https://www.kathytanguay.com/home daily 1.0 2024-07-23 https://www.kathytanguay.com/about daily 0.75 2025-08-31 https://www.kathytanguay.com/portfolio daily 0.75 2024-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1611956931253-BHQ0DIQU2UA4LCPEHO2H/Peyton%27s+Peonies+copy.jpg Portfolio “Peonies”, Acrylic, 30” x 24”, 2012 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/690ea25e-2a98-4dd6-9d42-fabd7179b9b1/IMG_8548.jpg Portfolio “Je me souviens”, Acrylic, 30” x 24”, 4/2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/d6af01cd-b530-4894-9ac5-8fe2707d3dc4/IMG_7777.jpg Portfolio “Kindness”, Acrylic, 10” x 10”, 4/2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/2cfe96c9-af93-4ee6-bf00-18bb8f3c7b30/IMG_5859.jpg Portfolio “Read to Me”, Acrylic, 12” x 9”, 2023 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1611956922521-BL8R3DVYSQPH2VM1VMS8/Peyton+Painting+a+Peony.jpg Portfolio “Painting a Peony”, Acrylic, 28” x 22", 2010 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1613341748408-J2HGMF6FO1EWPSM3MYY9/My%2BGardenia.jpg Portfolio “Fireflies”, Mixed Media, 6’ x 4 ½ ’, 2017 This painting was inspired by the gardenia tree on my back deck. For those of you who don't know, gardenia's smell amazing and have no thorns. Amongst other things, I used a 12" painting spatula when painting this, which I found to be exhilarating! When I thought I had finished the painting, my youngest daughter said to me, "Mommy...you need to use these" and reached out her hand with rhinestones she had gotten at Christmas time. Rhinestones weren't really part of my plan so I had to give this some thought. I added five rhinestones to the center of the flower like dew drops representing our family. Then I decided to incorporate the rest into "Fireflies". When I say "Fireflies", I am referring to the moments in our lives that we cherish. Notice in the detail images that all but one of the "Fireflies" have a light halo around them. The one with a dark halo represents a situation that you originally thought was going to be awful, but turned out to be an amazing experience! It is a reminder to try be positive when life gives you a curve ball or something that wasn't part of your original plan. Looking back on your life, what would you say were your "Fireflies"? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1627504770814-L8N2D17HAXRGGTAGMBBO/5%2BDrops%2Bof%2BDew.jpg Portfolio “Fireflies” Detail, Mixed Media, 6’ x 4 ½ ’, 2017 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1627504911643-LXE0NFCCDUEK8ZCM1V20/One%2BFire%2BFly.jpg Portfolio “Fireflies” Detail, Mixed Media, 6’ x 4 ½ ’, 2017 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1627508902227-GRSTWV5YM321RL0WJD72/Two%2BFire%2BFlies.jpg Portfolio “Fireflies” Detail, Mixed Media, 6’ x 4 ½ ’, 2017 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1627508961707-8ZLTWW256YCQE8D90R5I/Dark%2BFire%2BFly.jpg Portfolio “Fireflies” Detail, Mixed Media, 6’ x 4 ½ ’, 2017 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1611956950917-GNQM7G2H7JRKBCFKKKKO/Popcorn+Painting+copy.jpg Portfolio “Friday Night Popcorn”, Acrylic, 54” x 36”, 2013 This painting includes the inhibitions that Friday night gifts us. I chose to live and relish in the paint drippings as well as in the play of color and freedom that Friday night can offer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1621179780638-JZODHO46Q9D0XM9MD3YJ/IMG_0645.jpg Portfolio “Friday Night Popcorn” Detail, Acrylic, 2013 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/41a9eec0-1dc0-4868-a711-6990d08c18ef/Another+Life+Time.jpg Portfolio "Another Life Time", Colored Pencils on Colored Paper, 15” x 12”, 1995 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1611945640960-TBWMN20TWGPK8LZVXZXM/Jason%2526Mikecropped.jpg