Treffinger Daily: Train Passes Hot Lake

Oil on canvas 9"x6" $95 plus $6 shipping
If you are interested in purchasing this painting please contact me at katherine@katherinetreffinger.com

I had an enjoyable time in the studio yesterday working both my large and small painting.
It's fun to do it that way. When I get frustrated with one I work the other.

Todays daily reminds me of the train rolling past Hot Lake. For those of you that
do not know Hot Lake, it is a small lake that maintains a temperature of 186 degrees.
It is about 10 miles from where I live. The local Indian tribes came to enjoy the springs at the lake.
They considered it a healing place and all discontent between the tribes were put aside
when they came here.

A Dr. Phys eventually opened a healing spa that is rumored to have been one of the most
desirable in the country at the time. At that point in time the train stopped at the spa and let
passengers off. Now the train no longer stops there, in fact there are no passenger trains
going through the Grande Ronde Valley. Now the old spa is owned by an sculptor.
I believe he has a foundry there.

The train does still roll through. My friends camp at the RV park there and the kids
put coins on the tracks for the train to flatten.

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.

6 comments:

Blue Sky Dreaming said...: This is quite a beauty! The black (to me) looks rather like a print...beautiful and strong like a train.; March 5, 2009 at 9:38 AM
Katherine said...: Thank you Blue Sky Dreaming. Associations are so funny. I wrote todays blog thinking how funny this whole story comes from a little 9x6 inch painting that others will look at and see something completely different!; March 5, 2009 at 9:44 AM
Sylvie Van Hulle said...: This is a brilliant painting!
I work on different paintings in the same time too. It's like you say, when you're stuck with the one, you can go further on the other.; March 5, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Katherine said...: Thank you Sylvi, that is music to my ears. How is your show looking?; March 5, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Dogs by Bri said...: Love this one and the story that goes with it.

Hope to see you Friday night at the art shows.

Bri-; March 5, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Katherine said...: Brian thanks for visiting, nice to hear from you. Going to Baker tonight depends on a couple of things so we may or not make it. I hope your show looks incredible and you sell, sell, sell!; March 6, 2009 at 9:13 AM

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Train Passes Hot Lake

6 comments: