Elvis

Did you know that there is a satellite radio station named Elvis -- that just plays songs by Elvis?  Isn’t that amazing!!!  Elvis touched so many people during his life, and he is still touching our hearts with his music.  And long after his death, he is still revered and remembered in our world.  I love listening to his sweet voice and his songs of love.

He is the most impersonated person on this planet -- there are even contests about him.  And, you can get married by Elvis in Las Vegas!

Here’s a question -- do you want to be famous now or when you are gone?  

Some of our greatest artists did not become famous until after they left this earth!  Legacies of the life of Vincent have touched our lives and we see the “genius” in his work.  Other artists who struggled with poverty are still alive in this world as we discovered their creative genius after their passing.  Amedeo Modigiliani -- watch the movie with Andy Garcia -- was so poor and his paintings now grace the walls of so many museums.  Paul Cezanne opened the doors for artists such as Picasso and so many others by stretching himself in his art.  He was laughed at for his paintings, and yet when we see them now, we see the beauty in nature that he saw and then painted.

We all have genius inside ourselves -- each in our own way -- today I celebrate the creative genius in all of us!

Paint from your Heart!  

All of the self-help books say the same thing -- love what you do and you will be rich!  Isn’t it better to be happy now!

Okay, here it is -- I want to give my art to the world so that when I am gone, I have spread joy and happiness through my art.  So many of my collectors write to me and tell me that I have brought them joy -- that truly makes me feel so wonderful.

Here’s to feeling wonderful and blessed today and every day.  And I am changing my name to Elvis!!!!!

Please let me know how you are doing!  

This is a little painting that I did several years ago, entitled, "Loving thoughts" !

                                                "Loving Thoughts"  12 x 12  Oil on Canvas

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

You can see my work in giclees and prints and cards at:  http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/diane-leonard.html

Summer Magic

       

It’s summer -- it’s hot!  And inside my studio, it’s HOT with new paintings!

Magical moments are all around us -- especially during the summer months!  I am enjoying each and every one.  

Do something special for someone today --  a smile to a stranger can change their day, a call to an elderly person who is lonely can lift their spirits!  We all have such great gifts to give one another -- Wow -- it’s a great feeling to give.

I am back to blogging and will be introducing my E-Book later this month!

I found myself back in my art -- I am painting again -- and that’s a good thing.  I am just getting started -- again!

What are you doing ?  Try something new today -- even a new brush or a new color -- be Bold -- be Daring -- Be Yourself!

And have a day filled with Magical Moments!

"Time Together"

7 x 5 Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Nature

Take a little time out of you day today and go outside and just sit -- and as you sit, take a few minutes and be “in nature” -- the feeling of the sun on your face, the smell of the flowering plants, the sounds of the birds, and the beauty that surrounds you -- that is what we are painting -- life!

"Happy Days"

12 x 9, Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonrd.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

Beautiful Moments

       

Love can come to us the tiniest ways -- mine started with a beautiful hummingbird who just couldn’t wait for me to hang the feeder that I had just filled.

He was happy to eat as I held the feeder -- two inches from my face.

It was such a magical moment.  I was smiling from all over and from within.  What a thrill to share a few moments with such a beautiful creature.

Life is full of beautiful moments!  What are yours?

"Mother's Gentle Kiss"

24 x 24 Oil on Canvas

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine’s Day -- the Day of Love.

I wish us all a day filled with lots of smiles, hugs, chocolates and flowers.  My neighbor gave me some fresh violets from her garden this morning -- how are they even blooming this time of year -- I haven’t seen these pretty little flowers in a long time -- they are beautiful and what a pleasant surprise!

On this day of Love, take some time and call a friend and tell them how much you appreciate them -- give a hug to a neighbor, kiss your cat, and do something special for someone --  and remember the homeless people who would be happy with just a smile or a warm meal.

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about the candy and flowers -- although they are quite wonderful to receive -- this day is truly about sharing yourself -- sharing Love.

As I paint today, I am going to pour all of my love into my paintings, knowing that I am so blessed to be a painter and even more blessed that people receive joy and happiness from my art!

Thank you.  I wish us all Love today and every day.

"Tenderness"

30 x 30 Oil on Linen

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Love

February is the month of Love!     Love opens the door to discover our highest potential!    It let’s our hearts soar and brings us joy.    Love is all around us -- it is the beauty that we see in our world Love is what drives us to be our best,  and to see the best in everyone! Love is the power to be whatever we want to be.  Find love in all that you do, in all that you see, and share that love with everyone around you.         Have a day filled with chocolates and hugs and smiles!      Here's to every day being Valentine's Day! "Summer Love" 12 x 12 Oil on Board DianeLeonard.com Diane@DianeLeonard.com