Abstract to Expessionist, her passion spills to the community

Abstract to Expessionist, her passion spills to the community

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Blue Solitude

I was talking with a friend about being lonely. It was a natural that I chose this particular scene to paint after our conversation. I would much rather be alone in this place of solitude, then continue going on in life lonely. In painting this scene I am reminded how awesome our God is, and what a remarkable artist He is.

10 x 8 Pastel 125.00

I would like to thank Peter Bowers for graciously allowing me to use his image for inspiration for this piece. Please visit this amazing photographer at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_fabulous/.

Wild and Free

She was running, wild and free - the sun warming her mane.

Pastel 10 x 8 125.00

Ride at Sunset

A perfect ending to a perfect day.. a ride at sunset along the beach. I'll be heading to Florida soon, to the heart of horse country for a two day art fair. I hope this will touch someone's heart.

12 x 9 soft pastel on pastelmat 125.00

Silent Grace

I subscribe to a number of newsletters and journals, blogs etc about pastels, tips and techniques. I recently read about a new paper that was just made available to the states and just had to try it and find out for myself if it was as they claimed. Oh... this stuff is awesome! It took a minute to get used to - but it does hold layers of pastel easily - and i didn't wear my fingertips off! As you can see this is a highly blended piece. I think it turned out quite nicely, and is a great recommendation for "Pastelmat".

10 x 8 $125.00

Stillness After the Storm

A summer storm ends, the clouds lift, and a pair of ducks fly across a lake. All is still.

Pastel, 7 x 5

Collaboration

It's great when you go to an art fair, marvel at someone else's talent and share with each other. I use photos for reference for my paintings. Granted, I do get around, and have been fortunate enough to gather a lot of fantastic images of my own. However, this past weekend I met a professional photographer who has been able to capture the images I could only wish for. We only chatted for a moment, but she has graciously allowed me to use her images for my pastels.

Please wander on over to E.J. Clifford's website and take a look at her outstanding images.

This chickadee is my pastel interpretation of her photograph. Thank you, EJ!

This painting has been sold

Path of Enlightenment

There's a peacefulness that comes from walking in the woods. Clear your mind, find your inner peace, have a talk with God. It's all good.

11 x 14 Soft Pastel,

matted and framed

into a 16 x 20 wooden frame

$150.00

Prints available in all sizes at

http://cathy-weaver.fineartamerica.com

Photography

I know this blog is supposed to be a journey through my world in pastels. Well, I suppose I should retitle that, as I'm an eclectic artist. Then again, what artist isn't? Someone recently asked if I was selling my photography at the art festivals I set up at. I answered no.. but thought gosh... why aren't I? So I started by adding quite a few of my photographs to Fine Art America, where I sell giclee prints of my artwork. 

And in doing so, I realized how much I miss traveling around with camera in hand, capturing everything I can. I also realized how very many of my finest photographs were lost for good when my laptop was stolen sometime back. 

Clicking here will take you to Fine Art America, where you can see all of my artwork and photography in one place. 

Taste of the Market- Flint Farmer's Market

This is the press release for our area media

“Dort Federal Credit Union’s Taste of the Market is June 20!”

 

Flint, MI - The Flint Farmers’ Market proudly announces the Dort Federal Credit Union “Taste of the Market” on Saturday, June 20, 2009.  The event will take place from 11 AM to 2 PM at the Flint Farmers’ Market which is located at 420 East Boulevard Drive just off I-475 Exit 8A.  The event is open to the public and free of charge. 

 

Dort Federal Credit Unions Taste of the Market will feature healthy cooking demonstrations by six professional chefs from the American Culinary Federation Flint-Saginaw Chapter (ACF).  Visitors will also have the opportunity to buy and try specialty foods from regular market vendors.  The ACF chefs will also participate in weekly cooking demonstrations at the Flint Farmers’ Market every Thursday at 12:00 P.M. on the market lawn.  The weekly cooking demonstrations will also be sponsored by Dort Federal Credit Union in partnership with Mott Community College Culinary Arts Program and the ACF.

 

The event will be held on the Citizens Bank side of the market along with the NEW Saturday Arts, Crafts & Antiques Marketplace.   For more information visit www.flintfarmersmarket.com .

Playing with Whimsey

SOLD

I have always loved whimsical and/or folk art. This week I started playing with my watercolor pencils and these two pieces emerged. Loving inspirational quotes, I think this is a fun little project to fill the days when my pastels need a rest. They will be available this coming Saturday at the Farmer's Market.

5 x 7 Watercolor and marker on clayboard

$15.00

When a creative gets sick...

...we get bored! I've spent the last few days basically laying on the couch and doing nothing. Today I'm feeling a little better, so I started puttering a little...

I found myself in an old silverware case, and before I knew it, I had myself a business card easel (or more appropriately - a recipe card holder). These will make great gifts for mom's birthday, mother's day, or a bridal shower gift! Not only was this easy to do, but rather fun, too! Now I have all sorts of things in mind of what to do with old silver.

