The Beach

The colors of the beach are forever etched in my heart.  I have just returned from a “much-needed” trip to the ocean -- where my soul is rejuvenated and my heart is comforted.

As I stood on the wet sand with the water caressing my feet, I knew I was in heaven -- 

Now, it’s time to paint those incredible moments with models on the beach.  Until then, here is:

"Buckets"

12 x 12 Oil on Canvas

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Faith

As I stood in my hot shower last night, my mind wandered, once again, to all of the miners who had been trapped for 69 days -- without hot water, without a shower.  I am so grateful for the little things in life -- the pleasures that we take for granted -- the ones that bring us pleasure and comfort.  

When we face our challenges and let’s face it -- we all have them - we realize the importance of recognizing how we can grow through the experience.  As artists, we can start with being grateful for our creativity, our hands, our studios, our paints, and the opportunity to paint!!!!!

The rescue of the miners was indeed a miracle -- a miracle based on FAITH!.

Artists need to have that faith in themselves to create our magical paintings.

Smile and feel the joy and the love that this world has to offer!

"Red Wine"

7 x 5 Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Love

When we struggle in our lives --and let’s face it -- life does bring us some challenges --  especially as artists --  and then we doubt ourselves -- well, that is the time for growth, for introspection, for taking time to remember why we paint and then figure out the lessons we need to learn.

I used to tell my artists friends when they were lamenting about their lives -- I would remind them that we were not miners -- and our dilemmas were insignificant compared to other people’s lives.  It doesn’t feel that way -- 

It is the fundamentals in life that keep us going and growing -- in any walk of life -- there are basics to learn and to practice every day in order to be our best.  I think of the miners trapped for 69 days in a cave over a half mile in the ground and I am reminded how blessed I am.  The bathroom issues alone would have driven me crazy.

Life brings us so many special moments and often times -- surprises!  You have just got to love those surprises as they are the moments that make our lives fun!

Late afternoon light is my favorite light and I hung this very small hammock between two of my trees -- the light that comes from behind the hammock just sparkles!  

This is a quick study for my series on “Love”!

"Love"

7 x 5 Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Magical Moments

Life brings us so many special moments and often times -- surprises!  You have just got to love those surprises as they are the moments that make our lives fun!

This is a painting of two best friends who have been posing for me for years -- actually Fifi has been posing for me since she was a baby.  I treasure these times together and I am always amazed and “surprised” at what happens when we are together.

Late afternoon light is my favorite light and I hung this very small hammock between two of my trees -- the light that comes from behind the hammock just sparkles!  These two were reading a magazine and laughing at the pictures, and telling secrets -- well, they were just being little girls -- and that is the moment that I captured!

"Sharing Secrets"

20 x 20, Oil on Linen

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Freedom

Freedom!  How special that feeling is!   The world is watching as they take one miner out at a time from being trapped beneath the earth for over two months -- sixty-nine days!  

I watched in awe last night as they took out the first miner from this mine -- the feelings of love and relief as their families got to see their loved ones come back to them -- so many people have been there to aid in this rescue -- but let’s go back to the two months buried beneath the earth in a small space -- I am not sure that I could survive one day -- knowing that there was a lot of rock and earth over my head -- and it looks like a big deep, dark place!  Yikes!  As they pull the capsule out of the ground, it brings tears to my heart seeing another miner - each person so special -  find his freedom -- again!

It is a long process and so far they have 16  of the 33 miners rescued and they will probably be finished with this amazing rescue by midnight when the last miner is brought to the surface.  And as we watch and wait -- it is a good time to remind ourselves of our blessings -- we have air to breathe.

I think sometimes that we forget how blessed we are -- and today is a great day to be reminded of all of the blessings that are in our lives.

I am very grateful to be an artist and have my work represented in so many galleries and I am ever so grateful for all of the people in my life.

I am posting the painting entitled, "Peace" -- it is the feeling that I wish for all of us today and every day!

With gratitude and thanks to all of the people who have aided in this amazing rescue.  And, thank you for being in my life.  It's a great day to celebrate LIFE!

"Peace"

36 x 22

Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

      

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 find it in yourself. 

"Loving Thoughts"

12 x 12 Oil on Canvas

Private Collection

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Colors

The colors of the beach sing to my heart.  I am always amazed at their vibrancy and how beautiful they are.

This painting comes from photos of years ago, and yet they still inspire me to paint -- it is as if no time has passed.  And that is what a painting is -- timeless.

I love the beach -- especially late in the afternoon when the tide is low and the sun is warm and the reflections of the light bring the wet sand to life.

"Finding Shells" 

8 x 10, Oil on Canvas

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com