Monday, March 29, 2010

Dockside

'Dockside', Oil on canvas, 9"x6" $95
If you are interested in purchasing this painting please
email me at katherine@katherinetreffinger.com

I believe it is a full moon today, so get your
howling clothes on. I am hoping to howl at a canvas.
I worked on another 24x18 this weekend but it needs
to dry a bit before I can work it anymore. Too bad, it
is an energetic piece, perfect for howling. Today's
piece is another small one and I am hoping it is a
significator (did I make this word up?) that there is
a reason to be dockside, maybe there is a ship coming
in.......and it's mine?

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Jubilee

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

I am happy to have finished another painting today.
It is interesting to me that I have a show coming up
on place and I received this grant to reflect the
power of this area where I live in my art work, and
the last two pieces, with no conscious effort on my
part remind me of places locally. Today's painting, for
whatever reason reminds me of Jubilee Lake. But,
not only places, people in my life. 'Crossing the Blues'
reminds me of my friend Tara, who turned 26 on
Tuesday. That means she was born in 1984. To me
1984 is a futuristic novel. That goes to show the
difference in our age. We are kindred spirits in
agelessness .

I know, I am rambling. Today's painting reminds me
of Melissa, who is now basking in the warmth of the
desert, hanging with her 93 year old dad and her sisters.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Crossing the Blues

'Crossing the Blues' Oil on canvas, 24x18, $540
If you are interested in purchasing this painting please
email me at katherine@katherinetreffinger.com

I am finally calling this painting finished. I often start
a painting by cleaning my palette and putting the
remaining paint on the canvas of the new painting.
Then I create the painting responding to the paint that
has haphazardly been laid down. This time the paint
was particularly psychedelic and I loved it's intensity.
Now you might think this is a good place to start.
Actually what happened was I had too much on the
canvas that was already precious to me. What was
I going to destroy in order to make a painting that
worked? 'Precious' can be the enemy to creativity.
When I was working with Cindy collaboratively I
would say "ohhhh I love this part of the painting,
I love what is happening here." She would inevitably
paint over the part I had pointed to. I was wishing
I had Cindy there when I was working on this painting,
so I called on the Cindy in my self and attacked much
of the 'precious' (doesn't this bring to mind The Lord
of the Rings? "My little precious!).

I live close to the Oregon Trail in a valley at the Base
of the Blue Mountains. Crossing the Blues was the last
huge challenge for those traveling the Oregon Trail.
Some people died trying to cross these mountains.
Now it takes 45 minutes on the freeway. The title is
of course a triple entendre. And, yes, I had to pass
through the emotional blues to create this painting.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Primavera- New eBay

'Primavera', Oil on canvas,14"x11", $275
If you are interested in purchasing this painting please
email me at katherine@katherinetreffinger.com

It was so great yesterday to get back into the
Art and Meaning project. I am hoping it inspires
others to get involved. I have quite a few requests
to artists out there.

I had one of "those" days yesterday where nothing
happened in the studio but paint getting used. On
that note I will quote Philip Guston:

"I go to my studio every day, because I may go and
the angel will there. What if I don't go and the angel
came?"

I went, but she did not show up. I know wherever
she went that artist had an incredible day and soon
it will be my turn again.

Monday, March 22, 2010

J.B. Krost- Art and Meaning

'Cursed' Haunted Room, Acrylic on canvas
approximately 3.5'x4'

"What is the meaning of doing art for you?"

It's hard to say, only that it is..... meaningful,
painful, liberating,
and very personal. I have
a studio (vacant bedroom) in the corner

of my house. At times I find myself actually
avoiding the area, and
I wont go in there at
all (I don't know why). When I push myself in

there, its really hard to get me out. I'm not really
sure what draws
me in there, all I know is that
there is a peaceful feeling, or one of
purpose
that slowly builds within me that is hard to find
something
to compare to.

I have only been in a handful of shows and only
actually sold one
painting. I don't think I paint
for the glory or notoriety or I'm sure
I would
apply for more shows and more galleries, I feel
that I do
it, more, for my own satisfaction , to
give me a moment's peace
and solitude in order
to explore my mind and the possibilities to see

what comes out on the canvas. I am an avid fly
fisherman and have
the same sensation when
I'm out there doing that .


This is a great world, but there is a lot wrong
with it.
Art is like being in the eye of the storm,
its peaceful and is calm,
but at the edges there
is a lot of violent swirling and debris.
Sometimes
you need to find a refuge.

J.B. Krost
J.B.'s links are:
Haunted Room
http://JBKROST.MOSAICGLOBE.COM
Community: HeuteKunst TodayArt

Friday, March 19, 2010

Madras

Madras, Oil on canvas, 14x11, $275
If you are interested in purchasing this painting please
email me at katherine@katherinetreffinger.com

As I sit here thinking what can I write today (I didn't blog
yesterday as I didn't come up with anything to say) I
realize I am a little discombobulated as an artist. I love
to paint large. I am craving a huge canvas and I am
painting small for the show in June and to sell now.
I painted yesterday on a 24x18 canvas a painting that is
about as big as you could fit on a canvas that size. I mean
bold. It's not finished. When it is I'll post it. Maybe I need to
have a large canvas going on the side. Oh well that's
enough rambling for now.

Have a great day, I hope it is sunny where you are. It is
here and it is 22 degrees right now. It will warm up.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Seismic- New eBay

'Seismic' Oil on canvas,14x11, $275, Starting bid $137.50
Bid Here

I have spent 2 days on making up my art supply
order and actually ordering the first half. Who would
have ever thought it would take so much time?
Today it is back to the easel for me!

I have not given up on the Art and Meaning Project.
I have approached some artists and some have
approached me, but I am not getting any responses.
I would imagine it has to do with my long break with
the blog.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Western Novel

'Western Novel', Oil on canvas, 9x6, SOLD

Thank you to the Union County Cultural Coalition,
I am on my way to the bank with a check as result
of an art grant for art supplies! I am so excited, I have
never received a grant before this. I spent all yesterday
working up an order as the 17th is the last day of a sale
at Daniel Smiths. Like a little kid in a candy shop!

I spent this weekend going back and forth between
3 paintings. Today's painting is one of them.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Circus Life- New eBay

'Circus Life', Oil on canvas, 9"x6", SOLD

I decided to put this small painting on eBay.
Since it is one of my faves I am starting the
bidding a little higher than usual.

It snowed here last night. It looks like
between 3 and 4 inches! This is the first snow
since early December! You never know
what the weather is going to do in Eastern OR!