Our daughter had a surgery which did not go well.  It required a second surgery and other procedures to save her life.  Then there has been a slow recovery.  I am happy to tell you she is now doing well.  HalleluYah.

I have gotten back to my studio and it feels so good to be painting again.  Sharon asked me if I got bored doing so much art.  My answer was, “I sometimes feel upset to have to take time out to eat and sleep!”

I finished a portrait for my niece, am working on a surprise for another friend, completed a commissioned work, started a landscape and a small botanical, got the sketch ready for my grand daughter’s portrait (fabulous) and a sketch for upcoming class in Westmont, made a list of all things in progress, and got back to work on the double portrait with the girls and their beloved pet.  I’m sure I have forgotten something.

Well, that is all for now.  I want to get in at least two hours before dinner.  Hugs, Diana

Portrait painting is the art of constantly making corrections.  I tell my students not to be discouraged if they notice an error and are afraid to make these changes.  I try to help them realize that as portrait artists, they must constantly be on the look out for minute marks that are trying to veer away from the likeness or expression. We should be examining and adjusting the position and measurements of our features all the time. If we don’t do this, then in the end, when we take a new perspective, we will see a glaring problem and it may be too late!

You know, artists do a lot of thinking. We are always painting in our minds, planning the next painting.  During the time when I was learning, I realized there were certain methods I could not utilize.  There is something about my mind that won’t allow me to sort out information from a cluttered environment.  If there is a sale in the grocery store, I get frazzled just trying to figure out what I really want.  So when planning a painting, I knew I needed to provide as little confusion as possible.  I can make a very complicated sketch but in reality, I keep the procedure as uncomplicated as possible.

There are painting methods that begin with rough sketches and blocks of color. I have watched as an artist paints over and over until all this is unscrambled, becoming a beautiful realistic composition.  If I tried to do that I would be frazzled and exhausted before I got anywhere.  I knew I was looking for a better solution for me.

As I read a lot about different eras, different styles, different artists and methods, I was drawn to the methods of some of the old masters.  They at least started with a well planned, complete sketch and transferred that to the canvas.  I had been drawing portraits since I was a child.  Although they were simple line drawings and not extreme in detail, I believed I could use a good solid basic sketch to get the main information on a canvas.

Then I had to consider my health and physical pain.  I had to find a method that would allow me to start and stop in what ever time frame my daily condition allowed, knowing it would be different each time.  No matter what book I looked at, or what video I watched, the methods just did not fit my requirements.  I had to rely on a trial and error experiment.  I worked on the first few paintings and had no trouble getting from the toned canvas, to the sketch transfer and even the beginnings of the underpainting layers.  As I went along I learned that I could do just an arm or one layer of face or a little of background, coming back day by day to do another area.  I even learned to have several paintings in the works so I could always have something to work on when I had reached a stopping point on the first, maybe when the layer needed to dry before moving on. Over the years I would not allow myself to be satisfied with my process.  I keep looking for ways to improve it.

I always teach my students to not be rigid in their process.  If they need to solve a problem, give it some thought. And always check out other artists.  Even if their methods are completely different, there may be some little tip that will work with your process that will make your painting experience more successful. Shalom, Diana

I finished my busy show season and then the following Friday one of my daughters had surgery.  She was hospitalized about four days and sent home even though she had a slight fever and high white count.  A few days later she had a check up and these conditions were worse but her doctor told her it was just an expected result of the surgery.  She continued to worsen.  I will jump forward to tell you that twice in the last few days my daughter’s condition was life threatening. She had two more surgeries and the very best surgeon there is.  I am convinced that through the power of God, this man was moved to save her life.  She is now recovering and hopefully all will proceed to a healing and good outcome.

With all my art having been on hold, I am now getting back to a somewhat normal schedule. I am very pleased with the progress of the commissioned work I am doing. I am finishing a project for my niece and also teaching a class.  I usually do six sessions all together for beginners but with my group of continuing students, we decided to do two sessions a week, the second week of the month for an indefinite amount of weeks.  This should avoid most other calendar events and give us time for work at home in between the classes.  I love holding the sessions because the students are so hungry for the information.  They ask great questions and listen intently to my suggestions and instruction.

