Catherine Vaughn is an artist from Clarkedale, Arkansas. Her remarkable paintings lovingly celebrate her surroundings and family. But these are not ordinary paintings. They are imaginative, joyful and clearly come from some inspired place. More of Catherine’s work can be viewed at her website.

AAS: Catherine, where did you grow up 

CV: I grew up Clarkedale, Arkansas. There were three houses across the railroad track and our house was in the middle. My mom and dad raised hogs and chickens. It was a way of life. I always had someone to talk to – cats, dogs, chickens, hogs, turtles, rabbits etc. The animals were my friends. My four brothers and I rode bikes all around our house and down the dirt road in front of our house. We even built teepees. Yes, I was a tom-boy! We were poor, but I didn't know it. I had a great childhood.

AAS: Did you always think you would become an artist?

CV: I never thought about becoming an artist. All of my brothers can make artwork, and it was something they did regularly. I started painting in the 10th grade under the guidance of Sally Ware at Marion High School. After I graduated, I attended Memphis College of Art and earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts/Graphic Design Degree in 1996. I did so many things from print making, paper making, graphic design, Quark Express, all that, but I never took any painting classes. I always say this is a God-given talent. I was told in college by my graphic design teacher that being black and female I wouldn't make it. I went on several interviews but could not break through. On my own I designed logos, made bags, t-shirts, business cards, etc. I took on these jobs to make money and they were something I could do easily. When I left college, I worked at several hotels and my mom's shop Alterations by Josephine. I didn't start painting again until 2005. It was just in me to want to create. I would see things I wanted to paint, and my family would encourage me and buy me brushes and boards – I eventually discovered that I loved working on wood, which is now my favorite surface! No, I was never able to use my degree to the expectations that were promised, but I am on my way to career as a full-time artist.

AAS: When I look at your paintings, I get the sense that you get a lot of inspiration from your surroundings and where you grew up.

CV: I do get a lot of inspiration from my surroundings. That's the environment I grew up in. For example: Baratti and Bricks are stores where we bought a lot of our groceries. I loved going in the stores and looking at all the Tom's candy, Charm lollipops, huge peppermint sticks, and chocolate bars in boxes. For a child it was heavenly! When I was a small, my dad would take my brothers and me driving and show us all the country roads. He would say this is where so and so lives. He would tell us how he built the chimneys and walkways on certain houses or businesses. My dad was a brick layer, carpenter, etc. He wanted us to know our surroundings and ever since then I do the same thing. Even though a lot has changed, I still remember that landscape and can still find new things to inspire me.

AAS: I want to ask you first about Howard’s Donuts. It is an extraordinary painting. I can really see your training in illustration in that one. Tell me about it.

CV: Oh my goodness! I had wanted to paint Howard's Donuts for several years. But I wanted the painting to show it as it was long ago. I wanted old cars and poodle skirts and things like that. I went there and took several pictures in 2017 and left a note for the owner asking if they had any old pictures because I would love to see them. Well, the store was changing ownership and Mr. Howard died two years later. There were no old photos so I couldn’t do an “old” painting. I had to use what was available to me. I have so many fond memories of going there with my family. My parents would buy us all kinds of donuts and ice cream! Best of times. It was a pleasure doing this painting.

AAS: I love the way your paintings seem to float, if that makes any sense. I guess it is the way you treat the background or non-focal points in the painting. It is there in Howard’s Donuts and I think J and M 2 is a great example of that and how it adds to the overall image and feel of the painting. Is there a story behind J and M?

CV: I get different reviews about my artwork. I just paint what I like. I had a wonderful showing at the Margaret Harwell Art Museum in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Steve Whitworth, the director said my artwork looks like "Linear Impressionism." I know everyone will view my work differently. As far as J and M 2, that's my brother Jason and his dog Mouse. Mouse transitioned around 2009. Jason and Mouse would walk down the dirt road beside our house, and I stopped them several times and took pictures. It took me awhile after that to start on the two paintings I did of them – mouse was a great dog. All of my paintings are personal to me. There is always a painting I want to do.

“I really hope that people see what I see in my work. I love every painting I do and I find beauty in almost everything. God has been so good to me!”

AAS: Your joy of painting really comes through in your work. Where do you think you derive that joy and maybe even a sense of well-being when you paint?

