Impressionist Coffee

Thank God for coffee!  How I look forward to that first cup of Morning Coffee and the smell and the taste just wakes up all of my senses.

It’s Friday morning and I am ever so grateful for the warm cup of coffee in my hand, and for the warm robe that I am wearing and for my home which I love.  My heart goes out to all of the people in Haiti, knowing that they are sleeping in the streets and in tents and so many without water and food.  They are probably not even thinking about a cup of coffee.

So, today, I salute all of the people who are in Haiti helping out the survivors and making their world better as each day passes.  The United States is a nation of compassion and world support and I am proud to be an American.  We need to support the small businesses here in the United States and to be buying American-made products!

We can all find our joy and happiness in our own lives by appreciating the large gifts of life that we have and even the small ones -- like a cup of coffee!

Please enjoy this impressionistic painting entitled, “Morning Coffee” -- a great way to start the day!

Painting Love

The resiliency of the human spirit truly amazes me -- I heard on the news this morning that they just pulled a seventeen-year old girl out of the wreckage after fifteen days -- fifteen days !!!  -- so as the world went on, this little girl laid there in the rubble surviving  How did you survive???  What were her thoughts  as she spent all that time wondering what was going to happen to her, and how scared she must have been!   And now, to be rescued!  I am sure that the people who found her must be so elated that their efforts saved a life -- a life so precious!

 I am humbled to tears when I think of how fortunate I am to have my home and my studio and that I get to paint for a living!  

We can all learn from her survival -- that our lives are so precious and how the human spirit longs to survive.  

Today, take a few moments and thank all of the people around you that give you love and encouragement and friendship and give you the will to survive.  We all face our own challenges -- and the beauty of our lives is the gifts of love we give to one another and to the world.

This is a painting of the beginning of life -- and the love that a mother feels for her child!

Thank you for being in my life.

Impressionist Moments

When it is cold and rainy and snowing, the memories of our times on the beach can light up our hearts.  That is why so many people collect art -- having beautiful paintings adorn your walls gives your eyes and your heart something to look at every day that makes you smile.

As an artist, I, too, need those smiles -- and that is why I paint -- to bring joy and happiness to the people who see my art.  And, when I walk into the studio and it is raining and cold, I sit and look at my photos and put myself right back on the beach and I am reminded of those moments that I spent on that beach!  I wait until I can feel the beach and the light -- and then I start to paint -- to music, of course!

Andrea Bocelli has been a favorite artist of mine to paint to -- his music is soothing and beautiful and calming -- just like the ocean!

Each painting is a unique reminder of times together that belong in a painting!

Who is your favorite musician?

Impressionist Beaches

The days of the beach and sunshine are memories that we have since childhood --- days of fun and freedom and building castles in the sand.  How I long for these days!

My mother would always pack sandwiches and treats in a picnic basket and she would fill a large thermos (thingy)  with Kool Aid that just seemed to taste better at the beach.  I remember those magical days, I remember the feelings of joy and happiness that I felt all over the minute we got to our “beach”.

I still love the beach and I especially love photographing and being with people while they play on the beach -- you never know what will happen.  As the tide goes in and out and the sun warms us up, it is the cool water that beckons the sunbathers.  What is always so amazing is putting a baby’s foot in the water for the first time and to watch the delight on their faces as they watch the waves touch their little feet.  I entitled this painting "Happy Times" and that tells it all.

And, Oh, how much fun that is to paint!

I love the beach!  What is your favorite beach?

Impressionist Flowers

Sunflowers bring sunshine to everyone that sees them,  and they truly light up my paintings -- they are my favorite flower to paint.  The color yellow is the color of happiness and I use it in every one of my paintings!

Children love flowers too and painting a little girl holding sunflowers -- voila -- magic!  That is why gardens are so important to our well being -- just sitting in a garden and appreciating the splendor of the flowers is so relaxing!  God’s magic is certainly at work there!

Wishing us all days of sunshine and flowers.  Send someone flowers today and watch them smile!

Impressionist Reflections

The beauty of painting is that you can paint anything you want!  There is so much beauty in this world to paint!  When you look at the world with loving eyes, that is exactly what you see and therein lies the beauty!

The colors of the people on the beach are reflected in the wet sand that comes to life with deep colors.  I wait for low tide and as the late afternoon light arrives, it is time to photograph my models.  This is where the inspirations of my paintings starts -- the reflections -- have you seen them?  I am sure that you have -- when a model is wearing red, there is a beautiful deep red in the wet sand below -- white has it’s turn to become blues and yellows -- And I am excited to be capturing these moments of splendor!

