Catherine Hillis is Best in Show at Piedmont Plein Air 2015

I won!  I won Best in Show during the September 2015 Piedmont Plein Air event.

Here's the winning painting:

"Slow Down," Watercolor, 20" x 16".

This watercolor does incorporate the many things I've been trying to accomplish in my plein air painting.  It's loose and juicy; there's a fine rhythm of motion and all the lines and values lead the viewer into the painting.  I found a way to instill my sense of humor into the piece.  You might notice that just to the right of the building on the left side of the picture is a speed limit sign, advising drivers to slow down...hence, the title.  There I was, set up with my easel and painting paraphernalia in a tiny alley only wide enough for one car and viewers kept speeding by, without realizing that this scene was quite beautiful.

I am now sketching Notans before every plein air painting.  I see the benefit of these little sketches because on my winning piece, I sketched some Notans before the event and worked out my design problems.  I'm now incorporating Notan sketching into my watercolor classes.

I'm grateful to the judge for selecting my painting...

I thank Julie Delgaudio for running such a fine show at Piedmont Plein Air in High Point, NC.  Even though Mrs. Delgaudio was "under the weather" during our week in High Point, she saw that artists were treated with the utmost respect.  The event was well organized, with volunteers repeatedly checking on the welfare of artists and some lovely meals provided, along with delightful housing at The Adams Inn in High Point.  It was MY PLEASURE to work hard for Mrs. Delgaudio, the "J" Gallery and the folks in High Point.

I had fun painting in this event and I think it shows.  Here's my nocturnal from Friday night painting the vintage Krispy Kreme location.

"Sweet Dreams," Watercolor, 10" x 20".

Plein Air Painting in the Summer of 2015

Queen Juliana Bridge, Curacao Plein Air Invitational, 2015

What a year 2015 has been.  I’ve participated in many plein air competitions this year and I’m pleased with the work I’ve produced in the field.  I’ve had fun, too, doing something I really enjoy, something I’m good at and it brings in income for my business.  February opened up with Plein Air Curacao.  I’d never been to this tropical island and what a beauty it is.  The staff of  Plein Air Curacao was remarkable to work with and they went out of their way to be sure artists were respected for their hard work and treated well.  They focused strongly on selling work for artists, and this is a great help to those of us who travel far to participate.  Plein Air Curacao is an event I highly recommend and the island is a must see experience for just about anyone.  Please go if you have the opportunity.  The highlight of the event for me was my Honorable Mention Award at the Quick Draw, presented by judge Peter Trippi.

The Old Florida, Winter Park Invitational, 2015.

Next, I traveled to the Museum of Gadsden in Gadsden, Alabama for the Plein Air Painters of the Southeast Invitational and I thank everyone I met there for the impressive organization in handling their plein air event.  Artists were treated with tremendous respect and the museum staff was organized to the point that our every need was taken care of, and the final sales event garnered many thousands of dollars.  I was impressed with the scenery in this little Alabama town and I’d especially love to paint in the historic district again and some of those Victorian homes.  There’s nothing like spring in the south, when the dogwoods and azaleas are in full bloom.

The Winter Park Paint Out Invitational was another great experience for me and sales in this event were also robust.  At this point, I’d encountered three great sales events and I was feeling pleased about the results of my work.  Winter Park was hot but the painting was great and I discovered the peacock havens in and around the area where large masses of the birds live and this brought a delight to me (and, hopefully, to my customers) to be able to capture these lively and beautiful birds in paint.  I always stop by to see the egrets nesting in this area of Florida, but this year the nestlings weren’t as plentiful.  On my very last day in Florida, I found the lovely wild gardens which are the subject of my painting “The Old Florida,” and I was delighted to meet the wonderful and generous artist who lives there.

 Night Creeps In, Finger Lakes Plein Air, 2015.

Sadly, I had to bow out of the Paint the Beach event in Daytona Beach and  I also had to let go of Plein Air Grand Marais and Plein Air Hudson, because I just couldn’t work out my schedule and finances to make these events happen.  I sincerely hope I will be invited to paint in these venues in the future, and I’ll plan my schedule a little better.  I’m so grateful to be selected for these competitive plein air events

I'm very proud of my Quick Draw painting from Camp Hill, Pennsylvania - drawn, painted and framed within two hours.  Advance preparation makes for a good painting. It was during this event that I began working on preliminary sketching and I do believe it lends the artist a good start.

