About

Cathey Cassady Stoney spends her time surrounded by the mountains of Western North Carolina and nature.  She is inspired and encouraged by the landscapes she loves.  She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art from the University of North Carolina- Asheville and her Art Education degree from Converse College, Spartanburg SC.

For artist Cathey Stoney, painting is a language to explore the many rhythms, patterns, shapes, and textures of the natural world.  Her paintings are visual explorations and perceptions of common themes explored through the lens of abstraction.  Her use of colors, shapes, and lines create pathways that lead the viewer to calm spaces and offer an opportunity for them to connect with their own imagination, thoughts, and emotions.

Cathey’s work reflects her own life experiences and emotions.  Her work is process driven and multi-layered. Exploring mark-making, layering, drawing into and scraping back using a range of tools and techniques, she aspires to create work that resonates with the viewers on an emotional level. She encourages viewers to examine the details of the work up close.  Much like nature, her work grows through cycles of adding, subtracting, concealing and revealing to create a sense of history akin to the ebb and flow of the seasons and of our lives.  

Collectors have said her paintings bring a sense of calm and peace; she hopes  her paintings resonate with viewers beyond the physical, creating a mood that speaks to something deeper. Her work has been included in numerous shows and in private collections.

When her children were young, Cathey began teaching visual art full time.  She spent twenty years sharing the joy of art with her high school students and mentoring young artists. Many of her students went on to earn scholarships to study art, many won both local and national art awards, and some became art teachers and museum directors.  Cathey will always be proud of the students in whom she fostered an appreciation and love for art and for whom art became an integral part of their lives.    She counts this as one of her greatest achievements. 

Cathey’s accolades include being honored by the Governor of South Carolina in 2002 for excellence in teaching and mentoring students.  In 2004 she received the Priscilla and Ellis D. Slater Award for Excellence in Teaching to study painting in France through Winthrop University.  Also, in 2004 she was honored as Secondary Teacher of the Year by Spartanburg Methodist College. In 2005 she was named Landrum High School’s Teacher of year.  She went on to receive the Beverly Knight Teacher Award (2007-2008) and the David Benson Teacher Award (2012-2013) for Spartanburg County Schools presented by the Spartanburg Artists Guild. During her tenure, she wrote numerous grants for Artist Residencies that provided diverse and engaging art opportunities to her students.  Cathey has also served on the board of the Polk County Community Foundation Education Committee and the Board of Directors of Upstairs Artspace in Tryon, NC. serving as Secretary and interim President.

Since retirement, Cathey now enjoys devoting her time and focus to her own art practice.  She works in her home studio, Dancing Ridge Studio, drawing inspiration from the beauty and landscape around her. To learn more about Cathey’s process, read her Artist Statement.