“Everything is always very fortuitous, that’s why I believe in contingency and chance. Things happen because they happen, and they seem to be more important later. It is very interesting to look at all those art historians and how they attribute everything to a deliberate act. It’s not like that—artists aren’t like that.”

Tacita Dean

Statement

Artist Statement

A practice rooted in the poetics of place, the ecology of care, and the quiet of observation.

My work explores how landscape holds memory — how belonging can be felt, lost, and rediscovered through material and attention. I’m drawn to sites where the natural and the human intersect: industry on rural land, abandoned quarries, former mines, and altered terrains that still pulse with life.

Through a process that includes walking, collecting, and working with organic materials, I investigate how the act of observation can itself be restorative. Recent projects engage with phytoremediation — the use of plants to detoxify contaminated ground — as both an ecological process and a poetic metaphor for healing and renewal.

Each piece invites a slowing down, a return to the senses, and a reconnection with the earth beneath our feet. The works are not representations of landscape, but collaborations with it — material meditations on care, time, and transformation.

I primarily work on large-scale paintings and drawings, but I keep my artwork sizes varied. Constantly exploring and experimenting with watery mixes of acrylic and/or inks i make from locally foraged flora when possible; allowing them to find their gravity on the surface. I encourage these forms into shapes echoed in the land forms, aiming to convey the intrigue I recall from my experience of being immersed in wild and remote places.

My work is a reflection of the mystery and beauty of the Earth's forces, inviting viewers to contemplate their own connection to the land and the deep time it represents. Through art-making, I aim to evoke a sense of wonder and respect for the ever-changing, powerful forces that shape our world.

Residencies

June 12-20 2026 Casa Regis, art residency in the foothills of the Alps, N. Italy.

August 1-30 2025, I spent at The Hide, an art residency in the historic Cotswolds, England.

September 2022, I spent a month at the Skaftfell Residency in Seydisfjordur, a small town on the edge of a fjord on Iceland's NE coast. My connection to Iceland deepened with a residency in 2017 at Laugarvatn and further exploration of the North Island in 2018.

A month-long residency at Cill Rialaig in Ballinskelligs, South Ireland, in 2019 introduced me to an archaeological perspective. Here, ancient stones mark ritual sites, their enigmatic purposes, and historical events stirring my imagination and inspiring my work.

Education

2013 Natural Pigments Co. study in Best painting practices.
2011 Newlyn School, Cornwall, UK; studies for practicing artists
2005 M.F.A. department of arts and consciousness, John f. Kennedy University, Berkeley, CA.
Previous Mono printing intensive, Aurobora Press S.F. CA.
Bronze casting, Sonoma State University, Cotati, CA.
Mono-type, Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa, CA.
Graphic design studies, University California, Berkeley,.
Revere Academy of Goldsmithing, San francisco, CA.
B.F.A. Metal sculpture and silversmithing. Surrey Institute of Art and Design, South West London, England
Apprentice to Jacqueline Mina, British, award winning goldsmith, Twickenham, London.
Annual Award Fellowship from Surrey Institute of Art and Design, S.W. London, England.
 

Grants/Awards

Visions Of Science, First Prize from The Edge Arts, Bath University, Bath, England.

Honourable mention, Marin MOCA, Novato Ca. Catherine Clark (Catherine Clark Gallery San Francisco, Ca.)
Sonoma Art Award for Emerging Artist. A grant from the James IrvineFoundation. Jurors; Tara McDowell,

Curatorial Associate, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; Joe del Pesco, Nelson Gallery, CA.
U.C. Davis; Karen Tsujimoto, Senior Curator, Art Department, Oakland Museum, CA.
Fellowship from Surrey Institute of Art and Design, Surrey, England.
Nominee for the 2008-10 Eureka Fellowship Program, for Visual Artists, Fleishhacker Foundation.
Art for Living, Sebastopol Centre for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA. Merit award.

Bio Statement + CV
Catherine J. Richardson MFA

Bio

Catherine grew up among the moors and dales of Northern England and earned her BFA at a college near London. Relocating across continents—from England to California and, more recently, Austin, Texas—has continually challenged her sense of belonging while opening a portal into broader human experiences of displacement and migration. She works in London and Austin.

Her work references history, specificities of place and time, and the relative stability of geology, using poetic layers of imagery to explore deep time and the moving earth. She draws inspiration from Arte Povera in Italy, with its use of so-called “poor” materials drawn from the land in resistance to technological dominance, as well as from Land Art movements led by artists such as Robert Smithson, Nancy Holt, Herman de Vries and Olafur Eliasson, These influences serve as enduring directives in her practice.

Catherine’s paintings juxtapose visual and conceptual influences gathered from time spent in untamed landscapes across California, Peru, England, Ireland, France, and, most notably, Iceland, where she has completed two artist residencies.

