Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Impressionist Gardens

Take a few minutes today and just sit outside and relax and enjoy the moment -- we often get so busy that we forget to spend time just relaxing and being in nature.
My garden provides me with so much joy and happiness -- like Monet, I treausre my garden and love to paint it.
How does your garden grow?


"Red Wine" 5 x 7 Oil on Board

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Impressionist Gardens

One of the reasons that I love Spring is that it brings out the flowers and the smell of the blossoms just makes me smile.
When children walk in my garden their eyes light up when they see the colors of the wild flowers that are blooming.  Add an antique lantern and VOILA-- there is magic!

"Spring's Magic"  10 x 8  Oil on Raymar Board

Monday, March 29, 2010

Impressionist Moments

President Obama was just in Afghanistan visiting our troops -- my wish is that they all come home.  I have been working on a painting series entitled, “Coming Home” and this is the study for one of the paintings that will be available in giclees in April.  Fifty percent of the proceeds from the sale of the giclees will be donated to the Disabled Veterans who are returning home.
We wish them all a safe return to their loved ones.

Do you have friends and family serving overseas?  I would love to hear from you.
"My Daddy's Home"(study) 8 x 10  Oil on Board

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Impressionist Moments

Plant seeds of love today -- call a friend or loved one and tell them how special they are to you and how important they are in your life.
Live every moment with love and joy!
"Sprinkles"  8 x 10  Oil on Board
Diane@DianeLeonard.com

What's your favorite flower?




Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Impressionist Gardens

It’s time for spring planting and sowing seeds of happiness in your garden!  I am always delighted to start the new season with flowers in my garden, and, of course, the children in my neighborhood love to help!
Isn’t is magical that tiny seeds can bring magnificent flowers!  I love to paint the flowers in my garden and every year, it’s a new beginning.
Wishing us all the wonders of nature and the beauty of Spring in our hearts.
What’s your favorite flower?
"Daffodils"(study) 8 x 10 Oil on Board

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Impressionist Spring



Happy Spring!  There is a certain magic to the beginning of Spring -- the buds on the trees are beginning to blossom and you can smell the freshness in the air!  It’s a happy time as we let go of the winter blues and are reminded that everything begins anew!
I love this time of year  when the daffodils and tulips are popping up and my garden starts to smile.  This is when I am outside painting and capturing the colors of spring!  And the season when more people find smiles in the moments of the day and walk with a “spring” in their step!
If you listen closely, you will hear “spring” all around you -- it’s in the melody of the birds singing to one another, the blossoming of the flowers and the whispers of a new season in the air!

You can make the magic of Spring come alive -- just Smile!
"Spring Planting" 9 x 12 Oil on Board

                                                                


Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Impressionist St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick’s Day -- the wearing of the green!  Well, I am an Irish Catholic Lass from Boston, and I am wearing my green today! 
Irish people do love to laugh and have fun and that is what I wish for all of us today and every day!
Smile, laugh and have a day that would make St. Patrick smile!



Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Impressionist Tuesday

Diane@DianeLeonard.com
The end of the Grey Sweater!  It has to go -- my beautiful cashmere sweater -- the moths have found it again.
It’s a very special sweater -- given to me by my sister, Kate -- about five years ago.  It was her sweater and she gave me this soft, cozy, comfy sweater (did I mention it is Cashmere) to keep me warm during my trip to Boston.  I have loved this sweater and I have painted many great paintings in this precious gift.   When I wear Kate’s sweater I feel happy and I feel the love of my sister.  I have even slept in this sweater!
Alas, it is time for it to go -- there is a lot of colorful paint on that sweater now which reminds me of all of the years of painting that it has seen.  Eventually everything in the studio gets paint on it!  Yet, it has to go -- too many holes from the moths -- interesting that they don’t touch my regular sweaters.
It is like losing a good friend -- it has comforted me for years -- isn’t that what friends do?
Thank you for being my friend.  Here’s to more great friends and more cashmere sweaters!
Thank you, Kate, for loving me.
"Finding Shells"  24  24, Oil on Canvas

Monday, March 15, 2010

Impressionist Mondays

This is a painting from one of my many trips to New York -- a place I love to visit.  There are so many great things to do and see while visiting the incredible city -- spring is almost here and Central Park will once again be filled with magic in the air.  
Thank you to everyone who has enjoyed and appreciated my paintings!  
And thank you for supporting my art.
Have a Magical Monday!

