Painting in New England

It’s always a great idea to look at paintings that you have done in the past and rediscover their beauty!  It’s a celebration of you as an artist!

Looking at paintings with a new eye gives you a new opportunity to see how you painted and look at your own techniques -- it is a lesson in itself.  And, as always, look at your art and all art with loving eyes -- it will make you smile!

Make this day the Best Day of Your Life!

Love Your Work

       

The magical number these days is 97 -- yes, 97!  It’s all over the Internet -- people are selling their products for $97.00 and it seems to be working!  Some of them are worth it and others -- well, let me say this -- no way!

A painting is worth what you feel it is worth -- and you know when you put your heart and soul into a painting and when you “just paint”!  The paintings of Vincent were utterly worthless to the people of Arles after he died -- they destroyed so many of them -- even his mother destroyed dozens of his paintings -- and NOW -- they sell for millions!

Value your work -- put your Soul into your work.  The value of your work comes to you when you step back and feel great about the painting right in front of you.

Love your work!

"Party Lanterns"

14 x 11, Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

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

Helping Japan

The devastation in Japan has touched all of our hearts.  My heart just hurts so much for the people of Japan -- I think of these beautiful and fun-loving people who are cold and hungry and homeless and who have lost their loved ones, and I hurt. 

My time in Nagano so many years ago was like a movie, and it was one of the best experiences of my life.  The Japanese taught me why I paint -- to bring joy and happiness to the world with my art -- I remember being in their homes and listening to them speak Japanese and somehow I understood them -- art is a universal language that can touch all of us.  They told me that when they were cold in the winter, my paintings would make them smile and bring them joy.

And to help in my small way, I have just released a limited edition note card to help raise funds to heal the country of Japan.

They love children and they love flowers, so this is why I chose the painting, "The Little Flower Girl".  This painting was shown in five U.S. Shows and won Second Place in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana Fine Art Show. this is original oil is available for sale!  If you are interested, please contact me at my email address -- and a large portion of that sale will go to Japan!

So, in my own small way, I want to contribute! 

I will appreciate anything that you will do to help.   

Here is the link to the notecards:

http://dianeleonard.com/content.asp?page_id=16

If you would kindly forward this blog on to your friends, it would be greatly appreciated.

With loving gratitude,

Diane Leonard

"Little Flower Girl"

20 x 16

Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

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

Love

There are moments when you have everything just works  -- the magical moments -- when the light is engaging and the painting depicts the feeling that you want to create -- these moments are why you paint -- why you practice day after day in your studio -- to capture the essence of LOVE.

I am always amazing at the power of Love!

"Love" 

9 x 12 Oil on Canvas

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Happiness

Believe in yourself with a new found love of who you are.

Soar higher than you ever dreamed possible.

Live each moment with all the energy and vitality housed in your soul.

May each day bring you more happiness than your heart can hold! 

"Summer Love"

8 x 10 Oil on Canvas

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

I am putting this painting on my blog again because I just love it and plan on doing more of this new series!  And this little study was painted with happiness in my heart

Love

Painting with natural light is the only way to truly get those warm late afternoon colors to glow.  I watch the light as the seasons change and I fix places in my yard to capture that light. 

A mother’s love is a special love -- and painting that love is by far one of the greatest pleasures I have.  Mary Cassatt would use models for her mother and baby series and they were not necessarily related -- for me, I treasure the relationship that only a mother and baby share -- and that is what I am painting!

Love!  It’s a great feeling to paint.

"Love" (study)

8 x 10 Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Painting Magic

A painting starts with an idea, a moment when you meet someone, or finding a treasure in an antique store.  I had the privilege of meeting this beautiful woman and her baby while at a breakfast several months ago.  When I saw her beautiful face, I knew she was the woman I was seeking to model for me.

It took a while to set up the time and day for her to come over with her baby and pose for me.  For weeks I watched the light in my garden and in my back yard to create the atmosphere I am looking for.  I then start sketching some of the ideas that I am looking to paint.  The outfit practically fell into my hands while I was out shopping with a friend of mine -- and of course, I own about fifty hats!

I will be putting this story on my creative pages on my web site -- It is a beautiful story of how these new and beautiful paintings came to be.

Late afternoon light is the time for my hammock -- I put a cream afghan on it this time to give it a new look and as the baby fell asleep -- we timed it that way -- she sat down and the glow of light on her and the baby -- well, it created a magic that I am so excited to paint -- and I am just getting started.  Here is the first study!

"A Mother's Love (study)"

12 x 12 Oil on Canvas

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Finding Your Voice

Art has been a tremendous part of our universe  -- it has grown from crude drawings inside caves to incredible paintings that grace the walls of so many homes and businesses and museums!  We are surrounded by art of all kinds -- it is seen  on billboards, clothing and even graffiti!

Over the centuries artists have survived and painted -- even when they were told what to paint (mostly religious scenes), they found a way to truly express their thoughts on life and their universe.  I remember reading how many Russian artists used to hide their “real” art under their beds, knowing what would happen if they were found out.

Today, there are no restrictions on what we paint or how we paint -- isn’t that amazing?  The doors to “art” have been opened and it is up to us to “speak” our words of art with freedom.   It is important to find your “voice” in your own art and let that person “out of the box”!

Here’s to art that truly comes from your heart!  What is your art saying?

"Sunday Afternoon"

7 x 5 Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

The Garden

As you open the gate -- you are at Peace.

Your senses feel the colors of love.

A Garden that has grown all season,

Created by hands that never wear a glove.

It’s my place to go to see the colors of light.

And feel the magic of nature all around me,

From tiny seeds to living creatures,

one can only recognize-- how magical God can be!

"My Grandmother's Garden" 24 x 24 Oil on Canvas

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.comj

Impressionist Mondays

Mondays are my special days as I think of all of the paintings that I will be doing for the week.  I am inspired with new ideas to paint, and I have just completed several new photo shoots that are so amazing.

Treat everyone you meet with loving kindness!

"Garden Magic", 8 x 10 Oil on Board   

Sold to a Private Collector

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com