Used To Be

Doris Day passed away yesterday, at the age of 96.  Her life was a long one and a great one and, of course, everyone knows of the sweet Doris Day and her many movies that made us smile.

In honor of Doris, I decided to watch one of her old movies.  Life was so much simpler then, and people found joy in the little things.  Of course, there are songs in her movies -- she had the voice of an angel, and always, there is a happy ending.

I remember the days when everyone knew their neighbors and helping each other was a way of life.  Yes, those days when Doris Day sang to bring sunshine into our hearts.

Art has a way of bringing joy and songs in our hearts.  Each painting has it's own song to sing!  I look back at some of my own paintings that were created many years ago, and I still smile.  And, yes, I remember when the mothers and children would pose for me on the beach.  We just let the children play and have a good time.  And, in my gardens at my home in Phoenix, the children were always mesmerized by the beauty of the colors.

Art has been, and always will be a part of our lives.  It is so important that we spend time enjoying the art in the galleries, museums, and in the homes of friends!  Art speaks of our world from long ago and what is relevant today!  Enjoy the colors and beauty of art -- it is everywhere.

Being an artist is challenging and exciting!  We paint to bring joy and happiness to the world.  Support the arts in any way that you can!

Art lasts forever!  And so does the memories of Doris Day!

"Love" 7 x 5 Oil on Board

This is a little study that I did from my garden in Phoenix. My little hammock was a great place to sit and hold her precious baby.  And the light was mesmerizing!

Flexibility

Being flexible can be found in so many areas of our lives.

Yoga is truly the best way to have our bodies become flexible and healthy.  The practice of yoga gives our bodies the strength and stamina to be flexible, and it feels so good.  I love stretching and the child's pose is one of my favorite poses to do on my carpet in front of my easel when I take a break.

Being flexible with family and friends when situations arise that need a "little bending" is truly a way of honoring one another.  It's the give and take that we do to keep our relationships happy and thriving that is crucial to a peaceful life.  We each have our own way of doing things, and that's the beauty of life -- we are different and yet, the same. We all just want to be loved.

In art, the flexibility to let the painting paint itself.  When you start to create a new canvas, you have an idea of what you are going to do.  When you step back, and take some time to sit and look at your work that the painting simply happens.  Then you can see what needs to be done to finish your creation.

As I am finishing a painting, I put all of the photos aside, and I simply let God and my paint brushes finish it for me.  That is where the magic begins.

I did this little study many years ago and the light from the window that catches her dress is what inspired me.  Let's face it, ballet dancers are among the most flexible people in the world.  I love watching them dance, stretch, workout and the simple task of tying their shoes, entices me to paint.

"The Dancer study)" 5 x 7 Oil on Board

A Telephone Call

Sometimes, a simple phone call can bring you so much joy, and love and comfort.  We are all so busy these days, and texting seems to be the "new phone call".  And, yet, when you simply take a few minutes and call a friend or family member, it can be just what that person needs.

This morning  I received a phone call from my friend in Phoenix, and we chatted for over a half hour and it was so inspirational, moving and mostly, exactly what I needed to start my day.  I haven't been to Phoenix in a few years, and my heart and some of my belongings are still there.  I was reminded how much I love the desert and the people there.

Time passes by so quickly, and our lives take us all over the world.  The special moments that we share together are the ones that make our hearts smile.

Thank you, Viktoria, for calling me and for our great and inspirational talk today.

Here's a painting that I did of Viktoria and her daughter Fifi many years ago in my garden in Phoenix.  The tender times we spent together while I watched her children grow up are always in my heart.

It is one of my favorite paintings.

Take a few minutes today and give someone a call -- Your heart will truly smile.

"Love Stories"  20 x 20 Oil on Linen

Thank You

Two words that are the most powerful words in the Universe -- THANK YOU!

It's the little things in life that bring us the greatest joy.  Common courtesies that we extend to one another can bring happiness to someone's day.  And you never know what's going on in someone else's life.   When we smile and say a simple hello to a stranger as we pass them by, we are spreading joy in the world.  It feels good to hold the door open for the person behind you, and letting a car go in front of you in traffic is a simple gesture that truly makes me smile.  When I see someone who has served our country, I thank them for their service.  The people who help make our world safer truly deserve our gratitude.

There are so many avenues for gratitude and thanks in our world, and when we use them, we spread the feelings of joy and love in our world.

Our world can certainly use more LOVE.

One of the simplest things that I do for the people who deliver our mail is to leave a special treat in the mailbox for them, which can be a candy bar, an apple, a healthy snack, and a bottle of water.  It's my way of saying thank you to them for bringing me my mail to me through all kinds of weather. And, there's lot of rain here in New England.

The simple gesture of a "thank you" brings a smile to my heart.

Feeding seagulls on the beach is fun, and these amazing birds are always hungry!  Here in Marshfield during the winter, they hang out at the supermarket parking lot searching for food, and I find a way to give them something -- they do love Cheez-Its.

Thank you for reading my blog and being a part of my world.

"A Walk with The Seagulls" 30 x 30 Oil on Linen

A Thin Thread

Sometimes it's just a thread that holds all things together -- a thin, tiny line that connects us to each other and holds all things right.

That tiny thread is what has kept my art together through the past few years.  Finding my soul in my painting, once again, has brought me the peace I have been seeking.

There is a maturity in my new art that I needed to find.  It has been a challenging experience, and I can now happily say -- I am back!  I have no idea where I have been, and yet, here I am, painting anew.

And, with that, I can happily say, I am blogging, once again.

Here is a new painting that I did after a very special photo shoot in Crystal River, Florida.  These two sisters had never posed before, and I found them to be so sweet and charming.  They loved looking for the sea treasures among the rocks.  The sun sets on the West Coast of Florida, and I love the color and the light!

Thank you for joining me on this new adventure!

"Tide Pools"  20 x 20, Oil on Linen

at the TH Brennen Fine Art Gallery

Scottsdale, Arizona

dianeleonard.com

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