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

Loose Watercolor

HI, I have been experimenting with loose watercolor and the grid of the gauze. This has a pour under base. Monelle was painting with me and we both had fun with the bleeding of colors. Take care. Back to painting. Diana

Yesterday I painted outside. The weather was perfect in the 70's and finished my new monarch. This will go in the show this weekend,Art Affair in Richmond,Va.

New Texture Technique and Monarch !

HI! Yesterdays show was nice, sales were good,the sun shone and Monarchs drifted by. They are starting to migrate now. So I've got to paint one more. They are so magnificent. This is on 300lb Winsor Newton Cold press paper and first I draw my butterfly. For the monarch this sketch must include all the little dots and markings as I paint around the white. So he's three quarters drawn and I can't wait. I've got my water and am going to start on a wing!

I also wanted to show you a new technique I was reading about the other night.Here's how: Take gauze and wet a place on your watercolor paper then place the gauze down on this spot. Dab with paint and keep the gauze wet. Allow this to dry,peel off the gauze. It creates a web like texture to the paper. See the photo. I know this will be fun to use.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. I have another show this upcoming weekend in Richmond,Va. Please if you are nearby come see me. It's Art Affair. More info in the upper right corner of the blog. Take care,Diana

ps The other photos are for my reference. I took at my parents home. Gorgeous Maple leaves and a lovely water view..and yes Daisy is doing fine, snoring now!

Stacked up and ready to roll-or wiped out and trying to get it together.

I'm packed. Well, actually I have the paintings stacked and ready to pack the car,J. insisted on packing it and I'm fine with that! He's going to in the morning. Show starts at noon--5pm. It's called the Onancock High School Falltacular Fun Day in Onancock,Va. Local Art show, barbecue dinner, and more. I've been resting this afternoon,drinking hot tea,I'm just tired and back is not up to par.. but I will be ready in the morning. How do you revive yourself--when you are wiped out--talk to you soon, have a great weekend. Diana
ps. Daisy is doing fine. Thank you for all your kindness. She received 19 emails asking about her.

Emergency

I was all packed. The car loaded, had my coffee,ready to go and in the blink of an eye my day changed. A raccoon attacked Daisy,our lab on our back porch. She had him in her mouth shaking him. I bolted out the door with the only thing I could grab a flashlight, I threw it at the raccoon and then toppled my bike on him. He ran. Daisy and I ran. He got away but we immediately called Amy! She works for our vet and said come up for a booster of her rabies shot. Daisy's shots were up to date this is just an extra one. SO I had to cancel and not participate in Harvest Festival. J. unpacked the car, I heaved Daisy in and away we went. The health department just called and said that is what was necessary--the booster shot after a good record of rabies shots and she should have 0% chance of rabies..but we have to watch her for 45 days. WHAT a day. But Daisy is healthy and I do have another show on Saturday. I did this sketch of her in the backyard a few minutes ago. Just a quick one. take care. and get your animals their rabies shots.. talk to you soon,Diana
ps I wrote the little poems as I was sitting there( I'm not a writer but enjoy nature so much)

Candy Corn Watercolor

Well I'm ready. I am packed up .. I framed 7 watercolors.. the candy corn is only 1 and 1/2 inches by 1 and 1/2 inches.The little screech owl I did a little more painting on but finished. Wish Me luck.Tomorrow is Harvest Festival. All you can eat seafood and eastern shore cooking.I have to be there and unpacked by 10am. It's almost to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel,the very end of the Eastern Shore. A large art tent of juried artists,I know most of them so we'll have fun! Talk to you Soon.Diana

New Screech Owl and Acorns

I've been painting all day. Working on the acorns and little screech owl.J. will be home soon for supper. talk to you soon, Diana
Daisy's on the front steps waiting for him to get her yummy.
I had to come back and widen the face of the little owl. It was too skinny. I saw this owl here in my backyard.

Tweeking

Well I had the mushroom painting propped up so I could see it and it occurred to me I should give it more contrast and more plain space .. so I put in the thalo blue and a dash of sepia wash behind the tallest mushroom. Also I glazed a few of the mystery mushrooms throughout the painting,the suggested but not quite there mushrooms. Tell me what you think. I hope I didn't go too far.

There is a show Wed. and Friday of this week.actually two shows. So I decided to try to finish my painting today so I can frame tomorrow. It never works that way. I've started two little tiny paintings one of acorns-- you know me I've been gathering them for weeks.. put them in my pocket as I'm walking. The other painting is candy corn. I bought 2 tiny frames last week and thought how adorable..but more work!! The owl painting I've also got to finish.

So... I'll go fetch a cup of tea,it's cool here. We actually have the space heater on and Daisy is curled up in front of it next to me painting. take care, Diana

Wild Mushroom Melody!

I finished my wild mushroom painting today. I added persimmons and acorns from my backyard. I have also started a small painting of a screech owl. We have had them visit the backyard. They are adorable!! Trying to get ready for the next show. Harvest Festival on Wed. Oct.5.. more info in the upper right hand corner of the blog! hope you can come. Have a great weekend. Talk soon,Diana