Tuesday, September 4, 2012

"Where the Deer and the Antelope Play" By C Caton


"Where the Deer and the Antelope Play" painting by C Caton - SOLD

A tip of the hat to Dr. Brewster Higley, who first penned his now famous poem back in the early 1870's.  I would imagine that he would be beyond surprised to know that we enjoy it still!

I believe that this was his original -

Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam,
  Where the deer and the antelope play;
  Where never is heard a discouraging word
     And the sky is not clouded all day.
Oh, give me the gale of the Solomon vale
  Where life streams with buoyancy flow,
  On the banks of the Beaver, where seldom if ever
     Any poisonous herbage doth grow.
Oh, give me the land where the bright diamond sand
   Throws light from the glittering stream;
   Where glideth along the graceful white swan,
      Like a maid in her heavenly dreams.

I love these wild flowers in this bright land of our;
   I love, too, the curlew's wild scream.
   The bluffs of white rocks and antelope flocks
     That graze on the hillsides so green.

How often at night, when the heavens are bright
   By the light of the glittering stars,
   Have I stood there amazed  and asked as I gazed
      If their beauty exceeds this of ours.   
The air is so pure, the breezes so light,
   The zephyrs so balmy at night,
   I would not exchange my home here to range
      Forever in azure so bright.
The original poem by Brewster Higley

While I like the song, I must confess that I am partial to the original poem, and it was the inspiration for this painting.



Monday, August 27, 2012

"Bright Spots"


"Bright Spots" By C Caton

Random brightly colored spots on a black background, big and small.   Life can sometimes seem to be full of darkness - believe me, I do know - but always there are the bright spots, small ones and large.  My bright spots are the people who like my artwork, and in some small fashion, perhaps I am a small bright spot to some of them as well!
So for all of those who are somebody's "bright spot" or for those who are having a hard time finding any - here you go!

Completed August 2012, signed on the back so that it can be hung in any direction.


Monday, August 20, 2012

"Grass" By C Caton


"Grass" By C Caton

Just playing around with a new brush that I bought recently, getting the hang of it.  This one has a fair amount of metallic paint in it, and it doesn't really come across in photos as it does in person. SOLD

Looks great on a variety of wall colors!

Completed August 2012

Saturday, August 18, 2012

"The Yellow Ribbon - Coming Home" By C Caton


"The Yellow Ribbon - Coming Home" By C Caton

The long wait is almost over, and Mom and the kids are joined by the neighbors across the way in waiting with eager anticipation for the first glimpse of their returning loved one!

These days, the yellow ribbon is most often used to signify a deployed soldier - but over the years, it has been used and has meant a missing loved one due to a variety of reasons - from hostages to returning parolees to soldiers. 

Completed August 2012 - SOLD



Wednesday, August 1, 2012

"A Calm, Clear, Beautiful Night" By C Caton


"A Calm, Clear, Beautiful Night"  By C Caton

I always have been something of a night owl, and prefer to do most of my painting in the overnight hours since there are few distractions during that time -

Except of course when the night itself beacons!  What could be better than a stroll down a country lane on just such a night? 

This one is a small painting - only 10"x8" - and has metallic paints mixed into it, giving it a nice warm glow.

That "nice warm glow" also makes it difficult to photograph, and so I have scanned this one given its small size - works well for the most part, though it does sometimes bring up flaws that are not seen with the naked eye.

Completed July 2012 - SOLD

Monday, July 30, 2012

"The Happiest Time of Day" By C Caton


"The Happiest Time of Day" By C Caton

It's just after school, and Mom has the milk and cookies at the ready as she watches for the kids at the door! 
As the little people scurry home, she waves her first greeting to them as they hurry on to tell her all about their day.
July 2012


Monday, July 16, 2012

"A Bad Year For Corn" By C Caton



"A Bad Year For Corn"  -  Corn country has been having a bad time of it this year - with the drought about all that's thriving are the weeds.  Sadly, hard work isn't always all it takes - sometimes you need a fair amount of luck as well.   SOLD

Completed July 2012