Habit of Art

my weaving process

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 22:00:00 +0000

Cascade weaving, 2014.

My husband says he can see my brain thinking as I work on a project. I'm particularly focused and driven at the beginning of a new work, when a whirlwind of ideas and possibilities in my head are funneled into that first action of a paintbrush or weaving stick. And, since I normally start a weaving or painting without a sketch or even a finished idea in mind, I'm constantly configuring and problem-solving in the moment.

My first and only preliminary sketch of a woven wall hanging. Topaz, 4' woven wall hanging, 2014.

Many fiber artists use a cartoon when weaving. A cartoon is a full scale visual guide for the weaver. I recently used a cartoon for the first time when making Pacific Peak (top, middle). The weaving was based on one of my paintings of Mt. Hood.

yarn scraps and Pacific Peak on the loom

My weaving process usually begins with me rummaging through my stockpile of yarn remnants, wool roving, and Pendleton blanket scraps. I try to gather materials that are cohesive in color and diverse in texture.

I like to keep the weaving process very fluid and intuitive, but this has its challenges. Halfway through the project, I have to put the weaving aside until I have a clear idea of how to finish the work.

My focus in weaving has been wall hangings, but, for the last few months, I have been exploring functional weaving projects. For Christmas, I made some herringbone potholders out of recycled cotton yarn and backed them with reclaimed denim. More recently, I cut up woven sample pieces and made sachets filled with lavender harvested from our garden.

A lofty goal of mine is to make handwoven wearables for my wardrobe. But it has been awhile since I have sewn clothes for myself, and I didn't want to jump right into a big project, like a sweater. So I started with accessories- a square scarf and woven leather bracelets.

weaving with wire and leather

When I bought the leather cord to make the bracelets, I also purchased gold and copper wire. As a mixed media artist, I naturally like to experiment with different materials. I decided to use the wire as warp for a wall hanging, Misty Morning (above). Since wire has no elasticity, it was a little tricky to work with. But, the gold wire adds a beautiful, subtle shimmer to the piece.

In December, I started working on my first paper weaving using handcolored paper. I cut tiny strips of paper and then wove the strips together by hand. It was a slow and tedious process, but I am so pleased with how the two works turned out. The paper weavings are now framed and available for purchase here.

Round weavings are my latest creative venture! Like most of my wall hangings, these designs evolve during the weaving process. They kinda look like sea anemones, don't you think?

It's been fun experimenting with new designs and materials these past few months, and I have so many more ideas I want to explore. I look forward to sharing these projects with you. And as a huge thank you for being a loyal reader, here's a 20% off discount code that is good thru Friday, Feb. 27th: INSPIRE. To shop my original weavings and paintings, go here. For art prints and small art, check out my Etsy shop.

creating art with food

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 18:38:00 +0000

Some of you may remember that this summer I headed to Vermont for a live art installation at Wanderlust Festival. During the four days of the yoga festival, I worked on a 14 ft. mandala piece using only seeds, dried fruit, beans, grains, and other natural food ingredients.

The mandala depicted the different stages and elements of a seed's life: roots, sprouts, rain, sun, and flowers. In the photo above, I was forming organic vanilla bean into raindrops. The mandala was smelling so good!

The installment was part of the Kashi booth at Wanderlust, and the work was captured on film by a New York crew. For the last couple of hours I thought it'd be fun to get the community involved. So a number of folks jumped in to help finish the mandala piece, including a few children who had been watching the process from the start.

After snapping pictures of the finished work, the mandala was dismantled. The ingredients were then given to a local farmer to use as feed for his animals.

Here's a short video that Kashi put together of the art installment:

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 04:29:00 +0000

God speaks to me through the roar of an ocean and the wind's whisper in a forest. It's a message that rings true in my heart and mind. Know that I am God.

As I stand at the edge of the land and sea, I find comfort in His never changing ways. With every crashing wave, He declares His authority- and it's good and merciful.

This is the message that I've known all my life. I cling to its power and truth when I feel the world's darkness and grief surround me.

As a pastor's wife, I am constantly encountering stories of heartbreak and suffering. Abusive relationships, neglected children, addictions, cronic illnesses, and more. It's a side of my life that's never shared on the blog, yet it's such a significant part of my life.

