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

Love

There are moments when you have everything just works  -- the magical moments -- when the light is engaging and the painting depicts the feeling that you want to create -- these moments are why you paint -- why you practice day after day in your studio -- to capture the essence of LOVE.

I am always amazing at the power of Love!

"Love" 

9 x 12 Oil on Canvas

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Painting From Life

It is amazing how much more energy there is in a painting when you paint from life!  

The best way to paint is from life -- the colors, the form, the essence of what you are painting is right in front of you -- and.... you paint faster -- there is no doubt about it.  I am honored when I have the opportunity to paint a model in my studio or in my yard, and I find that the energy that goes into the painting is so exciting and I can paint so much faster when someone is watching!  Why is that?  

So what am I doing with all of those long hours that I am putting into my other canvases?  

I have vowed (once again) to paint from life and draw from life at least once a week.

I did this little study in my studio to practice for my Painting Demonstration held at Arizona Art Supply on Saturday.  This is a 20 x 16 and I only had thirty minutes to paint it!

And voila!  

"Study for Painting Demonstration"

20 x 16

Oil on Canvas

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Happy Last Day of Summer

Here’s to the last day of Summer!   And a day to remember all of the beautiful moments spent with family and friends -- times on the beach are always special times for me.

I love Summer!

"Time With My Friend"

20 x 20 Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com