Becoming Ophelia

(Work in progress, Becoming Ophelia on wood cradle) I've been quite in love with Ophelia by John Millais since I first saw her in an art history textbook at 19. The term love shouldn't be tossed about carelessly but since I still feel the same way more than 25 year later, I think it’s an apt description. I dutifully studied all the paintings in the text book, memorizing dates and movements, filling countless index cards with notes. Yet I can still remember opening the page to Ophelia for the first time. I don't think I've ever had a such a visceral reaction to a painting in print before or since. (I will admit Goya's "Saturn's Devouring his Children" also struck a chord but of a different note, I was afraid to look at that image for very long) It was a deep and baffling connection. It was not an image I would of consciously choose as my favorite. For one, I got the impression that it wasn't considered important by the way my professor who completely skipped over the section. Secondly, the heroes I valued were strong and clever, not floating in weeds. As a little girl Greek Goddesses were my passion, the Women I adored first names were Wonder and Cat. The characters in Wuthering Heights? I just wanted to slap sense into them. (reading Wuthering Heights for fun in Junior High, you would think I'd of had some grasp of tragic, but alas it was wasted on me)

(Ophelia, The Tate) However there was no denying the draw of this Ophelia, and model Lizzie Siddal. She was my first heroine who’s strength lay in conviction, who’s individuality marked her as other. An acceptance that heroes don’t always survive, much less win. Who cannot help but fall in love with Lizzie who was doomed to become the character who she so famously modeled? The vision of Lizzie floating in a bathtub heated only by candles in the English winter seems as vivid an image as the painting itself.

(study of Lizzie by Rossetti) I’m drawing Lizzie wielding her paintbrush as it gives me some solace to think she had some brilliantly happy times along with the darkness. In a time when that was pretty much unheard of for women, Lizzie took risks in wielding both her beauty and paints.

Better Homes feature

Exciting news! "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" is featured in the fall/winter Better Homes and Gardens storage magazine! Maybe I'll be inspired enough to clean my closet now!

I know its been quiet over here lately. Day job has is great but really eating me for lunch at the same time! My students are so perceptive and motivated, I love working with teens! Only problem is some of my classes are so large I sometimes feel like I'm on a treadmill trying to keep up! *whew* There is a light at the end of the tunnel (and its not a train) next week is fall break and waiting in my studio is a brand new easel! Shhhhh don't tell my Mom I'm assembling it early, its my Holiday present!

Warrior Girl - a call to arms

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." — Ralph Waldo Emerson "Warrior Girl" my new ink drawing of Athena, we all have our battles but this one we all face.

The fight demands persistence, This wonderful letter by Pixar artist Austin Madison was written to inspire artists through the rough times of creative drought and doubt. (courtesy of The Animators Letter Project ) If you have trouble reading this format afull transcript can be found at "Letters of Note"

So hold your shields (or palettes) high my friends!

Escape of Hollow Girl

"Escape of Hollow Girl" Dress form girl come to life, her scissors cutting the strings. Can't you tell from her eyes, that she knows?
prints available here

acrylics and gouache on wood

Happy May Day!

Happy May Day!
It's a beautiful time of the year here, I think it calls for planting flowers! I do have my students county art show to work and take down today as well. (Why is it the best holidays are work days?) What perfect timing for the Royal Wedding! My next door neighbor and travel companion threw a Wedding Jubilee Friday night! She is an amazing cook and baked a lemon blueberry cake that was divine and served "Something Blue" drinks.

*tosses confetti* My students won first place in painting and collage for the county, I'm so proud of them and at the same time I have such mixed feelings about judging students work at all. No perfect world I suppose, we just try to make it brighter. "Bells Dancing Sprite"

Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, Where have you been?

Why we've been to London to visit the Queen!
My girls and I had a grand time in London, our first trip across the pond. I've dreamed of making this trip since, well forever. When I was a little girl my Mom would recite the Pussy Cat visiting the Queen verse to me and I suppose I took it to heart, only by the time I made it to London my heart was more set on seeing Ophelia.

Knowing how inspired I am by the Pre Raphaelites Kris Walderr recommended I have tea at the Morris Room at the Victoria and Albert. My photo doesn't do the room justice, but I wanted to share it as I know many of you love Morris and Burne-Jones as well.

View from St. James Park Bridge

Daffodils were in bloom all over Cardiff!

