ALL CRACKED UP! SERIES

Most of the paintings in the All Cracked Up! series are watercolor on Arches paper. One is a triptych in oil (4' x 6'), and the largest one is acrylic on canvas (4' x 16'). These paintings were exhibited in a solo show at the Grosvenor Gallery on the SUNY campus in Cobleskill, NY not long ago. I designed this series to bridge the span between pure abstraction and realism by using the forms of broken shells to create dynamic color designs. As you can see, each painting is different from the other, and I doubt if I'll ever reach the point where I have nothing to say in this series. Therefore, I continue to move forward with the eggshells while working on other painting series at the same time.

THE WINE SERIES:

 The "Wine Series" began with the concept that each wine has a distinctive personality that may be defined not just in words, but through representative objects, colors, textures, and designs. For instance, burgundy wine has a strong "bite" like a lion, but is as delicate as a peony, as rich and lustrous as pearls, and has a velvety quality like the cloth. I don't pretend to be an expert on wines, but, like all individuals, have an opinion about them. This series is the latest step in my life-long desire to satisfy the aesthetic by applying lively color and designs to a central theme with a touch of whimsy. It is my hope that viewers will enjoy my work and find their own interpretations of these wines in my paintings.

Below is a review of "The Wine Series" written by Susan Webb Tregay NWS, art critic for The Rock River Times, Rockford IL:

"Katharine Cartwright engages viewers in her work, "The Wine Series",  through her choice of rich hues, penetrating darks and a mature and beguiling sense of color.  Delicate, fresh flowers punctuate each piece and strings of pearls and highlights on glass help viewers wander through them.  While each piece in the series has its own distinctive palette, her unique style unites them all with its unusual use of gouache.

"Cartwright, a serious and dedicated artist, has shown her commitment to her art in this extensive exploration of the possibilities of still life.  Her Wine Series is  both the culmination of one dedicated study and the beginning of new opportunities for this artist."

Here is another review:

"Katharine Cartwright's refined color sensibility and ability to capture theessence of subjects is evident in her recent Wine Series. Wine enthusiastswill easily identify the subtle qualities of varietals through herselections of color palette and the still-life objects surrounding adecanter or glass of wine. Ms. Cartwright's medium is gouache, an opaquewatercolor used since ancient Egyptian times and currently used only byskilled artists to make use of gouache's potential to convey a richness ofsurface and color vibrancy. The overall aesthetic of the Wine Series is oneof elegance and reflection, all captured with great technical finesse. Ihave followed Ms. Cartwright's painting career and find that this seriesbrings together aspects that make works of art so special, that is,engaging our minds and harmonizing our spirits."

Doretta M. Miller,Professor of Studio Art andRobert Davidson Chair in ArtSkidmore CollegeSaratoga Springs, New York 12866

THE LINDEN HALL SERIES

I am an alumna of Linden Hall School in Lititz, PA. While there, I majored in fine art and received a top-notch education that prepared me well for the future. I created the paintings in this series in appreciation of what the school did for me, and to raise money for the school as well. The original paintings were auctioned by Linden Hall during an alumnae weekend event and many giclee' reproductions were sold. These reproductions continue to sell, and all profits go directly to the school. Please contact me or Linden Hall, if you wish to purchase a reproduction.