CV: I really hope that people see what I see in my work. I love every painting I do and I find beauty in almost everything. God has been so good to me! My mom loves thrift stores. She would find manual cameras and I did just as good as anyone else in my photography classes in college. I am so glad that we have digital cameras now though. I have to admit I want to see my pictures right now. I want to see how to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. I mentioned before about how all of my brothers can paint and draw also. My oldest brother Alvin really helps me if I need him. Sometimes I work on a painting for a long time and want to make sure it's right. I can go and ask him to look at it and he will sit down and tell me what needs to be changed. I am forever thankful for him. I am thankful to my mom and all my brothers, Alvin, Gabriel, Matthew, and Jason. I couldn't do it without them. They also keep my phones and computers working so I can concentrate on my art!

AAS: Cotton Field with Peach Tones is one of my favorites. When I look at it, I think of a rasterized image skillfully engineered in paint so that the features are all still identifiable but mysterious. What were you going for in that amazing painting?

CV: Haha, I am no mastermind. People tell me they see so much going on within this piece. I had a curator to tell me she had never seen anything like it. She said when you stand far away from the piece you could tell it was cotton, but coming closer the shapes were very eye catching and so different. The black background and bright forefront really pull you into the piece. I feel the peach tones are very welcoming too. Detail is very important. Cotton is something I am VERY familiar with. A lot of it is grown by my neighbors Fred and Amelia Stuckey. They helped get me started exhibiting my work and they are like family to me. I call Amelia my sister. The Stuckeys grow the best cotton in Arkansas!

AAS: Passion is a similar style of painting but here it is much more fluid – why do I keep using that description? – and more literal. It really showcases your talent and brilliant use of color. Congratulations on that one!

CV: Thank you so much Mr. Mayeux, I'm humbled. I was walking our property one day and saw these small, weird objects and screamed. The passion flowers with their waves and folded arms scared and intrigued me. No way was I painting this flower small! After getting closer I took about 20 pictures and decided what I liked the best and I was ready to paint. I really wanted the flower to come to the forefront, but also to show where the flower lives. The passionflower even produces fruit that are good for anxiety/nervous disorders. Most people would not believe how small the flower is, about the palm of your hand. I just wanted to make it into a giant.

AAS: Ok, and then there is Jericho Liquor Store. It is masterfully executed, and its off-kilter perspective really adds to the scene. Is there a message behind that painting?

CV: When I started back painting in 2005, my first painting that year was Jericho Liquor Store. I live in the town next to Jericho, Arkansas where Jericho Liquor Store is located. It was a liquor store before I was born, but we would go there and buy candy and chips. Now it's a store and bait shop. When I would pass by the store, I would always say to my mom that I wanted to paint that, but I was scared to stop. One day I got up the courage and asked the owner if I could take pictures and oh my gosh, he said YES. I quickly went home and told my brother Jason to grab his Courvoisier bottle and come on! Jason has posed for me several times. Funny thing is, when Jason turned 21 years old, momma bought the bottle for him. My family does not drink so if you look closely the bottle is unopened. Jason and I both love the shapes of wine and liquor bottles and their label designs. In college I would make labels for assignments in class.
I loved the cobblestone look and overall colors of the store. Working large is really seeing the painting come to life for me. I am not really good at faces, so I try to put detail on other aspects of the paintings I do, like the jacket. The whole scene means a lot to me.

AAS: When you stand in front of a canvas or board, do you already know what the final look of the painting will be? Or might it change as you progress with the painting?

CV: Yes, I know what it will look like. My colors might change a little or I take out something that might not look so good as I'm working on the piece. I love detail too! I start off with several photos, then import them to my laptop. From my laptop, I can enlarge, brighten, add highlights, etc. I can even take one photo and put it over a section to see if it looks better. There is so much you can do with images in Photoshop. I am currently working on two paintings with hogs as the theme. I take pictures and upload them into the computer so I can make changes until it is just right and then decide what am I going to work on (wood, canvas, board etc.). Then, I draw everything out and start painting.

AAS: What can we expect next from you, Catherine? I know I can’t wait to see your next work.

CV: I really want to have my own studio, and I am making efforts toward it, but I want it done right. I want to not only work in my studio, but to also show my artwork there. At the moment I work in my home, in a section of my living room area. I am currently with two online galleries: Saatchi Art and Geo Galleries and I have my own website. I have been finishing off commissioned paintings and working on prints and now I have more time to paint. I cannot paint when I am stressed or multitasking. I want to sit down and focus, put my earphones in and listen to my music. I love all kinds of music. When you want to paint with detail use slow music and vice versa. I have several large paintings coming and I can't wait to show you when I'm done. This interview gives me motivation and inspiration. You have to look forward to something. I want to see people's reaction. God gave me this talent and I want to use it.