Isn't this the most charming village? I felt like I'd stepped into a fairy tale.

And look, a tray of fairy cakes just drop a pound in the slot and take a cake. Well they weren't called fairy cakes but in this village don't tell me the thought wouldn't cross your mind! But alas, we ate the cakes and still ended up back home the following week!
I'm certain a piece of my heart was left behind, but that would of happened fairy cakes or not I'm afraid.

Nature Girl

"Nature Girl"

My paintings this year have taken a different turn, is the year of rabbit bringing me more sultry dangerous beauties? I shared them with a close artist friend and she wanted to know where they came from! I have no answer really, I just start sketching and there was a shift, of course I think there will still be more ingénues to paint, but for now I'm enjoying these new intense creatures.
The first is "Nature Girl" She is partially inspired by my favorite song "Nature Boy"

I suppose I should a paint a Nature Boy to go with her?

The next is a piece for Kambriel that I'm painting on wood, oh goodness I'm loving painting on wood! The texture is wonderful and you can be so rough with it. This is a detail of her face (she is yet unnamed) I hope to spend more time on her this weekend.

Is the year of the rabbit bringing changes for you as well?

Hearts and Shadows, Peter Pan

Valentines and fairy tales, Who is the Most Romantic of them All?

   Wendy and Peter are my favorite fairy tale couple. What makes the Neverland pair so special?  flying children and lost boys?  Part of the intrigue for me was that shadow, not as exciting as flying but oh so much more mysterious. Does Peter's shadow only escape in our world or does it slip away from him in Neverland as well?

I couldn't understand why Wendy didn't want to stay in Neverland (of course I could never understand why the Princess would kiss the frog either..wouldn't you rather have a talking frog?) Now that I'm older I can see how Peter wanting her to be the lost boys mother, well isn't the most romantic thing.  But she gains her fame by telling stories, which is pretty fantastic.
But that "thimble" kiss, pixie dust flights over London  and perhaps even the letting each other go have won my heart!
(drawing 2011 Peter and Wendy)

Who is your Favorite Fairy Tale couple? Which prince would you choose to ride up on a white horse this Valentines day?

Sunken Treasures Mermaid Paper Doll Mixed Media

 

"Sunken Treasures" 

 Original sold to collector, prints available here 

 "FAR out in the ocean, where the water is as blue as the prettiest cornflower, and as clear as crystal, it is very, very deep; so deep, indeed, that no cable could fathom it: many church steeples, piled one upon another, would not reach from the ground beneath to the surface of the water above. There dwell the Sea King and his subjects"  from Hans Christian Anderson's Little Mermaid 

A new mixed media paper doll, I do love making them. (Probably because needle and thread vex me so!)  The Little Mermaid is painted in watercolors. Her tale is a passage out of book of pantomimes about brave little sailors.

Mermaid stories, so filled with contradictions have always been intriguing to me. Some like the familiar Anderson's is filled with longing and sacrifice (see sur la Lune) in contrast we have Undine and Selkie stories. Mermaids are creatures portrayed in wide range of personalities from murdering temptresses to tragic innocents. They are everything feared and admired in females, the sinners and saints of the mythological world.

Somerset Studio Frida with Poppies!

St. Frida the Divine with Poppies

Good news in the post! Look what arrived, my Frida Kahlo inspired mixed media piece will be featured in the Jan/Feb issue of Somerset Studio Magazine. I couldn't be happier really, Frida's story and art is such a powerful inspiration I both longed and resisted the urge to paint her. Finally the poppy's song rang true as one of both loss and hope and I was able to paint this tribute to her.

This year I read a story about Frida to my students and some of them painted large canvases as another student posed in costume as Frida .. they turned out so glorious that we did a "Frida Exhibit" in the library!   I can't wait to surprise my students with the Somerset magazine when we get back from break!

Bright Winter Blessings!

 

Happy Yule! 

Holiday time! Most of you know my day job is teaching art in a public school, so hurray for winter break! I'm so fortunate to have time off at the holidays but its still a whirlwind! We took the girls to the cabins at Disney (yes my idea of camping has heating and hot water ;) for a few days family get away which was wonderful.. but when it was time to come home we hit the ground running!  Tomorrow I'll slow down and bake cookies with my daughters ( I wait till last minute or I will be the one eating all the cookies!) and preparing for friends and family that will start arriving tonight.  I was supposed to clean house today but ended up rearranging furniture and framing art. (I'm sure this isn't a stall tactic ;)

and of course I have visions studio time dancing in my head!