He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

Life is messy, and through my faith and art, I try to find clarity, order, and hope. Often times it's the simple things in life, like watching a sunset, that reminds us of our Maker and His faithfulness to us.

Summer dreaming

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 22:00:00 +0000

Eagle Creek Trail, Oregon

Summer is nearly here, and you can feel the excitement in the Portland air. Folks are showing off their dazzling white legs, and there's talk of backyard barbeques, festivals, and adventure trips in the Pacific Northwest.

Now that the kids are out of school, I look forward to day trips to the coast and mountains. A couple of months ago, we hiked the Eagle Creek Trail in the gorge. The water was a little too chilly for wading, but, come July, I'll be ready for some creek walking!

My summer schedule is quickly filling up with family and work-related activities. Next week, I'm headed to Vermont for an art installation using food! During the Wanderlust Festival at Stratton Mountain, I'll be creating a 15 ft. mandala for Kashi using only natural food ingredients, like seeds, grains, beans, and nuts.

I love to cook, but this is the first time I've used food to create large scale art. It's been fun playing around with the different ingredients on our dining room table, and the vanilla bean, coconut, and cinnamon sticks make the room smell so good!

If you want to follow the the progress of my mandala art at Wanderlust Festival, I'll be posting pictures on Instagram.

Lately, I've also been busy creating new work for my online shops. Phenomenon is my newest art print, and it's available in two sizes.

I've been wanting to mesh my mountain painting and weaving worlds for a while now, and Azure Mountain is the result of that coming together. Created on a lap loom without a drawing, the weaving process was slow-going. But I enjoyed "painting" with yarn and seeing the piece evolve.

Azure Mountain is currently available in my big cartel shop, as well as the weavings below. This weekend, I'm running a free shipping promotion. Use code HELLOSUMMER, and receive free shipping on your order.

Weavings: Laguna, Summer Dream, Sea Breeze, Native Land

Finding a creative space that works

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Mon, 05 May 2014 07:15:00 +0000

Home studio of ceramic artist Shelley Martin, Vitrified Studio.

I love seeing the work spaces of artists, particularly those who work from home like myself. Last Fall, I visited a few artist studios in town as part of Portland Open Studios. My first stop was the studio of ceramist Shelley Martin of Vitrified Studio.

Shelley's work space is a converted garage. One section houses the kiln, and the other, her pottery wheels. For the studio event, the garage was stocked with her current collection and sample pieces. As you can see from the photo below, I snatched some beautiful wares.

My work space is in our renovated basement. I like that it's open, heated, and a short walk to work in the morning. I don't have to worry about parking fees, noisy studio neighbors, or even brushing my hair.

where I paint

In the last four years, I have slowly taken over most of the basement. There are four different work stations- one for painting, packaging, printing, and weaving. And, with the purchase of a floor loom last month, I now have two weaving corners.

weaving corner

The past six months have been some of my busiest, and I've realized that my creative business is outgrowing my creative space. I tend to spread out my stuff when I work, and I'm finding it increasingly more difficult to find sufficient table space and storage. There's also the issue of natural light. And, as a painter, working in a cave (i.e. basement) is less than ideal.

So, for the past few months, I have been casually looking for a new studio space. I do love the character of converted warehouse spaces (especially with a view of downtown Portland!). But, the monthly lease is often times equal to a mortgage payment!

After touring a few spaces around town, I'm now leaning towards building a studio in our backyard. As we meet with a team of folks over the next few weeks to discuss this possibility, I'm getting very excited about the idea of designing my own studio space. But, I'm trying not to get ahead of myself.

Until then, I've been rearranging my current space to better serve my needs. I've added a bit more storage, which you can never have enough of as an artist. For me, my physical surroundings has a pretty big impact on my creative rhythm and production. So having an organized studio space creates a more positive work environment.

The past few weeks, I have also been quite busy adding new items to my Etsy shop, including more mini mountain paintings on cedar and larger eco-friendly prints.

