Painting in New England

It’s always a great idea to look at paintings that you have done in the past and rediscover their beauty!  It’s a celebration of you as an artist!

Looking at paintings with a new eye gives you a new opportunity to see how you painted and look at your own techniques -- it is a lesson in itself.  And, as always, look at your art and all art with loving eyes -- it will make you smile!

Make this day the Best Day of Your Life!

A Special Message

As Americans we know the value of giving.  We support one another and we are always helping other countries -- I am so proud to be an American.

Recently I created Limited Edition Note Cards to help our soldiers returning home.  After the disaster in Japan, and my personal relationship with my Japanese collectors, I knew that I wanted to help -- even in my own small way.  The note cards are my way of contributing to the people of Japan in the best way that I know how.  We are all affected by the losses that they are experiencing.

Art has always been a part of our world  -- Art heals!  

The Japanese people love children and flowers and that is why I chose this painting, "The Little Flower Girl".  They taught me why I paint -- "to bring joy and happiness to this world with my art" -- what a special gift to receive while I was in Nagano -- it has stayed with me throughout the years!

Our world is changing and in this fast paced world, perhaps it is time to bring back the personal touches that we all crave.  Long before phones and computers, emails and texting,  hand-written cards were our way of communicating our thoughts and wishes.   A personal note to someone with a message of love and gratitude can bring so much joy!  Remember how you smiled the last time you received a card in the mail?  they make great gifts and are suitable for framing!

And for a limited time, I am giving away three free notecards with the purchase of two sets.  They also make great Easter Cards.  Send a little joy, and help raise money for the people of Japan. 

This is a very special way to contribute.  

   

I am deeply grateful to all of you for being a part of my life.

Diane Leonard

Here is the link to this unique offer:http://dianeleonard.com/content.asp?page_id=16

Living A Magnificent Life

       

Life has so many precious moments -- do we recognize them?  Certainly the disaster in Japan has affected each one of us in different ways, and has made us reflect on how life can change in an instant.

I believe that each one of us has a life that matters and a message for our world -- whether that is through art, writing, dancing, singing, designing, healing, science -- it’s all art.  If you asked these questions (taken from the book, “The Millionaire Messenger” by Brendon Burchard -- a true seeker in life) every day,  instead of waiting until the end of your life, it would remind you to live your LIFE and do what you came here to do -- the questions are:  Did I live?  Did I love?  Did I matter?

What magnificent and important questions these are!  Our world is changing and the expressions of ourselves -- let’s call it Art -- are what we are here to share.  In his book, Brendon shares his amazing insights into how we can get our message out to the world and be the “experts” in our fields.  His message of giving your talents to help others is very profound and it is what has set him apart from so many other “self-help gurus”.  He says, “I believe you are here because deep within you, there has been a restless stirring to share your voice with the world in a big way”.  His book is well worth reading and will guide you to learn more about where our world of “information” is taking us.

As artists, we have to find new ways of getting our art out to the world, and certainly the internet is the biggest avenue these days.  

I have printed Limited Edition note cards to help raise money (in a small way) for the people of Japan, and for our military.  It is also my way of sharing a part of my message to the world -- we are all here to serve one another, learning from one another and give our best to the world.

Thank you for being a part of my world.  Please share this blog with everyone you know and let’s all live that magnificent life we are meant to live.

                      "Little Flower Girl"  20 x 16 Oil on Board

                                                                                     Original is Available

                                                                      Available in Limited Edition Note Cards

If you are interested in purchasing some of the Note Cards, they come in packages of Five.  Twenty-Five percent from the sale of these cards will go to the people of Japan through the American Red Cross.  

 please click here:  http://dianeleonard.com/content.asp?page_id=16

If you would like more information on purchasing the original, please contact me at:   Diane@DianeLeonard.com

DianeLeonard.com

Helping Japan

The devastation in Japan has touched all of our hearts.  My heart just hurts so much for the people of Japan -- I think of these beautiful and fun-loving people who are cold and hungry and homeless and who have lost their loved ones, and I hurt. 

My time in Nagano so many years ago was like a movie, and it was one of the best experiences of my life.  The Japanese taught me why I paint -- to bring joy and happiness to the world with my art -- I remember being in their homes and listening to them speak Japanese and somehow I understood them -- art is a universal language that can touch all of us.  They told me that when they were cold in the winter, my paintings would make them smile and bring them joy.

And to help in my small way, I have just released a limited edition note card to help raise funds to heal the country of Japan.

They love children and they love flowers, so this is why I chose the painting, "The Little Flower Girl".  This painting was shown in five U.S. Shows and won Second Place in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana Fine Art Show. this is original oil is available for sale!  If you are interested, please contact me at my email address -- and a large portion of that sale will go to Japan!

So, in my own small way, I want to contribute! 

I will appreciate anything that you will do to help.   

Here is the link to the notecards:

http://dianeleonard.com/content.asp?page_id=16

If you would kindly forward this blog on to your friends, it would be greatly appreciated.

With loving gratitude,

Diane Leonard

"Little Flower Girl"

20 x 16

Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

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

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

What's your favorite flower?

Impressionist Gardens

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

It’s March and spring is right around the corner and I am excited to be back outside painting.   As I wait for the sunshine to sparkle in my garden and for the new flowers to bloom, I am enjoying the remainder of the winter weather.

We certainly have had a lot of snow this year, and lots of time enjoying the fireplace and cups of hot chocolate!  I am enjoying the moment, and looking forward to the new blossoms.  As the sun starts to shine -- again-- and the snow melts, smile -- and enjoy the remainder of our winter weather! 

Here’s to sunshine and spring!

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Wishing us all lots of love, laughter and smiles!

Painting A Winner

There are those”special paintings” that speak to us -- they are the ones that are painted from your heart!  You can feel it when you paint it -- the paint is flowing, the colors are singing and you are happy!!  

At the end of the painting day, we step back, smile, pour a glass of wine and look at our work for the day, knowing it was a special day.

And that is the case with the painting, “Little Flower Girl”.  My little model has the most enchanting face, and capturing that on my Ampersand Board was fun and reminded me of innocence -- and that is what I captured.

This painting has been shown in four national juried shows this past year and last night WON Second Place at the Louisiana River Road Show in Baton Rouge, Louisiana!  I was thrilled to receive the notice today, and of course delighted to get the recognition for this painting.  

It not only put a smile on my face, and some money in my pocket, it has given me the confidence and elation to paint today!

I wish us all the feeling of joy when painting.