I hope you are staying warm and cozy and doing the things you love this season!

Wishing You Bright Winter Blessings! 

Catharine

Weekend Sale!

Weekend Sale! A special sale for my lovely followers, buy two prints pick one free, just leave your choice in notes to seller when checking out. Sale ends Sunday night.  Darkling Woods Shop

The Care and Keeping of Hearts

"The Care and Keeping of Hearts" (bell jars, ribbons and string)

                A little tribute drawing for Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman on the momentous event of their still life wedding *tosses rose petals*

Sleepwalking indeed..

About 3 am (an appropriate time for moon paintings I suppose!) I completed my Moongirl "Sleepwalking"

So very fortunate to have some time off this week for the holiday (hence the all night painting!).   Wish I could continue to hole up in the studio but alas the big dinner is at our home so preparations much be made! 

Enjoy the night!

Sleepwalking

"Sleepwalking"
I've started a series of moon girls, this ones a weary walker. I thought I'd share a bit of work in progress on this watercolor one.

Into the Woods

 What is the very first fairy tale that you remember? Was it sweet and filled with promises, glass slippers and magical kisses? Or did it involve dark woods, wandering alone... dropping desperate breadcrumbs?   I adore all types of tales but the dark ones were the first to draw me in, the the little girl in the flashy red cape.

A few of my favorite red caps to take you into the woods....


from Cart Before the Horse 

A whimsical world of wonders awaits you here!

Isabella's Art I have a soft spot for black and white and Isabella hits it!  

    The Fairies Nest  
Enchanting Dolls with the sweetest faces! (and wait till you see the tiny little boots on this one!)



And coming this spring Red Riding Hood as a gothic horror movie produced by Leonardo DiCaprio

Running With Wolves

    Servant of the Moon

 He was the oldest, and wildest of them. Through moonlit bracken he padded, seeking to be closer or was it further?  From her

Servant of the Moon, he howls, his worship shattering the calm

He’s witnessed it all, since she first unfolded the night and scattered the stars

The remembrance darkens his heart, for as he gets older the days grow distant and only night is real

The only lightness comes carrying a basket of offerings

The fecklessness of her enchants him, draws him closer to her brightness, the sweet scent of wildflowers in her clutch intoxicate, the blood red of her cloak hypnotic

  Lesser beasts dare not stray close to his wandering Little Red

------------------------------------
so I do sometimes tell stories....

I created this mixed media piece awhile ago and finally was able to get good photo's (it was very hard to capture!)  The front piece is print of my Into the Woods painting, melted wax, petals and papers. The writing in gold is from the above.  The back of the canvas is a painting of the wolf , Its a deep canvas and can sit free like a shrine or hang.  This is the only piece I've made in this shrine style, This Little Red seemed to call for a  hidden wolf.

For more on the traditional Little Red stories visit  SurLa Lune a treasure trove for fairy tale lovers!

Treats!

 I hope your treat bags are bursting at the seams this morning!

The wheel of the random number generator has been spun (or whatever magic happens in there, I like to picture a little hamster twirling it!) and the winner is .. dear Kambriel!

 Kambriel  will receive the Halloween grand prize of print of her choice and other little serendipitous sundries from the studio.

 I decided one prize wasn't enough for my special followers on such a special holiday so I made that hamster run the wheel 2 more times!

marilavado  and Laume  

will also be receiving their choice of print!

Thank you all for for your entries and thoughtful comments, really thank you, thank you! 

For the Love of Monsters

A work mate smiled kindly at me yesterday and said, you really like that fantasy stuff don't you?

Oh my, I've let my slip show haven't I?

 I've always been one of those odd ducks, you know the ones clutching the fantasy or poetry book.  As a little girl I loved Poe (why is no one surprised?).  I thought the Bride of Frankenstein was the most beautiful creature ever. 

Why Monsters?  A little pigtaled girl with her nose in Fangoria at the news stand  (no one would buy it for me, if I was lucky I would get a Casper comic!)
  I don't like modern scary movies (you know the ones) all gore, no wonder.