Portfolio “Who Took My Cigar?”, Pencil, 10 ½” x 13 ½ “, 2003 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/b2844a28-b72d-4a11-afcb-19c693be1621/What+have+we+done%3F.jpg Portfolio "What have we done?", Pencil, 18" x 24", 1997 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1621176660115-ZWVWBK0VH59C7LPJA9PZ/IMG_0588.jpg Portfolio "What have we done?" Detail, Pencil, 1997 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1611956983071-RN4919XY45K9ZFPQEL82/Miller_K_7.jpg Portfolio “Cherubs”, Pencil, 20” x 15”, 2017 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1627495106564-80D0S49LPOG0FROGEJN1/My%2BCo-Pilot.jpg Portfolio "Co-Pilot", Pencil/ Colored Pencils/Gel Pen, 11.5”x 9”, 5-2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1621171749062-Z78LI2Y0P8Y3YHJCQ9EN/IMG_0604.jpg Portfolio "Seductive Fruit", Graphite, 8 1/2" x 11 1/2", 1994 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1621172022510-U6M2REHKWSBHQ31AI0S5/IMG_0608.jpg Portfolio "Seductive Fruit" Detail, Graphite, 1994 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/366a35e4-cbea-444f-9b50-7fdbb4481bd2/IMG_9979.jpg Portfolio “Smiling Marigold”, Colored Pencil on Colored Paper, 11” x 8.5”, 2025 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1721503126390-IMZOUIPAOFGQ0C4CAWGQ/IMG_5861.jpg Portfolio "Fresh Start", Colored Pencils on Colored Paper, 11” x 8.5”, 07/2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1611945267581-BKKWG0IG2WXG1I6ZI52T/Blueberries-Small.jpg Portfolio "Blueberries", Watercolor/Ink, 4.5”x 3”, 2012 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1611945253511-7J4DMGNMQ529T5W7IP5A/Beets-Small.jpg Portfolio "Beets", Watercolor/Ink, 4.25”x 3”, 2012 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1621177151072-EHO9QLAZVGJBIY9PHQ2G/Chinese%25252BLanterns%25252Bcopy.jpg Portfolio "Chinese Lanterns", Watercolor/ Ink, 9.5”x 7.5”, 2013 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1621176993617-VW1T4AJ4ONFN2OQ3RL6Z/IMG_0616.jpg Portfolio "Chinese Lanterns" Detail, Watercolor/ Ink, 2013 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1621177449663-KC6J9SZ3ZSLNL1NBGWOI/IMG_0620.jpg Portfolio "White Blossoms II", Watercolor/ Ink, 4.5”x 6.5”, 2013 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1621177758230-1TUKGKCWK59CJ385FPAH/IMG_0628.jpg Portfolio "White Blossoms II" Detail, Watercolor/ Ink, 2013 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1621177902230-I7MVA67YP5HOIG1AY3DV/IMG_0632.jpg Portfolio "White Blossom", Watercolor/ Ink, 4.5”x 6.5”, 2013 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1621178066096-EAHP5PGPOHJ86YS6X5R7/IMG_0637.jpg Portfolio "White Blossom" Detail, Watercolor/ Ink, 2013 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1735568356701-1AQI633YD2UBTFT2BDAB/IMG_7306.jpg Portfolio "Blue Hydrangea" Watercolor/Ink, 5"x7", 12-2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1735568403815-XT3MN0PS8CA6CWRCEMWX/IMG_7307.jpg Portfolio Detail of "Blue Hydrangea" Watercolor/Ink, 5"x7", 12-2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/8b702b21-2473-40f7-a161-c5fe1cec5299/Hello.jpg Portfolio "Hello", Watercolor/ Ink, 11.5”x 10”, 1997 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/a48436b4-0aab-42d0-82c3-3de42e980f87/IMG_6679.jpg Portfolio "Orchard Beach Seaweed", Watercolor Pencils, 10”x 10”, 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1611956813012-G5BN39GA1WWSS5AGCMEU/3+Pimentos.jpg Portfolio "Three Pimentos", Ink & Watercolors, 85"x24", 2012 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1621179587316-VBTEEPCR5BVSMH34BX76/IMG_0655.jpg Portfolio "Three Pimentos"Detail, Ink & Watercolors, 2012 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1611956904983-2EHCEWD35AWDQU36D2JX/My+Rendition+of+Nina+copy.jpg