Recent work

These three paintings were inspired by the tide pools around Alki Beach. The paintings are aqueous mixed media on paper, 30" x 30" framed.






These three pieces were inspired by the tide pools around Alki Beach. The tide pools are especially spectacular during the summer solstice season. The paintings are aqueous mixed media on paper, 30" x 30" framed.

Recent Work - May 2009

These are aqueous mixed media on paper, image: 22" x 22"

Color Creeps Back In

More "May You Be Happy"

(detail)

Good vs. Evil - The Eternal Battle

Click to enlarge. Acrylic on Board, 36" x 36"






Details:

More "May You Be Happy"

acrylic on board. 36"x 36". Click on Image to enlarge.




detail


detail


detail

May You Be Happy

There seems to be so much bad news around today. I'm trying not to be sad about so much pain. A good antidote is to send out good wishes to the universe by writing down my Lovingkindness meditations and incorporating them into my paintings. On first glance, this painting may look like a Muzak sort of piece. But in real life, if you look close, the mantra "May You Be Happy" is repeated over most of the surface. That is my wish for you.
acrylic on board; 36" x 36"



(detail)


(detail)

Feb 09 paintings

acrylic on board, 36" x 36"

Keepin' On

Picasa for Mac

Picasa for Mac is a new software program that is going to make it much easier to organize my painting images. Here is a painting from 2003 that I found.

MESSING AROUND

I can't seem to stop tweaking things.
Acrylic on Board. 36"x 36" Click to enlarge the image.

Another Year's Work

It was one of those days when everything came together. I photographed paintings, built a shipping crate, framed a painting and worked on another. It's so satisfying when I can actually get a solid six hours of work in.

Rachel Snyder's blog

Being a painter is certainly not only about applying paint to canvas. Painting is more than flinging colors around in a random way. Ideas, thoughts, feelings and analysis are the basis of artistic expression. Much of my inspiration has come from studying the work of writers. Writers put into words what I try to create using symbols of color, shape, pattern, texture and line. With that in mind, please visit the blog site of writer Rachel Snyder (www.rachelsnyder.wordpress.com) to experience powerful and intimate reflections about life. Also look for her book, "Words of Wisdom for Women."

For 2009, here is wishing that your dreams come true.

Jim L. with his New Painting

Yellow!

Yellow (specifically "Mimosa") has been declared the new "IT" color of 2009: Huffington Post

I can't wait. I remember avoiding the color yellow for years after having been told, "Yellow paintings never sell." I think it was Fran Larsen who told me, rightfully so, that a painter not using yellow was like Mozart composing music without using middle "C." Since then, I have felt free to use more yellow in my work. I find I love it. It is cheery, fun, happy and energetic.

It's taken me most of my life to figure out that it is OK to feel that way.

Whenever I think I am leading the way (in this case by using lots of yellow in my current work), I almost always discover that actually I am really just following a new trend. I must be really sensitive to subliminal cues. Yellow must be in the air and I have just picked up on it.

The questions beg: Should artists pay attention to consumer trends? Should artists care what colors anyone else is using? Should artists paint to match someone's sofa? Or should the sofa be bought to match the painting?

I am learning belatedly that purple was the "in" color of 2008. Good thing I missed it. Purple's not going to happen in this studio.

Anyway, I'm happy.

CONFETTI

I haven't titled this one yet, but I could call it "Confetti." A celebration is in order. I'm feeling so much better now that the election is over. Yes, we have lots of economic problems. But at least maybe we will get some of our civil liberties back. I'd rather be poor and free than rich and oppressed.

I miss the "old" America when I didn't have to worry about being spied on if I called a girlfriend in Australia.
(Click to enlarge.)

Moving into the Darkness

Since my studio is in an old warehouse, I really notice when the seasons change. Here I experience only two, rather than four, seasons during the year: light, warm and airy or dark, cold and drafty. We have now definitely moved into the dark and cold phase. Sigh. The paint really doesn't set up as well when it is cold. And it takes much longer to dry. It's hard for me to move around in all the clothes I have to wear in order to keep warm. I think I rather look like the Tin Man without oil in his joints.

I'm determined to make the next few months productive. Thinking of doing less painting and more writing - somewhere where it is warm and cozy.

This painting is a rework of a piece below. I will let you figure out which one. Click to enlarge the image.

Watch Me Paint Stripes!

Same Painting (click to enlarge)

OH DEAR!

My paintings are getting so wild. They are taking on a life of their own. It's almost as if I am channeling this work. I hold onto the brush and this is what appears. I'd prefer to be painting things that are more sedate and sophisticated. But these paintings are determined to speak. VOILA! I am going with the flow.


My studio

Anxiety

Nothing works better for me than painting - with huge brushes and lots of paint. I imagine this is what the inside of my brain looks like. As opposed to the brains of people who are organized, methodical and serene. Their paintings would be comprised of stacked rectangles rendered in neutral grays and taupes.

