it taken care of.

If you need more information about thyroid cancer, I recommend www.thyca.org

Abstract #7 By C Caton

2012-09-25T00:17:00.000-05:00

Abstract #7 By C Caton, Completed September 2012 - SOLD

Another oldie from 2008 - "Faithful Friend" by C Caton

2012-09-18T13:56:00.000-05:00

"Faithful Friend" By C Caton, 2008

Here we have the kitty delivering flowers to his dearly departed friends, loving and missing them still. He's swiped a few from the bush outside of the cemetary wall. Done with watercolors and the Derwent Watercolor Pencils in 2008, and is in my own collection.

It's a long story, and I don't know if anyone cares, but if you do then read on -

My dad always loved cats, but we'd never had any pets when I was little until I brought home a kitten when I was 10 years old. That cat lived to be 23 years old, dying when I was 33! I couldn't possibly take her with me when I moved out in my early 20's, with dad being as attached to her as he was, and so she had been his faithful friend all of those years.

When she passed away, he made her a casket and buried her in the backyard with a headstone that read "Little Cat" A Faithful Friend for 23 Years".

Time went on, and they had "Big Kitty" then "White Kitty" and "Gray Kitty". When Dad became very ill back in 2008, I went by the house on the way to the hospital to take care of the kitty, and I was really struck by how upset he was. It was obvious that he very much missed my dad, going to his favorite chair and letting out the loudest meow.

That was the inspiration for this painting back in 2008, though Dad did recover that time.

My dad passed away January 2012, and it has been the same with "Gray Kitty" this time. Mom says that he still seems to be looking for Dad...

**I had originally intended to make this blog something of a timeline of my work - It hasn't quite worked out that way, but I've been trying to add in some of my first work as time allows.

"A Frosty Fall Night" By C Caton

2012-09-15T12:45:00.000-05:00

"A Frosty Fall Night" By C Caton

It's a frosty fall night in the country, and everything is glistening under the full moon!

*There is some glare in the photos due to the metallic paints that were used.

Completed September 2012 - SOLD

"The Trouble with Money" By C Caton

2012-09-08T04:26:00.000-05:00

I don't really consider myself a poet, but on occassion I write a poem now and then. This is one that I just wrote this evening. I hope that you like it!

"The Trouble with Money"

When mankind's story comes to a close,
Will we all be remembered for our stylish clothes?

Will we be honored far and wide,
For our brand-new, beautiful shiny ride?

Will we get praise and high acclaim,
For what we did or who we blame?

The value of money only exists in our mind,
And if you put it aside, you might just find

That in order for all to have what they need,
All that's required is far less greed.

Just look at the food that we throw away -
And how many people will starve today??

It's the twenty first century, and isn't it time
That we quit killing people for want of a dime?

We can all have enough if we only share.
We can all have enough if we only care.

If you look around, isn't it funny -
That the only real shortage we have
IS MONEY!

Carolyn Caton, September 2012

"Where the Deer and the Antelope Play" By C Caton

2012-09-04T14:30:00.000-05:00

"Where the Deer and the Antelope Play" painting by C Caton - SOLD

A tip of the hat to Dr. Brewster Higley, who first penned his now famous poem back in the early 1870's. I would imagine that he would be beyond surprised to know that we enjoy it still!

I believe that this was his original -

The Western Home

Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam,
Where the deer and the antelope play;
Where never is heard a discouraging word
     And the sky is not clouded all day.

Oh, give me the gale of the Solomon vale
Where life streams with buoyancy flow,
On the banks of the Beaver, where seldom if ever
     Any poisonous herbage doth grow.

Oh, give me the land where the bright diamond sand
   Throws light from the glittering stream;
   Where glideth along the graceful white swan,
      Like a maid in her heavenly dreams.

I love these wild flowers in this bright land of our;
   I love, too, the curlew's wild scream.
   The bluffs of white rocks and antelope flocks
     That graze on the hillsides so green.

How often at night, when the heavens are bright
   By the light of the glittering stars,
   Have I stood there amazed and asked as I gazed
      If their beauty exceeds this of ours.

The air is so pure, the breezes so light,
   The zephyrs so balmy at night,
   I would not exchange my home here to range
      Forever in azure so bright.

The original poem by Brewster Higley

While I like the song, I must confess that I am partial to the original poem, and it was the inspiration for this painting.

"Bright Spots"

2012-08-27T15:29:00.002-05:00

"Bright Spots" By C Caton

Random brightly colored spots on a black background, big and small. Life can sometimes seem to be full of darkness - believe me, I do know - but always there are the bright spots, small ones and large. My bright spots are the people who like my artwork, and in some small fashion, perhaps I am a small bright spot to some of them as well!

So for all of those who are somebody's "bright spot" or for those who are having a hard time finding any - here you go!

Completed August 2012, signed on the back so that it can be hung in any direction.

"Grass" By C Caton

2012-08-20T13:33:00.001-05:00

"Grass" By C Caton

Just playing around with a new brush that I bought recently, getting the hang of it. This one has a fair amount of metallic paint in it, and it doesn't really come across in photos as it does in person. SOLD

Looks great on a variety of wall colors!

Completed August 2012