Catherine McCargar Art

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Artist Catherine McCargar captures the peaceful ambiance of a September morning in the countryside. She paints a view of Harmony, a tiny town along the central California coast just south of Cambria. The iconic farmhouse is enveloped by soft golden grasses and cool blue hills, imparting a tranquil feel to the scenic surroundings.

About the Artist
Impressionist Catherine McCargar expresses her deep admiration of nature through landscape paintings of Northern California...

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Artist Catherine McCargar paints vibrant purple flowers cut fresh from her lawn. "This summer, after plentiful winter rains, the buddleia or butterfly bushes in my garden are full of lush blooms," shares Catherine. She gathers a bunch and paints them in an impressionist style, letting the watercolors flow together. Catherine makes a delicate and painterly portrait of the blossoming stems.

About the Artist
Impressionist Catherine McCargar expresses her deep admiration of nature through landscape paintings of Northern California...

Artist Comments
Artist Catherine McCargar displays a scarlet dragonfly landing on the branch of a magnolia bush. She captures the fleeting moment as it sips nectar from the flower. Its red wings match the fully bloomed magnolia, fittingly complementing the verdant green leaves. Catherine effectively uses organic curved lines to draw the viewer's eye through her intricate arrangement of buds, blooms, and leaves.

About the Artist
Impressionist Catherine McCargar expresses her deep admiration of nature through landscape paintings of Northern California...

Artist Comments
Artist Catherine shares a peek into the beautiful autumnal woodlands of California, presenting her keen eye for color and ...

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"This painting is a closer-up version of an earlier work called French Laundry," shares artist Catherine McCargar. She uses the same technique of priming the watercolor paper with a layer of gesso as the first painting. The process gives more fluidity to the paint, enabling her to execute wet-on-wet and to move it around as she sees fit. Catherine achieves a truly impressionistic painting with contrasting soft and hard edges that keep the viewer engaged.

About the Artist
Impressionist Catherine McCargar expresses her deep admiration of nature through landscape paintings of Northern California...

Artist Comments
Artist Catherine McCargar illustrates alluring red flowers in a background of white. She captures the delicacy and transparency of gorgeous poppies she noticed in a local public garden. She creates a somewhat stylized arrangement of blooming stems. "It is punctuated by the addition of the buds as they dangle before bursting forth the seed capsules that remain after the petals drop," says Catherine.

About the Artist
Impressionist Catherine McCargar expresses her deep admiration of nature through landscape paintings of Northern California...

Artist Comments
Artist Catherine McCargar presents a bright and lively impressionist rendering of flowers and leaves. They bloom profusely in a garden, celebrating abundance and color. The flowers, dahlias, roses, and pansies, growing so closely together, resemble a bouquet. "I am equally interested in gardening pursuits as I am in creating paintings," shares Catherine.

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: flora, nature, garden, roses, spring, summer, season, flora, flowers, dahlia, pansy, pansies, botanical, watercolor, paper, impressionism, impressionism, flora, watercolor painting, green

Garden Bouquet...

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Artist Catherine McCargar paints a vibrant vineyard thriving under the warm sun. "The viewer is drawn into the barn area with a dramatically shadowed pathway th...

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Artist Catherine McCargar displays a view of a barn overlooking a verdant hill. After winter rains, the hillsides in northern California green up, and winter mo...

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Artist Catherine McCargar presents an intriguing close-up of succulents tenaciously adorning a dramatic cliff. The view overlooks the Pacific Ocean in Point Lobos Natural Reserve. "This park near Carmel, California, is among my most inspirational places to visit," shares Catherine. She joyfully gets lost in painting, adding detail after detail. The fluid colors allow the movement of pigments and the precision of brushwork.

About the Artist
Impressionist Catherine McCargar expresses her deep admiration of nature through landscape paintings of Northern California...

Artist Comments
Artist Catherine McCargar presents an old barn on top of a sloping road in rural California. As a plein air painter, she sometimes ventures out in less-than-ideal weather conditions. "The day was cold and foggy, but this made for beautiful, nuanced colors and muted tones delightfully rendered in watercolor," shares Catherine. She draws inspiration from the Swedish painter Carl...

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Well known for her landscapes, artist Catherine McCargar presents a view of Mt. Diablo and its surrounding foothills. The grand and proud mountain looks onto th...

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Artist Catherine McCargar paints a rural setting in this impressionist piece. She uses her refined skills to convey a grass field's softness and intricacies. Meanwhile, she leads the viewer along the walking path into the welcoming shadows and shelter of the copse of trees ahead. "One can almost feel the crunch underfoot," says Catherine.

About the Artist
Impressionist Catherine McCargar expresses her deep admiration of nature through landscape paintings of Northern...

Artist Comments
Artist Catherine McCargar shares a soothing scene of the Pacific Ocean skirting along the verdant coast. Invigorating frothy waves waves...

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Artist Catherine McCargar paints a panoramic view of Mt. Diablo, a sight visible from her home. She paints a rendition of the mountain with much detail of the surrounding foothills. "I confess I have used my artistic license to have a little fun with the scene," admits Catherine. The title gives the viewer a hint about the creative aspect integrated into the stunning impression.

About the Artist
Impressionist Catherine McCargar expresses her deep admiration of nature through landscape paintings of Northern California...

Artist Comments
Artist Catherine McCargar exhibits a scenic landscape of Mt. Diablo with an impressionistic style. The dense leaves of the lush trees rustle from the refreshing gusts of mountain air. Catherine notes that the dark parts of the mountain appear obscured in the shadows during early fall when the lower foothills turn a soft golden yellow. She captures the view en plein air from a location in Walnut Creek...