After receiving her MFA from John F. Kennedy University in Berkeley, California, she was awarded the Sonoma County Emerging Artist Award for Locale, a year-long project studying marshland ecosystems while living in an abandoned dairy building. In 2018, her Icescapes series received a First Prize monetary award from the Visions of Science exhibition at Bath Spa University, England, for its exploration of rapidly changing Arctic conditions.

Residencies remain vital intervals within her practice. She will attend The Hide in the Cotswolds in 2025, followed by a residency in Italy in 2026. Her work is held in public and private collections, including universities in Bath, England, and Sonoma County, California, as well as private collections throughout the United Kingdom and the United States.

⸻Residencies

2026 Casa Regis, N. Italy june 12-20.

2025 The Hide Artist Retreat, The Cotswolds England.

2022 Skaftfell AIR, N.Eastern Iceland

2019 Cill Rialaig Art Centre, SE Ireland 
2017 Gullkistan Creative Centre, Laugarvatn, Iceland
2014 Lucid Art Foundation, Inverness, CA
2011-12 Doug Adams gallery, Bade Museum, Berkeley, CA.
2003 Kala institute, Heinze St. Berkeley CA.

Solo-2 person Shows

2026 Georgetown Art Gallery, Georgetown TX. Land…ing show with Heidi Lowell.

2025 Mixhaus Gallery Small Wonders, group show with gallery artists,

Hammerfriar Gallery, The Edge Knows, The Rock Is, Healdsburg, CA. Collaboration w Brooke Holve.

2021 (July) Seager Gray Gallery, Mill Valley, CA. Collaborative installation with Brooke Holve for Extraction Art Project,

2016  Santa Rosa City Hall, Council Chambers, Santa Rosa, CA.
2015  Gro Gallery, Pt Reyes Station, CA.
2015  SFMOMA Artists Gallery, Ft Mason, San Francisco, CA.
2012  Doug Adams gallery, Bade Museum Berkeley, CA.
2011   Lucid Art Foundation, Ions Institute for Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA.
Hammerfriar Gallery, Healdsburg, CA.
2009 Jerry Adams Gallery, Berkeley City College, Berkeley, CA. curator Jenny Braman
2008  Herold Mehoney Library, Santa Rosa Junior College, Petaluma Campus, CA.
2007  Homeland Obscurity Float Gallery, Oakland, CA.
Agents of Dissolve, Quick silver Gallery, Forestville, CA.
2005 M.F.A. graduate show. Marsh Road Project; Arts & Consciousness Gallery, JFKU. Berkeley Annex, Berkeley CA.

Selected Group Shows

2025 Small Wonders, gallery artists end of year show, Nov-Dec 31

Summer group show at Mixhaus Gallery, Comfort, Texas

In The Mind’s Eye, Sarah Higgins Gallery, Bath, Somerset, England

Affordable Art Fair Austin Texas, Mixhaus Gallery,

2024. Shortlisted for Woolwich Contemporary art Fair resulting in an Online exhibition.

33 Contemporary Gallery, Miami Fl. “Bodies of Water”

2023 Spring Cheltenham Gallery, Cheltenham UK

Jen Tough Gallery, Santa Fe, NM USA.

(July) The Vanner Gallery, 5-person show, Salisbury, England.

2022 Art Fair. Miami Red Dot

Represented by Jen Tough Gallery of Santa Fe, NM

Victoria Gallery, Bath Arts Society, Bath, Somerset UK.

O’Hanlon Center for Visual Art, Mill Valley CA.

2021 (July) Collaborative installation with Brooke Holve for Extraction Art Project, Seager Gray Gallery, Mill Valley, CA.

Artist Alliance, On-line, Water Stories, juried.

Public Art, commissioned by Petaluma Art Centre, CA., Large poster for Earth Day.

2020 ArtistAlliance, on-line Exhibition curated by Jen Tough of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

SFMOMA Artists Gallery, Ft Mason Centre, San Francisco, CA
Think Visual Gallery, 240 Main St., Pt Arena, CA two person show

2019 Cill Rialaig Art Centre, Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry, S. Ireland

SFMOMA Artist Gallery, Ft Mason Centre, San Francisco, CA.

