Working BIG on this ancient Virginia White Oak

Viginia White Oak, 12 X 24", oil on gessoed birch

Gosh am I having a good time lately. I am loving finally getting to paint this rather famous white oak tree in Earlysville, VA. I pass it almost daily and it's really gotten to me over the years. I only paint what I have great fondness for, and this is one of those things. Rumor has it it's well over 200 years old, and that Thomas Jefferson noted it when he'd pass it on the way to visit James Madison's home at Montpelier. 

I've learned that what's really unique about this particular species of oak is the tulip-shaped trunk. It's very wide at the base and narrows rather quickly, hence the "tulip shape." I hope it lives forever.

I spent a lovely morning photographing and sketching it and have been just itching to do this. This is the first LARGE (for me) painting I've done in years, and it's a welcome change. Going to keep going on this about 3/4 finished piece to finish before I hit the road for California then New York City next week.

Auction Ending In 8 Hours! Original, Custom Framed Country Store!

Click HERE to go to the Auction!!!

This original, custom framed oil painting by internationally award-winning artist  Catherine Twomey speaks to the nostalgia of warm summer days. Painted en plein air  (outside, on site), it is of a Virginia General Store. It oozes the heat and light of a  late summer afternoon, where the old pumps sit waiting for their next customer along the shadowed country road. I painted this building because it has become an old friend; I pass it almost daily. It's  design and classic beauty were obvious. I spent hours painting it as the day waned,  but loved every minute. On archival linen board, the size of the painting is 5 X 7", with the frame it comes to  9.5 X 11". The frame is custom made by King of Frames (California) and is a rich  brown wood with a gold lining and very well made, ready to hand. It sets the painting  off beautifully and will enhance any setting. The colors, texture, contrasts of light and shadow evoke the emotions of the 1940's,  when this store was built. It is a southern classic still serving a contemporary clientele  with dignity and charm.  Background My artwork has been featured at the world renowned TED (Technology, Education and  Design) conference (TED MED in San Diego, on huge high definition screens throughout  the exhibition center). I recently won the nationally acclaimed ArtInPlace competition in  Virginia which placed a 12' X 24' mural on aluminum of my work, now seen by thousands  of commuters daily. Two museums currently house my art: The William H. Benton  Museum in Connecticut, and The LLoyd Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was a great  honor to be asked to exhibit and I continue to add to their collections. Speaking of  collections, my work is a part of hundreds of private collections worldwide.I've won many  national and international awards for my artwork, and am a published author which  means I have no excuse for bad writing or editing. Mea culpa. I'm not nearly as good a  writer as my brother Steve, who won a Pulitzer Prize and has some books in the works.  I do, however, try.I have studied with some of the best artistic and scientific minds in the  world: fellow medical illustrators. Leonardo da Vinci is considered the first medical  illustrator, and his knowledge, technical abilities and deep curiosity are benchmarks  for the field. As a Board Certified Medical Illustrator, I have had the privilege to know  and learn directly from some of the most extraordinarily talented, smart and influential  visionaries living today.Fine art influencers include Georgia O'Keefe, da Vinci,  Rembrandt and Degas. I look to their struggles and triumphs, and their unflinching  persistence.

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Genre:	Landscape
Media:	Custom wood framed with gold lining; archival line...
Auction Notes:	My artwork has been featured at the world renownedTED (Technology, Education and Design) conference (TED MED in San Diego, on huge high definition screens throughout the exhibition center). I recently won the nationally acclaimedArtInPlacecompetition in Virginia which placed a 12' X 24' mural on aluminum of my work, now seen by thousands of commuters daily.  Two museums currently house my art: The William H. Benton Museum in Connecticut, andThe LLoyd Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was a great honor to be asked to exhibit and I continue to add to their collections. Speaking of collections, my work is a part of hundreds of private collections worldwide. Fine art influencers includeGeorgia O'Keefe, da Vinci, Rembrandt and Degas. I look to their struggles and triumphs, and their unflinching persistence.

Auction Ending Tomorrow! Original Oil by C. Twomey

"East Fall Blue Ridge No. 4" oil on linen board, C. Twomey

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This 8 X 10" on archival board oil painting is from a series, the first of which won the nationally acclaimed "ArtInPlace" competition and was reproduced into a 12 X 24' mural along a busy highway in Charlottesville, VA. Can't get enough of the Blue Ridge mountains, especially in the fall. This view is from Skyline Drive, looking towards the east around sunset in the fall. I've painted it four times now, and that's still not enough! This particular painting is more luminous than previous works, as the technique evolves. 

Genre:	Landscape
Media:	Oil on archival board.
Auction Notes:	My artwork has been featured at the world renownedTED (Technology, Education and Design) conference (TED MED in San Diego, on huge high definition screens throughout the exhibition center). I recently won the nationally acclaimedArtInPlacecompetition in Virginia which placed a 12' X 24' mural on aluminum of my work, now seen by thousands of commuters daily.  Two museums currently house my art: The William H. Benton Museum in Connecticut, andThe LLoyd Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was a great honor to be asked to exhibit and I continue to add to their collections. Speaking of collections, my work is a part of hundreds of private collections worldwide. Fine art influencers includeGeorgia O'Keefe, da Vinci, Rembrandt and Degas. I look to their struggles and triumphs, and their unflinching persistence.