Through tomorrow, I'm running a special promotion on the new prints. For details, visit my Etsy shop here.

hello spring

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 18:21:00 +0000

my friend, Korinne, with my newly finished crocheted blanket

It's so satisfying to finish a project, especially one that has taken nearly two years! I started crocheting this zigzag blanket to use up my nice yarn remnants. I must be horrible at estimating yardage because I ran out of yarn early on in the process. So, some of you may remember that I swapped art for yarn on my blog awhile back. I wanted to primarily use remnants or reclaimed yarn for this blanket, but I eventually had to purchase new yarn ($$!).

Although this project took much longer than expected, I am thrilled with how it turned out. It's actually quite dense, and the family has already put it to good use on some of the chilly nights we've had in Portland.

wood and shells from the Oregon coast

My husband was in Rwanda for the first part of March. When he returned home, we broke away from city life for a day and headed to a remote spot on the Oregon coast. We had the beach to ourselves, and it felt like time stood still as we leisurely looked for beautiful shells and driftwood in the sand. The weather at the Oregon coast can be hit or miss, but there wasn't a cloud in the sky!

we stopped at the Wilson River on our way home

And when your husband's away, that's a good time to make big purchases! I bought this vintage Allen floor loom on craigslist while my husband was in an airplane and unreachable. . . um, it's not like I planned it this way (wink, wink). I did do a bit of research beforehand and talked with an expert at a weaving studio in town. These folding looms were made in the 40's and 50's, just miles from my house. Although it had three owners (mother to daughter to friend), apparently this particular loom had only been used once!

My sweet husband helped me set up the loom within hours of getting back from Africa.

I'm excited to start weaving larger wall hangings. The first items I pulled off the loom were these small sample pieces:

I liked how they turned out, so I tied them to driftwood and added them to my online shop. I recently updated my shop with new weavings, including this piece handwoven on the lap loom:

Drift Creek

I was inspired to create this piece after finding a vintage spool of purple yarn at an antique store in rural Oregon. If you look closely, there are four turquoise dots in the creek design. For additional information about the weavings shown above, click here.

my art now at Urban Outfitters!

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 15:06:00 +0000

In the summer of 2013, I was excited to receive an email from Urban Outfitters expressing their interest in my art. I had never licensed my art before, so, naturally, I had lots of questions about the whole process. From the get-go, the company was very receptive to my questions and requests, including those involving the manufacturing of my art.

After working closely with Urban Outfitters for several months, I am thrilled to announce that my art is now available in their stores! There are three pieces in the collection, and all the items are made domestically. Exclusive to Urban Outfitters are the two works on wood slab- Journey and Cascade. Mountain, which is a 13" x 13" print, is printed on archival paper with archival inks.

Also at Urban Outfitters are the lovely works of Portland artists Betsy Walton and Yellena James. When I had a brick and mortar shop in town, I used to carry art made by both of these talented ladies. Feast your eyes on these stunning wall murals by Betsy and Yellena:

Betsy Walton

Yellena James

Portland artist Ashley Goldberg has been working with Urban Outfitters since 2008. Along with her beautiful wall art, she has her own bedding collection!

A fun little fact: my vintage mini loom belonged to Ashley G.

I love the large brushstroke blocks on the duvet cover. Ashley's complete Char-Bea home collection can be found here. If you are curious to learn more about art licensing, Ashley wrote a great article last September for Etsy titled "How to Strike a Successful Licensing Deal."

keeping it simple

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 08:00:00 +0000

President's Day was this week, and two things came to mind. I need to prune my roses and it's free admission day at the Portland Japanese Garden. Seeing that it was a damp and drizzly day, I chose the latter.

I first wrote about this enchanting place last year in this blog post. I have been meaning to visit in the springtime when the plants and trees are in bloom. Rhododendrens and azaleas especially thrive in this wet environment, and I love the vibrancy of their flowers.

handsome koi

Strolling through the garden is such a peaceful experience. And I am reminded how beauty is often in the simplest of things.

This week, I worked on a small linocut of Mt Hood. It was nice to leisurely work on a project without the worries of deadlines or expectations. I haven't decided what I'm going to do with the prints yet. I could leave them as they are or add details to the sky. What do you think?

all things weaving

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 08:00:00 +0000

my weaving corner

a vintage mini loom and a Leclerc rigid heddle loom

My intrigue with fiber arts goes back 30 years. When I was ten, I learned how to knit from my aunt- thereby making the longest scarf known to mankind. At this time, I also enrolled in a weaving class and a family friend introduced me to hand quilting.