$10.00

Artrageous Minds

I started a nonprofit organization a couple years ago called Artrageous Minds. Raising a bipolar son on my own has been a difficult road for both of us. For many years he was misdiagnosed, and wrongly medicated. Our organization hopes to bring awareness to bipolar disorder and other mental health issues through art. (and music, poetry, dance...) There have been a number of setbacks in getting the organization off the ground - including a car accident that put me out of commission for 6 months, and then my home invaded - and computer stolen not just once.. but again after it was replaced. (rotten thief!)

So finally - two years later we're back in business. I am co-hosting an event in Troy MI, where we have Brian VanderArk from the Verve Pipe coming for a private performance. If you are in the area, and interested in coming please contact me! We will be having a silent auction as well as some art up for direct sale. I've also got a 5 foot hand carved black bear that will be raffled off that night. 

If you - as an artist are interested in donating a piece, contact me.

Also, my booth at the Farmer's Market is open to any individual who is in support of mental health issues. I will "rent" space for a nominal charge in my booth for you to sell your art or craft. Please contact me for details. 

Interested in learning more? Our plans include opening a working studio/gallery, and in the future a camp for families who deal with mental illness in their lives. Our goals are lofty, but our passion runs deep.

Visit my websites: www.artrageousminds.net
www.myspace.com/artrageousminds. I hope you will join me there too.

Untitled

I think the most difficult part of painting (for me) is coming up with the perfect title for the finished piece! Sometimes I get so frustrated, and find myself sitting here staring at it so long that I just totally go blank. I really wish the title would come quickly like some do. I guess this poor little butterfly will just have to be nameless for the time being.
Pastel, 9 x 12

Ruby

Who doesn't love hummingbirds? Truly a magical gift from God.

8 x 10 matted, framed $125.00

prints from $15.00

I took the plunge and have committed to 6 Saturdays this summer at the Flint Farmers and Artists Market. Today was my first of the six. This is my tent, and then a few photos of the sights at this market. It's really much better than I had expected, and comes across as a neat little weekly art fair.

Tres Bleu

5 x 7 Soft Pastel $55.00
I love Spring. Here in the north you spend months in the cold, everything buried under the snow. Most of our wildlife is hibernating, or have flown south for the winter. As the days begin to get a little longer, and the air begins to warm our skin, I watch for signs of life. Seeing a bud on a tree, the first Robin, hearing the frogs chirping - all the sights and sounds of Spring are a miracle I look forward to each year.

Woodland Blues

11 x 14 Soft Pastel on sanded paper
The peaceful tranquility of a bluebell wood.

Gentle Wakening

April 24, 2009
As I gaze into this painting, I see the morning light easing it's way through the trees and gently waking the forest.

5 x 7 Pastel on Sanded paper SOLD

prints and notecards available

Cherokee Wildflowers

April 19, 2009
Not only is Karen Margulis the pastel artist that I admire so much that I find myself copying her style, but it seems that she and I tend to gravitate to many of the same places. I ran across a painting of hers and realized that I had nearly the exact same photograph from one of my trips to the NC Smokies. This is truly one of the most beautiful places on earth, and I love looking at this daily as it hangs on my wall.

First Light

April 13, 2009
This piece is a copy of Larry Blovitz' painting "Velvet Fog" from his book Pastel for the Serious Beginner. As I hone in on my skills, working from books, watching tutorials and creating paintings by using other's artists' work is my way of learning. This piece has been donated to a silent auction.

8 x 10 Pastel on sanded paper

Sanibel

April 12, 2009

Drawing inspiration from another pastel artist, this is my version of one of her paintings. This is one of my favorite little paintings.

4 x 6 soft pastel on sanded paper

Life is a Beach

Originally this was done in miniature - 2x3. This particular painting though is a bit larger at 4 x 6. I do love the beach, the ocean - the sun and the sand. This little painting takes me to every one of my favorite spots on the coast.

Sunshine

April 8, 2009

Another of my tiny paintings to be part of the coaster set, only 2 x 3.

I love the feeling of warmth from the sun captured in this little flower.

A Little Rain Must Fall

April 8, 2009
This tiny little painting is only 2" x 3". I created it as part of a set of coasters for my daughter's birthday. Just a reminder that a little rain must fall to appreciate the sun...

Field of Dreams

April 4, 2009
I've been playing around with a more impressionist style, and drew inspiration for this piece from a painting I ran across on the internet.

Alone in the Night

March 28, 2009

This sunflower just looked so lonely in the dark.

6 x 6 soft pastel on sanded paper.

Flight to Freedom

March 28, 2009
Determined to do better then the previous fiasco, I set upon this painting. I have a daily inspirational calendar, and this was the image for the day. Still not really pleased with the outcome, but once again I am publishing this anyway. It is a smaller painting, and looks pretty good framed. Now that I'm done with it, I'm actually quite pleased. 4 x 6 on sanded paper

Blue Ridge

Most of the winter I had my pastels tucked away while I busied myself creating gourd bird houses and bird feeders for gifts and for sale. I was also busy playing with various different jewelry making ideas. But then as the cold days of winter started fading, and spring was just on the horizon, I got the urge to bring out my pastels once again. This first one after my winter hiatus, I'm pretty ashamed of. But I'm posting it anyway, just to show what happens when you put your toys away and don't get them out to play with! Painted in soft pastels on sanded board, 11 x 14 3/26/09