Thank you so much Melinda Gipson for the beautiful article you wrote about me and one of my talented senior artists, Jim Sheffield, in the July issue of Leesburg Lifestyle! (pg.50) https://citylifestyle.com/washington-dc/articles/arts-and-culture/jim-sheffield-testifies-how-art-together-enriches-his-life
To watch a short video I recorded with Jim (before his debut as a featured artist in a full color magazine!), please visit: https://youtu.be/b0-DIuT3S-4?si=Lbbd9A5AsI5sN60r
Thank you Leesburg Town Council and Economic Development Commission for recently selecting my business as the recipient of the Leesburg Small Business Arts & Culture Award for 2023! When I went up to the podium I brought with me in my heart all of the people I have been so privileged to have as my students, and in whose honor I accepted the award.
I am so grateful for the caring mentors I’ve had from the SBDC (Small Business Development Center) who have been instrumental in helping start my business 26 years ago, and have given me the self-confidence and resources to serve my community as an artist-teacher-entrepreneur. How blessed I was to have three of those special mentors with me when I received the award (Eric Byrd, Robin Suomi and Ruth Cope) as well as my dear husband and future son-in-law.
A very special thank you to my husband for nominating me for this award. I truly couldn’t be living my dream without his invaluable support.
It is my great joy to share with you Jim’s beautiful journey of self-discovery during the pandemic. Now in his 80s, Jim has discovered a talent he never knew he had, and is enjoying the happiness and peace of mind it brings him as well as sharing it with others. I like to think of him as a “Grandpa Moses” since he definitely has a lot in common with the infamous Grandma Moses who took up painting around the same age and ended up becoming world famous. Jim is painting daily and selling his work to a very supportive audience too. Who knows, this video might help him be an inspiration to others too! 🙂 Enjoy.
April 15, 2023 marked my 26th anniversary of being a teaching artist entrepreneur. I can truly say it’s been quite a journey of love, loss, sadness, joy, trust, and beautiful growth! I want to give a shout out to the Loudoun SBDC (Small Business Development Center) which has been such an important partner in my journey, right from the beginning when I was first called LinguaArt Services in 1997, to when I changed my business name to Art Together LLC in 2013.
Since I was grieving my Dad’s passing last year, I haven’t yet been able to celebrate this milestone like I would want, so I have something fun to look forward to this year! (In addition to my daughter’s summer wedding!!!) 🙂
I am super excited and truly honored that Embraced by God, an online shop for resources for joyful living inspired by Saints Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal, is now carrying my cards, journals and gift items featuring my artwork! To see selections of my art currently available for purchase as cards, journals and other gift items, please visit https://embracedbygod.org/product-category/catherine-fetterman/ It is my deepest hope that these little gifts sown with great love and prayer, will bring God’s peace and loving comfort to those who receive them.
I was so honored to lead another group of volunteer leaders from Cursillo in creating a banner for their upcoming women’s retreat. Here’s a behind-the-scenes snapshot of how we did it in one afternoon. What a special day of collaborative fun and discovery!
Big happy news!! My new collection of hand-embellished journals, cards and petite prints featuring my art – as well as my original watercolors – are now available at award-winning Jerry’s Flowers and Gifts in Leesburg, VA. I invite you to stop by 700 Fieldstone Dr. NE to see what’s new and pick up a little something for yourself or a little gift for someone you love.
Being able to overcome life’s challenges through art is a gift not only to the person making the art but also to those who have been inspired and blessed because of it. In this short video, I interview, artist Kelly Hennessa about how art has helped her to overcome the many challenges resulting from her tragic car accident. Hear how Kelly describes how tapping into her creativity and learning how to paint have been invaluable to her healing, and her ability to be an encouragement to others through her hand-painted cards. Thank you for taking to the time to watch this video. And thank you Kelly for allowing me to share your inspiring story!