 I'm thrilled to announce that I will have a hand painted tunic in this upcoming show: Sat. Aug. 1 from 4pm to 8pm
WORDS FROM THE CREATOR OF THE 200 TUNICS SHOW - Laura Starkey "What started off as any other day, getting together with friends, conversations, laughter, discussions on our struggles and then of coarse what each of us are pursuing or dreaming of. Deb Guthrie is a prolific clothes dyer, altering clothes that may otherwise hit the landfill sooner than it should. She created an abundance of sheeting re-dyed to create a colourful array of things that bring her joy and the opportunity to create something from these fabrics. Of course this spoke to me as I have a love for all things fabric. She is a tunic girl, layers upon layers of clothes to create new and exciting things to wear everyday. She saw this as an opportunity to have me create several tunics for her to play with and make uniquely her own to wear. As conversations go with people who create, it happens in a moments, a second, but a visual comes rushing forward and your life changes in that moment. The excitement of creating something that doesn’t exist but you can see it so clearly. This is where I imagined 200 tunics, created by 200 artists all shown in one venue. How extraordinary that would be. I was so excited about this idea, it was big and I knew I just had to create it, how and where, well those are just part of the journey, So I began. I told Holly Dean my idea and she instantly could see it happening at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, I’ve only been there once but it had such an impact on me, I remembered it and agreed that that was the perfect place. That day I booked it, set the date SATURDAY, AUGUST 1ST. 2026. I haven’t told anyone about it except Holly and Deb. That afternoon I wrote out my first email, the criteria for joining and put it on my website for easy access. You see I only had about 40 artists emails. From 40 to 200 was going to be a challenge but I believed in this project whole heartedly. From those 40 emails, word of mouth took over, I was getting messages and emails from all over Ontario and some from B.C., Quebec and other provinces, who wanted to be a part of this show. I was blown away by the response but more by the energy, the enthusiasm, the community that did not exist then is now the Tunic Show Community. In creating the show, I wanted as many different creative people to be a part of it so I added no rules, I didn’t want just textile artists to participate, I wanted poets, ceramic artist, musicians, printers - I wanted everyone to try. And that is what we have - a beautiful assortment of those who work in textiles for years, journalists, painters, potters, printers, bead artists, book artists, embroidery artist and textile artists. We have young artists just starting out, photographers, ceramic artists, we have people who are not calling themselves artist but just want try something and create a tunic for themselves. We have families, sisters and best friends working on their tunics.This is the energy we are building. I started creating this show myself and now it is a whole community creating it. I made the tunics, they are making the show. Can you even imagine all this unexpected beauty in one room. Why do all this work - I’ve always supported artists and the arts, we need to shine a light on the world, get people excited about creativity and that it lives in all of us. So I invite everyone who can imagine a beautiful Industrial room filled with mannequins and tunics, each as unique as the person who created them. Each tunic also has a story. For me it has been a particularly hard year and I may not finish my tunics, I will still display them and that will be part of their tunic story. You will read many diverse stories that go along with the tunics. There were no rules created so that some tunics will not be tunics, the important part is that they all started the same when they left my studio and then they went on their own journey. Some even went travelling with their creator. I know when the day came for the show and people came to see the show they would be part of something so much more. The energy created from a large group of people who are working towards creating a unique piece of art is the kind of energy we need now and everyday before and after. This show is our statement. A gift. The show is one day only - 4pm to 8pm. Please join us for something unique in every way. Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, 3 Rosamond Street East, Almonte, Ontario Tunic will be for sale. There is also People’s Choice Awards, come vote for you favourite tunic. This is a passionate community full of kindness and generosity. Come be a part of this ongoing journey of creativity. I started this alone and yet I was never alone in its pursuit of bringing it into reality." Cheers, Laura Starkey https://lauras-shop.square.site/  There are moments as an artist that stay with you long after an exhibition ends. For me, one of those moments came recently when Coastal Haze I, a postcard-sized work from a series I created during an artist residency in Newfoundland, was purchased at the Postcard Art Exhibit in the Netherlands.