Sit A Spell, Quick Draw at Camp Hill, 2015.

Finger Lakes Plein Air was a big discovery to me. The area is more rural than I knew, and Canandaigua Lake is pristine.  There’s plenty to paint ranging from rural landscapes to water scenes featuring the lake, and darling villages.  I enjoyed painting the lush greens in this event.  Now, I’m waiting to participate in the Piedmont Plein Air event in High Point, NC and the Brandywine Plein Air event in Pennsylvania.  New discoveries excite me and I know I’m in the right place when I’ve spent some time looking around, trying to select a location and…. I’ve got the tingling feeling that I’ve just got to paint. So, here's to plein air painting and I'm so grateful to have a job that I enjoy.  I  paint because I'm still having a good time, and it's a blessing to have the opportunity to paint our country (and even beyond), capturing history and spirit in watercolor paint.

Curacao: Painting the Island Way

Plein Air Curacao, February 27 - March 7, 2015

I was looking forward to painting in Plein Air Curacao’ with excitement and, admittedly,  some trepidation. 
It’s always a lot of work packing for a big painting event, but when you’re traveling out of the country, there are even more complications.  

My frames were the greatest concern.  I needed to pack my frames tightly and box them so that I could transport them either on board the plane or in my suitcase with everything arriving unscathed.  I spent a fair amount of time packing and re- packing, taping everything tightly with bubble wrap.
My next concern was supplies.  I didn’t think I’d have access to art supplies in Curacao’, especially since I wouldn’t have a car.  I gathered my watercolor paper, trimming it to the size of the frames; I pulled together a chair small enough to fit in my luggage and my new easel, the “en plein air pro.”  This will be the new easel’s first use in the field.  Paints were placed into zip lock baggies, along with brushes, paper towels and my collapsible water container.  I checked my lists over and over again to be sure I had everything necessary to paint.

Clothing is truly important.  It has to be comfortable; it has to be durable; it has to protect me from the sun and the mosquitoes.  I’ll be walking for miles with my backpack, so I always take comfortable shoes, too.
Once I arrived in Curacao’, I was so relieved.  My airport transport was waiting for me as I exited the airport.  The staff and organizers of Plein Air Curacao’ were warm and helpful!  The city of Willemstaad was beautiful:  the colorful 18^th century Dutch Colonial buildings that lined the inlet were just lovely.  As soon as I discovered the landscape, I could hardly wait to paint.
Our first evening featured a reception for the artists from Surinam.  Their exhibit was lovely and the people enchanting.  Each day after that was filled with travel around the island, receptions, lots of painting and robust sales.

I couldn’t be happier.

As for my “en plein air pro” easel:   it performed like a champ.  It can withstand the stiff island winds, as long as it’s weighted with my backpack.  I especially like how the top of the easel moves around from upright to flat so that I can paint my watercolors in any manner needed.  My favorite thing about this easel is how lightweight it is, fitting easily into it’s own backpack, and with room enough for paper, small palette, collapsible water container, and even my water and snacks for the day. There’s still more plein air painting to come during this year, and only time will tell how durable the easel will be.

Plein Air Curacao 

I'll soon be off to participate as an invited international artist to paint in the 2015 Plein Air Curacao event.  As always, I'm getting very nervous.  I think it's a good thing to be excitedly nervous as I approach exhibits and plein air events.  It keeps me humble to know what talented plein air painters there are out there in the world and how honored I am to be a part of each event I'm juried into.  I thank the judges and the sponsors who are believing in me and in my work and the MOST FUN of these events is to get to know the people and their location.  Plein air artists are lucky, lucky people.  We get to capture beauty and history and a unique segment of time that will live forever on paper and canvas.

I ended up purchasing the "En Plein Air Pro" easel, which will soon get a workout.  I'll write a review of the easel once I've used it in the field.  The whole set fits in a small bag which can be carried as a shoulder bag or a small backpack.

You can see my page and paintings during the 2015 Plein Air Curacao event.

