In this lecture, pianist and composer Catherine Marie Charlton discusses the “Wyeth Walks” that she began in January 2015 while seeking inspiration for her music. Immersing herself in Wyeth art and creative philosophies through these daily walks has resulted in her 2017 album I Dream About This World, as well as thematic iPhone photos and an accompanying blog. Through her experiences, Charlton seeks to understand how the Wyeths, especially N.C. and Andrew, found subjects in nature and were open to surprises in unexpected places. Charlton shares her recorded music and photography, with tips on how we all can follow in Wyeth footsteps and be “open to flow” in creative pursuits.

“…provided our audience the rare opportunity to enter an artist’s mind and follow along her creative process. Charlton shared her own story in an approachable and relatable way, while encouraging participants to stretch themselves in their own creative pursuits. Her multi-sensory presentation was deeply personal and educational, providing insights into her own work as well as the Wyeth family.”
– Laura Westmoreland, Associate Educator, Brandywine River Museum of Art

In this lay sermon, Catherine Marie Charlton discusses the deep spiritual transformation that resulted from her over 400 “Wyeth Walks” in the woods, seeking inspiration for her music while immersing herself in Wyeth art and creative philosophies. Through her experiences and drawing inspiration from writers and philosophers including Thoreau, Charlton seeks to understand how the Wyeths, especially N.C. and Andrew, found subjects in nature and were open to surprises in unexpected places.

“On behalf of the Thomas Paine Fellowship, thank you again for speaking and performing at our worship service yesterday. Many congregants offered unsolicited feedback on how much they loved the service and found the experience meaningful.” – Jerry Lazzaro, Worship Leader, Thomas Paine Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Collegeville, PA