Then so eloquently, Mr. Gaiman sums it all up in a quote by Ogden Nash.  When asked in this interview, "Why monsters?"  He replies with the quote by Nash,
         "When there are Monsters, there are miracles"

    Which pretty much sums up why Gaiman's stories are so powerful. When I read his tales the characters and places are so very real because there isn't just dark and light but all sorts of gray. He does all this and yet weaves it with such care to the wonder ..miracle that beating heart of whatever beast he has awoken for his tale. Being a caretaker of monsters is no light task, he dares to walk the tightrope and you feel it in every story.

                          My wicked little "Snow White" drawn after hearing (and seeing) the Atlanta Raido Company perform Gaiman's "Snow Glass Apples"  Hope she doesn't come knocking for treats tomorrow night!






pssst... here is the lovely interview with Mr. Gaiman below!

Trick or Treat!

 It's almost the big day! Masks will be donned, pumpkins carved and apples dipped.  We attended a Witches Ball Saturday night and had great fun taking the costumes on a test drive before the big night. I can't wait till our girls join us in their Wonderland best on Halloween! 

My dear Hatter says I'm just in time to squeeze in a treat for your goodie bag! 

Trick or Treat!


    Just pop over to my shop and leave in the comments what your favorite print is. On Halloween I'll draw a lucky trick or treater to win their choice of print plus some special treats from my studio stash! (and no tricks!)

Oh Look, Dear Hatter says, "Don't be late!" you need to enter by Oct. 31st to be put in the hat! 

If you would like more than one chance to win, just blog, facebook or twitter the giveaway and leave a comment about each!

*passes bowl of candy corn*

Happy Halloween!

A winner!

Congratulations to  Brandy the winner of the octopus prize!  Thank all of you so much for entering, be sure and stay tuned there will be another giveaway soon! 
Here's a sweet little cephalopod to bring a smile to your day because you always brighten mine with your kind words!

Cephalopod Eve, A Giveaway to Celebrate!

 

"Blush" 2010 Cat Mallard

Yes, tomorrow  October, 8th is International Cephalopod Awareness Day!   and to celebrate its giveaway time! 
The winner will receive a signed 8x10 archival print of my newest painting "Blush"

To enter:
1 entry leave a comment 
2 entries tweet or post the giveaway on your facebook and mention this in a new comment
3 entries?  Blog about the giveaway or "Blush" be sure and comment again so I'll know!

 

Just look at this blue beauty. Do you think he might help me draw the winner? Hmmm he might be too grabby!  In any case the winner will drawn on Friday, Oct. 15th

Happy Cephalopod Day!

Daphne and Halloween memories of the classic 70's

"Daphne"
   My offering for this month's EHAG Emporium where you will find a collection of original Halloween art created by the EHAG members.

   I never tire of dreaming up new witches, just as a girl I choose being a witch for Halloween  more often than not. Although I have to admit when I was a little thing my costumes were those sad things that came in cardboard boxes with thin elastic bands on the masks that would break long before the big night.
I'm pretty sure this is what made my dreams come true one fine  October day back in the early 1970's

Oh Sabrina... You were a dream come true!

Wishing all of you dear readers a wonderful Autumn season!

Goldilocks and Friend

 

"Just Right" 

After the porridge an unexpected friendship began. 

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one”  C.S. Lewis

 Sometimes friendships start under the most unlikely of circumstances.  I'm always happy to embrace a bit of serendipity! 

A new little painting of Goldilocks and Bear, I'm working on another pair of friends tonight and I'll get "Just Right" listed my shop 

Julia Cameron, sharing a favorite inspiration

    The ethereal world of Julia Margaret Cameron's   photography is so sensitive and evocative I feel like I'm stepping through to another world whenever I take time to visit them.



    Julia was gifted a camera by her daughter in 1868 as a remedy to loneliness, her children were grown and husband traveling on business.   Julia was 48 years old when started taking photos and soon became entranced with photography turning her chicken coop into a dark room!

    I find Julia's work so inspiring, not only did she start her work with a new technology quite late in life (and 48 was later then than now!) she seemed to have little regard for the conventions of the medium, reveling in the soft focus, grains and magic that came with the large glass plates. She was a true pioneer.

This piece is her Merlin, so delightfully atmospheric!

Don't you adore the chicken coop story? I love to read the magazine "Where Women Create" but I don't think anyone can top the coop!