Treffinger Daily: Cirque

Monday, March 30, 2009

Cirque

Oil on canvas Reworked since posting.

It rained all Saturday and snowed all Sunday.
Never a dull moment here. The good news is
that the weather (with help from the blog) forces
me into the studio. I finished this little painting
and worked a larger one. I did a lot of thinking
about the blog this weekend and realized I can
use it to live out one of my art dreams. I am excited,
but I am not telling just yet. You'll see.

6 comments:

Blue Sky Dreaming said...: I'm intrigued and will stay tuned!; March 30, 2009 at 9:52 AM
DMG said...: You are such a tease. Great colors here!; March 30, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Jeane Myers said...: I like this painting very much - such colors!; March 30, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Katherine said...: Thank you Blue Sky for having patience!; March 31, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Katherine said...: Kathy, I don't mean to be, but you know how it is, you have an exciting idea which you want to share but you want to do it right and contain it until you can present it as it should be. As is often the case I fall on my face somewhere in the middle trying to do both! Thank you for visiting.; March 31, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Katherine said...: Thank you Jeane, that is very nice to hear.; March 31, 2009 at 10:10 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.