By The Sea

One of my life's greatest pleasures is to create paintings that bring "joy" to the people who see my work.  My painting, "By The Sea" was purchased by a collector from California.  Here is what she wrote after she received her painting:

"Your painting BY THE SEA has arrived from the Wright Gallery.    It is impossible  to  describe how absolutely beautiful it is.  It was gorgeous on the internet but it is stunning seeing it right in front of me!!!!!!!!!!!  You are incredibly talented., your play of light and the emotions showed are just incredible.  I am so very happy I purchased it.  The girl’s expression is so very pensive and the light on the parasol  and her hair is so delicate.  I could go on and on .  She is together with a few other paintings I love but she is the “BELLE OF THE BALL”,  the ocean is so vibrant yet the figure is so gentle and delicate, just love it.  Keep up the great works and you are making so many people happy just admiring them and how lucky if one can own one.  Thank you!

I so enjoy my walks on the beach at sunset especially  and think if ever  I am deprived  of  them I will have your painting to remind me of natures beauty  for you have captured it so well."

 Her email truly touched my heart and made me smile.  This is the reason that I paint! And, this is what painting is all about!

"By The Sea"

24 x 20, Oil on Linen

You can purchase giclees, prints and notecards here:

Summer Love

Here is a little painting that I donated to be part of the Silent Auction for NVNA and Hospice, here in Norwell, Mass.

The 15th Annual Charity Golf Tournament will Benefit NVNA and Hospice.  The event will be held at Indian Pond Country Club in Kingston, MA.  Following the Golf Tournament, there will be a dinner with Live and Silent Auction.

To order tickets or for more information, please contact Linda Brown at 781-610-1463  or email her at
LBrown@nvna.org!

Thank you for taking a peek!

Smiles,

Diane

"Summer Love"

7 x 5 Oil on Ampersand Board

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

And see more incredible impressionist paintings at impressionist paintings

Marketing

Marketing you work can be fun and enticing to get people to notice you.  There are so many avenues via the internet, and I must say, some of them work.  

I recently submitted two of my favorite paintings to a cover competition for Art & Beyond, a magazine that is published monthly via the internet.  And although, my two paintings, which have been shown all over the world and have received prizes did not win the cover, they did give me a full page in this month’s magazine.

If you have a moment, please check it out.  My work is on Page 23, and I must say they did  a great job with the color and the presentation.

You never know what will happen when you try something new.  And, getting noticed and appreciated for your artwork -- well, as we all know, it feels great!

Please let me know what you think.

http://issuu.com/art_beyond/docs/art_beyond_may_june_2013?mode=window

Thank you,

Diane

dianeleonard.com

Painting With Love

“When you are in awe of someone else's greatness, you are really seeing your own greatness.”  Debbie Ford

The greatest gifts that we have are the ones that we give from our heart and soul.  

I painted this special painting as a surprise present for a woman’s special birthday.  Her husband loves and cherishes her so very much and wanted to give her a present filled with love.   I was delighted to be in the surprise and changed the Golden Retriever to a Golden Doodle -- which up until this time, I did not even know these dogs existed.  Now it seems that I see them everywhere!

He was so excited that he decided to give her the gift when he received the painting, instead of at her party which would be two days later.   She came home to a beautiful painting hanging in her dining room and I immediately received a phone call telling me of their delight!  And, she saw herself and her dog in the painting, and that was my intention while doing this painting.

And to me, that is what painting is all about -- bringing joy and love to the people who collect my art!

"A Summer Walk" 24 x 24

Oil on Parisian Linen

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Making My Heart Smile

One of the greatest compliments to an artist is the purchase of their work.  I just finished a beautiful painting for a woman in Oklahoma.  And to my greatest delight, here is what she emailed me upon receiving it.

“Your painting of Magical Splendor arrived and I am in awe!  It's absolutely beautiful.  I just stand back and admire it.  Thank you so much for taking the time to paint Magical Splendor for me.  No words could better describe what your painting means to me.  What a blessing you are to others through your art!

I hope some day we have the opportunity to meet.  I am sure I will be asking you to do another painting for me in the future.  God's blessings to you!!!

With sincere gratitude,"

DC

Oklahoma

This truly made my heart smile!

"Magical Splendor"

8 x 10, Oil on Board

Making Your Dreams Come True

Debbie Ford -- Allow Your Dreams To Come True

Debbie Ford, a brilliant and loving author, speaker, coach, radio personality, gave so much to our world.  As her sister, Arielle Ford wrote:

“Debbie innovated groundbreaking work around the human shadow and grew into her role as a teacher, sharing her insightful shadow work through her many books, lectures, workshops, coaching programs, TV and radio shows, and even a movie -- helping hundreds of thousands around the world transform their pain into "their best life." Debbie helped so many people go beyond their limited perspective of themselves and reconnect to the love, joy, and peace of their true selves”

We are all our own teachers as well learning from one another -- we are here to share our gifts in whatever direction they take us.  