The fourth painting - at the bottom - is a redo of the painting directly below it on the previous post - turned upside down. Do you see it?

Click on the image to see an enlargement.

"Starting Over"

Our country needs a redo. Oh, for a simpler time when honor and intellectual curiosity were respected. When did graduating from Harvard Law School become a liability? The world has so turned upside down.
Click on the image to enlarge it.

Acrylic on Board
36" x 36"

View From Sugarloaf Mountain

Acrylic on Board
36" x 36"

Sarasota Summer

"Happy Trails"

acrylic on board
36" x 36"

Best of Show!

Here is my entry in the current Women Painters of Washington Membership Show. So thrilled that it won Best of Show. Too bad you can't see the other red dot on the wall behind me!

The show is on view at the Mercer View Gallery on Mercer Island from September 8 - October 17.

Prayer Boxes

Over time some of my paintings have morphed into "Prayer Boxes." Or God Boxes. Or Goddess Boxes. However you want to characterize them is up to you. In any event, the idea is to launch your prayer into the Universe in the hope that it will elicit some kind of divine response. To that end, my Loving Kindness meditations on paper have migrated from the surface of my paintings to the inside of the boxes themselves.



Click to see a larger image.

Fun Times

These larger paintings are so much fun to do. Fun colors, fun shapes, fun times. Acrylic on Board. 36" x 36"

Lovingkindness Meditations

Sooner or later life catches up with all of us. Or should I say death. No, I am not dying. But recently I have been reminded too often of the pain of life. It is either "cope or die." Coping has brought me to better places than I ever imagined.

These pieces (I can't quite call them paintings anymore) incorporate Loving-kindness meditations written out on rice paper and then collaged onto Plexiglas. They are constructed using acrylic paint, beads, and waxed linen string mounted on shadow boxes.

Click on an image to enlarge it.

The Road Not Taken

This is a new series inspired by the Buddhist practice of Lovingkindness Meditation. These two paintings are mixed media on Plexiglas, 18" x 18", mounted on a shadow box.

"May You Be Happy"


detail


"May All Beings Have Peace" (with Swarovski Crystals)

Hold On!

Yes, some of these paintings are pretty wild. My only explanation is that I am feeling the good weather. Acrylic on Board, 36" x 36"

Robert Rauschenberg

One of my favorite artists, Robert Rauschenberg, has passed away. I have so admired him for his quirky and compassionate approach to art. Here is a fabulous article about him in today's New York Times:
Robert Rauschenberg Obituary

In addition, here is an excerpt from a New York Times article published on August 27, 2000. It was written by Michael Kimmelman. I save it in my copy of "Robert Rauschenberg: A Retrospective," published in 1999 by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.

"I was mostly rejected by the visual art world," Mr. Rauschenberg says about the early 50's. "But this turned out to be very lucky for me because my interest in life led me to be involved with musicians and dancers and they became my friends. Not just John (Cage) and Merce (Cunningham) but also Morty Feldman, Christian Wolff, Earle Brown. The problems they were having, I thought, had a lot more to do with painting than the problems of the people at the Cedar Bar, who were just whining about how the latest collector in town had bought a de Kooning instead of one of their paintings. The fastest way to become unpopular at the Cedar Bar was to sell something."

The high-beam smile appears. "The thing about the people I was close to in my career is that they wouldn't have been survivors if they didn't have a sense of humor. I remember one time John and Merce were walking ahead of Morty and me, and I was asking Morty how he was doing. "Haven't you two heard?" Morty said. "I'm the toast of two continents. Australia and Africa." Those guys didn't get any more encouragement than I did, but they just continued with a vibrancy for life.

I've always been kind of envious of them because they had professions that depended on the moment. That's why I like dancers and musicians -- because I feel that art (paintings and sculpture) can be like furniture, static, clumsy. The whole point of collaboration is to counteract that. For me, art shouldn't be a fixed idea that I have before I start making it. I want it to include all the fragility and doubt that I go through the day with. Sometimes I'll take a walk just to forget whatever good idea I had that day because I like to go into the studio not having any ideas......

I think you're born an artist or not," he adds. "I couldn't have learned it, and I hope I never do because knowing more only encourages your limitations. I wouldn't want to be any less vulnerable than I am."

May Days

The paintings below are all 3' x 3', acrylic on panel.

"On a Wing and a Prayer"

"On a Wing and a Prayer" Acrylic on Plexi on Shadow box, 18" x 18"

It's Been A While

It's been a while since I last posted. Creativity has its ups and downs, but I'm getting my mojo back. It's Spring. The sun is out. The birds are singing. I have wonderful friends. These pieces are acrylic on board - 36" x 36" No titles yet!
Enjoy!

