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

   

Being Lucky!

       

When I was a little girl (seems like yesterday), I was sitting at this restaurant right on the water in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and my Mother told my family that I was the only one that could have a lobster!  I can still see myself sitting there in total Bliss!  I must have done something really special to deserve that lobster!  And, as my three sisters sat there, I ate my lobster in joy!  I wish I could remember why I deserved the “royal treatment”!!!

And, I truly must have done something right to deserve to be an Artist!  When I think of how blessed I am, I stop and thank God and the universe for the privilege of being an Artist.

Every day I do a random act of kindness -- it could be giving money to a homeless person, calling someone who is lonely, helping a friend, listening to a friend, or just doing something for someone I have never met.

As artists -- Joy is the gift we give this world.  How lucky we are!  

"Time in Ruidoso"

12 x 9, Oil on Canvas

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Being creative

       

No matter what your age or your life path, whether making art is your career or your hobby or your dream, it is not too late or too silly to start!

And sometimes even in the midst of an art career, we have to remind ourselves that God does want us to use our creativity to share with the world!

"Sunny Days"

11 x 14, Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Creating Memories

       

There are so many magical and special moments in our lives -- creating them on canvas and capturing that feeling and that memory is the reason that I am painting.

Throughout our lives we will see millions of painting moments and ideas -- choosing which ones to paint is the key to finding your soul in your work.

When a painting makes you smile -- you are there!

These two brothers sat for me in the hot sun so that I could do a commissioned painting -- what I captured for myself was them --- reading to one another and enjoying being brothers.  This is a little study!

"A Story For My Brother"

8 x 10 Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Painting for Fun

It’s May and Spring is here!!!!  Yeah!  I can’t wait to paint outside!!!

Today is a great day to just LET GO!  Just paint for yourself.

Paint for the sheer joy of it!

And Just Have FUN!

"Afternoon Light"

7 x 5 Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Finding Joy Again

       

I am sitting at the beach -- it is my solace -- listening to the crashing of the waves brings peace to my soul -- I can feel myself calming down and taking a break -- a break we all need to take from our lives and from ourselves -- a break to rejuvenate and find our inner “joy” again!

Art is supposed to be FUN -- and when we are not feeling the “Joy” -- well, perhaps then it is time to take a break and remember why we are Artists.  Doing something new, using a new paint, a new paintbrush -- it’s all about rediscovering the reason why we create and bringing that inner child back to the studio to have some FUN!

That seems easy to say, and yet, often times, not so easy to do -- The rigors of the business of art lately can be overwhelming and even devastating to our creative self.  I know from personal experience that I lost my “joy” and I am here finding it again.  I will do whatever it takes because without that “joy” my paintings do not sing that song I want you to hear!

When I walk into my studio to create, I leave everything that isn’t joyful behind.  I sparkle up and give 300% to my next creation -- I hope you do too!

I am off to paint some sunflowers today by the beach!

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