“Shadow & Spirit”
Artwork and Writings by Catie Faryl
“The world is in constant motion. We grasp at patterns we perceive in nature and try to make sense of the world” . . . . . that was part of my 1st art statement 25 years ago. I’ve come to see how spirit and shadow interplay and the importance of contemplation before to moving into action. There is strength in both spirit and shadow that can be harnessed for change.
As the close of the year approaches, our thoughts turn to celebrations and to remembering those we’ve lost, giving thanks and gifts, and wondering what the new year will bring. Because my artwork has centered around the human condition (still just a little more comic than tragic!), my themes have become less personal and more directed at sharing ideas and “re-framing” issues with new perspectives.
Shining light on what may seem dark is a way to move forward. In this and past shows, I’ve explored the idea that “there is no darkness, only lack of light”. I employ art as a tool for change, along with written words to create dialogue and seek possible solutions. To a great extent “As we believe, so it will be”. The future is malleable and manageable if we work together to share and to respect nature and each other. With art, truth, hard work, fortitude and belief we can find answers and positive actions to benefit all sentient and elemental beings.
Catie Faryl
October 2022
Shadow & Spirit Collection
“We Have Met the Zombies and They are our Apathy”
Ink monotype 16” x 20” $300
Every year I keep track of the most popular Halloween costume.
I came to believe that “zombies” are a metaphor for our feelings of disconnection, apathy and doom. Glad to see zombies are less in the mainstream media this year as people organize to address the climate crisis and work for social justice.
“Angels on Edge Street”
Watercolor 18” x 24” $300
There are angels among use, disguised in human form. When things are bleak and desperate, often angelic forces come to our aide. An Angel on Edge Street might be a cook who feeds a hungry derelict at the restaurant back door, Angels on Edge Street are all of us holding our breath and sending our prayers for a healed world.
“Facebin”
Watercolor monotype 16” x 20” $300
Facebin is a visual reminder of how society has its “throw-away” people – the ones who’ve fallen out of the social safety net, or who chose to face life and death on their own terms. Facebin is where who don’t care file and forget those less fortunate.
“DJ of Doom”
Ink monotype 16” x 20” $350
This picture lampoons all the TV and movie specials about impending disasters and the end of the world, These distractions feed our complacency and allow us to look away from real solutions and the work and attention they require.
“Babel and Blood Moons”
Watercolor 16”x 20” $350
Blood moons are associated with eclipses and prophecies of doomsday events, but for me the fear-mongering and too much info flowing through texts, TV, tweets, etc. reminds me of Babel Tower. Seems like we might end up with huge disconnects not caused by celestial events but because millions of people engage in a massive game of “Telephone”, where final message has no resemblance to the original thought. Are we getting lost in our own Babble?
“Vincent in Questionable Company”
Watercolor 26” x 19” $300
“Runaway Passion”
Watercolor 14” x 16” $150
“Shadow of a Fool”
Watercolor monoprint 16” x 18” $300
“The Morning After: Hell to Pay”
Watercolor 28” x 36” $400
“The Gift”
Watercolor 20” x 24” $350
The Lady of the Lake from Arthurian legend has emerged from the water to hand a delicate world to the King Stag. Unfortunately, the hooves of his stag costume make it impossible to hold the fragile globe and he’s unable or unwilling to let go of his guise or identify, The Lady, a Mother Nature figures has grown old ad tired. Where is the Green Man?
“Cyborg Syndrome”
Ink monotype 16” x 20” $300
Are we moving towards the Singularity when man merges with machine? Can we respect the age-old adage “All things in moderation?” and make judicious call of the good offerings of technology while spurning its invasive and seductive call?
“Minute after Midnight”
Watercolor 18” x 24” $300
“A Patchwork Universe”
Watercolor 28” x 36” $400
Sometimes thing don’t make sense in this world Why are some people rich and others always struggling? Is it a “Patchwork Universe” pieced together with whatever was on hand? A “princes and the pea” sits on her mountain of mattress comfort and weeps for the world’s suffering while the hungry and poor beg for her help, not her tears. The devil sweeps in in sympathy for all who have fallen in this world.
