September! Time for an update on my summer activities. I loved having my own studio space, even if only for 6 months! It really gave me the opportunity to explore new areas and evolve my work further as I explore female power. My previous “Veiled” series used flowers as an allegorical motif. Several of the new pieces celebrate female energy and empowerment.

 “Dreaming of Amedeo Modigliani” is my first work exploring the beauty of the human form, inspired by Modigliani’s “Seated Nude” (1917). The nude is similar to Modigliani’s in pose, yet her face differs as it reveals a sweet pleasure in allowing and inviting herself to be seen. She is unveiled and empowered, knowing and owning her strength. Please go to my website http://catherinesolovay.com to see the image as I suspect Facebook will censor it. 

The abstracts “Freedom” and “Exultation” were inspired by the abundant joy at a recent event in upstate New York. I wanted to bring forth the uninhibited spirit and positive energy that I experienced as I was embraced by a community of love.

 

I’m excited to share some upcoming exhibitions for my work this summer. At the Boston Bean Coffeehouse I am showing still lifes Ripening, Sweetness, and Lemon Moment for the next couple of months. At the 15 Nason St Artspace gallery I have three works also in the Potpourri show for the next 2-4 weeks (Sunset on the Ottawa River, Ocean Meditation, and Hidden Love). Starting July 9 at the 6 Bridges Gallery on Main street in Maynard I have two works in the juried Resilience exhibit: Atlantis Found and Veiled Strength. Busy summer!

I've been working out of Studio 3 at 9 Nason St since March this year- it's been both energizing and liberating to have a "room of my own" - far from the distractions of the work world. The greater physical space, energizing sunlight and joy of working alongside fellow artists make the investment well worth it!

At the open studios event coming up in a couple of weeks I will be sharing sneak peeks of works in progress and some of my more recent finished pieces such as Atlantis Found.

I’m excited to have finally reached a point where I can consider my latest painting as finished! Ripening is a still life of two peaches with an open orange with a free segment freshly plucked. I really enjoyed the process of bringing out the tender ripeness of the peaches with the small bruises just forming under the furry skin. There is a delicate tendril of pith dangling from the orange segment. The background wall picks up the colors and with subtle cool tones complements the fruit arrangement. The open orange captures female energy, breaking open to give nourishment. I will have matted prints of this and other works at the Dec 7th open studios at 9 Nason St in Artspace. ($30-$40) Please stop by 6-8:30 pm that day to check them out.

Last night I worked on framing and veiling my painting of the tomato flower for submission to “The Square Foot Show” by Artscape in Concord MA at the Fowler library. I’m experiencing some trepidation, will they accept it? Will my work be understood? If it is hung in the library will anyone see it? Will someone wonder, why is she covering her work? 
I’m realizing that as I put my art “out there” the interpretation ultimately becomes personal to the beholder regardless of my own intentions.  This is something to accept on my part:

 

 “your opinion of my art is none of my business”

 

Building out the veiled flowers, this painting is drying and awaiting varnish before being veiled. The yellow flower is from a tomato plant in my backyard, in real life it was only as big as the end of my thumb, but enlarged I am hoping to capture the potential energy and nourishment that it will provide.

Recently I have been experimenting with semi-sculptural interactive works, posing questions to the viewer,  exploring the theme of female power. What if flowers were veiled just as women are in some cultures? What does it mean to expose that energy and view the brilliance underneath? Does the viewer dare to touch the veil? What emotions are invoked by the semi-transgressive act of lifting the veil?