Midsummer 2022
Midsummer 2022
We are halfway through the year already and as ever time seems to gallop on.
At the beginning of 2022, I made a decision to have some time off – no shows and no books. The past few years have been anxious and strange for us all and after 40 years of practice, I felt the need not for a rest so much as a change. It hasn’t quite worked out as I expected but I am pleased to say that I will be having a show in November at the Lighthouse in Penzance, and excitingly, I’m not sure what will be in it yet.
In January, in order to thoroughly learn the digital camera process, I found The School of Photography online and am slowly working my way through their excellent courses. After a lifetime of painting, it is a tonic to be learning a new process and it is very good for the brain. Every day I feel as if I’m discovering something new so I am excited to see what impact the camera has on my paintings and as I become more confident in handling the camera what impact my paintings have on my photography. As ever the journey is an intensely personal one and I am beginning to find links and threads to ideas both new and old.
The world of macro in particular is a revelation and that is where I’m most enjoying the exploration into the unseen and the revealed. My images are mainly on Instagram but I will be posting regularly on here too as the journey progresses.
Summer treats
News:
This little dragonfly painting ” Summer’s violet perfume’ was commissioned by Hortus Magazine to be July’s front cover image.
The original painting or a limited edition print is now available to buy from the shop.
‘HORTUS is a privately published quarterly journal that addresses itself to intelligent and lively-minded gardeners throughout the English-speaking world.
The beautifully printed and bound issues, each of 112 pages, contain articles on gardens, plants, people and books; history design and ornament.
There are conversations with the great figures of present-day horticulture, essays, notes and thorough reviews of new and reissued books.’
Summer treats:
Enjoy free shipping on originals, prints, cards and calendars in the Catherine Hyde Shop
Easter Hares
Easter Hares
Now available in the shop: small paintings on gesso panel
April
April
I have added lots of original pieces to my webshop – flowers, hares and owls and will be adding a brand new set of tinies over the next few days.
New cards
New cards
Spring 2022 range
Love from the Artist
A new range of cards featuring images from The Bee and The Sun and including stags, owls and flowers – click on the link to order
FEBRUARY
FEBRUARY
In the Bee and The Sun, February’s first herb is Bay. I have a splendid tree growing outside my conservatory and love to lean out and pick them for my sauces and stews, crushing them in my hand and sniffing their fragrant aroma. The flowers are much loved by bees and butterflies and, surprisingly, flower very early in the year.
The Greek word for Bay is ‘dhafni’, after the nymph Daphne who was changed into a bay laurel tree to protect her from the unwanted advances of Apollo. It was associated with courage and strength and was treasured by the Romans who wore sprigs as crowns to represent their high status.
PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTOGRAPHS
2022 represents a new departure for me. I have always been fascinated by photography but am really not as technically knowledgeable as I would like so after a lot of looking and research have signed up for The School of Photography’s online courses. I am still only working my way through the beginners’ course but I already think it is brilliant.
I want my photographs to sit alongside my paintings and I think it is inevitable that my painting eye will feed the photographs and that the photographs will feed and influence my paintings.
Either way, the journey is to find my own voice and create decently exposed and composed shots. When I get a good one I will be adding limited edition prints to the shop.
So, even though it is still very early days this is the first one in the collection. It was taken on one of my favourite walks along the river Cober, Helston. The heavy rain over the past few days has swelled the little river and caused wonderful mud and floods along the footpath. This was taken early morning, just as the sun was rising over the trees on the opposite bank.
JANUARY 2022
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a happier, healthier time in 2022. For now, and to see you through the year with images of hope and a reminder of the beauty of the world there are still some calendars available to purchase in the SHOP
December Shop
Merry Christmas!
The shop will be closed from 17th December – 2 January but orders may still be placed.
Book signing event
The Bee and The Sun
Book signing
Saturday 27th November
2 – 4pm
Seven Fables
7 High St, Dulverton TA22 9H
01398 324457
Next Saturday afternoon I will be back by the fireside in the lovely shop of delights that is Seven Fables to celebrate the publication of The Bee and The Sun. There will lots of copies of The Bee and The Sun and The Hare and The Moon.
Please join me there or phone to order a signed and dedicated copy.
‘Some of my earliest memories are of my mother’s garden, a paradise of herbs and flowers and the buzzing of bees and insects. I find the glorious aromas of freshly picked mint, rosemary and oregano powerfully nostalgic, and it fills me with pleasure to gather them now from my own wild-flower garden.
This collection of paintings is a celebration of my deep love for the cycles of the seasons and a dedication to the profound importance of the bee as a pollinator in our world.’
