Making Your Dreams Come True

Debbie Ford -- Allow Your Dreams To Come True

Debbie Ford, a brilliant and loving author, speaker, coach, radio personality, gave so much to our world.  As her sister, Arielle Ford wrote:

“Debbie innovated groundbreaking work around the human shadow and grew into her role as a teacher, sharing her insightful shadow work through her many books, lectures, workshops, coaching programs, TV and radio shows, and even a movie -- helping hundreds of thousands around the world transform their pain into "their best life." Debbie helped so many people go beyond their limited perspective of themselves and reconnect to the love, joy, and peace of their true selves”

We are all our own teachers as well learning from one another -- we are here to share our gifts in whatever direction they take us.  

Our world will miss this incredible woman, and her work certainly made a difference in my life and her wisdom will live on and on!

Thank you, Debbie Ford, for your life here on earth.  Here's to the "Joy" that Debbie Ford brought to our world!

Let’s all allow our dreams to come true -- today and everyday.  

"Joy"  30 x 30 Oil on Canvas

http://dianeleonard.com

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!

Capturing Moments

As a painting evolves, it creates  its own story - the strokes of the paint guide you into the canvas and when you get lost in the painting (even for a few seconds)  -- the painter has done their job.  That is the magic of painting -- to create a place to go that makes you smile, makes you think of memories that you cherish, and touches your heart!

I love being with children -- they find “joy” in the simple pleasures of life -- and balloons -- they make us all smile!

Capturing that fleeting moment is what this painting is all about.  

"Fun" 

12 x 9 Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Being A Child

Are you ready for bathing suit weather???  Well, it’s here.  I am about to jump in my pool as it feels like summer is already here.

This is a painting that reminds me of how incredible it feels to be a child and play on the beach -- anything goes, including sand in your pants.  Don’t you think that we should all be like children -- open to anything?!!!

"At The Beach" 12 x 12 Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Best Friends

It’s Wonderful Wednesday when the sun is shining and you are creating paintings that make you smile!

This painting is entitled, “Good Friends” and that is exactly what these women are -- and since they have grown up surfing, being together on the beach is a part of their lives that they love to share.

"Good Friends" 40 x 30

Oil on Canvas
DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Paintings that Heal

Art makes a profound contribution to our world.   It is the expression of our soul.  To be an artist, one must have the vision of a child!

My painting, “Peace” has been accepted in the Manhattan Arts International “Healing  Power of Art” online show.  The show is about bringing positive art that uplifts the spirit.  I am honored to be included in this show. The link is listed below.

When I am on the beach, I feel “Peace”, and that is what I paint.

"Peace"  36 x 23 

Oil on Board

DianeLeonad.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

http://www.manhattanarts.com/Gallery/HealingPowerofArt_2010/Leonard.htm

Marvelous Mondays

It’s Marvelous Monday!  Yeah!!!   the start of another week and more paintings!

I will be doing a demonstration of my impressionist painting this Saturday, May 22, at Arizona Art located at 4025 N. 16th Street, in Phoenix, Arizona from noon to 2:00 p.m.  I will be showing some of my newest techniques and impressionistic “secrets” and it will be available on video after this weekend.  If you wold like  more information, please email me.

I am off to paint -- in the meantime, please enjoy a painting that I did of my sister on the East Coast overlooking Boston Light -- I think it’s time for lobsters!

Have a Marvelous Monday and a week filled with joy!

"A Beautiful Summer Day"

24 x 30 Oil on Canvas

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Fantastic Friday

It’s Fantastic Friday!  Today is a day when magic happens -- right before the weekend!

I am working on my newest series and will be painting outside today in late afternoon light -- I am so blessed to have a beautiful back yard where the light comes streaming through the leaves and creates an atmosphere that is very magical -- add a few children and voila -- paintings!

Here is the first of my paintings of bubbles -- I had to buy a bubble machine to make it easier for my models when blowing the bubbles!  And painting bubbles is indeed a challenge and fun!  It was a little tricky to stay on the hammock while mastering the art of bubble blowing.  The painting is a study of a new series and this one will be showing at The Wright Gallery in Cape Porpoise, Maine -- and Charlie Wright, the owner is delighted to have it.