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Enamored with the beauty of the Pacific Ocean, artist Catherine McCargar paints a deep and abiding seascape of the California coast. A family of three stands along a gorgeous impressionist seascape, relishing in nature's boundless splendor. She displays calm violet hues of wet morning sand against gentle white waves and golden cliffs. The breathtaking scenery evokes a palpable sense of wonder, peace, and restoration.

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: seascape, ocean, beach, shore, sand, coastal, California Central Coast, peaceful, calm, shoreline, walking, family, grass, plants, waves, watercolor, paper, small, rocks, cliff, impressionism, impressionism, seascape, watercolor painting, purple

And All is Well...

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Artist Catherine McCargar paints a classic white house perched on top of a hill. Lush greenery circles the delightful scene. She depicts serene surroundings rem...

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Artist Catherine McCargar can't help but be charmed by California's expansive vineyards. Often taking inspiration from the rich and verdant views as she lives in easy travel distance to many of them. In this piece, Catherine offers the viewers a perspective from within a vineyard. Rows and rows of grapevines cover the landscape and nearby trees border the edge adding fiery touches to the scene. Painting the piece in an impressionistic style, Catherine uses deep shadows that highlight autumn light drawing the viewer in to see what she sees.

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, vineyard, grapes, nature, autumn, fall, season, California, wine country, impressionism, farm, plants, watercolor, paper, travel, impressionism, landscape, travel, watercolor painting, green

November in the Vineyard...

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Artist Catherine McCargar explores the tranquility of still waters and deep shadows in this peaceful coastal landscape. The sun's rays shine on the greenery wit...

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Artist Catherine McCargar displays a dreamy forest clearing in delicate color. Trees line the landscape, casting shadows on the wintry terrain. A peaceful and m...

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Artist Catherine McCargar enjoys living in Northern California with the wine country of the Bay Area within easy reach. "I found the softly rolling hills of p...

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"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...

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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...

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Artist Catherine McCargar finds inspiration from a row of colorful kayaks while on an outing to Tomales Bay in California. "I was captivated by the rainbow colo...

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"Monet's Garden in Giverny, France - just a delightful train ride outside of Paris - never fails to inspire artists just as it was intended to do when it was fi...

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A group of inviting Mediterranean style homes in Palm Springs nestled against a backdrop of rocky desert hills, and watched over by a sentinel palm tree. "This ...

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"Mount Diablo is a majestic presence throughout California's Bay Area," says artist Catherine McCargar. In this painting, she capt...

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Catherine developed a soft, warm background to highlight these delicate and papery seed casings. The silvery, translucent lunaria dance around the stunning or...

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"The inland hill country of Northern California is ideal for raising and riding horses," says artist Catherine McCargar. "This is my impression of a scene at a local ranch that captures both an up-close view of iconic beaver-tail cactus, and a glimpse of the surrounding rolling and distant hills." Catherine infused the scene with bright midday sun and the quiet, welcoming atmosphere of the landscape.

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, hills, plants, cactus, ranch, mountains, nature, country, impressionism, Northern California, prickly pear, western, impressionism, nature, western, representational, acrylic painting, green

Horse Country...

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"When snow dusts the top of Mt. Diablo - a giant in the landscape of the eastern San Francisco Bay Area - there is great excitement in the air," says artist C...

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This painting celebrates the way nasturtiums grow with abandon near the coast of California. They glow, even on a foggy day.

About the Artist
Impr...

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A panoramic autumn view of rolling hills and a sailboat on the bay in Northern California. The blue water provides a refreshing sight within the grassy straw-co...

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A young girl reaches for her father's ready hand to guide her while she walks along a low wall in a lush garden. "I love gardens, and paint them often, so the s...

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I would love to live in a house with a view like this; distant hills and sailboats gliding by. These places are often very receptive to growing lush blooming la...

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"Penguins are amazing family focused creatures, and I really do enjoy painting them," explains Catherine. She created this painting on heavyweight paper using primarily watercolor, with touches of graphite and gouache as well.

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: animals, penguins, animals, representational, watercolor painting, grey

Family Gathering...

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Artist Catherine McCargar based this painting off of a plein air piece she created while standing in the middle of this walking path and horse trail. "I had t...

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A quiet, peaceful meadow near Lime Ridge on Mt. Diablo in California. Catherine explains that at one time, this area was bustling with mining activity. She fo...

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A place with the name Green Valley lives up to its name in this painting. The impressionistic handling of the subject gives room for the imagination of the v...

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When the vineyards are showing off reds and golds during the early months of autumn, I head out to stand in the midst of them at my easel. This painting was done in the Livermore Valley wine country where the charming house nestled amongst the lively vines grabbed my attention. I am drawing the viewer's attention to the house by softening the edges of the painting.

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.

California Wine Country...

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This is my kind of garden; in full bloom, and crammed with a splendid variety of pretty things. The subject matter delights me not only because I love gardens...

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The place that inspired this watercolor painting is among the many lovely locations that are the foothills of Mt. Diablo in the East Bay Area near San Francis...

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I enjoy making trips to Palm Springs to collect inspirational material for paintings. I am especially drawn to the bougainvillea blossoms that grow so well in...

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This is a painting done en plein air, and is my impression of shoreline grasses and distant hills, with the intrigue of a train coming through and just in vie...

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Here are late summer sunflowers, girasoli, growing in a garden that also produces fresh seasonal vegetables for us locals. Sunflowers are always smiling, and ...

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I began this painting on location in plein air, positioning my easel on a path along a hillside that overlooks the out-buildings of a working farm, The farm i...