Painting Treasures

Three  Days to Christmas!  I am waking up in Boston with Joy in my heart!  

Being with family is the best part of Christmas!  Traveling at this time of year can be a challenge -- yet when you get to your destination -- it is worth the trip!

I am here with my family in Boston with a lot of beautiful snow that definitely says -- it’s Christmas.

Today we will go shopping and find some special treasures to put under the tree and ones that I will later use in my paintings!

Painting Competitions

A great way to get more exposure for  your artwork more is to enter national juried shows.  There are so many of them throughout the United States!  And many of them have some great prizes!!

Remember when entering to follow the directions very carefully as they can be very specific.  And, make sure that you have good quality photos of your paintings -- good color, good resolution and that they are squared off properly.  Usually there is a size restriction for the photos to be entered.  Most of the shows have various categories:  oils, pastels, watercolor, acrylic and even drawing!  This way you can enter several times in the different categories which also gives you a better chance to be accepted.

Some shows even have a mini category which is fun as you can enter those little “studies” that you love.

Be confident in your work, and know that the judging panel is different every time, and one painting that will be accepted into one show, might not make it into another.

My painting, “Little Flower Girl”, 16 x 20 has been in five major U.S. juried shows and just won Second Place in a show in Louisiana.  The other painting, “Garden Magic”, 9 x 12 has also been in five major shows. 

You can find a lot of the shows on-line and listed in the art magazines.  Good luck, and please remember not to take it personal! 

Painting With Color

Creating color in paintings is so much fun and using color to create light is what I love to do.

I found this hat on the internet and ordered it -- the blue on the hat creates the mood for the painting -- the light shines through and crates a glow.

My model sat in my garden with her glass of wine and the wildflowers that are growing there provided a great background and foreground for me to paint -- and, the splashes of the yellow/orange brought out the blues in the painting.

The magenta gloves added the color to the painting!

I love doing the small apuntes (studies) every day -- they give me the freedom to try new techniques and ideas in my work and they are fun to do!

“A Treasured Moment”, 7 x 5 Oil on Boarddianeleonard.com

A Painting for Thanksgiving

This is the season of giving --- it’s Thanksgiving.

I have the privilege of knowing Sr. Susan Dale, who is the Resident Director of Amelia House located Clarion County (in one of the poorest counties in Pennsylvania). Susan was a former classmate of mine and I am in awe of her dedication to helping the lives of others.

We are aware of the larger charities --it’s the smaller ones that truly need our help -- in fact, they rely on it.

Amelia House, sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence, provides hope, support and long-term hospitality to women and children who are homeless and/or victims of domestic violence. Amelia House provides services to approximately 20 women and 18 children on an annual basis, and residents can stay for a year or more, if needed. The House addresses the problems and needs of women and children whose lives are threatened by domestic violence and homelessness.

As my way of saying thank you to anyone who donates money to Amelia House, I am give a painting away for free.

This Holiday season help out Sr. Susan and her residents by donating $25.00 or more to Amelia House which is a tax deductible charity. Then simply email me with the word “Thanksgiving” in the subject matter -- If you want to have multiple opportunities to receive the painting, you are welcome to make contributions of a multiple of $25 (five entries for every $100) and just let me know. Thank you so very much for your generosity. On December 10, I will choose a name and someone will own the painting - easy -- simple -- a wonderful way to help others!

Excerpt from Sister Susan Dale -- “The women and children receive the gifts of freedom, renewed self-esteem and physical and emotional healing. Seeing them ‘come alive’ is truly a gift and a blessing for me and makes me believe in the purpose and necessity of Amelia House even more.”

The best part is that you are helping the sisters make the lives of women and children in need a lot happier and brighter for this Holiday Season. They don’t have much, they don’t ask for much -- just a place to feel safe and receive some help. Anything you can give is a huge blessing!

In order to keep the anonymity and privacy of Amelia House, please make the check out to Amelia House and send it to:

Sister Sue Dale, CDP

c/o SAFE

P.O. Box 108

Clarion, PA 16214

Thank you so much! Have the most wonderful Thanksgiving -- I am so grateful to all of the people who have touched my life in so many wonderful ways.

Diane Leonard

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Painter doing Sketches

Sketching ideas in a drawing notebook as they come to you is a great way to enhance your creativity. Sometimes I use markers or crayons to put color in the drawing and then write the concept that I am looking for. This is how I start the process to create a new series of paintings or just one painting.

I carry a notebook with me at all times so that when the inspiration hits (and one never knows when this will happen), I have the idea on paper -- then I find the model to create it, take photos and then paint either from life (my preference) or from the photos.

Sketching from memory is a great way to get your drawing skills working and it is fun!

This sketch started an entire series of “The Red Dress” paintings!

As a Painter, I am always striving to learn and try new techniques.