Happy Summer Painting!

       

As summer approaches, it is time to take some “time out” for ourselves.   When we are relaxing or doing garden work, swimming in the pool or at a picnic at the beach --  new and creative ideas pop into our heads.   These little gems inspire us to create.  

Taking breaks from the studio is a necessary part of growing in our art.

I keep a sketch book with me at all times, and even late at night in bed, I will sketch out new ideas that are inspiring me.

Here’s to inspiration and here’s to great new art this summer!

Happy Painting!

"Tranquility"

10 x 8, Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Nature

Take a little time out of you day today and go outside and just sit -- and as you sit, take a few minutes and be “in nature” -- the feeling of the sun on your face, the smell of the flowering plants, the sounds of the birds, and the beauty that surrounds you -- that is what we are painting -- life!

"Happy Days"

12 x 9, Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonrd.com

New Beginnings

       

Paintings have their own life -- we start out painting in one direction and then the painting takes us in another!

And, sometimes, the paintings come back to us -- that is a good time to “re-look” at your work and decide how you can make it better.  At the end of a season, I usually request that the galleries send me back the paintings that did not sell so that they have a “fresh” look for the season.  You certainly don’t want your collectors to return and see the same paintings still on the wall.  

And, now you are looking at your painting with “new” eyes -- certainly you have matured and so has your work!  

I put the paintings on the floor in my studio and study them -- for days, sometimes even longer.  And, then, when I am ready, I put “new” touches on it -- to make it sparkle and to give it new life!

This is one of those paintings.

"A Special Place"

30 x 30 Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Summer is Almost Here!

        

Summer is just about here and I love thinking of the beauty of summer -- time at the beach, cook outs, vacations and basically -- time off!

As an artist, it seems that our lives are surrounded by art -- we look at the world through artist’s eyes and  “everything” is a painting!   Children playing  on the beach or even in your own backyard are paintings just waiting to be painted. 

Time to take the easels outside and see what magic happens!  Paint some flowers, a still life set up in the yard is always enchanting  and will get you “outside”.  Plein aire painting has been making a huge comeback and this is a great thing.  We all need to be paintings from life -- minimum -- once a week!  It is truly the best way to paint.  Certainly the impressionists and their predecessors all painted from life, long before we had cameras.  And, now with the digital camera, we take thousands of photos!

I know that when I paint from life, I paint faster, I see what I am painting with “artist’s eyes” and the colors are brilliant.  I have vowed to paint from life once a week and to draw every day!  Here’s to summer and all that it brings!

"My Summer Place"

10 x 8 Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com