As an adult, I've had to relearn some of these skills. And it wasn't until I purchased a vintage loom in 2012 that I picked up weaving again. Like quilting or knitting, weaving is very meditative. It's a great balance to my painting process because it's repetitive and much more tactile. I love working with texture and color, and weaving has become for me another outlet for creative experimentation and discovery.

When I started making handwoven wall hangings, I wasn't expecting weaving to become such a fad. The boho chic movement has definitely helped the weaving craze. And fiber artists are getting wide exposure as retailers, like Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters, are carrying handwoven wall hangings and weaving kits.

The attention has been well deserved for many weavers. I have been following a few of them for awhile now and have loved seeing their unique styles evolve. Here are some of my favorites.

All Roads // Janelle Pietrzak and Robert Dougherty

Native Line // Justine Ashbee

Brook&Lyn // Mimi Jung and Brian Hurewitz

New Friends // Alexandra Segreti and Kelly Rakowski

Maryanne Moodie

As for my own collection, I am currently selling some weavings on the newly launched Hunters Alley, a sister site to One Kings Lane. My handwoven wall hangings are also available in my Big Cartel shop, and, this week, I'm running a 20% off sale thru Feb. 15th. Just enter promo code MADEWITHLOVE at checkout.

waking from hibernation

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 00:38:00 +0000

seeking beauty and solace at the Oregon coast

Finding balance between two worlds- family and work- is probably the greatest challenge for a working mom/wife. Add the home as the workplace, and the lines get blurred even more. I pride myself on being an effective multi-tasker, but even then, there just isn't enough time in the day to get everything done. So dishes pile up in the sink, a shower is skipped, and time at my art desk is captured in wee hours of the night. It's not the ideal situation, but I am grateful for it.

The last six months have been some of my busiest- new collaborations, commissions, and the holiday hustle and bustle. With the labor force still at one (just me), juggling all the new commitments have been quite precarious. To maintain some assemblance of sanity and order, I've had to say 'no' to many things. I wasn't expecting one of those sacrifices to be my blog. But looking back these past few months, it was much needed. I guess it was a hibernation of sorts. Animals hibernate to store energy and survive the winter. I was trying to preserve my creative energy.

Now that the busyness has waned a bit, I'm getting back into my old routine. I'm breaking in a new sketchbook, and I'm currently working on a couple of paintings and weavings- not commissions, just for fun. I'd like to get back to blogging on a regular basis, ideally a couple times a week. I have over a dozen unfinished posts sitting in my draft queue, but I'm curious to hear topics of interest from readers. If you have an idea or two for blog posts, feel free to list them below.

Thanks for sticking with me.

2014 commission: 4' x 8' chalkboard drawing of Pebble Beach

anniversary sale

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 15:00:00 +0000

My Etsy shop turns four, and you're all invited to the party! Take 25% off your entire order when you use the code ART4ME at checkout. This includes savings on my new art print and cards below. Sale runs thru the end of this month. Thanks for following and happy shopping!

art show in adelaide, australia

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 15:45:00 +0000

When I opened my etsy shop four years ago, I didn't expect such overwhelming international support, particularly from Australia. I have sent more art to Australian addresses than to local buyers, so I have a deep appreciation for the artful communities Down Under.

A few months ago, Australian artist Fruzsi Kenez invited me to be part of a group art show in Adelaide. The Tiny Universes show opens this Friday, and this is the first time my artwork will be showcased in an Australian gallery. I created nine new pieces for the show. Going along with the tiny theme, the works are no larger than five inches.

A sneak peek of some of the art can be found here, as well as more information about the event. I wish I can attend the opening night in person. If any of you can make it, I'd love to hear about it.

In other news, my weaving made the Editor Picks in Flutter Magazine, which is a print publication in Southern California dedicated to couture wedding and event artistry.

What a great collection of items! I've been eying that Dream Collective ring for awhile now. (It's on my wish list in Pinterest.) Hmmm, early Christmas gift for myself perhaps?

