Viewers' Comments

Cathy,
I was able to view your Grief Series at Montana State University-Billings' art gallery. I was absolutely amazed at the work you have done. I feel you have touched many people with your sorrows in these paintings. Very nicely done.
Meagan

Weber,
The day of your opening was a truly powerful day. I decided to open a package that my grandmother sent. I knew it had some things of my grandfathers. He passed about two years ago. I could not attend the funeral. The package had sat for a week waiting for the right time and moment. Complete in 89-year-old grandmother fashion, address typed from an old typewriter and a string around it for extra security. For some reason that Friday morning was the time. In it was a sweater and my grandfather’s 4^th Infantry Division Book from World War II. I found my grandfather’s picture in there and cried. The young faces of all the men. He could never talk about the war, tears would well in his eyes and you knew just to leave it alone. Holding candle light vigils in Dillon for me was for my grandfather. It changed him, but how I’ll never know. On top of all this it was the anniversary of D-Day. On the news all day they talked about it, and then I came to your opening, wow . . . I take a lot of it with me. You’ve given me a great gift, it’s a day I’ll never forget.
Chuck

Hi Cathy
I had already spent a lot of time with the book before coming – it sits easel-style in our living room, right beside me as I drink cocoa in the evening. So the journey through the series was one I’ve taken already many times. What amazed me, being here, was what a tremendous difference there is between prints and the REAL THING. To see every stroke in each piece, each stitch, and think of those times & places that you were in as you made them – wow. You completely captured those moments which now, for good & bad both, none of us can fully return to. Thank you for your incredible openness, it has always been a gift to us, your friends.
Pete

It is moving, spirals me, gives a new way to honor the dying process – varied media used reminds me that we grieve in various ways. I heard echoes from an recently read book called Leap by Terry Tempest Williams- her response to H. Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights – it’s healing by restoration of the painting, and how art does heal us; you have given a fine insight in to living as well. Thank you.
P.

The mystery of death and suffering blows our lives wide open in ways which are difficult to understand. Your he(art) captures the “gold & colors” we too see when we send a loved one to God . . .

Dear Cathy,
The attention to detail is incredible and the feelings evoked are so true. I lost my only child 13 years ago. I could feel those feelings. One month ago I lost my best friend to breast cancer. Everyone has or will experience the loss of a loved one. It’s sad but a part of life I guess. I’m glad you did this. I’m sure it helped you work through your grief. Maybe someday I will paint something about my child. Maybe it will start those creative energies up in me again. Thanks.
Joan

A wonderful march of courage, feeling and skill.
Thanks.

Thank you for sharing the power of grief, the depth and capacity of love, and the strength required to heal and reclaim, the heart imagery – and the weight and comfort of the quilt imagery – is unblinking and right to the core.
Thank you.

My first impression of your work was wonder and amazement. As a seamstress and artist I was impressed by the complexity of it. Simply beautiful! But as I traveled around the room I became engaged in the experience I was moved to tears, your expression was profound! Thank you for sharing your journey as well as your beautiful talent – I was blessed as well as moved. I wish you well on your healing.
Mary

Cathy,
The tiny stitches in the stitchery and the minute details in every brush and pen stroke really spoke to me of how your grief (our grief, everyone’s grief) touches every stroke, and thing in our lives. It lives in every little moment. Thanks, Cathy for sharing your journey and those years so openly; so exquisitely. I have visited with you on the phone; now I feel I know you.
In gratitude,
Ann

Everything, all of those pictures are true. They stand out and they are very beautiful. And they help me understand more about grief! Thanks.
Allison

One would assume that grief could only be expressed in a morbid, sorrowful manner. You have captured the silver lining of hope that accompanies grief. Most people aren’t able to grasp the gamete of emotions that grief presents. Your presentation of these pieces touched my heart . . . and spoke to my soul. I thank you . .
Sincerely,
Adela

Intricate and beautiful. Thank you.
Rae

I had to write and tell you I saw a collection of your grief pictures. I don't know if I've ever seen such moving images of the process of cresting the mountain of grieving and walking slowly down the other side. They are truly beautiful. Thank you for giving the gift of yourself and of the human spirit.