Easel Envy

 

I’ve broken several portable easels during plein air painting the last few years.  I’m searching for the perfect set up for watercolor painting outdoors.  I have “Soltek” envy right now…..this easel looks perfect to me, except for the $500.00 price tag, especially after reading about the problems painters are having with the telescoping legs of this expensive piece of equipment.  But the sleekness of body, the resilience against wind and the lightweight quality of this easel is more than attractive to me.

Easels are personal and I’ve yet to find a favorite. I start out sane and organized but by the end of a day, I have paper towel rolls blowing away and paint brushes lost on the ground and my kneaded erasers are gone with the wind.   I lose equipment and drop pieces wherever I go.  I’d like to find an answer to the easel conundrum and find something that helps me stay organized. I'd like an easel with a shelf for my supplies that's portable.

Here’s a thought.  I read this interesting article about making a watercolor plein air easel to match my style:  http://www.finearttips.com/2011/10/5-steps-to-the-perfect-portable-watercolor-painting-setup/

I also like the en plein air pro at http://www.enpleinairpro.com/reviews.html

 It looks easy to set up and lightweight and I especially like the shelf for supplies and  the way the palette has an opening for the water.  That just looks practical to me. Price is under $300.00.

So, “Easel Envy:”  I’m searching and would love to have input on the perfect watercolor plein air easel.

Catherine Hillis: My Name Belongs To Me

"My Perspective" Watercolor by Catherine Hillis

I've been teaching quite a while now and I've never felt the need to create boundaries for students until now.  Recently, I've had a student begin teaching classes in my neighborhood, using my name as one of her credentials.  And, I've had a former student (who is now teaching art to adults) post one of her recent paintings on Facebook, using my name (I guess they call that tagging) and crediting me for teaching her the "technique."  This painting is not one that I want to be associated with, my friends.

Oy vey.

What to do.

There's not much in life that really belongs to me.  My name, however, is mine and after these many decades of working so hard to become a relatively proficient painter, and building a good business in art ( try building an art business, my friends:  it's hard) , I want my name used to advertise....ME.

My kids don't belong to me; my body doesn't do what I want it to - so I guess it doesn't  belong to me; most people's houses belong to a mortgage company; but, my name is mine....so far!

So, please don't use my name without my permission:  I don't want it used as one of your credentials AND  I don't want it used for something I may not want to be associated with.

Artists, your credentials are those things that YOU have accomplished and not those things someone else has accomplished.

Plein Air Painter

                                                     

       How I love painting on site.

A Little Cabin, Merrie Woods

There's nothing like capturing that moment in time.

People walk by and inform the painter of information....the wind blows and and the weather sets the tone for atmosphere....birds and animals create peripheral sound...it all works to make a great painting.


These little cabins were painted at Camp Merrie Woods, near Cashiers, NC.  It was a wonderful location and the campers all added their editorials.  They were delightful.  Please check out my website at www.catherinehillis.com for more information about my future plein air painting competitions.  And, come on by and see me!

Cabin at Camp Merrie Woods

Artists, Grow a Thick Skin

August 1, 2014

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Mt. Ida, Watercolor, Ellicott City, MD

This summer has been full of plein air painting in contests for me.

I apply for plein air competitions across the country – some of which I am invited to and some which I am not.  It’s both costly and time consuming – I must mark time off of my calendar while I wait to hear from these organizations.  I cannot schedule classes or workshops during these times and, time is money to a working artist.

I also compete regularly in national watermedia competitions.  The paintings that I select to compete are held off the market for months and sometimes years while I’m waiting to hear whether the pieces are selected.  The fees are outrageous and the shipping and handling costs for paintings which get into these contests are getting higher all the time.  One can always hope for an award to cover costs...which happens sometimes.

If you’re an artist and you want to work as a professional, one of the first requirements is a very thick skin. One must also have a sense of adventure, along with patience, tenacity and tremendous desire to succeed, but a thick skin keeps one sane.  Talent is, of course, an unstated prerequisite here.  And always remember:  there are many, many talented artists in this world of ours. 

Judging is a subjective process and if your painting is a good one, believe in it and believe in yourself.  While one judge may not select me to compete in a plein air contest, the next one may select me and present me with an award.  If I don’t try, how will I know whether I’m ready for competition?  And, if I don’t try and permit myself a few failures, how will I improve?  The professional must place herself right in the midst of competition and into the market in order to grow and succeed.  Placing oneself in the middle of the “heat” is the only way to learn.

