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.

Valentine tulips!

Did you know that flowers send a special message from the giver to the recipient? It's called floriography, a Victorian-era means of communicating feelings that could not be expressed openly. Tulips are a declaration of love.  This original watercolor, "Tulips: A Spring Event", image  7"x11",  is ready for you for Valentine's Day! Wouldn't this painting be special for your sweetheart or maybe just for you? Contact me and it can be yours for $149.00, matted only, includes shipping. (shhh - A Snapshots in Watercolor Blog special - no prints available and not shown yet on my website.)

"AZ Remembers 9/11, Tempe Beach Park"

"Arizona Remembers 9/11, Tempe Beach Park" (image 11x16)

This painting is now being shown at Brandy's Restaurant in Flagstaff with a little narrative explaining the setting. It was up for one day only, September 11, 2011, on the 10th anniversary of the attack. There was a flag with a placard for each life lost - a symbolic reminder to all of us of the loss to America on that day. My husband, John, was in the Valley and took photos for me so that I was able to paint this watercolor. (It is available in giclée prints.)

the Noise - Arts & News...

The June issue of the Noise is out this weekend! Publisher Charles Severeid has created a beautiful ad for my show at Brandy's! Pick up an issue and see the article by Clair Anna Rose about my plans for the show! It opens June 5th, in Flagstaff (directions on their website www.BrandysRestaurant.com) so my brushes will be working overtime this week. So will my matter and framer, husband, John!

Hidden in the Hills in full swing!

Hidden in the Hills Artists Studio Tour started today and continues through Sunday with another 3 days next weekend. Here is part of my set up at Studio #6 at Painted Hills Studio. It was a beautiful day and we got to meet lots of visitors doing the tour.
Everyone was encouraged to sign up for our studio drawing - just look at this gift basket! (Drawing will be held at the end of the 6th day - next Sunday.) You can see the tour map and directory at www.HiddenInTheHills.org.

Eight - Arizona PBS AZ Artbeat Watercolor Workshop!

This workshop was held October 22 in the PBS Eight Studio in the Walter Cronkite Building on the ASU Phoenix campus. The participants were given several ideas, technics and tips before working on their own watercolors. The completed paintings were then placed in a presentation kit for taking home by the proud artists. It was a fun day introducing some folks to the magic of watercolor painting. Special thanks to Priscilla Lundberg for assisting me! My new "Dreamy Draw Overlook" painting (image 16x20) was on display as an example of our wonderful Sonoran Desert landscape in transparent watercolor. See the album of photos on my facebook page Snapshots in Watercolor.

Arizona Watercolor Association Fall Juried Show

Just received the Award of Excellence for "Eagle's View of Verde Valley" at the AWA Fall Juried Show tonight at the Fountain Hills Community Center! It feels good to be included with the top artists. There are many beautiful paintings to see, and the show will be up for another week. Take a drive out to the east Valley and you can also see the famous fountain!

Watercolor West Juried Show

It was a wonderful weekend in Brea, California! I was delighted to be a part of such a prestigious art show at the City of Brea Art Gallery with my painting "With Sunshiny Faces". All of the paintings meet the criteria for "transparent watercolor". The show will be up now through December 16th if any of you are able to see it.

Daffodils for the winners!

"Daffodils in Crystal" was the watercolor giclée selected by both of the winners in my guest list drawing from Flagstaff Open Studios. I mailed the second one off to Elaine W. in Scottsdale this week. Guess we all enjoy a little "spring sunshine" no matter what time of year it is! Congratulations again to the winners!

The Ponderosa Hustle in Flagstaff

It was a beautiful morning in Flagstaff - perfect weather for the first race held by the Arboretum at Flagstaff. No, I didn't participate as a runner, but I did enjoy the enthusiasm and energy of those involved. And I was thrilled to have painted the image for their posters advertising the race. The original painting is being raffled this coming week as part of the fundraiser event; it's not too late to call the Arboretum (928 774 1442) and buy some raffle tickets!

Let's Sit Among the Lavender!

Here is the painting that I was working on for my demo at the Flagstaff Open Studios - finally completed! I was sorry to not have time to work on it, as much as I would have liked to, during the weekend that so many were visiting. The image is 11"x13". Doesn't it look like a heavenly spot to sit awhile? And to think that it's another beautiful landscape in Arizona!

Acceptance into Watercolor West Juried Show!

"With Sunshiny Faces" image 14x22

Wow! I have just received notice that this painting, "With Sunshiny Faces", has been accepted into Watercolor West, an International Transparent Watercolor Society. Their annual show is held at the City of Brea Art Gallery, California. This year the show runs from October 15th to December 18th, 2011. Acceptance into the show gives me the status of Juried Member in the society! The original watercolor will be exhibited in the show as well as published in the catalogue. (Giclées of this painting may be ordered on canvas or watercolor paper.)