“Alter Ego, Ego Altar”
Watercolor 27” x 36” $450
“Passing Pleasantries in a Deluge”
Ink monotype 16” x 20” $300
This painting is from my “Global Weirding” exhibit at Southern Oregon University. The scene and title are a new take on the old expression “Fiddling While Rome Burns”. How people can continue with business as usual in the face of this century’s myriad extreme weather events is tribute to the unflappable design of the standard human model. Now in 2022 we face the consequences of our risk-taking and our difficulties with making proactive change.
“Scry: Scorpion: Thirst”
Watercolor monotype 20” x 16” $300
To scry means using water or a mirror to predict the future. In the coming days of Scorpio we seek the water, knowing our future depends upon it. We bless the water as it quenches our thirst and heals the land and all creatures. We ask for forgiveness of our past profligate use,dance and pray for snow and rain but not flooding. Respecting water is honoring all life.
“The Revellers”
Watercolor 46” x 30” $750
“Digging Out from the Dirty Decades”
“Digging Out from the Dirty Decades” is compiled in a chronological card deck with 72 art images with writings about each topic or event that the artist created from Y2K til recently.
Card Decks are $30 each with a $5 fee for postage.
Email Catie to order a deck.
My Recent Blog Posts
The Shambhala Prophecy from “Coming Back to Life” by Johanna Macy
Coming to us across twelve centuries, the prophecy about the coming of the Shambhala warriors illustrates the challenges we face in the Great Turning and the strengths we can bring to it. Johanna learned in 1980 from Tibetan friends in India, who were coming to believe that this ancient prophecy referred to this very planet-time. She often recounts it in workshops, for the signs it foretold are recognizable now, signs of great danger. These are varying interpretations of this prophecy, some portray the coming of the kingdom of shambhala as an internal event, a metaphor for one’s inner spiritual journey…
Message from Mother Nature: Can You Hear Me Now?
Last Saturday was the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. In 1970 twenty million people took to the streets across the US to protest against rivers that were catching fire, cities choking on pollution, species going extinct. 10% of Americans participated and spurred seismic changes -with a few years the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act were signed into law. The mass movement that forced progress in the ‘70s has continued to build. In 2019 over seven million people around the world walked out of their schools, their jobs, and their everyday lives to call for social,…
The Great Re-set
What we have before us is the Biggest Time Out of our lifetimes! “The Great Reset” the coronavirus provides is an opportunity to look deeper into the systems that have gotten us into this mess. I’ve often seen in my visioning for art and commentary that all communities across the country and the world are like links in a chain, which at some point in time might have to stand apart as single links in a 10 to 20 mile radius. The ideas of re-localizing food supplies and finding ways to travel and provide necessary energy without furthering the financial…
A View from 2050 and artwork from “Bridges to 2050”
Bridges to 2050 Catie Faryl’s art exhibit, “Bridges to 2050” departs from frustration and gloom by offering optimistic portrayals of common sense solutions and hopeful information on better outcomes for people, planet and all sentient beings. With thought-provoking pictures of where we are and new paths open to us, West Coast Artist Catie Faryl gives inspiration for social, economic, political and environmental justice and shares old and new solutions, technologies and ideas to rebalance our relationships to the land and all living creations. Her paintings and writings offer insight into some choices and decisions ahead and contemplate ways we can…
Dear Catie,
I enjoyed your Perfume Story and posted your story / art on our just launched Perfume Foundation Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/PerfumeFoundation
– I am also impressed inspired by your insight to Art and our world through your words and art. We have also just launched a special LinkedIn Group called Art For Change http://www.linkedin.com/groups/ART-CHANGE-4895370?trk=myg_ugrp_ovr
Continue to be inspired and thank you for your worlds and art
Cheers
Paul
Paul K Holmes
Vice Chair / CEO
International Perfume Foundation / Brussels