Yesterday I was the featured speaker at the Ligonier luncheon. Attending were a lovely group of thirty or so women who identify with the arts as artists themselves or supporters and appreciators of the arts. We all enjoyed a delicious menu of stuffed pepper soup and cheese sandwich made with Monterey Jack cheese combined with spinach and artichoke hearts. Desert was yummy apple crisp. All was provided by Lauries Sweet Dreams catering. After enjoying the good company and delicious meal I made a short presentation entitled “Don’t Give Up”. I drew attention to the fact that we as artists must constantly be aware that failure or at least rejection is lurking around the corner. It is important for us to maintain our own artistic vision even if our work does not meet the mark in someone else’s opinion. Encourage others as we would like to be encouraged was a theme as well. I then proceeded to describe my painting methods in brief, answering as many questions as possible. It was an exciting and fun afternoon and I was welcomed warm heartedly by all. Thank you so much and thanks to the site coordinator, Emma Noonan, for extending the invitation.

Now I will try to post my latest orchid in bloom. It is a catleya by name of Brown Eyes and it inserted above. Well, I’m too sleepy so I must rest. Good night and Shabbat Shalom, Diana

I’m sorry I don’t have a really good image.  I forgot to photograph the painting before I entered it into the show. I snapped this at the event before all the people arrived.  I loved working on this simple painting of my grand daughter because she is always so natural.  She doesn’t do posed faces.  Since I still do not have a body of work ready for this years final shows, I decided to use this portrait I had worked on this summer just so I could enter something and participate in the show.  Latrobe Art League and Latrobe Art Gallery have what I consider to be the best organized shows around.  The people are so nice and encouraging and the shows are just plain fun, besides having a fabulous group of great artists who put there best work out there.  I’m sure it is a challenge being a juror. This juror did us all a favor, she included a lot of instructional remarks about her choices.  I heard many people voicing how much that was appreciated.  The juror was Patricia Childs who is owner of G Squared Gallery of Ligonier and has had a career as gallery director and coordinator in different venues since 1978. I was indeed honored to take home Best of Show for “Sarah, Age Eleven”

I don’t have photos yet of my new work in progress but I will try to do that soon.  I have a speaking engagement next week so I must put in a lot of preparation for that.  I spent some quality painting time today even though I had a lot of organizational things for the luncheon.  Since the sun is shining for the first time in a week I want to go outside before the sun goes beyond the horizon.  Right now I wanted to alert you  that I’m going to try to upload one or two new images of some recent work you have seen on this blog but I had not yet downloaded to the gallery. Life is blessed but very busy. Talk to you soon.  Shabbat shalom. Diana