Cathleen Huffman enjoys painting historic buildings.
Submitted photo
Editor’s note: The Daily Reporter will occasionally highlight local artists and musicians. Here, Cathleen Huffman, a local teacher and watercolor artist, shares about her art in studio and en plein air. If you have a suggestion of a Hancock County artist that should be featured here, email [email protected].
Daily Reporter: How long have you been an artist?
Cathleen Huffman: I have been interested in art my entire life. However, I learned watercolor painting when I was at home with my children. Truth is that I am still learning it! I love the watercolor work of the late Charles Reid and was inspired to try my hand. My inspiration comes from talented watercolor artists but also from my subject matter. I love historic architecture and strive to document it while I can. Many of the places I have painted no longer stand, but they are preserved in my paintings.
DR: What do you use as inspiration?
CH: Currently I am determined to find some success as a plein air painter, which is simply a painter who paints outside at their subject and completes the painting right then. The plein air paintings seem to incorporate all sorts of things … the weather that day, who talked with you, bugs, smells, etc. It’s a neat experience full of camaraderie and challenge.
DR: Can you tell us about a favorite piece?
CH: My favorite paintings have to be of grain elevators. I love the geometry of the structures but also their character. I want my paintings to depict that and to maybe even hint at the stories these neat old buildings could tell. They were once so important to Indiana’s history but now are only used by those with imagination and a passion to save them for a different purpose, like The Depot (restaurant).
I also love creating paintings from trips I’ve taken and have a special interest in painting Susie, an urban deer who has recently been relocated into the wild.
DR: How do you juggle both a teaching career and art?
CH: I teach small groups of students, grades 1-8. I don’t paint as often as I’d wish, but you have to make time to do the things you love! I try to paint on weekends and my breaks from school.
