Wednesday, December 18, 2013

House of Waves

https://www.etsy.com/listing/173347389/house-of-waves?ref=shop_home_active
"House of Waves" encaustic on wood panel. Print now available on Etsy
 
This is another encaustic painting in my "Housewarming" series where I am exploring the physical and emotional aspects of "home." Some of us live near the water, on the water or dream of a life spent at sea with only the "waves" to guide us on our journeys.
 
You can find this piece and the rest of the series at my Etsy shop. I am also offering FREE SHIPPING today and tomorrow in honor of Winter Wednesday.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Winter Wednesday Sale - 4 Prints for Under $25

Black and White Series Prints on SALE today $22 Each at my Etsy shop.
 
It snowed yesterday, and we made snowmen! It was so much fun and really got me into the winter spirit. I love that snow and barren trees -- winter's slumber as it may be -- can bring magic with it. I created this black and white series with that thought in mind. They were all created before I quit my day job and needed to wake up at 5:15 every morning to spend some time in the studio. It was cold and dark, but somehow it was also the perfect petri dish for playing with monochromatic color. There are two more paintings in the series coming soon.
 
 

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

You Are My Happy Place

https://www.etsy.com/listing/171774529/you-are-my-happy-place?ref=shop_home_active
"You Are My Happy Place" - brand new print just added to Etsy today.
 
Happy Winter Wednesday! I have just added this new piece to my Etsy shop, and it was inspired by a very lovely couple's anniversary (which is today!).  The poem behind the "you are my happy place" phrase is from Rumi, and it is very romantic.

I have also chosen a title for the painting I displayed last week of the girl walking through the rain. The title contest winner was Claire Ishino (on Facebook) for "Through Rain, I will Travel to You." There were many wonderful (and some humorous) suggestions. I thank everyone who participated. A special thank you to awesome illustrator Jessica Stride for being my only blog commentator. Thank you Jess for reading and commenting here. Makes me feel less alone out here in blogland. :)

As promised, I will do a special feature on Claire's work soon to show my appreciation for the great title.  Have a great winter Wednesday!

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Mystery Painting Recovered

I found this painting this morning, and it was like being reunited with an old friend. I remember painting it around the time I completed "The Red Boots, A Love Story" series back in 2005! There were 11 other paintings in that series -- along with a soundtrack created by Jay DiPaola -- but I must have lost the painting before including it. We are planning to re-release the series as a book along with Jay's original score this Valentine's Day. It's funny how this one turned up just in time. Maybe it needs to be in the book. I just cannot figure out what to call it. If you have a title suggestion, I would love to hear it in my comments section. If I pick your title, I will do a blog post in gratitude linking back to you site. :)

Here are a few of the other paintings in "The Red Boots" series:
 
 "Adagio" (available at my Etsy Shop)
 
"Requiem" (available at my Etsy shop)

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

The Dreaming Tree

https://www.etsy.com/listing/170001961/the-dreaming-tree?ref=shop_home_active
"The Dreaming Tree" 7.5x7.5 inch print on 8.5 x11 inch paper available on Etsy.
 
This is a new print added today to my Etsy shop in honor of Winter Wednesday. Use code FREESHIP all day today to receive free shipping on any Etsy orders from my shop.
 
This painting is part of a black, white & gray series I worked on last winter. I painted all of them at 5 a.m. before leaving for my day job. It was a way of showing myself that I was committed to my artwork -- and it was actually very peaceful! The whole series retains that sense of morning stillness. Isn't it interesting that the mood we are in when we create can become part of the creation?

Friday, November 15, 2013

1st in the Starving Artist Childhood Games Series

Have you ever spent $40 on a new toy for your 5 year old only to find that he has at best no interest and at worst a tear inducing tantrum after playing for 10 minutes? Have you ever spent hours completing a Lego fire truck that was "for your child?"  If so, you will love this new game: Alien Edge. You just make a paper spaceship and slide it back and forth for half an hour with points for getting the spaceship to balance in the edge. Perfect for those last few minutes before the kindergarten bus arrives. And perfect for the starving artist on a budget. 

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

House of Love

https://www.etsy.com/listing/169100744/house-of-love?ref=shop_home_active
New print - "House of Love" -- added to Etsy today.
 
Another "house" has been added to my growing collection. This one, "The House of Love," is part of my "housewarming" series. Right now I do feel that I live in this house, and I am very grateful.
 
Enjoy 15% off my entire Etsy shop today by using coupon code "houseoflove" as part of my Winter Wednesdays special offer.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Happy Winter Wednesday. NEW 2013 Holiday Cards and 10% Off!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/167459900/peace-on-earth-holiday-card-pack-5-cards?ref=shop_home_active
Get a little package of these cards on Etsy!
 
In this little scene, all the animals are holding hands, putting aside their differences for the holidays. The little monkey is holing a globe ornament in his hand. I am selling cards right now on Etsy, but I will also be releasing 8x10 prints very shortly, too.
 
Today, Oct. 30, use the code SAVE10 for a 10% discount storewide!

Sunday, October 27, 2013

House of Serenity

"House of Serenity" - Original acrylic & mixed media on wood panel 18x24 inches.
 
I finished this new painting. I was inspired by the beautiful, peaceful landscape of the Crab Meadow marsh by my home. I was jogging the other day when the unbelievable beauty of the early evening landscape prompted me to dash home & go back for a photo via bicycle. I managed to get there before the sun set. This fall weather is so spectacular. I find myself wishing I had a camera mounted on my bike's handlebars. This original painting is available through Lyrical Fine Art.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Winter Wednesday Special Offer Today!