The Coastal Haze series was inspired by the ever-changing atmosphere of Newfoundland’s coastline. During my residency, I spent time observing the way fog, light, and sea seemed to merge into soft layers of colour and texture. The landscape often felt both vast and intimate, with distant horizons dissolving into mist. These impressions became the foundation for the series, which explores memory, place, and the subtle beauty of coastal weather. Learning that Coastal Haze I had been purchased was exciting in itself, but discovering that the buyer was another artist made the experience especially meaningful. There is something deeply affirming about having your work resonate with a fellow creative; someone who understands the process, dedication, and vulnerability involved in making art. Their decision to take the piece home felt like a genuine connection across both geography and artistic practice, and I am truly honoured. The Postcard Art Exhibit is also more than an art event; it serves as a fundraiser for Alzheimer's causes. Knowing that the exhibition supports such important work adds another layer of significance to the experience. Art has a unique ability to bring people together, spark conversations, and contribute to communities beyond the gallery walls. I am grateful that Coastal Haze I could play a small part in supporting this cause. As artists, we often send our work out into the world without knowing where it will end up or who it might touch. It is always rewarding when a piece finds a home, but it is particularly special when that journey connects artists, collectors, and charitable efforts in a meaningful way. I am grateful to the organizers of the Postcard Art Exhibit, to everyone who supports the fundraiser, and especially to the artist who chose to bring Coastal Haze I into their collection. Moments like these remind me why I continue to create and share my work.  Almost resolved.
Still breathing. What happens when a painting refuses to behave and turns out to be beautiful? “In Praise of Misbehaviour” Solo Exhibition by Catherine Gutsche – May 1st to 29th Vernissage: May 14th – 7PM at Art House Café, 555 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON @arthouse.ottawa This body of work explores the tension between movement and restraint; where emotional currents collide, disrupt, and briefly find balance. Each painting emerges through instinct and interruption: layers are built, scraped back, and reworked until the surface holds a sense of honest movement rather than resolution. I am drawn to moments where order begins to settle but never fully behaves. These paintings resist control; they misbehave, shift, and push against stillness. Gesture and texture become a record of that resistance; marks that revel in uncertainty and refuse polish. This series is not about harmony, but about vitality. About letting chaos breathe, kick up dust, and leave its trace. I hope that you will join me at Art House Café on May 14th and share this exhibition with me. "Victorian Seedling" - sold Here I have dusted off one of my favourites from my archive of sold works.
"Victorian Seedling" invites you into a layered conversation between history and nature, where texture and form reveal unexpected connections. This mixed-media piece draws its warmth from a palette of yellows and oranges, evoking sunlight filtering through foliage. The background unfolds as a complex mosaic of embossed patterns alongside paper and fabric-like elements, each bearing intricate designs that speak to a rich, tactile history. Painted textures vary from smooth planes to rough surfaces, creating a dynamic foundation that invites close inspection. Intersecting this base are slender, linear details reminiscent of twigs or threads. These elements suggest a delicate structure, adding rhythm and movement without interrupting the work’s quiet cohesion. Dark botanical silhouettes emerge as shadows, their refined shapes contrasting sharply with vivid red leaf-like forms that energize the composition. Near the lower edge, faint circular impressions add depth and invite a sensory engagement beyond the visual. The title, "Victorian Seedling", reflects my intention to marry the ornate craftsmanship typical of the Victorian era with the fresh, organic vitality of new growth. I was fascinated by how structured ornament could coexist with the unpredictable patterns found in nature; the way a seedling pushes through soil, defying expectation while carrying the legacy of what came before. The process of creating this piece was a balancing act between precision and spontaneity. Working with embossed textures and layered materials required careful planning, yet I allowed each stage to respond fluidly to what was unfolding. This interplay between deliberate construction and organic emergence gave the work its layered complexity and sense of resilience; a visual metaphor for renewal that is never straightforward but always rich with possibility. "Victorian Seedling" stands as a reflection on growth, continuity, and the subtle ways in which history informs the present. It is a piece meant to be explored slowly, revealing new details with each viewing and encouraging a deeper appreciation for the intertwined stories we carry in both art and life.  I’m excited to share that I’ve been featured in a Story & Lesson Highlights article in Bold Journey Magazine! This thoughtful profile invites you into the world behind my art; exploring not just what I create, but why I create it.
