Solo show opens soon

I am excited to present a solo show titled "Ornamental" at the School of Fashion Design, 136 Newbury Street in Boston. The exhibit will run from April 10 to May 10, with a reception open to the public on Friday, April 28, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

During the reception, scheduled as part of ArtWeek Boston, I will give a talk on my creative career, which began as a graduate of the School of Fashion Design, and explain how that experience led to my current work as a professional artist.

The show will include works from my "Filigree" series, most of which are being exhibited for the very first time. The shapes in this series are inspired by expansive, looping forms such as fiber weaves, calligraphic marks, and natural shapes like roots and vines.

The School of Fashion Design is open Monday and Friday 9 AM to 4 PM, Tuesday to Thursday 9 AM to 9 PM, and Saturday 9 AM to 3 PM. More information is available at CatherineCarterPainting.com.

"Filigree Square 10," acrylic on canvas, 20" square, 2015

"Filigree Square 7," acrylic on canvas, 20" square, 2015

"Filigree 6," acrylic on canvas, 40" H x 30" W, 2015

New small works

Lots happening in the new space! I've been working on a small series of acrylic and fabric collages on canvas, all 12" square. I'm enjoying them so much that I feel I could keep going and going with this theme!

So many colors

I decided to buy myself a Christmas present: this box of 48 colors of acrylic paints from Dick Blick! (Yes, I was one of those kids whose favorite holiday gift was always the giant box of Crayola crayons.)

I plunged right in as soon as the Fed Ex man brought it to my door, and made this 12" square canvas using a combination of blues and greens.

Looking forward to many more hours of playing with this new toy!

First Steps in New Studio

It has been 5 months since my last post! And not because there has been nothing to write about!

It seems strange to look back at that last post. When I wrote it, I had no idea where my new studio would be. It was intimidating to consider the daunting road ahead: I needed to find a new place; get moved in; get set up; and get my creative routine rolling again.

Fast forward five months, and here we are. The space is at Hatch Street Studios, a dynamic community of 50+ artists working in a restored 19th-century textile mill in the historic North End of New Bedford. Soon after I moved in on October 1, the group held its annual open studios event, and I was excited to participate. Many old friends came by, including one I hadn't seen since 1982 and one I hadn't seen since 2010, and there were many new guests who seemed to enjoy my work. I was pleased that a piece from my "Bubble" series sold to an enthusiastic collector who is also an artist.

A week later (last weekend), I dismantled the open studio setup and arranged the space in the ideal way for me to work, and a few days ago, I finally put brush to canvas. So I'm decidedly headed down a new road, looking forward to turning the new studio into a productive place to work.

Here are some photos documenting my activities in the new space.

Just moved in! (October 1)

First order of business: set up for open studios event (November 19 and 20)

Another view of studio at open studio event

Larger work on display at open studio event

Finally set up and ready to work (November 29)

Newest series under way (December 1)

Farewell to my old studio

Moving is always a bittersweet experience. You are caught between fond memories of your old life but excited by imaginings of the new one. My life circumstances have shifted, and I am now now bidding farewell to the studio I have enjoyed for the past 12 years. It has been located in the spacious walkout basement of the house my husband and I have been renting in Holliston, Massachusetts, and this proximity has been one of its best features. No need to drive anywhere or even get dressed; I could just pad downstairs in my pajamas and stretch a canvas or add a layer.

While I will miss this room, it is time to move on to new artistic adventures. I have to admit, I am excited to be getting a fresh start! For a moment, though, I want to take one last look back and give thanks for the opportunity I had to work here.

So long, it's been good to know you!

Back when it was set up and ready to work in ... 

Solo show of cut paper collage series

My solo show titled "Loops/Links: Cut Paper Collages" is currently on display at Gallery 65 on William in New Bedford, up until May 28. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM. Here are views from the exhibit, as well as the traditional "Hi, Mom!" shot taken at the opening reception on May 12.

Four paintings from the "Loops/Links" series; each one is acrylic and paper collage on board, 12" square, 2016.

Additional artworks in the show; same materials as above.

Four more pieces in the show; these are 8" square.

"Hi, Mom!"

New "Sky Lines" series

I've completed recently created three canvases in a new series, which place sky views alongside patterned lines. These works are titled (not surprisingly) "Sky Lines," and are made of acrylic and paper collage on canvas, measuring 40" high by 30" wide. I'm enjoying the unexpected combination of real and unreal.

"Sky Lines 3," acrylic and paper collage on canvas, 40" x 30", 2016

"Sky Lines 2," acrylic and paper collage on canvas, 40" x 30", 2016

"Sky Lines 1," acrylic and paper collage on canvas, 40" x 30", 2016

Happy New Year 2016!

I've just posted my New Year's Newsletter with a look ahead to the coming year:

New year heralds new directions ...  View this email in your browser

Catherine Carter Studio News Dear Friend:  It's time to bid farewell to 2015 and turn our attention to all the promise that 2016 holds! In the case of my studio, the new year will bring a major transition. After 12 years in the same space, I will be relocating, with all of the personal and artistic reevaluation (not to mention elbow grease) that experience entails. I feel overwhelmed but excited by the prospect! In addition to the process of organizing and boxing my possessions, I have been squeezing some last-minute creation time out of my old studio. The result is a series of fabric and paper collages on 8- and 12-inch-square boards (shown below), aimed for an upcoming solo show at Gallery 65 on William this May. In making these pieces, I have focused on my love of graffiti, with the intention of packing a visual punch into each tiny square. Thank you as always for your interest in and support of my ever-unfolding career as a painter. For regular updates, feel free to connect with me via the Facebook and Twitter links below; a complete display of my artwork is available at my website, CatherineCarterPainting.com. I send you my warmest wishes for a brilliant New Year! Catherine     My painting "Autumn Lines" is currently hanging in the group exhibition titled "Dream Weavers" atBrickbottom Gallery in Somerville, MA. The show remains on display until January 16. Gallery hours are Thursday through Saturday, 12 to 5.

My painting titled "Summer" (acrylic on canvas, 20" square, 2015) will be included in the 27th Annual MassArt Auction, to be held on April 9.  Coming this summer: I have been invited to participate in the upcoming exhibit "Contemporary Women Artists" at the Bristol Art Museum in Bristol, Rhode Island, to be on view from July 22 to September 4. Additional details to follow!

Happy New Year! Copyright © 2015 by Catherine Carter. All rights reserved.

"Dreamweavers" Exhibit

My painting "Autumn Lines" (shown here) will appear as part of the exhibit "Dreamweavers" at the Brickbottom Gallery in Somerville, MA, from December 6 to January 16, 2016. An opening reception is planned for Sunday, December 6 from 3 to 5 PM. Looking forward to it!

"Autumn Lines," acrylic on canvas, 20" H x 14" W, 2012

Small squares emerging

This month I am continuing to create small collaged-paper works on cradled board; the latest are 8 inches square. I'm impressed by how much energy can be compacted into such a tiny space! I'm referencing my long-time graffiti interest here (I did an in-depth research project on graffiti as an undergraduate), trying to express that influence in an elegant "Art Nouveau" way.

Ultimately these pieces will appear in an upcoming solo show in 2016; details to come.