About Catherine

For 40 years, I ran my company, Belle Maison, which I first opened in Maplewood, NJ, before moving it to Short Hills with my husband as my partner. Together, we built a business grounded in creativity and lasting client relationships — work that always filled me with passion and joy.

When the world slowed during Covid, I suddenly found something I hadn’t had in decades: time. What began as stillness became a turning point in my life. It was the beginning of a new chapter.

My daughter passed away in 2011 after a long illness, and I was left grieving and lonely. When I finally had time for myself, I turned to painting. The solitude, the canvas, the colors — it all gave me a way to release my emotions, and through it, I found a new life.

I began exploring every medium I could — acrylic, oil, ink, gouache, watercolor — eager to experiment and learn. I collected inspiration from my daily walks, often incorporating elements like wood bark, flowers, mica, and grains into my pieces.

My small apartment quickly overflowed with art, and soon I moved into a studio where I could create more freely. Today, I work in a nearby space that feels like home, surrounded by people dedicated to nonprofit work.

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Over time, my work has evolved. It began in deep reflection, shaped by loss, and slowly grew into dreamlike landscapes inspired by nature.

Most recently, I have been working with delicate Japanese mulberry paper and ink, a medium that requires patience and reverence. Many of these pieces honor the simplicity and grace of nature. I’ve also created with unexpected materials like eggshells, crafting boxes and eggs that symbolize the fragility and wonder of new beginnings.

What began as reflection has grown into a daily practice of creation. My paintings are shaped by memory and resilience, inspired by nature, and guided by a search for beauty and peace.