The weaving shown here was part of my One Kings Lane show. It is sold, but I do have a new wall hanging available - largest one yet at 36 x 12 inches.

In upcoming weeks, I have more exciting news to share involving my art and a well-known retailer. Details are still being worked out, but products will most likely hit the shelves this Spring.

available work

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Just as things are starting to slow down a bit (as of yesterday), the holiday season is upon us. I'm currently working on new products for my Etsy shop, including notecards and a 2014 calendar. Looking back at my blog posts, I realized that it's been awhile since I've shared my latest original paintings and weavings. So here's a list of the new and available work.

Hood, mixed media on wood panel, 16 x 20 inches.

This piece had been hanging in Portland's popular ice cream shop, Salt and Straw, for the month of September, so it should smell like yummy dairy goodness. (I may be a little lactose intolerant, but I'll never admit it when it comes to gourmet ice cream.)

The painting is of Mt. Hood, a favorite subject of mine. It's hard to tell in the picture, but the little dots in the sky are gold, like thousands of twinkling stars. Hood is currently available in my Big Cartel shop, along with these two new weavings:

Smaller works are uploaded into my Etsy shop. I currently have available 12 originals priced at $35 - $90, including these three pieces:

Enchant, mixed media on wood panel, 5 x 7 inches.

Red Sky, acrylic, ink and gouache on wood panel, 5 x 5 inches.

one fine day, mixed media on wood panel, 5 x 7 inches.

A heads up. The pricing of my art will increase soon. So you may want to snatch up a one-of-kind piece at a super affordable price ($35!).

remembering summer

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 18:13:00 +0000

The transition from summer to fall in Portland has been quick and downright harsh. September is normally a glorious month in Oregon, so I feel ripped-off that we've been pounded with torrential downpour for days on end. Flooding in the basement- what?! That normally doesn't happen until November.

I really dislike the word soggy, and yet that may be one of the better descriptors for the Pacific Northwest right now.

If I could, I would will summer back. But, the best that I can do is flip through my photos and try to hold onto some of the most cherished memories of my year.

Here are some snapshots I took on our summer trip to the Olympic National Park . . .

Mini weaving giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 21:37:00 +0000

I'm still on cloud nine from my weaving sale on One Kings Lane. The collection sold out on the first night! I can't thank everyone enough for all the lovely comments. And with Habit of Art turning four this Monday, there's even more reason to celebrate and run a giveaway!

This week, the mini weaving shown above is up for grabs. For a chance to win this little handwoven wall hanging, just leave a comment below. I'll announce the winner (randomly chosen, of course) on Tuesday, September 24th at noon.

Oh, and international entries are welcome- shipping is on me. Bonne chance!

9/24: Number 13 was the lucky number today, so the winner of the weaving giveaway is Dee! Thanks everyone for all your lovely comments.

My weavings on One Kings Lane

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 00:29:00 +0000

Summer has come and gone in a blink of an eye. I guess that's what happens when you embark on long road trips, paint the exterior of the house with only a brush, and handweave nine wall hangings- all in a two month period.

The new handwoven collection is for an exclusive event on One Kings Lane. The popular online marketplace just launched their Artisanal Sales in June, and I was invited to be part of a collaborative event this upcoming week!

Starting at 6pm PST on Monday, September 9th, my wall hangings will be available for purchase here. And I'm thrilled that my collection will be featured alongside the works of some of my favorite fiber artists, including Tanya Aguiniga, whose art I mention in this post.

Some of you may remember that I began weaving after purchasing a vintage miniature loom from the Great Depression era. I love that little loom, but I decided to purchase a larger rigid heddle loom this summer. So now I can create wall hangings two feet wide!

photos: Annie Schilperoort

A bigger loom meant a bigger space. So I expanded my work area to another corner of our basement. For now, the space is working out great, but I am sure my loom collection won't stop at two.

This fall, one of my home projects is to build a simple frame loom to weave a rug. I'll post pictures on here once I start the project. To see other weavings I have available for purchase, go to my shop here.

lost coast and the redwoods

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 17:37:00 +0000

Appropriately named, California's Lost Coast is a stunning 80 mile stretch of rugged shoreline that begins north of Mendocino. Most of the coast land is undeveloped and quite remote . . . it's like stepping back in time.