Here’s to a weekend filled with fun and laughter -- take some time and blow some bubbles with your children or grandchildren and have fun!  

"Bubbles" 8 x 10 Oil on Raymar Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

The Beach

It is time for the beach -- I can’t wait to put my feet in the water and feel the ocean once again.  My memories of my summers on Cape Cod still bring smiles to my heart.  The beach is soothing, calming, and a great place for reflecting on life.

I just finished this painting that will be showing at the Hearle Gallery in Chatham, Massachusetts.  Dogs are allowed on beaches before Memorial Day and after Labor Day -- so, this was a very special day. And my second model that day did not show up, so we asked this beautiful woman from Germany to join us -- and gratefully so, she did.  

The dogs had so much fun, and of course, they wanted to be in the water.

"Special Times" 30 x 30 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

Loving Compliments

The other night, a very elegant and venerable man that I met  told me that I was a beautiful woman!  Those words certainly put a smile on my face, and  definitely gave me a loving compliment that I have been thanking God for all day long -- it must be those raw almonds that I am eating.

When you look at everything and everybody with loving eyes,  you do see the beauty.  When you are painting or see someone else’s painting, use your loving eyes -- see the beauty!

Our world is full of criticism -- we don’t need any more -- wouldn’t it just be so much better to give compliments to yourself and others.   Step back from your painting, take a break and look at your work with those loving eyes, and the parts that do not work or need a little help will show up for you.

It feels so great to receive compliments -- Give yours freely, and watch the smiles that you receive in return.

"Beach Day" (study) 12 x 12 Oil on Canvas

Happy Mother's Day

A Mother's Love is the greatest love there is ...

It is tender, kind, patient and it's a love that knows no boundaries.  It is a Love that we all deserve!

Wishing us all that amazing love !

Thank you for all of the wonderful gifts that Mothers give us every day!

"Thoughts of Love"  40 x 30

Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Impressionists

Talent is a God-given gift -- how you use it is your gift back to the planet!

"Afternoon Tea"  30 x 30  Oil on Canvas

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Finding Inspiration

I want to paint everything -- well, almost everything.  Every where I look I see paintings -- I have ideas flashing in my mind all of the time -- it’s amazing!    And perhaps I am a little ADD or is it ADHD -- these ideas keep me excited about the next painting.

I keep a sketch book beside me (or near by) at all times so that I can quickly sketch out my vision or write it out -- less I forget!  Often times these notes develop into a new series.  The next step is to plan a photo shoot, find a model or set up a still life and get started!

You never know when an inspiration will come -- or where it will come from - be ready, be open and keep that child in you ready for anything!  

Look at the world through loving eyes that find beauty all around you.

"Lazy Afternoon" 5 x 7 Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Impressionist Techniques

My mother, Mary, was an incredible cook -- she made everything from scratch -- even her pie crusts  (I am not sure if I have ever made a pie crust)!   Desserts were her specialty, and usually on holidays we had at least three different pies to choose from.   She didn’t measure, instead she used her knowledge of cooking and then she felt the recipes!

In painting, once you know the basic techniques, then you can experiment with your own style and paint with your feelings.  The paintings that truly sing the best songs are the ones where the artist has put their feelings into them.  You know those paintings, they look easy -- as you can see the brush strokes and the movement on the canvas -- when you are confident in what you do, it shows!

It is important to study art, or cooking or golf in order to learn the basics and taking lessons from artists is a great way to grow!  Study the masters -- the painters that opened the doors for the world.  I started painting learning to paint the same way that Rembrant painted -- basics -- and then I studied the impressionists and experimented with the colors.    I have read hundreds of books, visited every museum many times and I am still learning and still growing as an artist!  

When you stop learning, you stop growing -- open the door to new ideas and new techniques and be willing to grow!

"Sunshine" 6 x 8 Oil on Raymar Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com