Joan

Joan, oil on canvas, ©2007 Philip Catania

      For the past couple of weeks Philip has been working on commissions.  Joan is a piece he painted several years ago.


©2012 Philip Catania

Self-Portrait

                                             Self-Portrait, 1966                ©1966 Philip Catania

     Mmm, Mmm, Mmm.... this self-portrait of Philip popped into my mind.  Philip was young when he painted it.  There are odd shapes and pieces angled together in an unusual manner and all the parts are contained in one soft blue circle...Philip.  I really like examining the different segments of Philip, and have often found myself standing in front of this portrait through the years, investigating the youth who painted himself in this fashion.

In Philip's studio

     To achieve completed paintings,  Philip often works on several canvases simultaneously.  He paints for a while on one canvas, stops, sets the canvas down, picks up another incomplete piece to work on for a bit, and so on.  He repeats the process until, eventually, one or more canvases are complete.  Some uncompleted pieces might be put aside for a long period on time while his mind ruminates about the subject.  Then, a month, two months, a year later, he completes the work and a new painting is born.  The five works-in-progress are, from left to right, Queen of Heart, Crossing Over, A Slice of Life, Guiding Hand, and, on top, The Spa.  Queen of Hearts, A Slice of Life, and The Spa are currently available through Artists Haven Gallery, 2757 East Oakland Park Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33306 at telephone number (954 0 817-4893.  Crossing Over and Guiding Hand are available until May 31, 2011 at Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, 511 West 25th Street, Chelsea, New York, NY  10001 phone number (212) 255-9050.

Of Like Minds

Soul Mates, oil on canvas, 24" x 18", ©2009 Philip Catania

Soul Mates, Too, oil on canvas, 19" x 19", ©2009 Philip Catania

      
     Of Like Minds follows in the footsteps of Philip's paintings Soul Mates and Soul Mates, Too.  The three pieces display the marvelous compatibility shown by two people whose souls really connect on an extremely deep inner level.  Everyone knows at least one couple where one partner can finish the unfinished sentence or thought of the other.  The two just 'know' exactly what the other needs, and provides it.  That bond between mates is exactly what is immediately apparent in Of Like Minds.  The woman is one half of the whole.  And the man is the other half.  If one is missing, there is a feeling of incompleteness within the remaining person.  It takes two to be one total entity.
Karin

Of Like Minds, oil on canvas, 8" x 8", ©2011 Philip Catania

The Search

©2011 Philip Catania, The Search, oil on canvas, 8" x 8"

     Lost your head recently?  I have.  Philip has.  Everyone has, at one time or another.

     When tempers hit the roof, it can be quite difficult to cool down and regain composure.  Often words are exchanged which are difficult to take back.  Embarrassment and shame fill our souls at what was shouted out in the heat of the moment.  Apologies need to be said.

     In the past, a fellow would go "hat in hand" to the wounded person and voice his regrets.  In The Search, the man went a step further to reduce his mortification.  He took his "head in hand" and searched for the wronged individual.  This was a truly contrite being.

     Now, play The Search a different way.

     Life is a journey, a search.  Maybe my goal, my search, is for a wonderful job.  Perhaps I'm looking for a long-lost relative.  Please use your imagination when viewing this painting and write on Facebook what you see in The Search.  Philip and I would love to hear your thoughts.
Karin

What's happening

Recently, Philip was asked to write the story behind the creation of each of his paintings.  Philip's response, "If I could write, I'd write books instead of drawing pictures."  So....  Philip asked me, Karin, to write stories for him.  He was very careful to say that he doesn't like having words written about his work because words limit the painting to one interpretation.  Instead, he would prefer people to open their minds when viewing his creations.  The concepts and visions available in each image are limitless.

Rainy Day Women

©2007 Philip Catania, Rainy Day Women, oil on canvas, 34" x 20"

     Hi, it's Karin, again,.

     Yesterday, when the rains came, I immediately thought of Philip's Rainy Day Women.  Light and cheery, the painting makes me think of Spring.  Then, our basement flooded, and we drove into Town to buy a new sump pump.  Driving home, the temperature dropped to below freezing, and snow started falling, with just a few flakes flying here and there.

     By midnight last night, we had just over a foot of snow.  This morning snow totals reached 15 or 16 inches.  With wind blowing this way and that, drifts measured higher than my waist. Mid-morning  found me shoveling a path to Philip's studio.  By the time I arrived at his door, I was not thinking kind thoughts about Old Man Winter!

     The ladies in Rainy Day Women will have to wait for another, warmer day to parade through rain showers in their bright, yellow rain slickers.  Oh, well.  That's the way our Spring crumbles this winter!!

     Rainy Day Women will be available at Artists Haven Gallery, 2757 East Oakland Park Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL  33306 during the month of April, 2011.  The opening is from 6pm to 9pm on Saturday, April 2, 2011.  Elaine and Michael Joseph, the Gallery owners, warmly welcome and greet everyone interested in viewing fine art.  If you need directions, their telephone number is:  (954) 817-4893.