At first glance, the work of American artist Catherine Howe resembles 17th-century still lifes. It’s true that the New York native draws on paintings by Dutch and Flemish Old Masters, but a range of influences such as postwar Abstract Expressionism, Rococo and Baroque art are at play, and what initially appears as the typical still-life subjects — flowers or food — melts away upon closer inspection. Howe's abstract paintings are a study of the process of painting — the rush of shimmering colors, energetic brushstrokes, and mediums, which are often acrylics, beeswax and copper leaf, are the stars of the show.
Howe was born in Buffalo in 1959. She earned her MFA in painting from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Her first exhibit took place in 1987 at White Columns in New York City, a nonprofit space for up-and-coming artists to showcase their work. At this time, Howe was still living in Buffalo and serving as a curator at the Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center. In 1989, she moved to New York City and took on a role as associate director of White Columns, which she held until 1995. During her time at White Columns, Howe started garnering attention for her novel style and use of material.
Howe has since then exhibited throughout the United States, as well as at international exhibitions in London, Paris, Amsterdam and Munich. Her paintings have been featured in publications like Art in America, the New York Times and Artforum. She is a New York Academy of Art professor and served as Chair of the Department of Critical Studies until 2021.
Howe currently splits her time between her home in Manhattan and the Hudson Valley. She continues to exhibit around the United States.
On 1stDibs, find original Catherine Howe paintings, prints, mixed media works and other art.
Still life, Reverse Mylar Painting, Catherine Howe, Blue Composition (1)
By Catherine Howe
Located in White Plains, NY
Reverse Mylar Painting, 'Blue Composition (1),' 2017 by Catherine Howe. Molding paste, oil and acrylic mediums on polyester sheeting, 40 x 30 in. / White Frame: 46 x 40.25 in. Howe's...
Mylar, Oil, Acrylic
Gestural, Metal Leaf painting 'Luminous Painting (hot pinks)'
By Catherine Howe
Located in White Plains, NY
Available at Madelyn Jordon Fine Art. 'Luminous Painting (hot pinks)' 2022 by Catherine Howe. Pigments, acrylic, white and copper leaf, and glass micro-beads on canvas, 48 x 60 in. T...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$8,500
Gold leaf, Mixed Media, Still Life Painting, Catherine Howe, Opal Painting(gold)
By Catherine Howe
Located in White Plains, NY
'Opal Painting (gold)' 2018 by Catherine Howe. Fluorescent & mica pigments in acrylic mediums, 24K gold leaf gilded on canvas, 30 x 30 in.. This painting features Howe's signature ab...
Gold Leaf
Still life, Reverse Mylar Painting, Catherine Howe 'Blue Composition (2)'
By Catherine Howe
Located in White Plains, NY
Reverse Mylar Painting, 'Blue Composition (2),' 2017 by Catherine Howe. Oil and acrylic mediums on polyester sheeting, 40 x 30 in. / White Frame: 46 x 40.25 in. Howe's reverse-paint...
Mylar, Oil, Acrylic
Abstract, Beige and White, Reflective painting 'Flower Float no. 3'
By Catherine Howe
Located in White Plains, NY
Available at Madelyn Jordon Fine Art. 'Blue/Gold Mica Painting (Flower Float No. 3)' 2023 by Catherine Howe. Interference pigments, acrylic, glass micro beads, aluminum leaf, and whi...
Foil
Abstract, Beige and White, Reflective painting 'Flower Float no. 2'
By Catherine Howe
Located in White Plains, NY
Available at Madelyn Jordon Fine Art. 'Blue/Gold/Silver Mica Painting (Flower Float no. 2)' 2024 by Catherine Howe. Interference pigments, acrylic, glass micro beads, aluminum leaf, ...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Gestural, Mixed Media painting 'Iridescent Pearl Painting (Ariel)'
By Catherine Howe
Located in White Plains, NY
Available at Madelyn Jordon Fine Art. 'Iridescent Pearl Painting (Ariel)' 2023 by Catherine Howe. Acrylic mediums, interference and mineral pigments ...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Still life, Mica Pigment Painting, Catherine Howe, Zig Zag
By Catherine Howe
Located in White Plains, NY
“Zig Zag” by Catherine Howe, 2016. Acrylic and interference mica pigment and resin on canvas, 60 x 48 inches. Howe's abstracted still life florals are painted with a matte white gess...
Mica
Still life, Mica Pigment Painting, Catherine Howe, Tulip
By Catherine Howe
Located in White Plains, NY
'Tulip' by Catherine Howe, 2015. Acrylic and interference mica pigment and resin on canvas, 40 x 30 inches. In gold, silver and white. Howe's abstracted still life florals are painte...
Canvas, Resin, Acrylic, Mica
Abstract, Beige and White, Reflective painting 'Flower Float no. 1'
By Catherine Howe
Located in White Plains, NY
Available at Madelyn Jordon Fine Art. 'Blue/Gold/Silver Mica Painting (Flower Float no. 1)' 2024 by Catherine Howe. Interference pigments, acrylic, glass micro beads, aluminum leaf, ...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Yellow Rose
By Elena Zolotnitsky
Located in Burlingame, CA
Yellow rose (for friendship) in crystal vase - still life is featured in this small scale mixed media oil painting that is 10 x 10 inches. Oil on mylar ove...