"New York Summer"  24 x 24  Oil on Canvas

Friday, March 12, 2010

Impressionist Weekends

It’s Friday and plans for the weekend are in our minds and are making us smile!
The times we spend together are the memories that live on in our hearts.
Here’s to a great weekend for all of us!



Thursday, March 11, 2010

Impressionist Wishes

Did you ever make a wish upon a star?  When you blow out your birthday candles, do you make that special wish that comes true?  On a “Blue Moon” night, have you ever felt enchanted to make a wish?
Today, may all of your wishes come true!  There is magic in the air when you make a wish and if you truly believe, it will come true.
Children believe in wishes, adults can too!  
"Afternoon Glow"  12 x 12  Oil on Board

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Impressionist Beaches

Every day is a special day -- we just have to make it special!  Treasure your moments spent with family and friends.
And I love every minute on the beach, especially when I have the opportunity to have mothers and children pose for me.  My brushes are very happy to capture these moments in impressionistic style on my canvas.
This is a treasured moment when a mother plays with her baby on the beach.  Have you ever seen a baby’s face when it is their first time playing on the beach -- there is a look of pure bliss!
When was the last time you were on the beach? 
"Beach Time" 12 x 12 Oil on Board



Tuesday, March 9, 2010

impressionist Sailboats


Tuesday is a great day for creating new paintings, or cleaning out the closet -- I wonder what I will do today!
Wouldn’t it be fun to just hop on a plane and take off for Europe -- France, Italy - London.  Our world is such a magnificent place to see and I want to see all of it.
This painting was created after my trip to France.  I have been painting sailboats throughout my career -- sailboats in New York, France, at the beaches -- everywhere -- I love sailboats.  This one is so colorful and the children use sticks to push the boats around the small pond at the park.  Watching children play makes me smile.
Find the child within you today and play!  

"Toy Boats" 8 x 10  Oil on Board



Monday, March 8, 2010

Impressionist Beaches

It’s Marvelous Monday  and a new series of paintings can be found in my studio.  I am excited that the painting “Low Tide” is finished and is being exhibited at Gallery 1000 in Carmel, California.  
The painting is of two best friends walking on the beach after the sun sets.  They are using antique lanterns to light their way.  As they walk along the beach looking for shells and sharing the twilight of the day, there is a calmness and a feeling of “Peace” that surrounds them.
Wishing us all days of “Peace” and moments spent together with friends.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Impressionist Friendships

Friday is a great day to celebrate friendships!  Take a few minutes today and call or visit a friend and let them know how important they are to you.  Friends come to us in so many wonderful ways -- some are started in childhood and last for a lifetime!  My sisters are my special friends that I count on to keep me grounded.
Friends are there when you need them -- they are great listeners, they comfort us, they laugh with us and they love us -- just the way we are!  Isn’t it wonderful to know that your friends are there for you!
Painting friends on the beach is by far one of my favorite times to paint.  This painting started with the goldens -- they have been best friends for a long time.  Dogs are allowed on the beach after Labor Day and we had so much fun letting them play on the beach!  Animals make great friends -- they just love us no matter what.
I look forward to all of the new friends that are coming into my life, and I am so grateful for the loving relationships that I have.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Impressionist Beaches

Love is so magical -- it is what we all want -- to love and be loved.  The love of a mother and child is that special love when we open our hearts to our children.  
One of my ultimate delights is to be on the beach with a mother and her children and to watch them play together.  The beach is the ultimate playground where we all find Joy!  The ocean’s beauty touches our hearts and brings us all peaceful moments.  I love to be on the beach!
I am always honored and excited to paint these loving moments!


Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Impressionist Days

Today, stop for just a moment and notice the people around you -- and smile and send them thoughts of “Joy”!  The greatest gift you can give to others is your love and friendship!  Sometimes we forget that just a little smile to a stranger can light up their day -- it can be that simple.
At the end of the day, ask yourself -- did I do the best that I could possibly do today?  Did I give my best?
Whatever you do today, do it brilliantly and have FUN!