Looking up…thinking deeply

Constellating Cancer, is the latest in the constellations series that are filling my studio in this hope filled new year. This particular series at first began mainly as a way to use the figure with animal figures;but as with most of my series,they turn into something else all together by the time I get into them. I have always been intrigued by the night sky and I am one to stay up all night to watch meteor showers or see a star come closer to the earth. The heavens are amazing and looking up lets me know just how very small I am.

This series has given me an excuse to really think about the constellations and how throughout history man has relied and used them to guide him. I am now a part of that legacy as they constellations are guiding me through this group of paintings. Cancer is for me a very terrifying word but somehow the constellation cancer is not so threatening. When I am working on a series such as this one I try to find out everything I can about the subject. I have found the myths surrounding the constellations to be very interesting.

Technically, this painting is acrylic on cradled board. It is layered with pigment and gels giving it both tactile and visual texture. I have sanded it down in places and added more layers to give the shapes broken edges that I believe softens the values giving it an atmosphere as well as an interesting surface. Embedded in each of these constellation series I have drawn the diagram of the constellation in the layers, and as with most layers they are covered and uncovered in an effort to mimic a star as it twinkles brightly and dimly in the night sky.

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Constellating Cancer detail copyright cathy Hegman

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Constellating Cancer by Cathy Hegman 40 x 30 acrylic on panel

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Take care,

Cathy Hegman

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Constellating Cancer by Cathy Hegman 40 x 30 acrylic on panel

About Cathy S. Hegman

Art, much like a road links people together both visually and mentally. One can attain a glimpse inside the artist’s soul by studying the artist’s work, and perhaps find something that links them to the artist and the art. A work of art has the ability to resonate and touch the emotions without regard to age, gender, race, or religion through the application of pigment to canvas or paper. Art can be the voice that cries out without limits, or sometimes whispers the thoughts of the creator. Art speaks silently, yet conjures up feelings and gives satisfaction that is undeniable, and yet intrinsic. It validates our need to learn about ourselves, and gives us freedom to search for our own identities. The road is long and often dusty, but always renewing the spirit with inspiration. It is my hope in this lifetime to give a part of what I have learned through and on my journey with others. The deepest form of us is revealed in our thoughts and my art is the translation of my thoughts to paper and canvas. I paint layers of color and line to create a history of marks that will guide the viewer into my world of thought and engage them in the process. I embed personal symbols throughout my art to give it deeper meaning. I encourage you to think about life in a visual way and to contemplate our connections with each other and the world we share.

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