But, grow a thick skin and don’t seek applause from your fellow artists.   Validation must come from within.  You must know passionately that you are doing what you're created to do.

Captain's Hat, Watercolor, Cashiers, NC

                                          

WHY LEARN FROM EXPERIENCE?

Why Learn From Experience? There are all kinds of art teachers: some are hobbyists, some are full time teachers whose focus is on teaching, and not on producing. And then, there are active artists who give to their students some of their experience and hard earned knowledge. All have something to share. I belong to the latter category; I paint daily. I sell my work through galleries; I compete in national and plein air competitions and I teach classes. What this means for you, the student, is not only do you receive instruction in basic techniques and materials, but also I'm able to provide input on the latest trends and what's happening in galleries, the plein air world, and in the international watermedia world today. Nothing pleases me more than when a student reaches the level where she (or he) is able to begin painting the way they always hoped they could. I consider the ability to teach to be a gift, and this is a gift I try to make time for. My process is helped by many years of teaching and decades of experience working as a professional. My credentials include over 40 awards throughout the years, along with signature memberships earned from the Virginia Watercolor Society, Baltimore Watercolor Society, Missouri Watercolor Society, Western Colorado Watercolor Society, Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, the Southern Watercolor Society and Potomac Valley Watercolor Society. Adding to my credentials, during 2014 I've had paintings accepted in the Georgia National Watercolor Exhibition ( award), the Rockies West National Exhibit, the Mississippi National Exhibit (award), the 5th Annual Signature American Watercolor Exhibit in Fallbrook, CA, the Virginia Watercolor Annual Exhibition and the Missouri National Watercolor Exhibition. I'll be featured in the new Artistic Touch 6 collection of watercolor paintings and that book should be out in a few weeks. I hope to have a few books available for purchase. Among publications I've been featured in are: SPLASH 12, SPLASH 14, Artistic Touch 5, The Washington Post, Plein Air Magazine (twice so far), Elan' (four times), and American Artist Magazine. I'm honored and grateful to be able to present to you the best material and critiques that I can offer. CLASSES AT THE COOLEY GALLERY This June, I'll be teaching a "short course" at the Cooley Gallery on King Street in Leesburg, VA, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 2014 on Mondays from 1 pm until 4 pm. Register online. We'll be focusing on the fruits of summer: and those juicy green landscapes. Expect to receive a lot of personal attention in this class. If you seek classes this fall, try the Cooley Gallery for a six week class on Monday, 1 pm until 4, September 15 - October 20, 2014. SATURDAYS at ArtSpace in Herndon, VA. I'm offering another "Short Course" of four weeks of watercolor painting on July 26, August 2, 9 and 16, from 1:30 until 4:30 pm. We may fit some plein air into this course. Fall classes at ArtSpace in Herndon, VA . My new 8 week course of classes will begin on Saturday, September 27, 2014. Two classes each Saturday will be offered: the morning class is 10 am until 12:30 pm and the afternoon class is 1:30 until 4:30 pm. This longer session ends on November 22, 2014. N' Shows Have you been on the Western Loudoun Artists Studio Tour? This year, the tour features over 60 (yes, that's a lot) artists sharing their talent, their studios, their homes - with you..... You'll have access to wonderful art centers, little galleries and studios that are hidden jewels among the hills, mountains and fields of historic and beautiful western Loudoun County, VA. The tour is Saturday and Sunday, June 21 and 22, 2014. N' Stuff MAY I ASK YOU TO BE AN AMBASSADOR of our mutual medium: watercolor paint? Collectors and students are still confused about the durability of watercolor paints. Plein Air events only select 2-3 watercolor painters because of questions about the lightfastness of our work. Galleries dislike carrying watercolors, partly for this reason. I want to educate consumers about how quality and durability have evolved with time. Watercolor paints during the 19th century were known as "fugitive," but in the 21st century, reputable companies test paints for permanence. Here's a definition from Wikipedia: Watercolors, Paint Lightfastness. "Lightfastness is the ability of a pigment to retain its original color appearance under exposure to light. This is usually indicated as a numerical rating, from I (high lightfastness) to III or IV (low lightfastness), on the paint tube or in the paint technical information available from the manufacturer. Lightfastness is a crucial issue with watercolors, because the paint pigment is not surrounded by a protective dried binder (as in oil or acrylic paints) but is left exposed on the surface of the paper. In the 19th century, watercolors acquired a market reputation for relative impermanence that continues to suppress their price today, and painters who admire this medium will make choices to improve its market status: in fact, lightfast watercolor paints on archival papers are more durable than any oil painting on canvas. The most stable painting medium is pastel, but modern lightfast watercolors are now more stable than oil or acrylic mediums. Unfortunately, paint manufacturer lightfastness ratings are not always trustworthy. However, because they have been demonstrated to be impermanent in watercolors, certain pigments (paints) should never be used under any circumstances. These include: aureolin (PY40), alizarin crimson (PR83), genuine rose madder (NR9), genuine carmine (NR4), genuine vermilion (PR106), most naphthol reds and oranges, all dyes (including most "liquid watercolors" and marker pens), and paints premixed with a white pigment, including paints marketed under the names naples yellow, emerald green or antwerp blue. Most of these are colorants invented in the 19th century or before that have been superseded by far more durable modern alternatives, and these are usually sold as "hue" paints (e.g., "alizarin crimson hue" is a modern pigment that resembles alizarin crimson). Industry labeling practice is to include a lightfastness rating on the paint packaging, and painters should only use paints that have a lightfastness rating of I or II under the testing standards published the American Society of Testing and Materials (now ASTM International)." Happy painting, watercolor ambassadors! I'm planning to take a few workshops myself during the next few months so that I can keep bringing you more material. And, if you're on the road in my area, here's where you can find me. I always welcome questions from onlookers at my plein air events: May 27 - 31, 2014 Mountain Maryland Plein Air 2014 Thirty selected artists from across the country will paint in and around Cumberland,Maryland. July 13 - 19, 2014 Arts on the Green Cashiers, NC 25 selected professional plein air artists from around the country paint in the Village Green Park in the NC mountains. October 9 - November 1, 2014 Black Rock Arts Center A group exhibit of the Washington Society of Landscape Painters. September 18 - 21, 2014 Piedmont Plein Aire Paint Out 30 selected plein air artists paint the High Point, NC area. June - September, 2014 American Painting Fine Art A Group Exhibit by the Washington Society of Landscape Painters Exhibit Catherine Hillis, VWS, BWS, MoWS, WCWS, PWS, SW, PVW.

