Catherine King

Catherine King Artist Statement
Catherine.king@mail.com

I am inspired by a sense of place, family, and the passage of time. Working always through observation both in the studio and plein air. This work is the only self-portrait I have made since I was obliged to paint one. I graduated from Duncan of Jordanston in Drawing and painting decades ago not believing I could paint portraits. I set myself a challenge of drawing or painting 60 inspirational, supportive women for my 60th Birthday.”60 for 60” was exhibited at the Smith Art Gallery in August 2019. I avoided self- portrait as part of that body of work but when watching the National Gallery video about why there were so few women were in the national collection, I found my inspiration in the self portrait of Elizabeth Louise Vigee Le Brun. (also inspired by a portrait by Rembrant of Susannah Lunden) I was amused by the pose and the garments worn; my painting clothes are not quite so splendid! I now feel I’ve developed as a painter of portraits and had many fabulous days with my “models”. The Scottish landscape and coastlines are my usual major sources of Inspiration I can usually be found with a sketchbook and watercolours on a hillside or beach and in the summer with an easel and Canvas. Prevented like so many from travel in 2020/21 I have been on several virtual holidays, revisiting sketchbooks, photos and plein air paintings.