Portfolio “My Rendition of Nina Simone”, Ink & Coffee, 18” x 24”, 2010 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1621180003606-U4Z5XBZPUD884HD628FU/IMG_0600.jpg Portfolio "Summertime Eats", Ink & Liquid Acrylic, 2011 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1621179972875-7H9AR5A8BNSOD11157WV/Dispair.jpg Portfolio "Despair", Ink/Coffee, 30”x 42”, 2010 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1621179949504-MRQOCYVRNQBA2DMYB8NM/Anger%2B%25281%2529%2Bcopy.jpg Portfolio "Anger", Ink/Coffee, 30”x 42”, 2010 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1621180045506-AS5HPLBR1RBKG5PLJQIE/1-15-2009%252B205.jpg Portfolio "Chaplin #1", India Ink & Coffee, 25" x 45", 2010 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1621180064566-3ORUA461F4N755I1BGZX/1-15-2009%252B206.jpg Portfolio "Chaplin #2", India Ink & Coffee, 25" x 45", 2010 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1621180093509-W9RTKHCEI9OVGFG18E1O/1-15-2009%252B207.jpg Portfolio "Chaplin #3", India Ink & Coffee, 25" x 45", 2010 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/fd49a0c9-75a8-4567-89ea-059aca61eed2/IMG_6530.jpg Portfolio "Peony Pendant", NuGold, 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/dd13e843-e468-4d07-ab59-7300ff95e046/Honeycomb+Necklace.jpg Portfolio "Honeybee", NuGold, 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/b733ff91-b915-4156-843d-a21955a0d1b0/0.jpg Portfolio “Secret Agent”, Sterling Silver Square Wire, Sterling Silver Round Wire, Black Beads, 2022 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1617468384925-BHL481BTINDELCW16Z9Y/Labrodite%2BNecklace.jpg Portfolio "Into the Mystic", Labradorite, 2018 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/a41d1be5-4c20-4edc-84ed-0be8a7712e23/Sliced+Agate+Necklace.jpg Portfolio Sliced Agate Necklace, 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/5957c668-d55e-4239-813e-c37d1c549973/Poppy+Vase.jpg Portfolio "Poppy Vase", Ceramics, 2.25”x 3.5”x 2", 2009 https://www.kathytanguay.com/my-process daily 0.75 2025-08-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1611960826485-17M56L3SHYQXX0VJTX0D/IMG_0360.jpg Process Kathy loves being expressive with her work and trying new things. At one point she did a series of works testing out different teas and coffees as a medium along with India Ink. She made a pot of hazelnut coffee, then added instant coffee crystals to make the color darker, richer. At first the studio smelled like a lovely coffee shop, but after a while the smell became overpowering. Lesson learned on that one and she moved on to regular black coffee, not flavored. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1611960958281-B0IM0M8FSVP8A6KUA0RK/MillerKids+in+Process.jpg Process Sometimes Kathy likes to work very large, especially when it comes to acrylics and inks. She finds it exhilarating, but very difficult to travel with. The illustration below, called “Three Pimentos” is over 7 feet wide. Historically pimentos were paired with olives to balance the bitterness of the olive. In the illustration, the woman is the third pimento, climbing olives that look like boulders. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1613339622184-X2JYAWRLQJ1UFBMK6864/Beets+in+process.jpg Process - Research is key! Kathy enjoys researching whatever she’s working on. With these beets, she traveled to several farmer’s markets to find just the right beets. They needed to be freshly picked with shimmering earthy soil still on them. She did a photoshoot of them for reference and then roasted them for diner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fe8cb0076c6db0531a00a66/1615733270470-OBVWKDUQ53NPNRU056PK/FAA849FA-7AB3-4883-855F-1A41EE546E61.jpeg Process Healthy Escapes