©2014 Catherine Hillis Studios | P. O. Box 41, Round Hill,VA 20142

Would you like to join me in a plein air sketch book and painting tour in Greece?  Would you like to enjoy a guided tour of Athens, Greece?  Would you like to spend several days painting the windmills and fishing villages in Mykonos?  How about sitting on a balcony ledge in Santorini at sunset, learning how to capture those glowing colors in watercolors?  Register by February 28, 2014 for the time of your painting life.

Join instructor Catherine Hillis for a
‘Plein Air’ Sketchbook Tour of Greece

October 10 - 20, 2014
For information, contact Catherine at info@catherinehillis.com or catherine.h.hillis@gmail.com.
See the artist's work at www.catherinehillis.com.
For registration and information, email VM TrAVeL ADVeNTUreS at travel@customwinetours.com

1-877-423-5007

www.customwinetours.com

Milan and Lake Garda, Italy and Inspiration in General

Inspiration.  Where does it come from?

For me, travel is one of the keys to inspiration, which then leads me to creative thinking, and ending, hopefully, with an excellent painting.

Scenes of Gargnano, Italy along Lake Garda

I love teaching workshops in locations foreign to me.  It's tremendous fun to see new sights and be inspired.  Some sights compel me to paint them immediately...perhaps because of the lighting or the smells or some sort of interaction I'm experiencing at the time.  Other sights want to be photographed... in many ways.  I can spend quite a large amount of time walking around a location, taking hundreds of different photos from different angles.  In fact, one of my favorite methods for taking pictures now is to hold my camera in front of me, constantly change my angles, and shoot away.  I can often be surprised by the beauty of these random photographs.

I was able to sneak in a tour of Berlin after the workshop this year, and I took many photos of the Reichhstaag, which is one of my favorite buildings in the world.

The very nature of the building and the many reflective surfaces lend itself to painting.....I love the natural abstraction of the angles.  Whenever discussing design in class, I advise students to "make it irregular, make it oblique and make it unpredictable."  This building exemplifies some of those major adages of good design.

