The Laws of Nature

Thursday, April 22, 2010

The Law of Inertia


The Law of Inertia by Katharine A. Cartwright, 2010
watercolor on paper
26" x 20"

Another week and another painting to add to my series "The Laws of Nature." The fun hasn't stopped, so I'll start another soon. In the meantime, I'm about to depart on a trip to my alma mater for a 40th Class Reunion this weekend. Yikes!! How did that much time elapse so quickly? Is this a violation of the "laws of nature?" The last post was about what we'd change in our art careers if we had the ability to turn back the hands of time. Looking back in my yearbook, I see that I was named "The Most Artistic" in my class, with a prediction that I'd become a famous artist. Well, I haven't become famous (yet) but I have continued in art. Did that prediction influence me enough to make it a life-long goal, or was it a logical conclusion because of my preoccupation with art? How much do other people influence our self-perception? Perhaps I'll discover a few answers to that question as I spend a weekend with my former classmates.

Until next week, happy painting everyone!!

15 comments:

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Your paintings take my breath away!

Celeste Bergin said...

40! I had that one too--except I didn't go. I hope you have a wonderful time. The high school friends I have on Facebook were surprised to learn I am an artist. I'm sure they all thought I would become a midwest housewife. This painting is a stunner! Hope you have a great time at the reunion. I bet you will look the best of everyone there!

Unknown said...

Wow wow wow "the Law of Inertia" is mesmerizing! My 40th is in 2012. I have been to only one so I'll have to try and make that one.

Have a GREAT time! I would say to your classmates you are famous now. Not many artists have direct contacts with respected writers in this field and a following of hundreds from around the world!

-Don said...

I'd say you are breaking the law of inertia, because your momentum seems to be increasing... Wow! I'm mesmerized and having trouble finding a force strong enough to move my eyes away. OK, I know - enough puns, already!!!

I love everything about this, but I'd say my favorite parts are what look like the blood vessels pumping the blood cells throughout the image. They help to guide my eyes throughout the image in a nice, mellow, continuous way.

Have fun at your reunion. My milestone reunions/anniversaries coming up in the next few weeks are, 30th high school, 25th wedding, and parent's 50th wedding. I hope to make it to at least one of these...

-Don

Unknown said...

Hi Elizabeth - thank you!

Hi Celeste - you look waaay to young to have had a 40th reunion! No way.

Hi Sheila - thanks so much. Like Celeste, you look waaay to young to have a 40th!

Hi Don - toooo funny! Yes, I do hope you show up for ONE of those (maybe your own anniversary???) Congratulations!

hw (hallie) farber said...

This is the year of my 50th! We're not having a reunion--I set up the last one (44th) and am waiting for someone else to step up to the planning plate.

My art teacher signed my yearbook with "One day I'll see your signature on a masterpiece;" I thought that was nice but never took it seriously. (My history teacher wrote, "Keep wearing that purple sweater." He gave me A's.) It was a different era.

Enjoy the reunion--your yearbook was right.

Great painting.

Dan Kent said...

What's wild about the "Law of Inertia" to me (and maybe I'm just crazy), but it really seems to be static, while there seem to be movement in the others. Yet it has depth and great interest. Wonderful!

OK. Hmmmm. My 30th was two years ago. And I'm only 22. And my oldest son is 20. Figure that one out!

Tonya Vollertsen said...

I think they are amazing and in a group they are spectacularly impactive. I look at them and think, as I'm sure other artists do "how would I do this?" And I come up with well, maybe I wouldn't tackle that project. So hats off to you and a big standing ovation of "WOW!" and "Well done!" and as seems to come up often, "Amazing!" mmm,hmmm, I think you ROCK!

Mark Sheeky said...

Love this series. Of course you are famous! Lots of people you don't really know, know you!

Eva said...

Fantastic as usual. You're certainly in the flow! Hope the 40th is a super one.

Unknown said...

Hi Hallie - your 50th! Never would have guessed. And, I agree with your art teacher :-)

Hi Dan - yes! static = inertia. Thanks!

Hi Tonya - thank you!!

Hi Mark - I never thought about it that way, but never would. Thank you!

Hi Eva - thank you!!

Spencer Stott ~ Fine Art said...

ha! i finally got in! i absolutely love this! so much detail! i dont knoe if ive ever seen water color like this! very impressive!

Unknown said...

Hi Spencer - thank you! I'm glad you "got in" :-)

David Lobenberg said...

Fantastic abstracts! Have you seen some of Mike Bailey's here in Calif.

Unknown said...

Hi David - thank you. Yes, I've known Mike for many years.