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.

Open Studio Update and more...

After a busy Open Studio weekend and getting reacquainted with so many of you again, I have the winners of my "guest list drawing". Jim and Vel Hedberg from Munds Park and Laurie Cosolito from Flagstaff were excited to be called and asked to choose their mini giclée- "It's Holly Time Again" or "Late Summer at the Arboretum".


Congratulations!!! And thank you to all of you who visited my studio and entered the drawing. I also appreciated your good wishes for my speedy recovery from my fall. (I am making good progress and best of all - painting again!)


I hope some of you have been watching the PBS series this week, "The National Parks - America's Best Idea". (Visit pbs.org for details.) The film by Ken Burns was opened with a special live celebration concert in New York City's Central Park and broadcast to select audiences on September 23rd. I was privileged to be able to donate 2 giclée prints from Arizona National Monuments for the Eight Public Television and Eight Educational Outreach: ASSET audiences to assist with their membership drive - "Springtime at Cabeza Prieta" and "Hubbell Trading Post". In addition, 4 of my watercolor images were used for notecards to be given to the participants. I was so pleased to be able to contribute to this special event in this way!

Congratulations to Peggy George and Kristi Olson of Phoenix!









Now, I'm looking forward to cooler weather in the Valley and working on some special commissions.

Flagstaff Open Studios

"Colton House" (image 10" x 14")


Preparations are underway for an exciting weekend, September 19 and 20, when I will have my "condo studio" in Flagstaff open for you to visit 10 am to 5 pm. I will do a drawing each day, from the guests' sign in sheet, for a 5x7 giclée! And I will be doing a demo for you to see a painting in progress. (Yes, I do plan to be painting in spite of some injuries I sustained during a fall last week.) My sister, Janis, is coming early from Toronto, Canada to help me get everything ready.

Brochures with maps to the various studios are available at the Visitor Center (train station downtown) as well as many other locations around town. Also you can find one at the Artists' Coalition website www.flagstaff-arts.org. Or email (Catherine@CatherineSickafoose.com) or phone (602 918-0234) me and I will send you one in the mail. Looking forward to seeing you!