 As enjoyable as it is to BE inspired, it's just as energizing to me to observe students in the midst of enjoying bursts of creativity.  I must say, my students who took the Il' Chiostro Watercolor Workshop with me during early October of 2013 made great strides forward in technique.  I like to think it was the teaching; I'm just as sure it was the inspiration of the location.  So, get thee to an inspiring location....and then, remember some design advice:  keep images irregular; use oblique lines whenever you can; and stray away from predictability in form and shape.

Happy Painting!  Catherine Hillis   www.catherinehillis.com

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City in the Morning (c) Catherine Hillis

Berkley Gallery to host Fine Art Professionals of Northern Virginia

The Berkley Gallery is pleased to announce the upcoming exhibition featuring the Fine Art Professionals of Northern Virginia. Twenty-six, nationally recognized professional artists will exhibit work in a multiplicity of styles, subject matter and medium. The exhibit will run from October 4th throught October 15th, with an opening night artists' reception on Friday, October 4th.

This passionate group of artists, working in oils, watercolors, acrylics and pastels and representing a variety of artistic styles including realism, impressionism and abstract expressionism, have set the stage for a thoroughly unique and stunning show.

Art has the ability to make us stop, to pause and look, to process colors, brushwork, subject matter and sometimes to find a connection, a meaning that touches us. Whether you prefer to contemplate a work in silence, studying the eye of the artist or discuss the process with the artist and others, you can do both at the opening of this show on Friday, October 4th from 6-9pm. The opening is in conjunction with First Friday in historic downtown Warrenton, where shops and restaurants are open late for those that want to enjoy the autumn evening in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.

The following artists will be featured in the show:
Robert Thoren, David Williams,Tricia Adams, Jill Banks, Simon Bland, Vicki Blum, Gwendolyn C. Bragg, Chica Brunsvold, Mary Champion, Tricia Cherrington-Ratliff, Donna Clark, Elaine Elinsky, Betty Ganley, Carolyn Grosse Gawarecki, Jean K. Gill, Linda Hendrickson, Catherine Hillis, Margaret Huddy, Dell Keathley, Susan La Mont, Christine Lashley, Jonathan Linton, Jill E. Poyerd, Libby Stevens, Dana Thompson and Daniel Wise.

For more information, please contact the Berkley Gallery at 540-341-7367.

 

 

 

 

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Bucks County, PA:  The Stone Garden, SOLD

The summer of  2013 was full of plein air painting for me.

This painting of a statuary shop was one of my favorites and was produced my first day in New Hope, PA.
I often find that my best work is done on the first day or two in a location because I'm so inspired by what I see and excited to express it.

I also enjoyed painting in the plein air competition in Cranford, New Jersey, which is a delightful and friendly town, full of Victorian houses.  I could honestly paint there for weeks and still not be finished.

I was  honored to win a Juror's Choice Award for my painting "Looking Down Frederick Street"  in one of my favorite places to paint:  Ellicott City, MD.  For that, I am grateful ... and always humble.

Plein air painting is a lovely way to get to know a town and it's people.  I always walk the town before I paint to try and absorb the attitude prevalent among the people.  I like to awaken my senses so that I can begin to really know what the town is like and how I can best explain the location I'm in at that time with paint.  I walk and listen...to the traffic and to the conversations.  I observe the architecture, the shadows and the light and I read about the history of each place so that I can begin to discern who built the town, how it grew and what it's like now.  So, if you like to paint outdoors,  take much time for observation....listening.....and sensing....before you begin.  Happy painting!

Ellicott City, MD:  Looking Down Frederick Street, SOLD

 

 

 

http://femmesfollesnebraska.tumblr.com/post/56333204096/catherine-hillis-artist

Les Femmes Folles

Women in art

Here's a recent interview by Sally Brown Deskins:

Catherine Hillis is one of the exhibiting artists in Monongalia Arts Center’s “Aqueous 2013" exhibit by the West Virginia Watercolor Society thru August 3.

The artist has painted all her life, winning awards and honors at competitive shows regionally and nationally.  