Our world will miss this incredible woman, and her work certainly made a difference in my life and her wisdom will live on and on!

Thank you, Debbie Ford, for your life here on earth.  Here's to the "Joy" that Debbie Ford brought to our world!

Let’s all allow our dreams to come true -- today and everyday.  

"Joy"  30 x 30 Oil on Canvas

http://dianeleonard.com

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!

Happy Veterans' Day

Today we honor and pay tribute to all of our veterans who serve our country, both past and present.  And today we recognize the many sacrifices by family members! 

For the past year, I have been working on a series of paintings to honor our military.  The series is entitled, "Coming Home", and captures that very special moment when a soldier returns home from overseas to his family.

There will be several paintings in this series.  The first painting is the study, entitled, "Daddy's Home", 8 x 10, Oil on Canvas, (shown above) which has sold.  The larger painting is a 20 x 24 and  will be posted on my web site next week.  It will be available as a special limited edition giclee.  A Giclee fine art print is a color reproduction on museum quality canvas using the latest and most sophisticated technology.  This first edition of Artist's Proofs is a highly desirable edition and will be hand-embellished by me.  All of the giclees will be signed and numbered, and each giclee will be accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.  

This is an important series for me and one that touches my heart.  As a former "Army Wife", I can appreciate the challenges of sacrifices of the families when the soldiers are serving overseas.

Thirty-five percent of the profit from the sale of these giclees will go directly to help our military rebuild their lives and help them find their way back home.  

On this Veteran's Day, I wish to thank all of the people in our country who have served us so valiantly.  I am honored by the response to this study and thrilled to be able to contribute to the rebuilding of our returning soldiers' lives.

For more information, please feel free to contact me.  The giclees will be available on my web site next week.

It is my intention to contribute to our military, to help them rebuild their lives,  and give them hope for a better future.

Thank you.  Today, let us all pray for Peace.

"Daddy's Home"(study)

8 x 10 Oil on Canvas

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

The Beach

There is a special bond with a mother and daughter -- add the beach and magic happens!

What a special gift -- the gift of love.

"My Daughter"

10 x 8 Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Fantastic Friday

It’s Fantastic Friday!  Today is a day when magic happens -- right before the weekend!

I am working on my newest series and will be painting outside today in late afternoon light -- I am so blessed to have a beautiful back yard where the light comes streaming through the leaves and creates an atmosphere that is very magical -- add a few children and voila -- paintings!

Here is the first of my paintings of bubbles -- I had to buy a bubble machine to make it easier for my models when blowing the bubbles!  And painting bubbles is indeed a challenge and fun!  It was a little tricky to stay on the hammock while mastering the art of bubble blowing.  The painting is a study of a new series and this one will be showing at The Wright Gallery in Cape Porpoise, Maine -- and Charlie Wright, the owner is delighted to have it.

Here’s to a weekend filled with fun and laughter -- take some time and blow some bubbles with your children or grandchildren and have fun!  

"Bubbles" 8 x 10 Oil on Raymar Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Painting Treasures

Three  Days to Christmas!  I am waking up in Boston with Joy in my heart!  

Being with family is the best part of Christmas!  Traveling at this time of year can be a challenge -- yet when you get to your destination -- it is worth the trip!

I am here with my family in Boston with a lot of beautiful snow that definitely says -- it’s Christmas.

Today we will go shopping and find some special treasures to put under the tree and ones that I will later use in my paintings!

Painting - Daddy's Home

Six Days to Christmas!  I am getting so excited -- the child in me has definitely come out to play!

And to all of the men and women serving our country overseas, I wish them a very blessed Christmas, and hope that many of them are getting to come home for the Holidays.  My painting, “Daddy’s Home” is a study for a series honoring our military and wishing they would all come home.  The joy that a child feels knowing that his Daddy or Mommy is home!

Enjoy the snow, the fireplace, the hot cocoa and enjoy your family -- Christmas is all about love!

Painting Snow

Seven Days to Christmas and it’s looks like it will be a white Christmas in New England! Yeah!!!  Did you know that each snowflake is different -- isn’t that amazing -- especially when there are so many snowflakes falling -- like trillions!!!!

Christmas is -- a fireplace glowing, a beautiful Christmas tree, presents under the tree and a turkey in the oven -- and of course, the main ingredient -- family.  I will be going to Boston for Christmas and I am excited to be with my family  during this holiday season!

Painting snow is so much fun!  There are so many colors in that white stuff to paint -- there are blues, and yellows and of course, white.  This little girl and I were up in Maine in almost hip deep snow in some parts -- after her brother went inside to get warm, she and I continued down the path with her best friends.