Wishing us all moments of splendor!

Impressionist Sunshine

It’s a beautiful day here in Phoenix -- the sun is shining and I am creating a new series of paintings -- 

I wish us all days of sunshine and happiness!  We are all artists -- each in our own special way, and doing what we love to do is the special gift we give back to the universe.

Smile and the world smiles back -- our world can use more smiles!!!

Impressionist Summers

During the times of a world crisis, we still need to be living our lives.  In my studio, it is painting joy and happiness to remind us of the times that make us smile.  Winter is a great time of year, yet summer has a special charm!  It’s a warmer time of year -- when we take vacations, sit on the beach, sit by the pool and relax, and enjoy a glass of wine outside.

And it is these memories that I paint in the winter to bring back those memories of festivities that warm our hearts.

I wish us all the joys of life as our world heals and the reminder that the love of families and friends is the greatest gift of all.  

There are so many great organizations to give your donations to to help, please choose the one that helps you feel great about giving!

And, this is a great time to buy American-made merchandise, including art!

Impressionist Painting

It’s been six days since the devastation of the earthquake in Haiti.  My heart hurts for all of the people that are now struggling to survive and find food and shelter.  I am so proud to be an American and be among the millions of people who are stepping in to help these people.

And in the meantime, I am painting!

In fact, I am honored and humbled to say that I sold two paintings this weekend -- we all need to live each day with love in our hearts, as this disaster has taught us that life is so precious and we never know when it is over.

As I and so many of us pray for the people of Haiti, I wish us all joy and love in our lives!

There are so many great organizations to give your donations to to help, please choose the one that helps you feel great about giving!

Aid for Haiti

The devastation and crisis in Haiti affects us all -- and of course, the United States is the leader in helping all of those people survive and recover.  I am so grateful and proud to be an American!

Our military once again steps in to not only help Haiti, but also to provide security and organization in this ravaged country.  I salute our military and all of the people who are presently in Haiti helping the people overcome this disaster. 

We can all help -- each in our own way -- by contributing money to the major help relief organizations, by praying and by visualizing a new and better Haiti for the future.

I am so grateful to have my hot shower, my bed, my coffee, my food and know that I can walk outside today with no worries -- how about you?

DianeLeonard.com

Impressionist Painting of Peace

During a world crisis like the one in Haiti, we all need to be thankful for our country and our family and our lives.  It is so sad to see the devastation on the television and it does affect us all.  This is the time for “Peace” and that is why I am reminded to paint these special feelings that our world needs.

This is a painting that I did a few years ago for my sister, "A Peaceful Place".   The colors are soothing and gentle and it was painted with pure love!  It is a place where we all want to be.

As we all pray for the people in Haiti, we can find comfort in our lives and be grateful for all we have.

Give the gift of love today to everyone you see!

Thank you for enjoying my art!

dianeleonard.com

Impressionistic Paintings of the Beach

From the moment I step on the beach, I feel peace.  I breathe in the smell of the salt air, my bare feet feel the grains of the sand that comfort me, and I hear the sounds of the ocean.  There is no other sound that is so amazing than the movement of the ocean over the sand.  I relax, I am at the beach!

I wait for the afternoon light -- the warmest light of the day.  The ocean’s color changes as the sun changes and that is what I want to capture in my paintings.  My models are told to just go and have fun -- of course they will have fun -- afterall we are on a beach!

I keep taking photographs and creating new ideas until the sun sets, and then I revel in the moments of that day and marvel as I watch the sun seep behind the blue ocean.

Now I can’t wait to get back in the studio and start painting all of the beautiful photos that I have just created.  

And everyone has great memories of the beach and great photos -- care to share any with me?

New Paintings from American Impressionist Diane Leonard

Painting women and children on the beach has been a large part of my painting oeuvre during my career.  I am drawn to the ocean and its beauty and the colors of the wet sand and the water.  When all of the elements are right -- the tide, the sun, the wind and the people on the beach, there is magic!  The colors of the outfits, whether they are white or red,  reflect on the sand and create a myriad of colors that are so much fun to paint!   I look for these reflections in the wet sand as I am photographing my models.

Being with mothers and children on the beach and watching them play is fun and reminds us of the simple pleasure of life.

Take your family to the beach and relax and enjoy those special moments.

