Treffinger Daily: Anna

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Anna

Oil on canvas, 48"x36", $1800 plus shipping
If you are interested in purchasing this painting please
email me at katherine@katherinetreffinger.com

I was wondering what the heck I was going to post this
morning. I mean I have lots of images to post yet, but I
wanted to do something different....and then I realized I
hadn't posted 'Anna' (or I don't think I have). I did this
painting in my studio in Portland. One of my favorite
models posed for it and I believe it was a four session
pose at 3 hours a session. Cindy and I painted next to
each other on this one and I own her lovely painting from
it. This painting was extremely challenging for me as I
was trying to break through to a more expressive place.
I was successful, but not in the way I was hoping for.

6 comments:

Sunrise Sister said...: Anna is lovely. I don't remember seeing this image online but remember the impact the piece made when I viewed it on a wall of the Carnegie Art Center in Walla Walla. - Beautiful!; July 8, 2009 at 2:50 PM
Jeane Myers said...: really wonderful Katherine :); July 8, 2009 at 11:28 PM
Ria Vanden Eynde said...: I love this one, the colors of the skirt against the blue of the chair, beautiful, great impact. I "get" what you're saying about trying to get into a more expressive place-what's the way you were hoping for-if I may ask? To me the body is quite expressive here...; July 9, 2009 at 1:52 AM
Katherine said...: Thank you Dianna. I loved doing that show.; July 9, 2009 at 9:21 AM
Katherine said...: And thank you Ms. Jeane. You've been painting and posting like mad. Good on ya!; July 9, 2009 at 9:22 AM
Katherine said...: Yes Ria this is a very expressive piece. I mean something much, much looser. I am a big fan of Nathan Oliveira and Fritz Scholder and would love to paint in a similar dream like loose way. As of yet it has not been in me, which is probably why I have resorted to abstract painting.; July 9, 2009 at 9:26 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.