Happy Monday!

       

I am a dreamer and I like that part of me -- it keeps me thinking of sweet days and happy times.  

When we look for our blessings and what gifts we have, we create more of them!  It’s the glass half full theory and it’s a good theory.  Sometimes during a painting you can focus on what isn’t working instead of what is working -- that’s when it is a good time to take a break, walk away, stretch, get a glass of water and return to your work with loving eyes and see what beauty is already there -- and then start over from there.

On this beautiful Monday, it is a great day to dream big dreams and count your many blessings!

Have a great week filled with smiles and love.

"Party Lanterns"

18 x 14 Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Happy Presidents Day

There’s a place where we all long to go -- a place that puts a smile on our faces and love in our hearts -- a place where Peace and Tranquility abounds, and Joy and Laughter are in the air.

You just have to stop -- take a breath and recognize that this is heaven!   And, smile because isn’t that what we are all longing for?  It is here -- it is right in front of you, and the more you find it, the more it is there.

It envelops you and wraps the glow of love around you.  We have each found our own heaven -- many times!!!

It is when we stop to recognize the specialness of our moments and the people around us that we find our Heaven!

And that is what the Beach does for me.

Have a Marvelous Monday celebrating Presidents Day!

"Sisters" 30 x 24 Oil on Board

This is my newest in the Lantern Series of paintings and is available in giclee!

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Magical Arms

I watched a movie special on people who were born without arms -- without arms?  can you even think of yourself without arms?  How would you survive -- let alone paint? Brush your teeth???? And other things we do that we take for granted?

The movie is incredible -- each one of these inspiring people find a way to deal with their lives and discover their own talents -- one of them plays the drums, a young woman flies an airplane -- they are doing amazing things with their lives -- 

And, each one of them has found JOY!

Sooooooooo -- when you start to question YOU -- and what you are doing and thinking of what is missing --stop and remember --  you do have your arms.

And let’s see what incredible magic we can create with them!

Here is a magical painting that I did with my arms -- when I look at this painting, I smile -- and then I think -- why don’t I paint like this all of the time????

Smile and the world smiles back.

                                                          "Spring's Magic"  12 x 9  Oil on Board

                                                                     DianeLeonard.com

                                                                Diane@DianeLeonard.com

                                                        

      

Painting for You

Wrap yourself in gentle arms -- arms of strength and love -- let those arms be your guidance -- think of it this way -- what if this was your last painting in your life -- what would you want it to be -- Michelangelo had a cot beside some of his unfinished sculptures -- I love the roughness of them -- and he would find some strength each day to get up and work on them -- yet, truly, he was already sculpting them from the cot.  I wonder what was that last chisel into the marble  that he put on his sculpture ...... He died in 1564 and today is still renowned for his paintings and sculptures.

I always put my paintings on the floor in front of my love seat and look at them in different light and I study them -- and then I paint them in my mind -- long before I paint them on the easel -- and that is how I finish a painting -- I feel it -- if I am working from photos, I take them down and just let the painting finish itself.

That last stroke -- that finishing piece -- that one last item that says “it’s done now” -- 

Here’s to those paintings -- the ones that we came here to paint!

'Low Tide"

36 x 30 Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Little Girls

They found the little girl that has been missing in the swamps for five days -- they found her alive and after lots of bug bites and being hungry, this little autistic child  seems to be  in pretty good shape.  Her family is so happy!  And it is great news for everyone.

Here’s to all of the little girls that make us smile and bring joy to our lives!

"Lanterns" 40 x 40 Oil on Canvas

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Impressionist Moments

Life is Magical!  Each day brings us so many opportunities to share our gifts -- the gift of love, the gift of sharing, the gift of tenderness, a smile, and a hug is always great!

I have been doing a lot of incredible photos of children in late afternoon light in my back yard -- I am so excited to be creating magic!  Children bring joy and happiness to our world.

Find the child within and let that person come out and play today!  And experience the magic of life!

"Spring's Magic"  12 x 9  Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Prayers for the Miners of West Virginia

Life is precious -- and every day people put their lives on-the-line to serve us.  The families and community of Montcoal, West Virginia mourn the loss of the twenty-five miners who were lost in the explosion at the mine yesterday.   They all join together and support one another and give comfort to their neighbors.

And everyone is praying that they find the four missing miners alive, and rescue them.  The human spirit is indeed a strong spirit and we can all learn from these people who live the life of miners that provide our world with the coal we use every day. Can you imagine working in a mine every day?  Be grateful for your job that doesn’t put your life at risk.  I am so grateful to be an artist. 

God bless the miners and their families of West Virginia.  

Wishing them Peace!

"Low Tide"  40 x 30 Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

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

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

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

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com