Blog - Artistic musings - Cathy Read Art

Sep 23

by Cathy in Exhibitions, new painting 0 comments tags: artist, Contemporary Art, exhibitions, inspiration, London Eye, new art, paintings

New Art for a new Academic Year

Does September make you feel like new beginnings? There’s a feeling of new beginnings. Maybe it’s because I still have children at school or past memories of starting a new school term in September, but things always seem to change around now. This year even more so. A number of exciting developments happened recently. A new commercial commission which requires me to go to Hanover. Details to follow. I got to tour Battersea Power Station, and take lots of photos, so expect some new work from that. I’ve been negotiating and finalising details of various exhibitions, including a Charity Ball in Manchester, a Corporate event in London and another Solo exhibition in October next year. After all that, studio time has been extremely precious lately. I’ve been challenged to create paintings that can be displayed without being glazed. I had 2 options, one paper stuck onto board and the other board treated with watercolour ground. I’ve finished the two paintings which were intended for the Frosts Exhibition. Here’s the London Eye Painting. (paper stuck to board) The second picture is of the Barbican’s Conservatory. (plywood treated with watercolour ground) Initially, I wasn’t happy with the dark area at the top. […]

Aug 21

by Cathy in Architecture 0 comments tags: Art, Contemporary Art, Haymarket, Her Majesty's Theatre, London, Original Art, Painting the Haymarket, paintings, Theatre Royal

Painting the Haymarket.

Painting the Haymarket I love iconic architecture, but some places are iconic in different ways. The Gherkin, Lloyds and the Shard are buildings that are distinctive in shape. They are relatively simple and easy to find a “classic view” and show the whole of the architecture. Somewhere like London’s Haymarket demands a different approach. When painting the Haymarket, I struggled because There’s no single classic view! With so much to choose from, where do you start? Where do you stand? Which buildings do you include? Which buildings should you omit? What’s the centre of attention, out of the many interesting details? The expression “Like a kid in a Sweetie Shop” comes to mind. My final choice included Her Majesty’s Theatre and the Theatre Royal. This is the complete view as a Work in Progress I found details such as the theatre signs gave me scope to experiment. So I did. Love the look of the ink trail over the base layer. Somewhere like the Haymarket needs to be busy to really give a sense of the place, I take a few photos of a scene and my choice depends on where the people and cars are. I like to leave […]

Jul 03

by Cathy in Architecture 0 comments tags: Abstracts, architecture, Art, Art being created, brickwork, cars, Original Art, paintings, reflections, walls, work in progress

Can you Guess what the new painting is?

Back to the studio with some new painting. It’s been a crazy old month. I’ve been creating art but I have not been doing much in the way of blogging. I’m playing catch up after Oxford art weeks, Bucks Open Studios, a visit to Manchester… and another event last week which I can’t share at the moment but will when I can. In the meanwhile you can have fun speculating. Onto the new paintings, this one has a distinctly abstract feel. So I thought we could play a game. All masked and with a cling film layer. See if you can figure out what it is. It is abstract but it’s based on reality. This one should make it easier for you… Loving the bright colours. Still struggling, or have you guessed it? Here we have the masking being removed And a wide view. Yes, it’s a piece of wall. Did you spot the car? I have no idea what model it is. In my mind it’s something expensive. No doubt someone will correct me if I’m wrong. The photo was taken on one of the backstreets off Piccadilly in London. I forgot to note where. And finally a cropped […]

Jun 04

by Cathy in Architecture, Demonstrations 0 comments tags: Brush with Fame, Gary Wilmot, Painting, portrait

Stepping out of my comfort zone – Brush with Fame

Last Sunday I took part in “Brush with Fame” It was the launch of Bucks Open Studios and participating artists were asked to take part. I volunteered as I felt I needed a challenge. Painting a portrait in 4 hours. For a landscape painter who normally takes days, it was not going to be easy. I did some practicing, not a lot though. This one felt like the best. Sunday morning I arrived in Milton Keynes at the allotted time. Setting up was quick, even had time to wait at the already busy coffee shop. The celebrities arrived close to the 11am start time and after some pleasantries we were off. I had the pleasure of painting Gary Wilmot and my initial drawing went well, some moving around and redrawing but overall I was pleased with the result. And all in good time. Then the masking fluid went on, all seemed to be progressing nicely. Lots of curious looks and questions but I’m used to that. Finally started the painting around 12:30, always a scary point. I played it safe around the face so didn’t use cling film on it. The inks started well but then I hit my usual […]

May 27

by Cathy in Architecture 0 comments tags: Art, buildings, Daily Express Building, Great ancoats Street, grief, Manchester, Musings, reaction, reflections

Proud of Manchester

Manchester is often on my mind. All month I’ve been working on paintings inspired by the city. Focusing on my home city already, it’s impossible for me not to say something about the atrocious attack on Monday. My thoughts and prayers are obviously with those directly involved. No words I can say will ever be enough. I cannot begin to comprehend what they must be feeling and going through. May you be surrounded by love and supported in your grief. I hope that you receive all you need to recover from injuries and adjust to new circumstances. I’ve never been more proud of Manchester and my fellow Mancunians. They have responded with such dignity and love. Evident in the immediate aftermath of the incident, and beyond. It’s impossible to think of the Monday assault without feeling personally attacked. Those are the streets I first wandered. The shops where I expanded my record collection and bought my clothes. Trivial things, perhaps, but normal life. My education was there, my family and friends are still there. My ancestors helped build the city. That innocent people, especially children, were hurt in my home city would be as unthinkable to them as it is to […]

May 24

by Cathy in Architecture 2 comments tags: Art in action, Art in progress, Live demonstrations, Painting, portraits

Brush With Fame

Will be taking part in Brush with Fame event on Sunday 28th May. Come along and see artists have a brush with fame and work under timed conditions. So, no pressure there then? Part of the Bucks Open Studios promotions, here are the details. I haven’t done any portraits for a while so more that a bit nervous, but it should be a fun event. Do join us!