Treffinger Daily: The Green Room

"The Green Room" Oil on canvas, 24x18, $540
If you are interested in purchasing this painting please
email me at katherine@katherinetreffinger.com

Well the angel showed up yesterday and I was able to
get a lot done in the studio. For this I am grateful, for
the wonderful curator of the gallery I will be showing
in is coming tomorrow. I feel ready now and yesterday
I didn't.

Today's painting is named after My experience of riding
the 'Green Room' a white water rapid in the Snake River.
It is the largest standing wave in the Snake and I believe
in this country. It was one of the most exhilarating
experiences in my long life. The only other one I am
remembering at the moment that matches it was flying
and landing an adult Golden Eagle off a leather gauntlet
when I was working with a project at the San Francisco
Zoo to retrain Birds of Prey for release. We had different
birds come stay with us when they were not feeling well,
including Thor, a Red Tailed Hawk and Harry, a Great
Horned Owl. Harry had the annoying habit of sitting on
one's knee and biting the corners of whatever book you
were reading. What a bird! Beautiful!!

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.

4 comments:

Caio Fern said...: fantastic; April 7, 2010 at 8:53 AM
Katherine said...: Thank you very much Caio!; April 7, 2010 at 9:07 AM
DMG said...: This is filled with joyous energy. Love it!; April 7, 2010 at 10:06 AM
Katherine said...: Thank you Kathy you are such a wonderful support.; April 8, 2010 at 9:07 AM

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

The Green Room

4 comments: