Sorry the last post was delayed.  I did that from my I-pad and did not realize I had made an error until a few days ago.  Spring has finally arrived and I am living with joy.  When everything is blooming and doing so well, it makes me happy.  My slightly improved health has allowed me to get outside and into the garden to plant and enjoy.  We had a hard, cold winter so the azealias  did not bloom well but everything else did.  I have done regular painting too.  I will post an updated image  of the projects. This is almost complete and ready for the show to be entered in July.Here I have begun a quick portrait of one of my granddaughters. It is very convenient to have so many good models available.  They are accustomed to Grandmother taking a lot of photos of them.  They are even becoming very artistic because of being exposed to all the art everywhere.  The older ones did not have that opportunity because I was still raising the younger of my children.  Well, for now, I will go to my studio and actually try to finish the painting that is the first on this blog.  Till next time, shalom, Diana

The Latrobe Art League had its reception for the annual show on the 14th of May.  I was not going to enter because I didn’t have anything ready.  But I looked around and decided to enter two portraits, the one of Andrea and the one of my grandson Ryan.  They are both in the gallery of this blog so you can see them.  I entered because I wanted to participate but these portraits are simple and I doubted they would get the judges attention.  There are a lot of wonderful artists in this gallery and the shows present stiff competition.  I was very pleased that the portrait of Andrea took second place honors. The judge told me there was only a whisper of difference between her selection and the other portrait.

I am working on a number of paintings at this time.. This one has a July deadline so I must get it finished.  I am happy with the subject, now if I can only get the proper interpretation. I’ve been doing a lot of gardening so I should concentrate on this.  My knees are not bothering me as long as the cortisone holds out.  I am feeling quite blessed to be able to get around again.  The gardens are looking so beautiful that I truly want to spend a lot of time there.  Unfortunately we discovered the growing tips of the roses in front of the house have either frozen or gotten wind damage.  They just aren’t there.  We must wait for new stalks or new growing tips before we get the roses.  Happy painting.  Shalom, Diana