Statement
In creating art, I pose questions and investigate for possible answers. Just as natural
light can embody us, I link the source of concepts and ideas with layers of color, texture, and transparency emanating
from materials and mediums. Recent investigations ask the question: What makes us feel alive?
My work engages materiality in many forms. It has its' roots in childhood and the family fabric business. Spending a
multitude of hours around fabrics of all kinds - seeing and feeling colors, textures and patterns , followed me into
adulthood and into the art I make. So, it is not surprising given my years in southern California, I am influenced by
atmospheric light, space and cosmology, urging me to create mostly large scale wall, floor and installation works.
I aim to convey the transparent lightness of the atmosphere together with a sense of wonder - touching upon the
ephemeral and powerful forces of nature that shape our life experience. Some of my installation works
touch upon a sensitivity to changes in our environment on earth using my own distinct visual language.
My experiments with watercolors on vellum led to a series of paper works that are sculptural and explore
brushwork through the process of tearing apart and then re-building sculptural paintings that also refer to
impressionism where mixing colors with the “eye” are prominent. Also, an ongoing series of textile based works
using transparent fabrics I have painted and then layered, are both atmospheric and suggestive of the landscape
and natural world..
I view my studio space as a lab - experimenting, exploring and expanding possibilities as I am led down varying paths.
I look for materials that translate into an expression of my ideas. I also use photography and video as
process as well as complete artworks. Color plays an integral role in the mediums I use, and along with my writing process,
in translating my ideas into art. I hope to stimulate viewers' curiosity about the natural world and our place in it.
Cathy Breslaw
light can embody us, I link the source of concepts and ideas with layers of color, texture, and transparency emanating
from materials and mediums. Recent investigations ask the question: What makes us feel alive?
My work engages materiality in many forms. It has its' roots in childhood and the family fabric business. Spending a
multitude of hours around fabrics of all kinds - seeing and feeling colors, textures and patterns , followed me into
adulthood and into the art I make. So, it is not surprising given my years in southern California, I am influenced by
atmospheric light, space and cosmology, urging me to create mostly large scale wall, floor and installation works.
I aim to convey the transparent lightness of the atmosphere together with a sense of wonder - touching upon the
ephemeral and powerful forces of nature that shape our life experience. Some of my installation works
touch upon a sensitivity to changes in our environment on earth using my own distinct visual language.
My experiments with watercolors on vellum led to a series of paper works that are sculptural and explore
brushwork through the process of tearing apart and then re-building sculptural paintings that also refer to
impressionism where mixing colors with the “eye” are prominent. Also, an ongoing series of textile based works
using transparent fabrics I have painted and then layered, are both atmospheric and suggestive of the landscape
and natural world..
I view my studio space as a lab - experimenting, exploring and expanding possibilities as I am led down varying paths.
I look for materials that translate into an expression of my ideas. I also use photography and video as
process as well as complete artworks. Color plays an integral role in the mediums I use, and along with my writing process,
in translating my ideas into art. I hope to stimulate viewers' curiosity about the natural world and our place in it.
Cathy Breslaw