Cathy Carson
“Bold Colour and Movement”
April 20 - April 26, 2011
My name is Cathy Carson and I live on a sheep and cattle property 33 kms south of Dirranbandi. I have been painting with soft pastels for about nine years. I love the beautiful soft colours of the pastels and the immediacy of the colours.
When my youngest son, Jamie, went to boarding school in 2003 after 13 years of correspondence teaching, I found I had time on my hands. Pastel painting filled this void. This can be a very lonely life, however, I am never lonely when I am ensconced in my shed with the music blaring painting away with my small Jack Russell, Mac, at my feet, and other sheep dog 'mates' lying under the shed.
I paint things I love and respond to, images of my life, the colours and the animals here on Ooraine as well as other 'bush images' which strike a chord with me. I try to work by the maxim of 'I love what I paint and paint what I love'. It works for me! I really enjoy painting sheep, cattle, dogs and horses. Every face is different and I try to capture the mood of the face and the character of the animal or person. I believe that the 'eyes are the mirror of the soul'; if I can 'capture' the eyes the rest of the portrait falls into place.
Men mustering sheep or cattle; stockmen riding bikes with sheep dogs riding pillion; weathered stockmen’s faces; men and horses competing in camp drafts are all subjects I have drawn and loved.
Our property, 'Ooraine' is our family’s home and life, as well as being part of our business. At times the seasons and the markets are not kind, during these times, I have used my art as a means of escape and enjoyment. I am so lucky to have it. It is the most wonderful 'therapy'. Droughts, water shortages, loneliness and poor commodity prices all fade into the background when I’m painting.
I have cleaned out, painted and air-conditioned a one room shed. I use it as my 'art shed'. It is some distance from the house, and I can escape the office, the phone and the UHF radios. It has louvre windows on three sides and shelves around three of its walls. It was originally used as a storeroom in the days of station cooks and big numbers of men.
My husband, David, says he always knows where to find me - as there is music blaring out of the windows and numerous dogs guarding the shed
I am a member of the St. George Art Group. This group hold regular painting days and also organise a couple of workshops a year with visiting tutors. We encourage and advise each other and this support group has been a huge part of my pastel painting experience. My two older children, Billy and Caitie, have also been an enormous support to me with helpful advice and constant encouragement.
There are always new challenges with art and wonderful rewards. It is a constant journey of discovery. It has led me to meet and make some wonderful friends.
I hope you enjoy my paintings as much as I have enjoyed painting them for you.
For more information about Cathy's paintings go to www.OutbackPaintings.com