I decided to take a break from a commissioned painting to do some last layers on one of the three and a half inch miniatures. Three or four of them still have some work to do. I signed it and took this photo but even now, I have removed the initials. It is just too obtrusive. I think for these I will sign in a unique way. I’ll show you later.
hugs and be well. Diana

I started this project in 2015 but so many paintings called me away. Just like now, I have a commissioned piece that I must devote time to. It cannot be neglected because I want my efforts for others to be the tops of my ability. Even so, I have always worked on several pieces at the same time, well, at least during the same general time frame. It keeps my interest peaked and my eagerness on edge so that my work does not get boring or stagnant. I had gotten these out again just before I started this work for a client. So, today, I figured I would use up the paint I have out so it won’t dry as I do this other piece. I also take tomorrow for an appointment in Pittsburgh. I sure hope it isn’t another wild goose chase like the last few times.
I am very happy with the images of my girls and my husband and even mine. It is fun to think that these may be around for hundreds of years. I hope they don’t get separated. Which ever of my descendants get the custody of them, please note that you are considered caretaker, not owner. Well, for now, I must go magically creat a culinary masterpiece for dinner. Yum.

Yes, today I put in more than three hours on this tiny portrait and it is no where near finished! I am very glad I am making progress on these. I wouldn’t want to leave the group incomplete! It is very satisfying to see the progress and be assured of the likenesses. I will be happy to have them finished and hanging in my home. Happy painting to all of you new followers who keep popping on to study my work I hope what I post is helpful. This indirect method helps me because of my health and time constrictions. The other ways of painting always just frustrated me. I stumbled onto this method and have adapted many things to suit my needs. I try to blog about my ways and make it as clear as I can. Enjoy! Diana

I began my day making more medical appointments, still trying to diagnose this problem. Then, after coffee and something to eat I fought with some contact-like backsplash material. I was so exhausted after that so I doubted I could accomplish any successful art work but I tried. It was three when I started and 6 :10 now. I did some refinement on a small commission, then moved on to one of the miniatures. It is a long way from finished. You can see how small they are.

Today I worked on the three and one half inch high portrait of my youngest daughter. I developed a three dimensional effect on the skin, modified the hair, reset the position of the eyes and teeth and buffed lightly. It is much more difficult to keep the skin tones smooth in tiny portraits than in the larger ones. My doctor prescribed a mild med to help with my tremor but I forgot to take it so I was trying to compensate for that as I worked. Even so, the likeness is exciting. I went into this project with only moderate expectations but I am very pleased with the way they are turning out. My attitude is, ‘If you want to do something you have never done before, just pray, and then try it! You may be pleasantly surprised!’