Catherine Buchanan
Painter, Photographer, Writer & World-Traveler
From the Artist
Art projects are often an answer to a question. An idea that curiosity grabs and won’t let go. Can a painting offer a moment of peace? Illustrate a wish? Solve a visual problem? Motivation is built on answering questions. Given freedom from worry, the mind lights up and delivers, sometimes in a flash of inspiration after days of ruminating, occasionally through dreams, or my favorite, during conversations with people blessed with the ability to connect ambiguous thoughts in humorous and creative ways. Art is a joint venture between creators and observers, who often see something new and unintended by the artist.
I prefer to work late at night when the world is quiet, owls and crickets for company. Wandering through dusty halls of memory, combining colors that please the soul, longing for the moments when paint flows from brush to canvas as intended, or even better than imagined
Biography
I studied photography at San Francisco State University and eventually started a business photographing museum artifacts. I’ve always painted. My first series, dog portraits in front of classic cars, was exhibited throughout the San Francisco Bay area and published as a Pomegranate Press calendar.
In my 40’s I sailed from San Francisco to New Zealand, visiting over forty islands along the way. I settled in American Samoa, opened a thrift store and learned to paint people.
Moloka’i, Hawaii has inspired many painting series, The Life of Saint Damien, Native Wildlife, 90 Paintings in 90 Days and Moloka’i Landmarks, which are currently on display at the Moloka’i Airport.
Ten years ago I settled in the Hudson River Valley for the kayaking, stunning scenery and lots of time to paint during the long winters.