Catherine McCargar

In the Clearing, Original Painting

2022

Artist Comments
During a recent plein air outing near her home, Judy saw a man walking his dog on a downtown street. The brightly colored awning and decorative lamps, combine...

Artist Comments
"Mt. Diablo has many faces," says artist Catherine McCargar. "It can be seen from afar and up close." In this painting, Catherine captured the scene by standing...

Artist Comments
Trees dot a grassy landscape under a clear blue sky. Captured by the shadows cast by a lone tree, artist Catherine McCargar painted this peaceful scene on a late California summer morning. The purple and lavender shades contrast and complement the golden glow of the morning sun. Catherine employed an impressionist style to simplify the subject matter, yet her brushwork on the foreground grasses is intricately detailed.

About the Artist
Impressionist Catherine McCargar expresses her deep admiration of nature through landscape paintings of Northern California. While she is well-versed in a range of media, her preferred medium for painting is watercolor. The fluidity of the paint allows her to capture the muted undertones and the fleeting light found in the natural world. While the backgrounds of her paintings are impressionistic, the foregrounds of her paintings are often highly detailed, showcasing her technical mastery over her medium.

Words that describe this painting: landscape, field, trees, impressionism, shadow, sunlight, summer, sky, watercolor, paper, morning, impressionism, landscape, watercolor painting, green

New Day Dawning...

Artist Comments
I love reflection. This painting captures two of my favorite elements of nature, trees and water, twofold with the tall pines echoing in the pond below.

Artist Comments
One of my favorite subjects to paint is a wooded landscape, being surrounded by trees and the colors and shadows they create. This is one of those scenes, accented by a mountain stream.

About the Artist
Chris Wagner uses color to express his unique vision of the people and places around him. He currently lives in North Carolina and enjoys keeping up with artists from around the world through Facebook. In his work, he tries to focus on subjects that contrast lights and darks. He recently found inspiration in the way a strong back light created amazing shapes and shadows.

Words that describe this painting: landscape, river, impressionism, woods, trees, impressionism, nature, representational, watercolor painting, green

Summer Stream...

Artist Comments
"The fanciful notion that these blocky residences were carved right out of the side of the cliffs was the impression that inspired this painting," shares artist Joe Giuffrida. He presents a panoramic view of a city on the Amalfi coast. He leaves most of the architecture white to create one large shape that fits like a puzzle piece into the surrounding cliffs and foliage. The space becomes the central highlight of the entire composition against the vibrant shades of enclosing nature.

About the Artist
Artist Joe Giuffrida paints impressionist landscapes frequently balanced with architectural arrangements. His artistic vision diverges from traditional styles depending on the subject at hand. "My creative energy is best developed through being on-site, observing a location, and getting the feel of the environment," says Joe. An expression of what is felt but not necessarily seen flourishes in his work, pushing the limits of color and value beyond what is there. Joe sought mentorship through workshops and college classes, then supplemented his learning by reading books on art techniques. He developed a firm belief in his craft being good through the perception of feeling rather than visuals. Emotional connections hold a crucial part of his creative process, challenging himself to be able to convey his responses while leaving room for the viewer's interpretation. He works in two studios, one for subtle watercolor painting and the other for bold and heavy acrylics and oils - systemized by organized clutter. His work has been featured in American and European publications and displayed in England, Germany, France, and the United States. Outside of painting, he channels his prowess as a musician, spending considerable time learning new guitar music...