Genre:

Landscape

Media: 

Oil on archival board.

Auction Notes:

My artwork has been featured at the world renownedTED (Technology, Education and Design) conference (TED MED in San Diego, on huge high definition screens throughout the exhibition center). I recently won the nationally acclaimedArtInPlacecompetition in Virginia which placed a 12' X 24' mural on aluminum of my work, now seen by thousands of commuters daily. 

Two museums currently house my art: The William H. Benton Museum in Connecticut, andThe LLoyd Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was a great honor to be asked to exhibit and I continue to add to their collections. Speaking of collections, my work is a part of hundreds of private collections worldwide.

Fine art influencers includeGeorgia O'Keefe, da Vinci, Rembrandt and Degas. I look to their struggles and triumphs, and their unflinching persistence.

Auction Ending Today!

"Southern Homestead" by C. Twomey, custom framed 8 X 10" original oil

Please CLICK HERE to be taken to the auction! Ends today.....

Recalling mid-century (or earlier) southern hospitality and charm, this original oil painting by Catherine Twomey captures the delightful warmth of an original homestead on an early fall day in Virginia. The classic porch front architecture, the tin roof, the welcoming rocking chairs - these details transport the viewer to another time, a simpler place.

This oil on archival linen board is custom framed in a stunning, weathered gold "floater" frame, giving the illusion of floating in space and depth. The oil is 8 X 10"H. The frame is 11.5 X 13.5"H and 1.75" deep and ready to hang.

Thank you for looking.

Sold right off the easel - thanks!

These two paintings sold while still drying on Monday. Made for a very happy day! Thank you for your support. Please visit my website by Clicking HERE.

"Barboursville Vineyards No.1", 6 X 6", oil on archival linen

"Grace Vineyards No.1", 6 X 6", oil on archival linen

"Southern Homestead" Signed Landscape Oil by Twomey, Custom Framed, Listed

"Southern Homestead No. 1" C. Twomey, 8 X 10", oil

Recalling mid-century (or earlier) southern hospitality and charm, this original oil painting by C. Twomey captures the delightful warmth of an original homestead on an early fall day in Virginia. The classic porch front architecture, the tin roof, the welcoming rocking chairs - these details transport the viewer to another time, a simpler place. It's about 3 miles from my home.

This oil on archival linen board is custom framed in a stunning, weathered gold "floater" frame, giving the illusion of floating in space and depth. The oil is 8 X 10"H. The frame is 11.5 X 13.5"H and 1.75" deep and ready to hang.

*****

My artwork has been featured at the world renowned TED (Technology, Education and Design) conference (TED MED in San Diego, on huge high definition screens throughout the exhibition center). I recently won the nationally acclaimed ArtInPlace competition in Virginia which placed a 12' X 24' mural on aluminum of my work, now seen by thousands of commuters daily.

Two museums currently house my art: The William H. Benton Museum in Connecticut, and The LLoyd Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was a great honor to be asked to exhibit and I continue to add to their collections. Speaking of collections, my work is a part of hundreds of private collections worldwide.

I've won many national and international awards for my artwork, and am a published author which means I have no excuse for bad writing or editing. Mea culpa. I'm not nearly as good a writer as my brother Steve, who won a Pulitzer Prize and has some books in the works. I do, however, try.

There have been great influencers throughout my life. My mother, who raised three children alone on a schoolteacher's salary. My brother Steve, who won a Pulitzer Prize and has some books in the pipeline. My sister Ann, who is the good child. Cousin Julia Sweeney from Saturday Night Live and many books, one-woman shows and screenplays. My sister-in-law Kathleen Carroll runs the editorial side of the Associated Press, and is Chairperson of the Pulitzer Prize Award Board. All of these influencers have accomplished amazing things despite great adversity.

I have studied with some of the best artistic and scientific minds in the world: fellow medical illustrators. Leonardo da Vinci is considered the first medical illustrator, and his knowledge, technical abilities and deep curiosity are benchmarks for the field. As a Board Certified Medical Illustrator, I have had the privilege to know and learn directly from some of the most extraordinarily talented, smart and influential visionaries living today.

Fine art influencers include Georgia O'Keefe, da Vinci, Rembrandt and Degas. I look to their struggles and triumphs, and their unflinching persistence. 

"Grace Vineyards No. 1" by Twomey

"Grace Vineyards No. 1", oil on linen board, 6 X 6", C. Twomey

 Just finished this piece. Starting to really get the luminosity I've been looking for. I'm thinking of putting this up for auction, but can't decide just yet. I remember this early fall day, standing and looking over the vines and fields and thinking it was heaven. Or heaven equivalent, depending upon what floats your boat. 

Grace Vineyards is considered a new kid on the block, even though it's heritage traces back to the Magna Carta. The wineries are getting more and more competitive around here; and the wines are getting better.