I am a Carlsbad, CA artist. I call my style of painting Contemporary Expressive Color, which basically means I like to use color to express my emotions. I combine expressive and impressionist color and brush strokes to scenes of the natural world. Often my paintings are of a house, or houses, and trails through a landscape. These represent the soul, individual, or society, and the trails are the journeys of life, the path taken. My paintings take place in an alternate reality. I change perspective, heighten color, dramatize certain aspects, and minimize other details.
I was born in Washington DC grew up in Alexandria, Virginia. My education includes two years at the Corcoran Gallery and College of Art + Design in Washington, DC, and a BFA in Painting from Virginia Commonwealth University. I’ve lived in San Diego for more than twenty years. In that time I have had my own graphic design studio, displayed and sold my paintings, and taught art. Currently I teach all media of art in Escondido, CA at my studio, and workshops during the summer in Santa Fe, NM. I teach color theory every so often at the Art Institute of California in San Diego.My specialty is color theory and communicating emotion and ideas through color. I don’t teach a particular style, but encourage students to find their own style and use the fundamental language of art, (color, composition, design, techniques, etc) to get across their ideas.
I have a dog who looks like a Cocker Spaniel but is probably a Golden Doodle.

Please visit these fine galleries to see my work in person!
The Ranch at Taos, Taos NM –
click here to go to their website
Wilde Meyer Gallery: Two Locations in AZ –
click here to go to their website
InArt Gallery, Santa Fe NM –
click here to go to their website
La Playa Gallery, La Jolla CA –
click here to go to their website
Chasen Gallery, VA & FL –
click here to go to their website
Cathy Carey Gallery Cardiff, CA
1261 Windsor BLVD, Encinitas, CA 92007
Closed during Covid 19 – Please call for appointment
760-877-0869
Hi Cathy. I LOVE your paintings and the COLOR!! Thanks for stopping by and following “The Sundog Drift”!
Great blog! Your garden is AWESOME and your paintings are, too!
Thank you!
Returning the follow, and am excited to see your beautiful vibrant art in my feed! I love your use of color, and your art is just so alive! Looking at them makes me feel happy. – BB
Thanks! Your drawing style is so clear and elegant, beautifully communicated! I used to do graphic design and your work is terrific.
Hi Cathy, Thank you for liking my post, seriously thank you. To get a like from someone with your talent feels amazing! I love your paintings they are so vibrant and full of expression (I’m very much an ‘I don’t know art but I know what I like’ person, so I hope that’s the right way to describe it haha). They all feel like an exotic summer.
Much love and respect,
Angie
Your paintings brought back all sorts of memories of southern California for me–I lived there for some 40 years. Many years ago I also took a train ride (I think it was the Coast Starlight) from San Jose to Los Angeles and did enjoy the scenery, although I did not paint it! And the quail…I still have a bronze “quail crossing” sign that used to be in my California garden. Thanks for taking me on a vibrant tour of my past!
Thank you Alli! I’m glad you enjoyed my garden tour!
Your colors are so vibrant and beautiful. Thank you for following my blog. Look forward to sharing more with you. xoxo Anais
Hi Cathy, I love your quails series, such vibrant colors. Thanks for stopping by and liking my blog
wow…I love your paintings! This “colors” give joy and life! 🙂
Thanks Alexa! Using vivid color is my favorite part of painting!