Mylar, Mixed Media, Oil, Panel
Face: Emerald
By Elena Zolotnitsky
Located in Burlingame, CA
The face of a young woman is featured in this oil painting on mylar, mounted on panel that is 12 x 12 inches. Professionally framed in burnished gold leaf over wood with an outer dim...
Mylar, Mixed Media, Oil, Panel
$610
H 18 in W 14 in
Poppy Parade - Framed Abstract Expressive Botanical Floral Still Life Painting
By Kellie Newsome
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dynamic and abstracted still-life artworks are the specialty of Georgia-based artist Kellie Newsome. Her work is characterized by a loose and expressive style emphasizing line struct...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Color Pencil
$370
H 12 in W 10 in
Tomato Wedge - Abstract Color Drenched Floral Still Life Mixed Media Artwork
By Kellie Newsome
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dynamic and abstracted still-life artworks are the specialty of Georgia-based artist Kellie Newsome. Her work is characterized by a loose and expressive style emphasizing line struct...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Color Pencil
$3,100
H 29.25 in W 23.5 in
Fresh Flowers - contemporary, floral still life, acrylic and oil on canvas
By Pat Service
Located in Bloomfield, ON
A pretty, mixed floral bouquet fills the canvas with joyful colour in this still-life painting by Pat Service. The Canadian artist explored the traditional art form in the 1990’s but...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
$3,003Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.5 in W 25.5 in D 3 in
Still Life Painting of Two Plants on an Orange Table by Fauvist British Artist
By Steve Capper
Located in Preston, GB
Still Life Painting of Two Plants on an Orange Table by Fauvist British Artist, Steve Capper Art measures 20 x 28 inches Frame measures 25.5 x 33.5 inches Presented in a high quality black wooden moulding Steve Capper attended Manchester’s High School of Art in 1955, the Manchester College of Art in 1962 and Bretton Hall College in 1965. He taught painting for thirty years as head of a large art faculty in an Oldham comprehensive school, before taking early retirement in 1996 to concentrate on producing his own work. Capper produces on-the-spot sketches which are then taken into his studio where he re-works them into a painting. Both his landscapes and his still-life paintings reflect the influences of the cubists and the fauves. The work of Picasso, Braque and Matisse are amongst his major influences. Capper still lives and works near Oldham, in the Pennines...
Canvas, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Board
$4,027Sale Price|50% Off
H 25 in W 35 in D 3 in
Abstract Turquoise & Red Flowers on Pink Background by British Landscape Artist
By Angela Wakefield
Located in Preston, GB
Painting of Abstract Turquoise & Red Flowers on a Pink Background by British Landscape Artist, Angela Wakefield. This original is from th...
Gesso, Canvas, Paint, Cotton Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Watercolor
$2,025
H 36 in W 36 in
Peachy Petal - Expressive Abstract Floral Painting with Soft Neutral Blooms
By Kellie Newsome
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Georgia-based artist Kellie Newsome specializes in dynamic and abstracted still-life artworks. Her expressive style emphasizes line structure, creating vibrant paintings that celebra...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$1,774
H 23.63 in W 19.69 in D 0.12 in
Original-Jardin d'Hiver-British Awarded Artist-Impasto, oil, goldleaf on Dahlias
Located in London, GB
Jardin d'Hiver Series is Shizico Yi's latest collection, created in her winter studio while savouring for the summer left behind. Reflecting on the vibrant days spent painting en pl...
Gold Leaf
$4,000
H 36 in W 30 in
One & a Half - contemporary, floral still life, acrylic and oil on canvas
By Pat Service
Located in Bloomfield, ON
Two bouquets become one to create a lavish brightly coloured arrangement in this floral still life by Pat Service. The Canadian artist created a series of paintings in the 1990s that...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
$2,125
H 40 in W 30 in
Unbraiding In The Sun - Abstract Expressionist Neutral Beige Floral
By Kellie Newsome
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Georgia-based artist Kellie Newsome specializes in abstract paintings with a sense of fluidity. Her expressive style emphasizes large flowers, organic shapes and loose brushstrokes i...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$4,200
H 36 in W 36 in
"My Limoge" flower vase on the kitchen table contrasts against house patterns
By Anne Harney
Located in Edgartown, MA
“Never taking anything for granted, I am so grateful to be able to paint every day.” Anne Harney is a representational painter beginning her work from observation and concluding wit...
Mixed Media, Oil, Canvas, Acrylic
Tulip
By Catherine Howe
Located in White Plains, NY
“Tulip” by Catherine Howe, 2014. Acrylic and interference mica pigment and resin on canvas, 40 x 30 inches. In gold, silver and white. Howe's abstracted still life florals are paint...
Acrylic, Mica
Slinky
By Catherine Howe
Located in White Plains, NY
“Slinky” by Catherine Howe, 2017. Acrylic and interference mica pigment and resin on canvas, 60 x 48 inches. Working with unique and contemporary materials to create her alchemical m...
Mica