1


2

Shadow Boxes

I've been having some fun building shadow boxes for my Plexi work. I love adding light as another component. Click on the image to see a detail.



"Zen Zips" acrylic on Plexi on shadowbox. 18" x 18"
This piece will be donated to the MONA Art Auction to be held in June.

SOLD

Thank you to those of you who support my work. I've had a very good year.


"Don't Hold Your Breath" (SOLD)
Rice Paper Collage on Plexiglas
36" x 30"


"Kanapali Swim" (SOLD)
Rice Paper Collage and Paint on Plexiglas (with feather)

October 31, 2007

"High Tide" 3' x 4'


"High Tide" detail


"High Tide" detail

A Change of Pace

I'm taking a break from the Plexiglas work. These much larger paintings are acrylic paint on panel. They are characteized by layers of texture, subtle color changes and passages of pentimento. The white dots are remnants of my "Zen Dots" series. Click on the image to view a larger detail.


"DAY DREAM"
4' x 5'


detail



.....................................................................................

"BREATHFUL" (SOLD)
4' x 4'


detail


.....................................................................................

Plexiglas Paintings at the Alexis Hotel

I am fortunate to have a number of paintings hanging at the newly remodeled Alexis Hotel. The paintings will be on view until the end of December.

Paintings Here and There

"Sandcastle no. 1," 18" x 18", rice paper collage on Plexi


"Sandcastle no. 2," 18" x 18", rice paper collage on Plexi


"Sandcastle no. 3," 18" x 18", rice paper collage on Plexi


"Trout Stream," 36" x 30", rice paper collage on Plexiglas


"Rosehip Tea," (SOLD) 36" x 30", rice paper collage on Plexiglas


"Riffle," 28" x 36", rice paper collage on Plexiglas

New Paintings - Sept 8, 07

Click on image to see a larger detail
These are all rice paper collage on Plexiglas - approx 36" high x 30" wide


"Pescadero Beach"


(Detail)


"Don't Hold Your Breath"


"Swallowtail Search"



"Eclipse"


"Leaf Walk"


"Low Tide"

New Paintings

"Waiting"


"Last Breath"


(Detail)


"Iron Mountain"


"Greenie"

Show Announcement - Center on Contemporary Art

"Zen Dots and Pixels," collage on Plexi, 38" x 30"


COCA - Center on Contemporary Art
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Curated By: Rachelle Taylor
Exhibit Runs: July 12 - August 23, 2007
Artist Reception: Thursday, July 26, 5 - 8 p.m.
CoCA is pleased to present "The Seafair Ball Invitational," a group exhibition of 9 Seattle artists. Recent works by Marita Dingus, Juan Alonso, Richard Kehl, Chris Buening, Alan Fulle, Laura Castellanos, Richard Hutter, Juan Carlos Castellanos and Cathy Woo will be on view at the Beach Club.

The artist's reception will be held from 5-8 p.m. on July 26th. At 9 p.m., The Seafair Ball will commence. Please join us for the reception. Buy a CoCA membership on our website or during the reception and stay for the Seafair Ball!
Center on Contemporary Art (CoCA) serves the Pacific Northwest as a catalyst and forum for the advancement, development, and understanding of contemporary art. CoCA provides opportunities for the art audience in this region to view new and experimental artwork firsthand in exhibitions which show the work of international, national and local artists.

Contact info
info@cocaseattle.org
www.cocaseattle.org
www.myspace.com/coca_seattle
Tel: (206) 728-1980

PONCHO AUCTION

We had a wonderful time at the Poncho Auction last Saturday night. There were so many people! And the art was fabulous. An added bonus was that my donated painting was a hit!




A messy photo to be sure. But it does a good job of expressing the mood of the evening.

New Work

Having the flu has really slowed me down. But at least I got a little bit done last week.

PONCHO ART AUCTION, MARCH 3rd

It is my privilege to donate a painting to the 6th Annual PONCHO Invitational Fine Art Auction on Saturday, March 3, 2007. This auction raises thousands of dollars to benefit many important art related organizations. Above is my donated painting "Zen Dots and Pixels no.2", mixed media on Plexiglas, 18" x 18". See you there.

New Work

February 1st!

February 1st!

More Stuff

Been Swamped, But Here is Some New Stuff

More Paintings

My studio has been closed since last week's big windstorm. Power has been cutoff to the entire building and won't be resotred until after Christmas.

Click on the image.














"Black and Blue Dots"











































September 20, 2006.
Welcome to the Cathy Woo Fine Art Blog site. This is my first post. I will be posting current art work and ideas about creativity and painting.

Feedback is welcome at cmwoo@msn.com

Also, please visit www.alkiweb.com for my artist statement, bio, resume, workshop info, as well as images from my 25 year career as a professional artist.