Artist Catherine Mc Cue Boes

Hand coloured linocut, first state. I first encountered May in the hospital, where she was confined to a bed opposite.  I initially perceived her as elderly due to her inability to move independently. However, my perception shifted when I attempted to seize her wheelchair. A diminutive yet resolute voice asserted that it belonged to her. Upon acknowledging my error, I approached her to offer an apology, thereby initiating our conversation. To my surprise, May was in her early 60s and had Multiple Myeloma (MMD), which had progressed to its final stages. Her voice was gentle and she retained complete awareness of her surroundings. Consequently, we embarked on a conversation about her passion for art, particularly Chagall. She expressed a desire to soar above the rooftops and observe the landscape of her childhood. These sentiments, along with other stories she shared, have inspired my latest artistic endeavour. While I am uncertain whether I have adequately captured her essence, ...

Saint Catherine, the Fish Keeper  Catherine is not a saint; she is the caretaker of fish that demand significant attention and resources. She desires to release them, but she keeps them for someone she loves, and their departure would cause them distress. Nevertheless, if she were able to capture and release them, her own life would also be liberated. Linocut, gold leaf, chine colle  40x37 cm edition 10   The idea for this work wasn’t difficult; anyone who knows me well will understand the irony in it.  

In the studio, work continues.  It  has been quite a while since I have time to get back to arts practice. Circumstances in my private life have resulted in an adjustment to my priorities in life. Being a full-time carer has left little time for creative activities, and I often find myself yearning for the artistic expression that once filled my days with joy. It has taken me four years to perfect a time management plan that accommodates both my caregiving responsibilities and my desire to create. This plan allows me a few hours a week to once again spend time in the studio, and during these moments, I immerse myself in my art as a refuge from the demands of my life. The few hours I spend in the studio are not only therapeutic but also rejuvenating. I find that the pressure of my current situation is reduced exponentially when I am engaged in the act of creating. My current work is based on a personal narrative, using linocut as a starting point, and it serves as a reflection ...