Cath Sheard Art

Blog

  • Missing Dad

    Dad died when I was in my mid-20s, way nearer to 30 years ago than 20! I missed him terribly for a long time, then time eased the loss, as it does. I think him of often, but with love, not a sense of loss.

    Right now though, I feel the loss again. There’s some hard stuff we’re dealing with and I want my Dad. He wouldn’t have said a lot; he’d have given me a bear hug, some sage advice and then just been here for us.

    Yesterday I did this page using the lyrics of P!nk’s song, Circle Game, where she says “And I start looking for my Dad…”. Artists like P!nk provide me all the words I can’t find.

    All supplies are Dylusions unless otherwise stated. Paints: Lemon zest, Funky fuchsia, Polished jade. Stencils: Teardrops, Diamonds in the rough (small), Star struck. Stamps: Dy’s alphabet. Other: Distress ink, Archival ink, Pitt Big Brush pen, white gel pen, Distress collage medium.

    monsters 20190518

     

  • Secret spaces

    There are difficult things happening in our household that won’t be on my blog or FB until we have final confirmation. I’m worried and stressed, trying hard – as a food addict – not to eat my feelings, and searching for the words for how I feel. My art journals are a safe, non-judgemental place where I can say anything I want and it doesn’t matter or hurt anyone.
    Sprays: Periwinkle blue, Vibrant turquoise, Calypso teal, Fresh lime shimmer. Paints: After midnight, Fresh lime, Vibrant turquoise. Stencils: Shutters, Holes, Stars. Large Dylusions journal. Stamps: Dy’s alphabet. Other: Archival ink, white gel pen, Pitt Big Brush pen, Distress collage medium.
    downloading 20190517

  • Angels

    There’s some big stuff happening in my household that I can’t talk about on FaceBook yet. This layout is reminding myself that I believe in my angels looking after me (not God, more the Universe I guess…)
    Paints: Crushed grape, Laidlback lilac, Slate grey. Stencils: Bowl of cherries, Spring flowers, Old school numbers. Stamps: Dy’s alphabet. Other: Pitt Big Brush pen, white gel pen, Distress collage medium & Distress ink.
    angels m20190516

  • Working on the Hokitika Gorge

    Over the weekend I spent some time working on slightly larger paintings inspired by the Hokitika Gorge, following my visit after Easter. These are on Hahnemuhle 300lb watercolour paper using heavy body acrylics and water soluble crayons. I love the granularity of some of the mark making.

    Do I know what the shapes mean to me yet? No! But that’s okay. I’m happy to sit with not knowing, because that’s often how my art works. What I do know is that the shapes are embedded in what I’m doing and critical to the works.

    west coast 1west coast 2west coast 3

     

     

  • People’s truth

    This page refers to some stuff I’ve seen on social media, protecting men accused of vile things because “they seem so nice” or “their music/acting/whatever” is great. Uh huh…

    As someone who was abused as a kid and had a bad first marriage, I don’t care. When people show you their truth, believe them. Also, trust your instincts.

    Can you see the mistake in this? I could have ripped it out and started again or tried to cover it up but for me the joy & release is in the doing, so I’m happy to leave it alone. Can’t see it? The first “t” is truth is actually an” “x – oops 😉

    Materials used are all Dylusions unless otherwise stated – Paints: Mushy peas, Slate grey & Ground coffee. Stamps: Dy’s alphabet. Stencils: Shutters, Old school numbers & Diamonds in the rough. Other: Pitt Big Brush pen, white gel pen, Ranger ink, Distress ink.

    show truth 20190512