Painting Reflections

Painting women on the beach has been a large part of my painting oeuvre during my career.  I am drawn to the ocean and its beauty and the colors of the wet sand and the water.  When all of the elements are right -- the tide, the sun, the wind and the people on the beach, there is magic!  The colors of the outfits, whether they are white or red,  reflect on the sand and create a myriad of colors that are so much fun to paint!   I look for these reflections in the wet sand as I am photographing my models.

Next time you are on the beach, look for these reflections!

Sunday's Joy

Sunday is a great day to relax and think about your life and enjoy the people you love.

Painting Joy

When you paint “Joy” the people who see your painting can feel “Joy”.  It’s wonderful to be able to create paintings that also bring happiness and joy to the viewers.  When I was in Nagano, Japan over thirteen years ago, my Japanese collectors all said the same thing --- Diane-san, when it is winter here and cold and dark, we will look at your paintings and feel joy and happiness.  Of course, they said it in Japanese (which is shiawase desu).  Those three weeks in Japan before the Olympics, started me on my journey with my art!

Wishing us all “Joy” in our lives!

Painting Reflections

As the sun sets the colors reflect on the wet sand and create a masterpiece all on its own.  

Those colors and those reflections are what I long for in my paintings -- it’s magical and so much fun to paint!  The blues compliments the oranges and yellows of the sun !  These two friends just needed to be there on the beach for me to capture yet another “magical moment”.

Take a walk on the beach and find your own reflections  -- it will make you smile.

Painting Friendships

Friendships last a lifetime!  And no matter wherever you are, you can always count on your friends.  When I have the great opportunity to paint friendships, I am thrilled.  These women surfed together and attended the same school, and having them walk along the beach and talk about life, boys, relationships was so much fun.  Capturing the moment -- priceless!

Since I am in the studio in Phoenix, Arizona, I am remembering the beauty of the beach.

Call on of your friends today -- it will make you smile.

Painting The Beach in Winter

Life’s little moments when shared with loved ones becomes life’s “big” moments because those are the ones we remember the most.  And, these special times are the ones that bring smiles to our hearts!

Painting is reliving those moments on canvas -- the smile of a mother to her baby, children laughing, conversations with friends and just walking on the beach with your husband or friend is a relaxing time.

I am back to painting the beach this week and will be going to the coast next month to capture even more “special times”!

Painting The Beach

During the winter months I create most of my larger paintings in my studios from photos that were taken throughout the year.  While I look forward to the flower gardens and the beaches, I paint with the memories of those moments that my models and I created.  

As I paint, I feel myself on the beach, I hear the ocean and I smell the salt in the air -- it brings me right back to the beach and then I can paint it!  The feeling of serenity and love can be found with a mother holding her baby in her arms while being on the beach.

What is your favorite place?

Painting Relationships

Sharing time with your family and sisters are magical moments.  Capturing special relationships on canvas is my ultimate goal!  Because that is what I paint -- relationships with lots of color and light.  It is such an honor and a privilege when people pose for me -- my time with them is forever etched in my heart and as I am painting I am drawn back to those moments we were together and they become part of the painting as well.

We posed in my garden in late afternoon and the sisters enjoyed their cup of tea while relaxing and playing with the new baby.

I love my  sisters!

Painting Serenity

The feeling of serenity can be found in the simple moments in life -- watching a sunset while sitting on the beach is my favorite place to be.  Capturing this fascinating waves and this moment in time on canvas brings me peace and joy while I paint.  I long for the beach!

Laguna Beach has been a favorite place for me to paint.  I have been going there for years and the memories of that beach are forever etched in my heart and on my canvases.

What’s your favorite beach?

Painting Friendships

There are special moments that I love to capture -- the joys of friendship is one of them.  Isn’t it amazing how we find our friends in this world and that friendship grows into a lifetime of memories.  Capturing those moments on canvas are by far the most enjoyable to paint!

Late afternoon is my favorite time of day -- especially on the beach.  This is the time when the wet sand has been warmed by the sun and the colors just glow!

I long for the beach, what about you?

Painting for A New Year

It’s 2010!  A new year --  I am so excited! -- the child in me has definitely come out to play!

As the new year begins, we can recreate anything we want in our lives -- the door is open!

It’s a special day to reflect on our lives and rediscover where we want to go!  And, making a plan to create the best life ever!

I am so grateful to all of the people who have collected my art over all these years!  It is time for all of us to support the American industry, the small “mom and pop” stores and also to buy American Art!

Smile today as life begins anew in this new year!