Phoenix Art Studio Open House

Spring Art Studio Open House is tomorrow - Saturday, March 14th, 10 am to 4 pm. Two very special artists are joining me. Pat Kidwell Lown, fine jewelry artist and Marjie Risk, metal artist both have wonderful work to exhibit for this show. If you are in the Phoenix area, be sure to stop by.

Also I have a new website and blog that I have built with the help of the folks at FASO. You will find all of my blogs for this year till now in that system. Just use the same URL www.CatherineSickafoose.com and you will see the link for my blog on the home page. Also you can sign up for my newsletter there as well.

I will periodically add a note here for now. Thanks for checking in!

Catherine

ps: Those are brand new coasters and trivets that are being introduced tomorrow!!!

Watercolor Class Update

With tables set up in my Flagstaff Studio, my 6 students got down to work learning the basics of watercolor and applying them to their own paintings. It was an enthusiastic group and we had a lot of fun in the process. I was delighted with their comments at the end of the 4 week series... "Classes were GREAT! "... learned more in one day than I had in a whole (college) semester." "Demonstrations were great." " Enjoyed learning the tricks of watercolor." "critiques and acceptance". "nonthreatening and enjoyable".

 Here are 3 of the watercolors that I painted while teaching the students. The 4th one with a glass vase is yet to be finished. As you can see we were able to cover a variety of subjects along with our techniques.

If you would like to take one of my classes next year, be sure to send me a note Catherine@CatherineSickafoose.com to be included on my mailing list. I will hold classes in both Phoenix and Flagstaff in 2015.

Meanwhile, I hope you have put the Flagstaff Holiday Marketplace on  your calendar for this Saturday, Nov. 1, 10 am to 4 pm at the Elks Lodge. I would love to see you there! www.flagstaff-arts.org

Playing Under the Tamarisk Tree

As mentioned in an earlier post, the Montessori Center School in Phoenix, AZ has commissioned me to do a series of paintings for them. The large property around their school includes this beautiful tamarisk tree which has been the center of the playground for scores of young children. The ramp and deck around the tree create all sorts of possibilities for play! Taking the photos for this painting was so much fun and painting the watercolor was even more so! This image is 9"x13".

August Special Art News

                                            "Bees Love It!" (image 10"x14")
Here is my newest lavender painting that I started as a demo when I was a guest presenter at the Red Rock Lavender Farms Festival in June. It is finally finished and will soon be available as a giclée - special priced early orders are being taken now.

                                                 
So much is happening with Flagstaff Open Studios this weekend, August 23rd and 24th. I hope if you are in the Northland, you will have it on your calendar and be planning to stop by Studio #10 - that's me! I will have a coupon for you at the door for 15% off 1 item over $30 (some exclusions apply). Hours are 10 am to 5 pm. More details @ www.Flagstaff-Arts.org.

"Hollys in Pink" is another new painting that can be seen at Brandy's Restaurant and Bakery during the Flagstaff Open Studios Preview exhibit and sale. www.BrandysRestaurant.com  The framed piece is 23"x11" - perfect for those narrow little spots in your home!





                                     "Sunspots" is another painting just finished. Framed image is 14"x14". This is sunflower season in the high country and you will see them blooming everywhere and in all sizes. I think the smaller Brown-eyed Susans are the ones that I see the most of. You should see them in the late afternoon sunshine!  

I will have a new series of watercolor classes in Flagstaff starting in late September - Friday, 9:30 to 12:30 for weeks. Contact me for details. Must preregister. 

Catherine@CatherineSickafoose.com  

August 27th is the special reception at the beautiful High Country Conference Center at NAU. Hope you can come out and meet the Z House artists! Admission is free.

Thanks again for all your support. Hugs, Catherine

Poppies a Plenty!

                                           "Poppies a Plenty" (image 15x23)

Oh my, it has been so long since I posted something here for you. I hope you are able to see my FB page, SnapShotsinWatercolor to keep up with my art news. I  painted this colorful watercolor for my centerpiece at Brandy's Restaurant this year.  This is my 11th year to be featured in a solo show at Brandy's! The show is up now and runs through July 28th. They are hosting my second "Meet the Artist" this Saturday from 12 noon to 2 pm. There will be free coffee and brownies (those are worth the trip alone)! www.BrandysRestaurant.com

I'm also teaching watercolor classes this month so thought I would share a couple of photos of this painting getting started. First, I took my photos, copied them in B&W and cut them up so I could plan my composition. Then I made a grid on my WC paper and did the drawing.

Finally, it was time to begin painting! I used a little resist around the flowers to save the edges, so I could paint, spatter and spray the background. Then I painted the flowers with many, many glazes. And voila! the poppies emerged...

There are some class openings July 23rd and 30th if you would like to join us. Just email me for details at Catherine@CatherineSickafoose.com. 

I'd love to hear from you with comments and ideas. Also if you are not receiving my newsletter through MailChimp, send me a note. The current newsletter has lots of art news and events through August. 

Open House and more

We had a wonderful day hosting our Phoenix Artists' Studio Open House and welcomed so many to see our work. Patricia Kidwell Lown, jewelry artist,  and I enjoyed sharing with friends, new and old, and loved having folks drop in after seeing our signs pointing them in our direction. Thank you all for making it a special day!

This is the other commissioned painting that I referred to in my last post. "The Sensory Garden" at the Montessori Center School, Phoenix, AZ is the first in a series that I am painting for the school. The garden not only has spheres representing the planets, but also living plants for the children to experience the 5 senses. It is a charming and wonderful garden created by Joe Vaz and his staff. I'm excited to continue with the series and will post more later.

In the meantime, I am preparing for my spring and summer shows - first the ACF Spring Marketplace in Flagstaff on April 12th at the Elks Lodge on North San Francisco Street. If you have a chance to be in the north country, I'd love to have you visit my booth. There will be 25 artists in a variety of mediums. Hours are 10 am to 4 pm.

Daffodils for spring!

 Spring? It feels like summer is quickly approaching here in the Valley of the Sun!  Yes, it has been a long time since I added something here. But that doesn't mean I haven't been busy, busy with my brushes and otherwise.  I've painted 2 commissions which I will post here, taught a series of watercolor classes in February,  and updated my computer and mailing system. I'm now using MailChimp for my newsletters, so if you are not receiving newsletters and would like to, please send me an email at Catherine@CatherineSickafoose.com.

   

"Sailing with Michele" (image 15x11) was painted for my niece, Michele Bennett, who is bravely battling breast cancer. Hopefully, this painting will remind her of their beautiful sailboat and sunny days ahead when she will be back on board with husband, Neil.

I'm delivering the other commissioned painting tomorrow so I will wait and post it later.

Meanwhile, mark your calendars for this Saturday, March 29th. I will be hosting my first Open Studio in Phoenix. (Details in Calendar at www.CatherineSickafoose.com) Hours are 10 am to 4 pm. And Patricia Kidwell Lown, jewelry artist, will also be showing her new jewelry designs in precious metals and gemstones.