Our first destination was Glass Beach in Fort Bragg. Fifty years ago, locals used to hurl trash right over the bluffs into this small cove. Once a dumping ground, the beach is now an incredible spectacle of tumbled glass and pottery.

For most our visit, we had the sparkly shore to ourselves- not at all what you'd expect from a California beach. And we were gifted with beautiful weather.

Exploring the Lost Coast by car can be precarious. Undeveloped land means undeveloped roads. We decided to spend one morning driving down Usal Road, which is a narrow and steep dirt road that hugs the coastline.

It took us an hour to drive 6 miles, but we managed to make it to the beach without any car mishaps or car sickness. On the drive, we saw some amazing "candelabra" redwoods, trees that grow multiple trunks.

From the Lost Coast, we drove to the heart of the redwoods. We took a scenic 31 mile highway that led us to groves of giant trees. The fallen tree shown below was 362 ft. tall and 52 feet in circumference. And it was at least 1600 years old when it finally fell in 1991.

Walking amongst these giant trees, I couldn't help but think of Tolkein's talking trees in Lord of the Rings. Ent, after all, means "giant" in Old English. And Ents were considered the oldest living creatures in Middle Earth.

That doesn't make sense to me. But, then again, you are very small. - Treebeard, the oldest Ent, to a hobbit.

Oh, how true that is.

summer sale!

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 15:18:00 +0000

There's a sale in my Etsy shop this week. Enter SUMMERSALE at checkout and receive 20% off your order of $50 or more. The sale runs thru Thursday, July 25.

road trip to cali

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 23:47:00 +0000

Bridalveil Fall / taken with my vintage camera from Inspiration Point

Hours after summer vacation officially started, our family (dog included) packed into the car and headed to California. One of the stops on our list was Yosemite National Park. We visited Yosemite three years ago, but just for the day- not nearly enough time to explore the park's many trails and sites.

This time around, we stayed in a cabin with a close family friend who knows his way around the park. The Yosemite Valley floor is quite crazy during the summertime (crowds rivaling those at Disneyland), so he led us to more remote spots. On our first hike, which was a rock scramble up a mountainside, we only saw a total of five people on the trail!

Climbing over loose rocks on a steep grade is quite precarious and nerve-wracking, especially for those not fond of heights (ahem, me). But, I was determined to see the amazing viewpoint at the top where four of the five major waterfalls in the park can be spotted. And, apparently, it was at this overlook that a 14 year-old Ansel Adams took his first photos of Yosemite.

Safely back on the ground, we saw two of the waterfalls up close- Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Fall. Yosemite Falls actually has its own live webcam that you can view here. Pretty cool!

Yosemite Falls

engraved tree at Bridalveil Fall

greeted by friendly deer

My favorite time was dusk, when the massive rock walls lit up in beautiful hues of pink, orange, and purple. In the photo below, you can see the iconic landmark, Half Dome, in the distance.

Our legs were a little soar by the end of our time in Yosemite- a sign of a good adventure. From the Sierras, we continued our road trip westward. Next destination: Lost Coast.

small paintings now available

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 05:56:00 +0000

35 paintings // $35 each // here

art giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 03:00:00 +0000

This week, I'm uploading 35 original works of mountains into my Etsy shop. Five new works a day, each priced at $35. The special art event starts Wednesday, June 5th at 9am (PST). At this time, I'll also draw a name from below to receive one of the new art works for FREE! (A value of $35 plus free shipping.) And I'll even let the winner choose their favorite piece. Just leave a comment below to enter the giveaway. Oh, and make sure that your name links back to an email so I can contact you.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Congrats to Maggie Paul!

red rocks of sedona

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Fri, 31 May 2013 14:49:00 +0000

I recently flew to Arizona to visit a dear friend. Over the weekend, we explored the natural wonders of Sedona. Our first stop was the famous landmark, Cathedral Rock. With its towering red rock and picturesque creek, I can see why photography enthusiasts flock to this place.

The site also attracts folks seeking a vortex experience. Sedona boasts four major vortexes- places of concentrated and mystical energy. Curious, my friend and I tried to find the vortex at Cathedral Rock. We were told to look for twisted juniper trees as a sign, but the nearly nude, bearded man sprawled out on the ground was a dead giveaway.

