Philip Catania

     I trained and studied my whole life to be an artist.

     In my younger years, I sketched, drew, painted, and was happy.  

     Then I grew up.  Life and needs intervened.  Eventually I graduated from grad school and became an art teacher where I had the best of both worlds, the ability to teach art and to create art.

     With my artistic self happy again, I looked around, found nature all around me in Upstate New York, and peace.  I get lots of ideas from studying plants and animals while living closely through the four seasons.  These emotions rattle around in my head for days, weeks, or years before a concept pops onto my canvas.  Nature inspires me. 

     I'll often start my painting process with a drawing or a sketch which I transfer onto a canvas.  Other times I use the actual canvas as my sketch pad and draft my thought directly onto the canvas.  Then I paint.

     The nature of humanity frequently features as my subject matter.  Another favorite topic is life's journey from birth to death.

     Because human nature doesn't change much with the passage of time, older paintings become new again to younger audiences who see the same ideas in the work that their parents saw at a young age.  Yet, younger people see material relevant to their time and place in the ages and they translate these concepts into new feelings, new perceptions pertinent to their time and space.  

     I use oil paint because it has an original spirit.

     The process of mixing colors and brushing paint onto a canvas allows me to tap into the essence of my soul.  On its own, oil paint has lots of nuances.  When combined with my animating force, my pulse of life, I brush the mixture onto a canvas.  A dynamic reality springs forth in the completed piece.

     Paint is a very powerful medium because it brings a drawing to life---to its ultimate in terms of depth.  The result is a powerful statement.

     Art is therapy for the mind and the soul.