Treffinger Daily: Little Bear Fishes

Monday, April 5, 2010

Little Bear Fishes

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

The painting I am sending today may or may not be
finished. As, I believe, I have mentioned before, I
often paint something, think it is a breakthrough
only to realize later it is not even finished let alone
a breakthrough. This is one of those paintings. It
went through some veryawkward stages where
I was completely lost.If you want to tell me I might
have lost it on this one feel free.

Now as for the title. I see a little bear and a hill in
it. It reminded me of a rafting trip I took the
summer before last on the Snake River.Ohhhhh
what a Divine experience! Anyhow in the first
few moments we were in the river a baby bear
came scurrying down the very steep hill, a wall
of Hell's Canyon. He went to the river, stuck his
paw in and to our utter amazement pulled a
large fish out. He put it in his mouth and scurried
back up. No hesitation! Wow! Beautiful.

Visit my new metaphysical blog if you feel so
inclined: www.ourlivingdream.blogspot.com

2 comments:

sunrise Sister said...: The title is great - I certainly see the bear:) I'm not sure though if it's finished.....sometimes, you fool me going back and creating something that wasn't there the first go around. You've given me inspiration to "go back" and "redo" a couple of things that I was ultimately much more pleased than I was when I imagined it complete the first go around:)

xo; April 5, 2010 at 11:16 AM
Katherine said...: Thank you Dianna that is fabulous.; April 5, 2010 at 11:29 AM

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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.