20% off the brand new Cathy Nichols 2014 Calendar today only!
 
And stay tuned for a special offer every Wednesday from now until December 25th as part of my Winter Wednesdays promotion! To get the discount use coupon code CALENDAR14.

House of Winter Magic


"House of Winter Magic" Available as a print at my Etsy shop.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Inspiration for New Painting "House of Winter Magic"

 
 
This little strip of patterned paper was created by lyrics from musician Jay Dipaola. They are so beautiful and have inspired a new painting I am creating.
 
"gold the morning sun on your face

let my wings uncover 

cold and lonely memory erase 

all the layers changing color 

 

I’ll hang here beside you 

when the snow buries us deep 

into the ground we’ll whisper 

on your body I will sleep"

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Sneak Peek

What do you get when you mix music and painting? Lots of beautiful live music for inspiration and maybe even collaboration. Stay tuned for more news about this new project. 

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Plein Air in the Backyard


For the past two afternoons, while the kids are at school, I have been experimenting with painting my backyard "en plein air." What amazed me about this process was how interesting my old backyard was once I started concentrating on it! When I first looked at it, I was like, "Ok, I have this enormous 30x30 inch wood panel and nowhere else I can lug it to but the backyard, but it's a shame all I see is green, green green."  Apparently, somewhere along the way, this perception expanded to include some other colors! I am not done with this piece yet, but I will keep you posted. So far, this is a really interesting experiment.

Monday, September 30, 2013

Artwalk 2013

Fellow artist, Demerise, and I had a wonderful time representing The Firefly Gallery yesterday for the Northport Artwalk. It was a great opportunity to meet the many art lovers not just in Northport but in the surrounding towns of Long Island and as well. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the local long island art scene!!

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Sketching vs. Photos

Pastel sketch at Caumset Park in Lloyd Harbor, New York.
 
 
I have been doing more plein air sketching lately. Today I went to Caumset State Park -- a spectacular place -- and rode my bike through the sprawling grounds in order to sketch this seaside scene. I'm using these enormous pastels on cheap paper, but I think even with my clunky supplies, there is something so special about drawing from life. For one thing, it seems like my eyes are able to see details that the iphone camera just blends together. When I looked at this scene, I saw so many colors, but when I look at the photo vs. my drawing, there are so few. Have you ever noticed that? It makes me want to venture out more and brave the sand gnats to do more drawing. :)


Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Under A Tuscan Moon - In Progress

The moon has been so bright and clear here for the past week that I was inspired to create this moonlight painting. It's only the first afternoon's progress, and there will be more to come. And there are little details in the right tree... not simply reflections but words and feelings. I think the title will eventually change to something incorporating the contents of this tree. Still thinking about it.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Autumn Ride

  "Autumn Ride" Original 16x20 inch painting on wood panel. Available through Lyrical Fine Art.
The idea for "Autumn Ride" came from a late afternoon of sketching in pastels down at Crab Meadow beach. I had ridden my bike there with all of my sketching supplies and ended up just amazed at the beautiful shifting light of the setting sun. It turned everything it touched to unexpected colors. When I got back to the studio, I created a finished painting on wood panel from the sketch. You can see the sketch above along with another from that same day of the nearby marsh.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Lovely Article in ACES Magazine...

These original paintings are available through Lyrical Fine Art. Thank you, Jim Lamantia, for you wonderful writing skills! And the photo of me is by Whitney Nicosin of Gold Soul Photography

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Home to You

7x7 inch print on 8.5 x 11 inch paper. "Home to You" available on Etsy.

Today is my little boy's birthday -- he is five! And this sweet sailboat reminds me of him.  It is a mixed media painting on wood that uses some of my new hand-made paper in the sails & boat. I hope that no matter how far away he ventures he will always know he has a home in my heart.  Happy birthday, Nicky.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Hello Summer!


 
 

Now at the Firefly Gallery at 127 Main Street in Northport, NY, I'm showing a collection of my favorite summery framed prints!

 Pictured above is "The Boys of Summer."  Many of the prints shown here are available unframed on my Etsy shop: "Day Off," "Spun," "Aloft," and "Hello Summer" as well as others.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

TRUST

Acrylic on Wood Panel. Original and Giclees available through LaMantia Gallery.
 
Another in the Cont/Text series. This one truly is my favorite so far. I want it over my own fireplace. Because the woods and stars have always held romance for me, I can smell the pine needles and the crisp night air as these two embark on their journey into the unknown. The night is dark, and they are far from home. The wind has kicked up with twilight. Yet they are holding hands. Their trust in each other keeps things from getting too overwhelming -- or one would hope.

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Faith


 
 
"Faith" - Original Acrylic Painting on Wood 22x32 inches.
 
Hello friends. I am back.
 
Really.
 
It has been a year of struggle and rebirth. I do not know how much I can possibly share after such a long absence. But this painting, "Faith," encapsulates exactly how I am feeling right now. It's not the best photo. LaMantia Fine Art has a beautiful high resolution version that they are using for stunning giclees.  This is just a picture I snapped mid-painting in the studio. It's one of a new series I am creating called "Con/Text," where I explore the relationship between words and images. The word "FAITH" is spelled out in the leaves of the tree holding the branch-walker.
 
The inspiration for this series was a piece I did several years ago for the Enormous Tiny Art Show called "MADLY." You might remember this one.
 
"Madly" prints now available on Etsy.
 
I look forward to sharing the rest of the series with you!
 
xox