We visited two vortex sites that day, but neither of us felt anything out of the ordinary. Our time in historic Jerome, Arizona (known for its paranormal activities) was uneventful as well. I'm thinking my cynicism may have interfered with some potentially incredible moments.

On our first night in Sedona, we watched the sunset from the town's highest viewpoint. And it was truly memorable. To the east of us, massive cliff walls lit up in an intense orange glow. To the west, we were mesmerized by the desert sun dipping below the horizon.

The highlight of my weekend was the West Fork Oak Creek Trail, located ten miles north of Sedona. The trail travels alongside a creek flanked by red and pink sandstone walls. Although this was my first visit to the stunning canyon, there was a familiarity about it. When coming upon scenes that reminded me of a recent painting, Canyon River, it became more surreal. The painting, completed last month, had evolved from my imagination.

My friend and I stopped a few times along the way and enjoyed the warm sun and creek. I needed the breaks to take in the gorgeous setting around me. Although a camera can capture details, ambiance is is a little harder to convey on film. This is why I usually paint places that I've been to. My paintings may not reflect a real moment in time, but they are a projection of a real experience.

I haven't painted much since returning from my trip to Arizona. Sometimes inspiration needs to marinate. As I draw in my sketchbook and work through ideas, I look forward to seeing where these new experiences lead me artistically.

New online store

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Sat, 25 May 2013 16:43:00 +0000

I've launched a new online store! The shop showcases my larger paintings and my handwoven wall hangings. Currently, I have six paintings and six weavings available for purchase. Click here to see all the products.

My Etsy shop will carry my art prints and my smaller original works. For the latest listings in both online shops, follow me on Twitter.

maybe it's a sign

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:00:00 +0000

Beach Sky, acylic and gouache on panel, 6 x 12 inches.

Still Lake, mixed media on birch panel, 10 x 10 inches. Sides have been stained and sealed.

Oceanside, mixed media on birch panel, 8 x 10 inches.

Canyon River, mixed media on panel, 12 x 16 inches.

Four new paintings of mine just arrived in London for Lilk Gallery's May show. Three of the works are inspired by places I've visited. Oceanside, for example, is named after a small beach town in Oregon. Canyon River is unique from the others, because it came from my imagination rather than an experience. I had this image in my head of a canyon with red walls and a clear river cutting through it. It stood out to me because I usually paint scenes from the pacific northwest.

I've been to the southwest a few times, but this imagery didn't emerge from a memory. The colors and even the slope of the rock walls are different from the canyons I've explored.

I created this painting before planning a trip to Arizona, so maybe it's a sign. I am headed to Sedona, which is famously known for red rock formations. It's also considered a very spiritual place. My friend mentioned there are several different "vortex" sites- places where the earth's energy is greater. I guess some folks have had some very moving experiences in these places.

I'm not sure what I think about this vortex stuff, but I don't doubt that people have spiritual encounters in nature. When you are surrounded by grand, sweeping landscapes- and man had nothing to do with its creation- it seems only natural that one would reflect on things that transcend us. I definitely feel closer to God when I am in nature.

warming up

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy) — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:42:00 +0000

I tend to use mostly blues and greens when capturing the picturesque landscapes of Oregon. Lately, I've been reaching for some of the warmer hues- bright reds and oranges in particular. I'm sure a great part of this has to do with the change of seasons. It's been unseasonably warm in Portland this month. And with early blooms in the garden, it's hard not to be inspired by such vibrant and beautiful colors.

Neon red (i.e. Acryla Luminous Red) has been the latest rage in my studio. I have literally smeared it onto my last two paintings. Here's a look at my newest work entitled Cadence.

Cadence, 8 x 10 inches, mixed media on Claybord

In a few days, I'm headed out of town to visit a dear friend in Arizona and explore the red rocks of Sedona together. I'm curious to see how a trip to the southwest will inspire my work. I may have to expand my red paint collection when I get back!

I plan to post a bunch of photos on here and on Instagram. If you're familiar with the Sedona area, I'd love to get your opinion on must-see places.