Happy Halloween!

Have a Happy chocolate filled Halloween!Some of my favorite things are in this painting. Fall gourds,an old egg basket,devil's walking stick,acorns,fall leaves, and a dear Carolina Wren. Happy Halloween!Diana

Portrait of Guy

I've gone out on a limb here. I don't usually do portraits but I've had Guy in my heart and prayers. He is in the hospital and not doing well. His family are with him,he has leukemia. He is a wonderful artist. Google him. You'll see. His paintings are bright and bold and wonderful. If you knew the man you'd love him--he's sweet and kind,gentle and bold. How can we put that on paper? I'm blessed to have him as my friend-I've known him for years. Send him your prayers or loving thoughts if you will, he needs them now.Thank you. So I decided to try to paint him. Have a good weekend. Talk to you soon,Diana
I came back in and added a little more dark to the shadows and trimmed the side of his jaw..no more tweaking.

Inspiration

HI, I tried a very loose watercolor today. Have you checked out Jean Haines watercolor blog? It's over in my blog list. Her work is amazing and so very loose. I don't know how she does it but I thought I'd give it a try with the beautiful colors of the Devil's Walking Stick.(These are from my backyard.) That is the smaller photo. I wet my paper completely. This is 140lb. hot press arches block and then splashed on my colors with a large juicy brush allowing the colors to drip and dry a little. I enjoyed the freedom and then I drew some leaves of the Devil's Walking Stick onto the corner. I'm pleased with it and am thankful for the inspiration..from Jean and the beautiful fall leaves- read her book too. It's amazing. talk to you soon,Diana

Warm cup of beans and a Paintbrush.

We had a busy weekend, the class was Saturday and I had 7 students. We painted fall leaves and pumpkins and had a good time. I had a few peppers to paint too and now one is simmering in a pot of Cowboy beans.It's a good recipe... one bag of dried beans,rinse and put in pot of water,add jalapeno pepper and 3-4 cloves of garlic and salt, simmer until done. That's it. So my pepper from class is in the pot.

Today,I really thought it was warm outside,the sun is shining.. so I set everything up on the porch to paint. It's quickly getting cool.. too cold to paint on the porch. But I squeezed some time in and did finish this simple pumpkin painting. I found the flowers in the garden before I started to paint. The pumpkin I did in class. It's a good day for a warm cup of beans and a paintbrush. talk to you soon,Diana

Fall Watercolor Class

Tomorrow is my class at Norfolk Botanical Gardens, I just did 2 quick little watercolor sketches of things we will do then. I've got loads of fall veggies,leaves,acorns gathered together for more detailed watercolors after these exercises.. It's going to be fun. Hope you all have a wonderful fall weekend,enjoy the fall colors. Talk to you soon,Diana

We're Home!

HI, well here is a video of the Art Affair, I hit the wrong button on the camera.. oh my! It was 2 very busy days. First day was gusts of wind that caused a problem. But my husband and son came to the rescue and brought weights and we bungee corded the tent and racks down, I too bungee corded my chair to the tent so my weight helped hold it down. The lady in the booth next to me lost half of her pottery in one gust as her rack fell on it. Poor thing.. but she gathered her things and display back together. Second day was perfect weather,sunny and nice. I sold 4 originals.. small but I'm thankful. Husband and son were my muscle and support and helped do all the setting up and hauling. I didn't get much time to be with family but they all came out to visit at the show on Sunday. It was nice but it's always nice to be home. Resting up today. Take care, talk to you soon,Diana
I am also available for wedding videos... ha ha.. just kidding.

Art Affair and Balance

hi! I'm getting ready for the show. Art Affair in Richmond,Va. Ok well you know me I'm painting. I just love it so much I don't feel complete if I don't paint each day. So this morning I've been working on this painting of autumn leaves. I found these all in my yard and yes I put in one little mushroom. It is so adorable but I restrained myself and I didn't put the whole patch of red mushrooms I found this morning in the painting!HA HA. Balance is what I am focusing on now as I put the finishing touches on the painting. Does it need another acorn?Do the colors balance? I've used my palette knife on the leaves too. J.put the racks and tent in the car. I have these to frame and try to rest because it's going to be 2 grueling busy days.It will be fun but tiring! Wish me luck. have a fabulous weekend! stop by if you are near!Talk you soon,Diana