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Focus on Flowers & Figures
Written By: Donna Rhodes | Issue: June 2023
As evidenced by her art, Cover Artist Cath Connolly’s arrival on the Plateau was something of a Homecoming.
It was 1968. 13-year-old Cath Connolly, sporting a mini-skirt and an enchanting shyness, walked down the plane’s airstairs and set foot on American soil.
A high-level job brought her family to the states. She was a bit apprehensive about making her way in this gigantic new territory.
But one thing Cath knew: no matter where she landed, Art would always be her companion.
And now, years later, after retiring from the corporate world, Cath wound up as June’s cover artist for The Laurel Magazine.
How did that happen? Simple. She came to Highlands for a wedding and fell in love with the beauty, tranquility, and cool climate, reminiscent of England.
In 2019 she moved here, joined the Art League of Highlands-Cashiers, became a member of Mountaintop Rotary, volunteered with the hospitals, and served on the Art League Board while contributing paintings to fund-raisers. She says, “I try to use my art for good. I want it to be a beneficial part of the community.” The Laurel welcomes her with a spotlight on her striking work for June’s cover.
Her devotion to the area resonates in her oil paintings, With a focus on flowers and figures, she uses a semi-abstract approach. Subjects are recognizable, but highly-stylized – a few degrees shy of real. She explains, “Everything around me inspires me. I like to grow things and paint them. There’s something magical about planting a seed or bulb. I feed it, water it, love it. When it matures, I capture its essence in paint on canvas or wood. It’s soul-satisfying.
“Peonies and dahlias are favorites. Everyone around here is mental about dahlias. I think I’m joining them.”
As one of the key organizers of the Mountaintop Rotary Art and Craft shows, she has little time to show her own work. But you can see it at OEI Acorns Boutique and at the upcoming ALHC Summer Colors Show in Sapphire, July 22-23.
Attend her presentation at the Art League’s meeting on June 26, at 4:30 P.M.
She says, “I’ll discuss my approach to abstracting the landscape. I’ll explain how mixing cold wax with oils and working on panels integrates my process.”
If you’d like a personal visit to her home studio, call (919) 259-1027 and make an appointment. Or you can visit her at cathconnolly.com or email cath@ cathconnolly.com.
