Great BLue Heron Painting at Smiling Dolphin Open House Sat. noon-4pm!

Heron with Ginko Leaves, I'll have it framed this week.

 

HI, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, or weekend if you aren't from the USA. Clay, our son came home. It was so nice to see him. Laura, our daughter lives too far to come. We talked to her on the phone for awhile.

I've been painting this Great Blue Heron. I love Ginko leaves and they are all off the trees so I picked these up in my parents front yard the other day and have added them to my painting. The nursery across from my home has 3 rows of them and I always try to walk thru them when I get the chance. They are so beautiful. 

This week I have 2 classes, one at ESO in Belle Haven,Va. on the Eastern Shore and one at Norfolk Botanical Gardens. Two art shows, one at Stage Door Gallery in Cape Charles, and one at the Smiling Dolphin Christmas Open House both on Saturday. I'll have new work everywhere but Saturday I'll be at my class in Norfolk unless we don't have enough to sign up. The weekends do get so busy this time of year. But that is a blessing in itself. 

Love to each of you and peace this Christmas. Hope the bustle doesn't get us!! love,Diana

Turkey Watercolor and Happy Thanksgiving!

Turkey Head Watercolor, $99. Framed.

Heron Watercolor, $99 framed. Both paintings 8x10

Not for Sale but Sadie eating a catnip mouse. I saved it barely.

HI, Wow, I've spent each day over to Mama and Daddy's. I painted there too. They have a wonderful birdfeeder that is on the window and so many tiny birds come I did paint a Purple Finch. I've kept painting.. throwing away and then paint some more. Daddy is doing ok. He has exercises which are helping his legs. He had a stroke, and his voice is better. But he is very wobbly --so sad but I'm so very thankful it could be so much worse.

I've always wanted to paint a turkey head! ha ha.. so I did. and I started the heron sitting on the floor near him while he was trying to nap with his Emma, little dog, in his lap on the couch.

I'm tired. I've got supper in the stove and am looking forward to the recliner and a soft blanket over me. Stay warm. Wishing each of you a Blessed Thanksgiving Day and week. Our son will be coming and I'm cooking! Love the leftovers best of all. Love to each of you.Diana

ER and Brusho

HI, Well it has been a not so good week. Daddy had to go to the emergency room on Sunday and stayed in the hospital for a few nights. He is home now and Mama is with him, but I was with him as much as possible and am going back and forth over to their house too. He is ok. But of course I've been worried sick, yesterday I painted for awhile and tossed all of them in the trash. Ah ,when I'm upset it shows so much in my work. But this morning I've done this little coneflower and added a little brusho to the center. The bottom one I did last week with just brusho and water. Painted the water on and then sprinkled on the brusho, I did touch it with the brush a couple of times as you see the edges and the shadow. It was fun. I'm still not sure what I'm doing with it but play is good. Sending you all a hug, and taking one back from you. love,Diana

WON Ribbon on Heron Watercolor

I won 2nd Place in Watercolor last night at ESAL Art Show at Stage Door Gallery in Cape Charles,Va. on my heron watercolor "Memories", a beautiful ribbon and a check!!! Yeah!! I"m happy!! The judge described it as delicate, sensitive, and great composition!

love and hugs to each of you,Diana

Paintings for the ESAL Member Show

HI! Well I just got the heron watercolor framed. I got the iris watercolor done yesterday. I used the liquid paint to pour the iris painting. The flowers are impatiens  over top of the heron...My sunset class was today at ESO in Belle Haven.   Sadie is watching for John.  He brings her a yummy each night.

It has turned winter. I've got 2 sweat shirts on. Ha ha.. I tried to take Cupcakes picture a few minutes ago but it frightened her and all I got were her back legs and tail. She is sweet but so afraid. It's going to take some time to get her comfortable I'm afraid.

I've made some coffee.  I'll make a meatloaf and then paint a little. Talk to you soon. Love to each of you,     Diana

As Good As it Gets.

Cupcake, our new kitty!

Here's Cupcake, she is still living in the bathroom but lets us pet her and rubs our leg so she is doing better. Not with Sadie, our dog, she doesn't like Sadie at all. We've got to work on that.

Saturday, I was invited to "Cream of the Crop", an art auction at Artsenter Theatre and Stage Door Gallery. I gave them one of my Heron paintings, " Wachapreague Herons". It was such a lovely evening. I went by myself, John doesn't like Art Functions much. He's been to so many. Wine, Jambalaya, Sweet Potato Bisquits with ham, ham, Mixed Salad, and Apple Pie ... Lots of wine. I know I said that. This was the menu. Larry and Trina Veber did the auction and were wonderful. We sat right in the theatre by the stage. That is such a lovely place. The money earned will support the Artsenter Theatre and Stage Door Gallery in Cape Charles. Here's what I wore. Ok I almost didn't show you because I look huge. But I'm starting a diet now.!! YES.. and then I look around and realize the holidays are almost here..

This weekend is ESAL Winter Art Show at the Stage Door Gallery in Cape Charles. I've got to make an Apple Cake for that to server. I'll be there with my 2 new paintings.

The leaves here are gorgeous, such oranges,yellows and peach... and the smell in the woods is heavenly. Sadie and I walk there every morning for a little while.
Take care , love to each of you,Diana

Phooey--Artist Block

hi, Ir's been one of those weeks where I've painted each day but have had a painter's block. Just not turned out what was me at the time. Here is finally what I'm pleased with-- so far. I'm not finished. I want to touch up the impatiens briefly and add the Heron's back. 

I wanted to tell you about our new addition.. It's Cupcake. Our new kitten. She is very shy. Sadie -our lab-hasn't met her yet. We are taking it slowly, getting her used to us.

I've gotten in my Brusho Art Crystals. They are different. I like them but not for everything. Wet the paper and then sprinkle the crystals on it and they burst into brilliant starbursts. Don't use the brush too much or they lose the burst. That is what I've learned about it so far.

Hope you are happily painting and not blocked and grumbling like I have been.. love to each of you,Diana

NBG Class and Northeaster on Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

My Watercolor Workshop at Norfolk Botanical Garden.

Northeaster on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.

 

HI, I'm home safe and sound. I had a class in Norfolk yesterday. We painted leaves and chickadees and cardinals. I brought Brusho . I just got it this week. Wonderful stuff. They had a ball with it and got great results. You sprinkle it on clear water and it bursts into little sprays of color. Class was wonderful!

There was a Northeaster coming!! Which is hard gusts of wind and rain for hours, this was coming early afternoon. Amy and Renee both offered me to stay with them if I couldn't cross the bridge. They were so very kind to do that and I talked to both when I got home. The CBBT closes for safety of course with high winds. It was still open but I had a grip on that steering wheel.. Gusts of wind and waves with white caps almost touching the bottom of the buildings at the tunnels. I was so very thankful to get on the Eastern Shore. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is 17 miles long with 2 tunnels and is a gorgeous place when the weather is nice.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend and staying warm and dry. Love to you,Diana