Marketing

Marketing you work can be fun and enticing to get people to notice you.  There are so many avenues via the internet, and I must say, some of them work.  

I recently submitted two of my favorite paintings to a cover competition for Art & Beyond, a magazine that is published monthly via the internet.  And although, my two paintings, which have been shown all over the world and have received prizes did not win the cover, they did give me a full page in this month’s magazine.

If you have a moment, please check it out.  My work is on Page 23, and I must say they did  a great job with the color and the presentation.

You never know what will happen when you try something new.  And, getting noticed and appreciated for your artwork -- well, as we all know, it feels great!

Please let me know what you think.

http://issuu.com/art_beyond/docs/art_beyond_may_june_2013?mode=window

Thank you,

Diane

dianeleonard.com

Innocence

The innocence of childhood and kittens brings me so much Joy!  Our world could use more Joy every day!

I remember this day very well -- we borrowed the kittens and little Fifi told me that she didn't want to hold them -- and guess what -- she couldn't let them go!

Watch a child play .... they are in the moment .... without a care in the world .... a place where we all should be.  In the moment, experiencing Joy!

What a concept ... try it today and let me know how you are doing!

Smile!

"Two Little Kittens"

12 x 12 Oil on Canvas

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

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A Walk In The Woods

Now that Spring has sprung!!  It’s time to take a walk in the woods.  It will nourish your soul and revive you for the creativity that is coming your way.

My sister and I took a walk in the woods on Sunday -- it is a preserve that leads into the North River here in Marshfield.  It was a joyful and peaceful walk and I was smiling as we walked in nature.  It has been a very long time since I had an opportunity to walk with my sister, and our conversations were “all over the place”.  

When we got to the river, we sat and enjoyed yet another view of God’s beauty.

I sometimes forget to get out of the studio and out of my own way and just “BE” in nature with God.

How special that is!  

Nature At Its Best

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Making My Heart Smile

One of the greatest compliments to an artist is the purchase of their work.  I just finished a beautiful painting for a woman in Oklahoma.  And to my greatest delight, here is what she emailed me upon receiving it.

“Your painting of Magical Splendor arrived and I am in awe!  It's absolutely beautiful.  I just stand back and admire it.  Thank you so much for taking the time to paint Magical Splendor for me.  No words could better describe what your painting means to me.  What a blessing you are to others through your art!

I hope some day we have the opportunity to meet.  I am sure I will be asking you to do another painting for me in the future.  God's blessings to you!!!

With sincere gratitude,"

DC

Oklahoma

This truly made my heart smile!

"Magical Splendor"

8 x 10, Oil on Board

Stretching Ourselves

 After my total hip replacement last February, I literally had to start over with little baby moves and stretches to let my muscles and ligaments start working again.  It was a long and slow process as I began to learn  to walk again with my new hip.  Almost like teaching a baby to walk!  With help from a physical therapist, a nurse, and my sister, I began the process of healing.

A year later, I am fine, and yet I am still doing small movements to stretch those muscles that had atrophied.  Now that I am back at the gym, I can feel my strength returning.

And yesterday, as we were snowed in, my sister was showing me some intense yin yoga stretches that you hold for two minutes.  As you hold a pose, you can feel the “Ahhh” as your muscles begin to stretch.   While I was holding a long and great pose, I thought of how I have to keep stretching myself as an artist to keep myself loose and to keep growing.  Sometimes, it is a painful process to grow and stretch yourself, and as you do, you can feel that “Ahhh” as you learn new methods and figure out how to get that paint on the canvas the way you want!

And, sometimes, beginning again, is a good thing!

Here is a quote from Ray Chambers, a philanthropist who is creating programs to make our world a better place.

“Live in the moment

It's better to be loving than to be right

Be a spectator to your own thoughts, especially when you become emotional

Be grateful for at least one thing every day

Help others every chance you get.”

And let me know how you are doing!

"Bliss" 7 x 5 

Oil on Ampersand Board

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

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

Taking a Leap

Where would you be today if you had let your fears stop you?

Think of the times when you were nervous to do a painting or try a new technique -- did you stay in your comfort zone, or.... did you find the strength to forge ahead and take a leap?

We grow when we leap -- and then we find out that it wasn’t that scary after all -- how simple that is!

Here’s to taking big LEAPS today in all areas of our lives!  Here’s to finding Bliss!

"Magical Splendor"

6 x 8, Oil on Linen/Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com