Catherine Chamney (Colwill)

September 30th, 2011, 06:20 AM

In the 1990s I bought, from a small art dealer in Ludlow, a delightful watercolour by Catherine Chamney. The label on the back indicated that she had worked as an illustrator, in the 1920s, and that the image had appeared in Hutchinson's Britain Beautiful (a part work magazine, I think). When I asked the owner if he had any more, he said that he thought there were some in his basement and he'd check if I cared to come back the week following. When I returned, he had found some more. I bought them. I returned several more times and eventually bought - I think - all that he had. I now have nine of her watercolours hanging on my wall.

I suspect that Chamney was the artist's maiden name as the later paintings - which are much more abstract paintings of rock formations - appear to be signed Catherine Colwill. The latest of them is dated 1963. Perhaps the dealer had bought the paintings at a studio sale, possibly after the artist had died, and maybe she had been living locally. Sadly I did not ask at the time and I no longer live in the UK. Probably the art dealer from whom I bought the paintings no longer is in business in Ludlow!

Anyhow - and having rambled for long enough - recently I have tried to ascertain something about the life and work of Catherine Chamney (Colwill) but without success. Googling her names only produces references to prints of her paintings being available on image websites and for sale on eBay! So does anyone know anything about her or, alternatively, can you suggest where I might otherwise pursue my enquiries or find relevant information?

With my thanks in advance.

Aloysius

John · September 30th, 2011, 07:07 AM

Did you see these paintings at heritage-images.com?

http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1106&bih=866&q =%22Catherine+chamney%22+painting&btnG=Search+Imag es&gbv=2&oq=%22Catherine+chamney%22+painting&aq=f& aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=1899l1899l0l2469l1l1l0l0l 0l0l92l92l1l1l0

The site was working when I first went there, but then it crashed and wouldn't respond. These pictires have a large, intrusive copyright image on them, but I assume you could license any of them for your personal use for not too much money, then download high-res image files and have them printed off by a print shop. It's basically the same thing as a "giclee" print.

John · September 30th, 2011, 07:15 AM

I didn't read carefully enough, I giess you're only interested in biographical info. I doubt she's in the multi-volume Grove Dictionary of Art, but if you visit a good central library or university library in your area, you might find an entry for her in one of the reference books of British artists.

September 30th, 2011, 01:50 PM

Thank you, John. But your suggestions aren't so easily achieved when one lives in the wilds of western France. But thank you nonetheless.

September 30th, 2011, 01:54 PM

Sorry. I forgot to mention that when I looked at the labels on the later 'rock' paintings, there are repeated references to these having been painted on Sark.

October 2nd, 2011, 02:13 PM

I've just discovered that - I believe - Catharine Chamney was the co-illustrator of Hutchinson's Britain Beautiful in the 1920s. It appears that this was not a part work magazine but a multi-volume tome (rather like the encyclopaedia of my youth!).

October 4th, 2011, 02:51 PM

Thank you, all who have troubled to look at this thread. It does seem that Catharine Chamney (Colwill) will remain an enigma for a little longer!

Galwaygirl · October 16th, 2011, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Thank you, all who have troubled to look at this thread. It does seem that Catharine Chamney (Colwill) will remain an enigma for a little longer!

just starting searching for this artist myself. I too bought watercolours from thgis shop in Ludlow. I believe it is still in business. I worked as a community nurse in South Shropshire In 1990s and came across one of the paintings in this shop. The owner found some more for me , I now have 9 left as the others have been given as wedding and birthday gifts to people who admired them as much as I did.
The shop owner told me that he had three lady customers who came in regularly to purchase any paintings that had surfaced since the last visit. I have received many compliments for them over the years and have always been curious about the artist's history. The shop owner told me he thought that she married an Irishman, Charles Colville in 1930s and went to Ireland with him. Catherine later returned to her native Shropshire but I do not know if she returned with him or as a widow. I really would love to know more about this artist so I will continue my search, and would be thrilled to hear from anyone with anymore information .The pictures have given me great pleasure.

September 30th, 2011, 06:20 AM	#1
Unregistered Posts: n/a	Catherine Chamney (Colwill) In the 1990s I bought, from a small art dealer in Ludlow, a delightful watercolour by Catherine Chamney. The label on the back indicated that she had worked as an illustrator, in the 1920s, and that the image had appeared in Hutchinson's Britain Beautiful (a part work magazine, I think). When I asked the owner if he had any more, he said that he thought there were some in his basement and he'd check if I cared to come back the week following. When I returned, he had found some more. I bought them. I returned several more times and eventually bought - I think - all that he had. I now have nine of her watercolours hanging on my wall. I suspect that Chamney was the artist's maiden name as the later paintings - which are much more abstract paintings of rock formations - appear to be signed Catherine Colwill. The latest of them is dated 1963. Perhaps the dealer had bought the paintings at a studio sale, possibly after the artist had died, and maybe she had been living locally. Sadly I did not ask at the time and I no longer live in the UK. Probably the art dealer from whom I bought the paintings no longer is in business in Ludlow! Anyhow - and having rambled for long enough - recently I have tried to ascertain something about the life and work of Catherine Chamney (Colwill) but without success. Googling her names only produces references to prints of her paintings being available on image websites and for sale on eBay! So does anyone know anything about her or, alternatively, can you suggest where I might otherwise pursue my enquiries or find relevant information? With my thanks in advance. Aloysius

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

September 30th, 2011, 07:07 AM	#2
John John Malyon, host Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,400	Did you see these paintings at heritage-images.com? http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1106&bih=866&q =%22Catherine+chamney%22+painting&btnG=Search+Imag es&gbv=2&oq=%22Catherine+chamney%22+painting&aq=f& aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=1899l1899l0l2469l1l1l0l0l 0l0l92l92l1l1l0 The site was working when I first went there, but then it crashed and wouldn't respond. These pictires have a large, intrusive copyright image on them, but I assume you could license any of them for your personal use for not too much money, then download high-res image files and have them printed off by a print shop. It's basically the same thing as a "giclee" print.

September 30th, 2011, 07:15 AM	#3
John John Malyon, host Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,400	I didn't read carefully enough, I giess you're only interested in biographical info. I doubt she's in the multi-volume Grove Dictionary of Art, but if you visit a good central library or university library in your area, you might find an entry for her in one of the reference books of British artists.

September 30th, 2011, 01:50 PM	#4
Unregistered Posts: n/a	Thank you, John. But your suggestions aren't so easily achieved when one lives in the wilds of western France. But thank you nonetheless.

September 30th, 2011, 01:54 PM	#5
Unregistered Posts: n/a	Sorry. I forgot to mention that when I looked at the labels on the later 'rock' paintings, there are repeated references to these having been painted on Sark.

October 2nd, 2011, 02:13 PM	#6
Unregistered Posts: n/a	I've just discovered that - I believe - Catharine Chamney was the co-illustrator of Hutchinson's Britain Beautiful in the 1920s. It appears that this was not a part work magazine but a multi-volume tome (rather like the encyclopaedia of my youth!).

October 4th, 2011, 02:51 PM	#7
Unregistered Posts: n/a	Thank you, all who have troubled to look at this thread. It does seem that Catharine Chamney (Colwill) will remain an enigma for a little longer!