Treffinger Daily: Seismic

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Seismic

Oil on canvas 14"x11" $275
If you are interested in purchasing this painting please email me at katherine@katherinetreffinger.com.

I grew up on a fault line and though I can't imagine living a life with tornadoes and hurricanes,
life with earthquakes was just the way it was. I would imagine it's the same for those who grew
up around other huge events of nature. At any rate it was bound to sneak its way into my art at
some point. Or at least into my associations with my art. I can't be held totally responsible. My partner
named the piece.

6 comments:

Blue Sky Dreaming said...: Hi, I see you are on my site and here I am visiting you...I like this piece. The colors, and the title! I grew up in California Bay Area and earthquakes are part of my childhood memories as well!
I am painting squares and more squares and it is leading me to some very different ways of expression. I see your work from the post before just full of squares. You too?; February 24, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Don Gray said...: This is lovely, Katherine. Feels like ocean and shore to me...maybe Sausalito???; February 25, 2009 at 1:12 AM
lynne h said...: hi katherine, i just found your blog -- and wow! i love your paintings! my eyes are very happy when they're looking at them!; February 25, 2009 at 1:24 AM
Katherine said...: Blue Sky, Don and Lynne thanks so much for visiting and commenting.

Blue Sky I have spent 2 days in the studio doing silly little squares, well you will see on today's post. I think my brain has been invaded by aliens who speak square. Did you grow up in Santa Cruz?

Don I can see that. The Bay Area keeps entering my abstracts, I guess it really is an intrinsic part of me. You can take the girl outta Marin and SF but.....

Lynne H welcome to my new little blog! Nice to meet you. Thanks so much for the feedback!; February 25, 2009 at 9:05 AM
Leslie Avon Miller said...: This is a great blog Katherine! You can put a lot of juicy detail in a small painting! I enjoyed my visit, reading the story of your experience with art as you grew up. I'll be back! Thanks for visiting my blog also.; March 2, 2009 at 7:10 AM
Katherine said...: Thank you Leslie for visiting and enjoying the blog. I am still learning about it.; March 6, 2009 at 8:17 AM

The Art And Meaning Project

The Art and meaning Project is a series of responses from various artists to the question: "What meaning does doing art have for you? In other words why do you show up in your studio, or wherever, and pick up your tools day after day?"

This is something I have thought of doing for a while as
a book, but now I have the blog and, who knows, maybe
it could become a book. I am very excited about this. I love hearing the answers. Showing up for their creations is
often an irresistible pull for artists. Many of us at any given
time ask ourselves why we are doing it. All the answers have a different response. Most of us can relate to at least some part of every response.

I want to hear the artists' answers. If you are an artist
and would like to contribute please email me. I will not guarantee that I will post everyone's answer, I need to
see what you have to say first and if it contributes more to the project.

THE ART OF KATHERINE TREFFINGER

ABOUT THE ARTIST
www.katherinetreffinger.com

I spent my childhood in Sausalito, California in the 50’s. It was a magical place, teeming with artists and creative expression. Across the street from our house was one of the coffeehouses where the “bohemians” came to listen to music, and writers such as Allen Ginsberg, Gary Snyder and Jack Kerouac read from their work.

It was a time when San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and Sausalito were home to the abstract expressionist and Bay Area Figurative movements. My missing toys were found in the neighbor’s sculptures. I was often on tiptoes, peering into the windows of nearby studios and coffeehouses. I thrived in the wondrous mystery of this world.

Later, as an adult I had the good fortune to befriend Joseph Raffael and spend time in his studio. This was before I realized I wanted to be an artist myself. I was greatly influenced by his enthusiasm, dedication, and his ability to create beauty.

In hindsight, there was nothing else I really wanted to be than an artist. I paint and draw because I love to … and because I have to. I am primarily self taught.

When I stand before an empty canvas or piece of paper, I am lost, unaware of what to do. In fact, my most satisfying work comes from staying ‘lost’. Navigational confidence is seldom productive for me. Each piece becomes the recording of a unique introspective exploration.