Defending Your Art

I found myself defending my art last week.  I have been working on two paintings for a long time now, and after wipe outs, sanding them down, wiping out again, sanding them down again -- whew and then starting over and over again -- thinking -- I got it NOW!  I can do this -- I can paint these with ease!  NOT!

These are commissioned paintings and I want them Right!  I want my collectors to love them -- but do I love them?

My sister and her husband keep asking me when they are going to be done.  They have given me deadlines -- and of course, that doesn’t work either.  Then they asked what is the matter -- and I found myself giving reasons why they are not done.

And so it is -- they are not done because I have too much pressure on me to paint to please someone else, and not myself.  And, consequently, I wasn’t feeling confident and I wasn’t having FUN!

There is no time in Art -- creating is a passionate pursuit and the joy of a painting comes from painting from your heart!

A dancer practices a new dance until they FEEL the movements -- a singer sings a new song until they FEEL the music and even a golfer must be “In the Moment” to truly play the game.

And so with Art -- you have to be in the painting and feeling it -- not thinking about each stroke!  Then you will please yourself.

Paint from your Heart!

I think I will try a new Brush today and see what happens!

"Little Sunflowers"

12 x 9 Oil on Board

This little painting just happened -- and I love it!

Impressionist Times

I am painting my newest series of children enjoying the moments of Spring.  Childhood -- when you spend time just sitting and blowing bubbles, or reading a teen magazine to see what’s “in” and new!

This is a small study done on a Raymar Medium texture canvas board.  It will be included in this year’s Silent Auction at the Sonoran Stars to benefit the Desert Foothills Land Trust.  The event is this Saturday, April 24th,  and always is an amazing evening, including the release of a desert owl that has been rescued!

"Springtime"(study) 6 x 8 Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Impressionist Light

Spring is here and I am so happy to be painting the colors of spring!  This is a hammock in my back yard -- when the late afternoon light shines through the leaves, it creates magic.  And, then adding one of my little models -- voila -- a great painting!

This study is done on a Raymar board --(from the sample pack of 6 x 8 boards). This board has  the smooth cotton finish and it is perfect for creating the luminous light that shines behind the hammock.  I am happy to be discovering the different effects of each Raymar board.

Here’s to magical moments that bring you joy!

"Springtime" (study) 6 x 8 Oil on Raymar 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 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

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com