I am looking forward to doing some more “winter wonderland” paintings and discovering the beauty of “Snow”, and perhaps having an old-fashioned snowball fight, and what about you?

Painting Christmas Wishes

Eight days to Christmas!  Painting the themes of Christmas brings out the child in me -- one of the reasons that I love to paint children!  And,  I am reminded of the joy of the season and the anticipation of gifts and candy and fun that abounds!  And what will Santa bring me???

Snow globes are such a delight to children as they see the  magic in globe and fantasize about the Christmas story.   I have been collecting snow globes for years and it was a delight to paint them.

We can all learn from children to find the joy in this season and make a wish of peace for everyone to share!

I did this painting several years ago and it still brings delight to my eyes.

What are you wishing for this Christmas Season? 

Paintings for Christmas

Giving the gift of love to someone special at Christmas is the best gift of all -- and as an artist, helping a husband or wife surprise their spouse with a painting is soooooooo very special -- I love being a part of the loving surprise !  As I paint the gift, I think of the love that they share and it becomes a part of the work -- it is the painting.

Art brings joy and happiness to our world.  Artists love to create, and even more so, love to sell our creations -- it gives us confidence that our work has meaning, and it certainly helps in the economics as well!

Check out the galleries this holiday season.  Buying American Art  helps the economy and brings joy to the artist and to the recipients!

I am so very grateful to all of my collectors!

The Christmas Spirit

Nine Days to go!  Are you in the Christmas spirit yet?  Since this is the season of “Love”, give a smile to all the people you see when you are out shopping.  And when you see those incredible people standing there ringing that “Bell” for the Salvation Army -- please reach deep inside your pockets and find something to give -- it truly helps.

And, you can make simple gifts to give your loved ones and friends, like the hand-painted apron above,  or offer services, like running errands, a foot rub, find something in your closet to re-gift -- we all have gifts to give, and it is not how big the gift is, it is the feeling of love that we share that is the true gift.

Find the child within you that felt “glee” at Christmas -- and give the gift of a Smile!

Painting Red

Painting “Monday Afternoon”

The color “Red” is such a fun color to see and paint!  I love it!  I think that is why Santa Claus wears “Red”!!!  It is the color of love and a color that makes you feel warm and happy.

Late afternoon is my favorite time of day and relaxing on my lawn in the warm yellow light brings out the beautiful reds!  This is my newest painting in my series, “The Red Dress Series” entitled, “Monday Afternoon”.  

Painting to See

Painting what you “See”.  Sometimes we get lost in painting and forget to really “See” what we are painting -- I like to spend time just looking at what I am about to paint before I start -- to “see” what I am painting and then visualize the painting before I start.

Every half hour I take a break, wash my hands, and walk back into the studio with a “fresh eye” and look at the painting.  If it works from the door at the studio, I leave it alone.  Then I can see where I need to go with the painting.

I also put my paintings on the floor in front of me while I am doing other things, and just look at them -- always with a loving eye -- to see the beauty of the painting.  By the time I am ready to finish the painting, I can paint it from memory -- and in this way, I am painting from my heart!

Impressionist Painting Demonstration

Diane Leonard is world renowned  for her use of color and light.  In her demonstration she will focus on how to paint using impressionistic techniques with translucent colors  -- you will learn the secrets that make your colors vibrant!

She will also share  her  unique and  breakthrough painting techniques that make her works sought after and highly  collectible.  The demonstration will be on Saturday, December 12 from Noon till 2:00 p.m. at Arizona Art Supply located at 4025 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, Arizona -- for more information 602-264-9514 or email Diane at Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Diane will show you how to take your palette of colors to a new dimension.  She will share the secrets of mixing colors that help capture light!  You will learn to use brushes in a new ways!

She has been an instructor at the Scottsdale Artists School for  many years and has written blogs about painting techniques.  Diane is presently working on a video for painting with color that will be available soon.

This Demonstration is filled with lots of new techniques and ideas for creating impressionistic paintings and is loads of fun!  You will leave the Demonstration with a new found passion to paint and new techniques to take your painting to a new level!  And you will rediscover the joy of painting!

Painting With Color

Creating color in paintings is so much fun and using color to create light is what I love to do.

I found this hat on the internet and ordered it -- the blue on the hat creates the mood for the painting -- the light shines through and crates a glow.

My model sat in my garden with her glass of wine and the wildflowers that are growing there provided a great background and foreground for me to paint -- and, the splashes of the yellow/orange brought out the blues in the painting.

The magenta gloves added the color to the painting!

I love doing the small apuntes (studies) every day -- they give me the freedom to try new techniques and ideas in my work and they are fun to do!

“A Treasured Moment”, 7 x 5 Oil on Boarddianeleonard.com