In the article, you’ll discover:
Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a fellow creative, or simply curious about the stories that shape artistic journeys, this feature offers inspiration and depth; revealing prompts that have guided my work, and reflections that might resonate with your own experiences. Click through to read the full article: Story & Lesson Highlights with Catherine Gutsche — Bold Journey Magazine 🔗 https://boldjourney.com/story-lesson-highlights-with-catherine-gutsche-highlight Thank you for being part of my artistic community; your interest and support make these stories possible. 2026 marks a year of renewal in my art practice. Many of my earlier paintings, still in my studio, will soon become underpaintings; quiet foundations for entirely new works layered on top. For a limited time, this is a rare opportunity to collect an older piece before it disappears beneath the surface and becomes part of something new. Below are the works that I have pulled out of storage that are destined to become part of something new. BUT if you see one and you yell... "STOP! I love it just as it is." I will put the bakes on, wash my brush and we can chat about Delivery options, Pick up options and the Price. Just because they have been in storage and rudely pushed aside for newer paintings, this doesn't mean they can't be loved. They just haven't been on the dance floor for awhile. Each painting is identified by a number for easy reference. The renewal process will begin mid January; don't delay. Contact me with your preference.  Exciting News! Catherine was juried into the 'Misneach: We Need This Now' group exhibition. I'm thrilled to announce that my painting "Ocean of Resilience" is on display in the Propeller Art Gallery's "Misneach: We Need This Now" group exhibition. This show was curated by Virginia Eichhorn. The works in this exhibition embody the spirit of courage and hope. ABOUT THE EXHIBIT Misneach (Irish) encompasses a blend of courage, hopefulness, bravery and spirit. It can allude to pushing forward, one paw in front of another, through doubt or snow. Brighter and less bellicose than bravery, misneach lingers longer with uncertainty, even as it carries on lifting each tired limb. It knows tears and is changed by them, damp from trying. But continuing on nonetheless.  Save these dates! Opening: Thur. July 10 / 5-8pm Curator & Artist talks: Sun. July 27 / 2pm Exhibition: July 9 to 27, 2025 Propeller Art Gallery | 30 Abell St. | Toronto, Ontario Wednesday to Saturday: 1 – 5:30 pm / Sunday: 12-4 pm or by appointment.  "Ocean of Resilience" Acrylic on paper on panel, 12 x 16 inches   I'm thrilled to share some exciting news—another wonderful gallery has offered to showcase and carry my paintings. This opportunity means a lot to me, and I’m happy to announce that the O’Connor Gallery of Fine Art, located in the charming town of Gananoque, Ontario, will be featuring my work. My paintings will be included in their rotating exhibitions, presented alongside a curated selection from their talented group of regular artists. It’s an honour to be part of such a respected and artist-focused space. The O’Connor Gallery is beautifully situated in the heart of the Thousand Islands region, right on the bustling and picturesque main street of Gananoque. With its vibrant arts scene and steady flow of visitors and locals alike, the town provides a lively setting for art lovers to discover new work. The gallery itself has a rich and evolving history. It originally opened its doors 30 years ago in Toronto, where it built a solid reputation and loyal clientele. In 2018, the gallery relocated to Gananoque, where it has since flourished, drawing in many new art collectors and patrons from across Eastern Ontario. Since the move, the O’Connor Gallery has focused its efforts on representing a select group of professional Canadian artists, offering a supportive environment that highlights the depth and diversity of Canadian talent. I’m grateful and excited to be joining their roster, and I look forward to seeing my work reach new audiences through this opportunity. Visit the gallery: https://www.oconnorgallery.ca/  Ropes & Rocks, 30x30, painted in Newfoundland while on an artists' residency. I'm thrilled to officially announce that I am now at the Chase Art Gallery in Beaconsfield, Montreal, Quebec!
The gallery is located on the beautiful West Island of Montreal, Chase Art Gallery has been a cornerstone of the Canadian art scene since its founding in 1991. With an impressive 5,000 square feet of elegant exhibition space, the gallery is dedicated to showcasing exceptional work by both Canadian and International artists. I'm honoured to be joining their stable of artists and to have my work exhibited in such a prestigious and dynamic environment. Chase Art Gallery has a long-standing reputation for excellence in curating fine art that inspires collectors and art lovers alike. Their commitment to supporting artists and providing a beautiful, spacious venue for creative expression makes this partnership especially meaningful for me. You can explore more about the gallery and view current and upcoming exhibitions by visiting their official website: https://chaseartgallery.com/ Stay tuned for updates on my work being featured at Chase Art Gallery. I’m incredibly excited for what’s ahead! The gallery is located at: 450 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield, QC H9W 4B9 The have free delivery for shipments to Canada & the USA. Their hours are: Monday-Friday: 10am – 6pm Saturday: 10am – 5pm Sunday: Closed In April 2025, I was fortunate to attend the Chateau d'Orquevaux artists and writers international residency. It was roughly a year ago when I received the letter of acceptance. This was a greatly anticipated journey to France where I shared the experience with 25 other artists, musicians and writers. Chateau d'Orquevaux offered everyone respite from "real" world energy. This magnificent estate in the French countryside of Champagne-Ardenne offered all of us a place with limited distraction and an abundance of natural inspiration along with a private studio spaces to create in. We could create in an open door atmosphere or closed door privacy. We were offered workshops and optional life drawing. Upon arrival we were treated like royalty with a champagne dinner reception where we met all the other artists in residence. It wasn't long before we became co-creators and friends, learning from each other and being inspired by the creative lives lead by other artists. I have returned from the most exhilarating artists residency with new work to show and so much more inspiration to work with. And I'm so proud that one of my large paintings, created onsite at the residency, was acquired by the Diderot Gallery for the permanent collection at the Chateau. It is so humbling to have become part of the history of this family's chateau in the middle of France. |
