Impressionist Reflections

The beauty of painting is that you can paint anything you want!  There is so much beauty in this world to paint!  When you look at the world with loving eyes, that is exactly what you see and therein lies the beauty!

The colors of the people on the beach are reflected in the wet sand that comes to life with deep colors.  I wait for low tide and as the late afternoon light arrives, it is time to photograph my models.  This is where the inspirations of my paintings starts -- the reflections -- have you seen them?  I am sure that you have -- when a model is wearing red, there is a beautiful deep red in the wet sand below -- white has it’s turn to become blues and yellows -- And I am excited to be capturing these moments of splendor!

Wishing us all moments of splendor!

Impressionist Sunshine

It’s a beautiful day here in Phoenix -- the sun is shining and I am creating a new series of paintings -- 

I wish us all days of sunshine and happiness!  We are all artists -- each in our own special way, and doing what we love to do is the special gift we give back to the universe.

Smile and the world smiles back -- our world can use more smiles!!!

Impressionist Summers

During the times of a world crisis, we still need to be living our lives.  In my studio, it is painting joy and happiness to remind us of the times that make us smile.  Winter is a great time of year, yet summer has a special charm!  It’s a warmer time of year -- when we take vacations, sit on the beach, sit by the pool and relax, and enjoy a glass of wine outside.

And it is these memories that I paint in the winter to bring back those memories of festivities that warm our hearts.

I wish us all the joys of life as our world heals and the reminder that the love of families and friends is the greatest gift of all.  

There are so many great organizations to give your donations to to help, please choose the one that helps you feel great about giving!

And, this is a great time to buy American-made merchandise, including art!

Impressionist Painting

It’s been six days since the devastation of the earthquake in Haiti.  My heart hurts for all of the people that are now struggling to survive and find food and shelter.  I am so proud to be an American and be among the millions of people who are stepping in to help these people.

And in the meantime, I am painting!

In fact, I am honored and humbled to say that I sold two paintings this weekend -- we all need to live each day with love in our hearts, as this disaster has taught us that life is so precious and we never know when it is over.

As I and so many of us pray for the people of Haiti, I wish us all joy and love in our lives!

There are so many great organizations to give your donations to to help, please choose the one that helps you feel great about giving!

Aid for Haiti

The devastation and crisis in Haiti affects us all -- and of course, the United States is the leader in helping all of those people survive and recover.  I am so grateful and proud to be an American!

Our military once again steps in to not only help Haiti, but also to provide security and organization in this ravaged country.  I salute our military and all of the people who are presently in Haiti helping the people overcome this disaster. 

We can all help -- each in our own way -- by contributing money to the major help relief organizations, by praying and by visualizing a new and better Haiti for the future.

I am so grateful to have my hot shower, my bed, my coffee, my food and know that I can walk outside today with no worries -- how about you?

DianeLeonard.com

Impressionist Painting of Peace

During a world crisis like the one in Haiti, we all need to be thankful for our country and our family and our lives.  It is so sad to see the devastation on the television and it does affect us all.  This is the time for “Peace” and that is why I am reminded to paint these special feelings that our world needs.

This is a painting that I did a few years ago for my sister, "A Peaceful Place".   The colors are soothing and gentle and it was painted with pure love!  It is a place where we all want to be.

As we all pray for the people in Haiti, we can find comfort in our lives and be grateful for all we have.

Give the gift of love today to everyone you see!

Thank you for enjoying my art!

dianeleonard.com

Painting Reflections

As the sun sets the colors reflect on the wet sand and create a masterpiece all on its own.  

Those colors and those reflections are what I long for in my paintings -- it’s magical and so much fun to paint!  The blues compliments the oranges and yellows of the sun !  These two friends just needed to be there on the beach for me to capture yet another “magical moment”.

Take a walk on the beach and find your own reflections  -- it will make you smile.

Painting The Beach

During the winter months I create most of my larger paintings in my studios from photos that were taken throughout the year.  While I look forward to the flower gardens and the beaches, I paint with the memories of those moments that my models and I created.  

As I paint, I feel myself on the beach, I hear the ocean and I smell the salt in the air -- it brings me right back to the beach and then I can paint it!  The feeling of serenity and love can be found with a mother holding her baby in her arms while being on the beach.

What is your favorite place?

Painting Friendships

There are special moments that I love to capture -- the joys of friendship is one of them.  Isn’t it amazing how we find our friends in this world and that friendship grows into a lifetime of memories.  Capturing those moments on canvas are by far the most enjoyable to paint!

Late afternoon is my favorite time of day -- especially on the beach.  This is the time when the wet sand has been warmed by the sun and the colors just glow!

I long for the beach, what about you?

Painting for A New Year

It’s 2010!  A new year --  I am so excited! -- the child in me has definitely come out to play!

As the new year begins, we can recreate anything we want in our lives -- the door is open!

It’s a special day to reflect on our lives and rediscover where we want to go!  And, making a plan to create the best life ever!

I am so grateful to all of the people who have collected my art over all these years!  It is time for all of us to support the American industry, the small “mom and pop” stores and also to buy American Art!

Smile today as life begins anew in this new year!

Merry Christmas Eve

Merry  Christmas Eve!  I am waking up with beautiful snow falling!

As I am sipping on my coffee and looking out over the snow, I am reflecting on the Christmas spirit -- the joys of shopping, family dinners and fireplaces are all around me.

I love Christmas and the gifts under the tree will bring lots of joy to their recipients.  Give the gift of love to everyone you see today -- smile -- this is the best time of year.

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 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? 

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 Winner

Congratulations to the winner of the painting, Robert Collins!  He has won the painting, “Magical Moments”, 7 x 5, Oil on Board, that I donated to raise money for Amelia’s House in Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

I want to thank everyone who contributed to Amelia’s House!  You have helped to give the residents there  a very merry and happy Christmas.

Here is a note from Sr. Susan Dale:

“I am writing this through tears of joy.   I have received checks totaling over $1,200.00.   I don't know how to thank you.   It is due to you and all my other classmates  and the other contributors that these 3 kids and their mothers will have a Christmas like they have never had before. ACHS class of '67 rocks!!!!!!   May God bless you a hundred fold for your kindness and generosity.”

I think she says it all -- thank you so very much.  I am thrilled!

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!