Catherine Redmond

Descent, preparatory drawing, Charcoal on Canvas, 2019

This canvas was started as a way of thinking about the state of our country at present.  The camera shot it from the side, so it looks skewed, just as our suffering under Trump is.  Now we have abandoned the Kurds, our loyal allies.  Never have I seen a more evil nor destructive being in the Oval Office.  It assures me that Evil exists in the world and that it is manifest in humans who ruin and sully everything and everyone it touches.

Geese, Corn, 2019, Archival Digital Print

Here they are, my marvelous Geese, sharing some ears of fresh corn.  It is the last of the local corn, and along with the local tomatoes always a bittersweet time knowing we must wait a year until the next crop of deliciousness comes around.  Seasonal foods, however, make so much sense as we settle into Nature’s rhythm.

I continue to work on linocuts, cut and edit, proof and then move onto the next one.  During the winter I think I’ll start to edition them.  For now, though, I want to make as many new images as I can.

Untitled Proof, 2019, Linocut on Newsprint, 12″ x 12″

It’s 9/11 today and the scorched memories return as always a few weeks before until they are fully formed on the anniversary of that awful morning and its aftermath.  I have been working on a linocut series all year but this weekend decided to take a rest from it and do some other plates which were more severe and geometric.  This one was the first.  It pleased me.  This morning, though, it looks to me like a memory of that day and those maimed towers.

Nasturtiums in the Sun, 2019, Archival Digital Print

The nights this week have started to be cool. I’m starting to think about preparing the plant shed as I try to keep the annuals alive through the winter.  Some make it and some don’t.  It pleases me when they survive to bloom another year.  The Geraniums blossom all year around and nothing is nicer than walking into the shed in the dark of the winter and being greeted by pink and red Geranium blossoms, full of smiles and hope.

The Fall term begins next week and a new group of talented painters will begin their year of exploration and discovery.  It is yet another example of the built-in renewal and development of the creative force.  In a time of Trump’s darkness and evil it’s essential to be reminded that Life is always there.

Adolescent Turkeys, 2019, Archival Digital Print

The first whiff of Autumn came last week. Now in spite of the high temperatures and the violent thunderstorms and drenching rains on many nights, the summer’s end nudges at us.  Another sign is the young Turkeys who long ago fledged and are now long-necked and adolescent.  The flock is big.  Here are a few stragglers.  Their sibs already crossed the road and were safely hidden in the grasses.  These two had attitude and risked the on coming car.

Field of Sunflowers, 2019, Archival Digital Print

On Saturday I saw thirty acres of Sunflowers just coming into bloom.  I was reminded of the moving scene in the film Everything Is Illuminated when the three travelers find their destination.  She is an old woman living in a small house surrounded by blooming sunflowers.  How radiant is our world if we can See.

Beautiful Weeds, 2019, Archival Digital Print

Yet again, more innocents have been killed urged on in their ignorant racism by the Spawn of Satan in the Oval Office. The inaction of Congress continues, mute co-conspirators in this monstrous civil war.  It will continue.  It will grow worse.  More killings.  More people personally hurt forever.  More vulnerable and unhappy young men who haven’t a clue how to handle their personal troubles will find a support group out there on line who will urge them on, give them a target and promise fame.  Soon they will be offering seventy virgins.

What trouble we’re in.

Morning Magic, 2019, Archival Digital Print

What a strange experience to watch the Democratic Debates tonight and the flashy production of the set, more Jeopardy or a World Wide Wrestling match than the serious process of a debate for the highest office in our democracy.  We have become so accustomed to visual overload that few may have noticed.  It’s all part of our pinball-light-up-and-win world.

Here, though, I can bring a slow eye to what I see.  This photo, another fortuitous find, was shot in the hours of early light.