In July of 2007, she served as Artist in Residence in Dinan, France, and in 2010, she served as Artist in Residence at Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas.  Her work has been published in “The Artistic Touch 5,” and in “Splash 12;” and, the recently released “Splash 14.”    The Splash books are a collection of 100 top contemporary American watercolor paintings; in May, 2011, she won the “Creativity Challenge” in Watercolor Artist Magazine (online version).  She regularly competes in national watercolor exhibitions and plein aire competitions, including the Plein Aire Brandywine competition in 2011, Easels in Frederick, Frederick, MD, 2011, and Ellicott City,  MD, 2012, Cranford, NJ 2013 and the Bucks County 2013 Plein Air Paint Out.  She won an award for her painting in the 2012 Mountain Maryland Plein Aire competition in Cumberland, MD, awarded by well known judge and “Plein Aire” Magazine editor, Stephen Dougherty.

Hillis’ work has been featured in “Best of American Watercolorists, 2007;” she garnered second place in watercolors for the state of Virginia in 2005, her work being published in the book, “Best of Virginia Artists and Artisans, 2005;” her biography is included in “Who’s Who Among American Women, 2006 - 2013.”  

She primarily paints in watermedia, including busy street scenes, coastal landscapes, and her favorite, the historic sites near her home on the Blue Ridge in Virginia.  The hallmarks of her work are rich color and a touch of humor.

The artist offers classes and workshops across the country and abroad: see her website at www.catherinehillis.com for workshop and class information.  You can also view the artist teaching a series of brief watercolor lessons at www.monkeysee.com (type in watercolors onto the subject line), with F&W Media online, and on YouTube at “Watercolor Tips” with Catherine Hillis.

She generously shares with LFF about how she went from modeling to acting to mothering and making visual art, feminism, her artistic process, teaching and more…

How’d you get into art?

I’ve been interested in the arts for as long as I can remember.  As a child, I performed in theater and did some modeling.  The income I made as a child ended up paying for my college education.  I majored in theater at the University of Georgia and did a lot of acting there ( my major love), but I learned skills as a costumer and costume designer, so that I’d have something to fall back on that might generate income.  I ended up working in costumes for several years after graduating.  I did some acting as well.

I started a family before hitting my thirty’s and once I had children, I became a stay at home mom and dropped out of theater.  I really enjoyed those years of raising my 3 children:  reading books and telling stories was my favorite part.

Once my youngest child began toddling, I became hungry for the arts again and began taking watercolor classes.  I could always draw and paint well and watercolors seemed like a good fit because they’re clean, relatively non toxic, I could use them in my kitchen and I could achieve fast results.  I fell in love with the arts all over again and now, after many years, I think it would be difficult to stop me from painting.

I guess painting is a positive sort of …. addiction.  I hate to admit that, but I think it’s true.

I paint because it’s my destiny.  I have to do it.


"Round and Round" watercolor by Catherine Hillis

Tell me about your work. What do you hope viewers get out of your work? Does feminism play a role?

I often like to insert a twist or a sense of humor in my work.  I like to take complex, chaotic scenes and make some sense out of them.  I think this is a reflection of my life…I’d like to be able to do that same thing with life in general…..take chaos, create something, and  make it serene.

I hope that when the observer sees my work they sense a bit of humor, or reflect on some moment in their own life. I like to tell stories with my work and I think that comes from my background in drama.  I always think art should tell a story.

I think the main way feminism may play a role in my work is because I now realize that while I was home watching the children, I did, without a doubt, lose time in my own journey as a professional.  I think about it often, wondering if I can make up that time in my career.  I feel like I’m in a hurry.  I want to express life the way that I see it.  I want to paint and take those chaotic scenes and…work them.


"The David, My Perspective," watercolor by Catherine Hillis

What’s your artistic process like?

I work in my north light studio at home every single day that I can.  I usually start with my first cup of coffee and paint for several hours in the early morning.  If I have a great piece going, I stop for short breaks but will generally work all day.  I’m very disciplined and extremely focused. 

When I’m teaching, though, it’s hard to focus on my own work, so I don’t paint on days that I teach.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

People might be surprised to know that I was a child model and was in a feature in Vogue Magazine in the 60’s.

Any advice for aspiring artists?

I feel very strongly about people following their destiny.  I feel very strongly that painting is my job right now, along with teaching, and that this is the way I’m affecting lives at this time.
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More on Catherine Hillis: catherinehillis.com.
Monongalia Art Center: monartscenter.com.