2018 Visions Of Science, The Edge Arts, University of Bath, England

13 Years, Hammerfriar Gallery, Healdsburg, CA.

2017 MarinMOCA, Novato, CA. Juror, Catharine Clark of Catharine Clark Gallery, San Francisco, CA. (honourable Mention)

Ice House Gallery, group show, Petaluma, CA.
2016 Petaluma Art Centre, "Zeitgist", a juried show.
Paul Mahder Gallery, Healdsburg, CA.
2015 Gro Gallery, Pt Reyes Station, CA. (Residency Show from Lucid Art Foundation.)
2014 Ice House Gallery, Petaluma, CA.
Hammerfriar Gallery, Healdsburg, CA
Petaluma Arts Centre, Petaluma, CA
Gro Gallery, Pt Reyes Station, CA.
2013 Hammerfriar Gallery, Healdsburg, CA.
SFMOMA Artists Gallery, Ft Mason, San Francisco, CA
2012 Bucca Gallery, Newlyn, Cornwall, UK
Hammerfriar, Healdsburg, Ca. Autumn group show of represented artists.
Petaluma Art Centre, Petaluma Ca. invitational.
2011 Berkeley City College, Berkeley Ca. Digital Art, 4-person show.
Thoreau Centre, (2 person show) San Francisco, CA.
Gala Show, Hammerfriar Gallery, Healdsburg, CA.
Land of Magic, Bedford Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA.
2010 Rawness of Real, Dell Pryor Gallery, Detroit, MI.
Transformative Experience, Art at The Oakbook, Jack London Sq. Oakland CA.
Beyond Digital, Petaluma Center for the Arts, Petaluma CA.
Art From The Heart, Sonoma State University Art Gallery, Cotati CA.
Muse/Reuse, Doug Adams gallery, Bade` Museum, Berkeley CA.
2009 Essensual Exchanges, ArtSpace 404, Santa Rosa, CA.
Usnea, YWCA, Berkeley, CA.
Bioneers Conferrence, Marin, CA
2008 World of Concrete Convention; invited artist. Las Vegas Convention Cnt. Las Vegas NV.
2007 Hammerfriar Gallery, Healdsburg, CA.
2006 Emerging Artists Exhibit. Arts Council Gallery, Santa Rosa, CA.
Annual juried show. G.R.O. Gallery Route one, Pt. Reyes CA.
California Current, Ultra Marine. G.R.O. Gallery Route One, Pt. Reyes, CA
Arts and Consciousness Gallery, John F. Kennedy University, Berkeley, CA.
2004 Overland To Unfamiliar Territory, Hallway project, John F.Kennedy University,Berkeley, CA.
2003 Reconcilable Differences, Jersey Galleries;, Osterly Park House, London, England.

Selected Bibliography

The Walden Woods Project; A Virtual Lyceum: The Pursuit of Beauty LINK

On the panel for this discussion. RECORDING

Two-page spread artist feature in Lucid Arts Foundation book.

Curated by Fariba Bogzaran. Art residency alummni, pages 148-149

Intageserview with “Shout Out Miami” Magazine January 2023

Extraction - Art on The Edge of the Abyss.Catalogue and exhibition, pages 110-113 & 398-399

“Visions Of Science” article in November Issue of Interalia on-line Magazine

West Marin Review, volume 17, 2016
Sarah Lawrence College; Lumina, publication of Art & literature, volume xv, Spring 2016 edition.
featured paintings. East Bay Express, June issue, 2012 Dewitt Cheng.
North Bay Bohemian, CA. May 7-14 issue, 2011
East Bay Express, CA. June 30th 2010.
North Bay Bohemian, CA. November 4-10 issue 2009.
96 Hours, San Francisco Chronicle, CA. Aug 16th 2007 Stephanie Laemoa.
Artweek, November issue #9 2006. New USA Grants. Palo Alto CA.
Emerging Artists award catalogue. Sonoma Cultural Arts, CA. James Irvin Foundation.
North Bay Bohemian, CA.February, Critic?s Choice?, author, Gretchen Giles.
Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, CA July, Emerging Artist Awardees.

Related Experience

Teaching artist through Sonoma County Museum with 5th grade, state school students.

Volunteer at Spike Island Gallery and RWA, Bristol, England

Offers workshops on Materials and Techniques.
Hired to work on mural restoration of Coit Tower, San Francisco, CA.
Leading a workshop on "Essensual Exchange" plant dyes in collaboration with artist Sasha Duer
Three times Lecturer to student body at Berkeley City College, Berkeley CA.
Adjunct faculty, Art Dept. Santa Rosa Junior college, Santa Rosa Campus, CA.
Valley Ford Studios, Valley Ford, CA. Instruction and mentoring in metal arts.
Sebastopol Centre for the Arts, CA. Metal Arts/Jewelry instruction. Mixed level.
Arts Benicia Education Program, Benicia, CA. Beginners workshops on metal arts.
Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA. Workshop on metal arts and mono types.

Collections

The Engine Is Red, Santa Rosa, CA. & Minneapolis, MN.

Michael and Gail Faulkes, Petaluma, California

Kerwin & Associates, Menlo Park, California.
Imagery Collection belonging to Sonoma State University, Cotati, California
Hall collection, Mauii, Hawaii
Laura Chanel Goat Cheese Co. Sonoma, California.
Jill Plamann of Hammerfriar Gallery, Healdsburg, California.
Tom Lewis Restoration Co. San Francisco, California

Copland/Dreyer, Sonoma, California

Ecker & Mackie Santa Rosa, California.

Bath University, Bath England.