The Art of Catherine Oswald

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About OSWALD 

 Catherine: fauvearts@gmail.com

    

 

I am an American Woman and have the privilege and freedom to do as I choose. I paint because I know no other way and it is my choice to live through this expressive device and paint how and what I want.

It’s me and I painted it. Arguably I am the best bang for my buck as a model, muse, and inspiration. We are all born naked and I intend to paint and draw my body for the rest of my days.

I was born in Washington D.C. but grew up in California where I attended private schools and focused on fine art, dance, and performance arts. I have been painting and drawing all my life. I have kept journal sketches and drawings on bits of paper and postcards since 1986. I was a cheerleader in high school and did nude modeling in college. I have always been interested in my body, sex, and exhibitionism.

I credit my high school art teacher Stephen Oderkirk for organizing me into the visual arts and drawing and painting. Robert Gray at UCLA encouraged me to move to Santa Cruz where I studied with Patrick Aherne, Toni McElrath, Eduardo Carillo, Hardy Hansen and Marjorie Portnow.

I don’t like art dealers or the art business. I sell direct to people who like my art and seek patronage for my brass ring attempt at producing analog fine art in the digital age.

I started and ran my own gallery and frame shop for a while in Southern California, but closed the business down to pursue a postcard journal of my travels chasing wildflowers. I finished a 120 page book documenting those travels: Postcard Journal of a Traveling Artist.  

I have just finished my second book:   Haiku on a Dime./Bukowski Shotgun Weddings/Postcards to MyselfThis new postcard journal book will focus on nude self figure work and issues of sexual expression and freedom. These Journal Cards are from 2007 - 2009 Postcard Journal entries.

I started and own my corporation and web site,  www.fauvearts.com as a way of bringing my work to the widest audience possible for appreciation or rejection. Just want to get my work out there.

To read more about my life and pursuits check out my blog:  www.myspace.com/catherineoswald  or you can contact me at fauvearts@gmail.com  

If I am not at my studio ranch, the rest of the time I am on the road selling original art and limited edition prints. Check the website for FauveArts News and Happenings.

I really liked the following from Susie Bright who I have always admired.

Susie Bright 1993 - Introduction of The Best American Erotica 1993

"The Perfect example of the sexually illiterate rut we're in is our vocabulary: Erotica and Pornography. That's it. Two words, and the tiresome debate over what each stands for. Always a symbol of class difference, "erotica" and "pornography" are like neighborhoods that don't think much of each other, and it's obvious who lives on the wrong side of the tracks.

Pornography is usually called out as a put-down, except when people want to insinuate just how down and dirty exciting their subject is. Erotica is usually used as a compliment, except when it's delivered with sarcasm from the skeptic who doesn't believe that anything hanging in a museum could turn anyone on.

At its worst, the label of pornography is a trick: cheap or expensive, but a con all the same. It says, "I know your sordid guilty secret, now pay up and get out."

At is best, pornography is a dead-honest hard-on, the blush spreading across the breast. Despite pornography's animated parade of stereotypes and predictable taboos, it tells no lie. It is like the ultimate four-letter word that accepts no substitutes.

Erotica, at its worst, is pretentious and trite, with or without the politically correct afterglow. It's snobbish, yet transparent. It won't scare the horses, but by the same token, it doesn't transport you at all. Yet at its very best, erotica is a sensual and sexual aesthetic with a mind of its own. It is the only concept, however fragile, that gives consideration to sex as art."

Please See Our:  Visitors Guide/Site Map

 

Resume - Showings

White Gallery: Los Angeles, California – Group Exhibit 1989

Cabrillo Gallery: Aptos, California – Group Exhibit 1990

Open Studios: Santa Cruz, California – Studio Tour 1992

Cultural Counsel of Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz, California - Group Exhibit 1992

Bridge Gallery: Santa Cruz, California – Solo Exhibit 1992

Hama Gallery: Venice Beach, California – Solo Exhibit 1993

Hall Gallery: Santa Cruz, California – Group Exhibit 1993

Open Studios: Oakland, California – Studio Tour 1994

Murals: Arazim, Oakdale, California 1994

Private Showing: 4001 Studios, Oakland, California – Solo Exhibit 1995

Marin County Arts and Jazz Festival: Marin, California - Group Exhibit 1996

The Women's Artists Exhibition: Santa Cruz, California - Group Exhibit 1997

Marin Country Arts and Jazz Festival: Marin, California – Group Exhibit 1997

San Diego Festival of Arts: San Diego, California – Group Exhibit 1997

Murals: Solomon Schechter, Olympia, WA 1998

Owned and operated own gallery:  OSWALDz CAT 1999

General Survey On Exhibit from April 23 to October 31 1999

Perspectives – A Self Portrait Series 1999  On Exhibit from November 4, 1999 to January 4, 2000

Currently working on a new show of Self Portraits and Still Life work.

Postcard Journal of a Traveling Artist – began project in April 2000 and finished original 120 page book in October  2000. Currently seeking publishing support. Began to edit new Postcard Journal: Haiku on a Dime/Bukowski Shotgun Weddings/Postcards to Myself  from journal entries 2007-2008.

 

Madeline DeJoly – Aptos, CA 1990-1992

Created hand made paper for Madeline DeJoly paper sculptures showing at the San Jose Craft and Folk Museum. Assisted in all aspects of preparing for the show.

Custom Archival Framing, Amsterdam Art, Berkeley, California 1991-1995

Participated in all aspects of large retail frame shop. Specialized in archival framing, hand colored mats, color consultation on mat and frame, and large piece archival framing. 

Commissions 1993 - 1998

Mural Commissions at Arazim; Oakdale, California 1993.  Completed three children’s murals for a Jewish Institution  

Commissioned work of  Tournament House; Pasadena, California. 1996. Completed large oil painting of the Tournament House. 

Mural Commissions at Solomon Schechter, Olympia, Washington 1998  Completed two children’s murals for a Jewish Institution.

Owned and operated OswaldzCat , 1999-2000

Private gallery and archival framing center featuring original work by me.

Color Consultant 1983 - 2000

Act as Color Consultant privately for residential and commercial redecorating and redesign. Also have assisted interior decorators, facility managers, designers, and graphic illustrators in color analysis and opinion. 

Private Sales of Original Work and Limited Edition Prints   1989 - Present

Over one hundred and fifty private sales of Original Work in the last decade. In 1998 started selling Limited Edition Prints of original images.

Sales information to be provided upon request 

SEE:      www.fauvearts.com   for more information on Oswald.

Education

UCLA – Student in School of Fine Arts 1987 –1990

UC Santa Cruz – Student in School of Fine Arts Graduated 1992

Studied with: Robert Gray, Toni McElrath, Eduardo Carillo, Patrick Aherne, Hardy Hansen, Marjorie Portnow

Contact Catherine:  fauvearts@gmail.com 

Catherine Oswald's Blog: http://www.myspace.com/catherineoswald

   

Copyright © 1989 - 2010  by Catherine Oswald.  All rights reserved.

Revised: 01 Jun 2010 03:38:40 -0400 .