In the coming year I plan a few unique pieces so I am eager to get started.  Hugs to you all.  I will post photos when I can.  Shalom

Last evening was the opening reception for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Council for the Arts 22^nd Annual Regional Juried Art Exhibition. I wish all of you could have been there to experience with me the excellent art, the good food, and the joyful exuberance of the crowd. There was a celebratory atmosphere even before the awards were presented. It was voiced repeatedly how top notch the art entries were and how difficult it must be to make the selections. These entries were regional so many artists came from quite a distance. There were many artists whom I have never met before this event. The encouraging comments from one’s peers bring a measure of comfort, confidence and inspiration to any artist. It is like adrenalin for the artist’s motivation. I felt immersed in good will. It was an especially meaningful occasion since this year was a whirlwind of goal oriented competitions and events and I was hoping that this particular show would finalize the busy schedule with a final award. My hopes were fulfilled with a third place prize that is a high compliment considering the amazing competition. Being surrounded by friends and family made the accomplishment even sweeter. Afterward, we went to have dinner and fellowship with our family and friends and had the added bonus of joining other friends who chose the same place to gather. It is sometimes hard to express how much these moments mean as they fill in the pages of life. Thank you all for the memories.

I have added a photo that my daughter took at the show when the winners were together after the awards. I have three pick up dates to bring home my work from the  most recent venues and then I will already be into January. At this point last year I was working diligently on my solo show so this brings me full circle. This year I plan to do more commissions, fewer shows but I will not drop out of the show scene altogether. I hope to teach and also paint more. A few days ago, I tried to count all the works I have in progress. There are seven and a few more at the planning stage. I do so want to see these come to completion. I really want to paint a few more monumental and important pieces. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and success I have had. I enjoy this vocation and want it to be taken to its most advanced level possible. Hallelu Yah and all praise to Him for blessing my ability and opportunity to do this. I will do as He leads and if that brings more art I will put forth my best efforts and be grateful. So glad to have you all here too. Shalom, Diana

This is just a little note to tell you what has been happening this past week.  First I went to a luncheon at Seton Hill University.  I met with a wonderful teacher named Maureen and her art class who had presented the Women in Art Exhibition.  There were three artists; a carver and maker of wonderful artistic and useful canes which she donates to veterans and other handicapped people, an interesting and inspired artist who paints scenes filled with emotion and meaning, and me, as the realist who uses art to tell stories and capture moments in time to share with the world. The students asked a variety of questions which centered mostly around the way the world perceives women in the art world and the effect that being a woman has on influencing what we produce. I love to take every opportunity to encourage young artists.  So thanks to all of you for being so hospitable and interested.

The following evening I attended the event of the year with my husband and best friend. The Greater Latrobe School District hosts this Gala every year to gather art from local venues and present it for the selection of one or more pieces to their noted collection. Last year I was blessed to have three pieces in the running and all three were chosen into the top five by the audience.  This year I had two and again, both were in the top five by the audience.  This is an honor and I am delighted to be part of this fine occasion and have the wonderful showcase for my work.  Both years the students chose a different top five and so, sadly, none of these works are included in this prestigious collection at this time. Congratulations to all whose works were in the GALA and those who were chosen by the students.  I saw first hand how the exposure to art and cultural events can help shape our future adults.  These kids need to be commended by all for their courtesy and manners and performances as hosts, dosents, and musicians.  I admire all involved.

The girl on the left is the one I told you about.  Her mom is on the right, our wonderful Venezuelan daughter.

It is a special honor to receive a first place award for Women in Art. I attended the reception yesterday afternoon and evening and was happy to explain a lot about my work to the students there.  It is good to know that many young art students have an appreciation for some degree of realism.  I found an interview on you tube with Nelson Shanks, one of the top portrait painters of our time.  His views on the subject are inspirational to me.  Look it up under his name and choose the video where he is sitting on a bench outdoors by a small lake. His out look is quite worthwhile.

I have two more events this year and then I hope to settle in to a long winter of serious painting.

The solo show at Latrobe Art Center in March started the year off with a busy schedule.  The entire month was so busy. We had an exciting reception and I have posted pictures of that event.  Then we did the luncheon with everyone so attentive and interested, asking lots of questions. Many friends came to see the show during the month and some came from as far as Las Vegas and Kentucky and other states far and near.  I often met them at the gallery to enjoy their company and give them a personal tour.  When that finished I started making decisions about what shows I could enter and what paintings I had available.    There are size requirements and also age of painting regulations, I have to spend a lot of time going over my limitations as far as travel times and overlapping  calendar dates.  The first show was Allied Artists in Johnstown, then Latrobe Art League Open Show and this Friday will be the Dressler Show in Somerset.  Each of these is a unique experience in a unique setting.  The people are so  nice and it is a joy to visit with them. After this I must get my entry in for the Mr. Rogers show and the SAMA show in Ligonier.  Hope to be accepted.  Then in August, actually beginning the last week in July, I will hopefully be teaching a class at the Bottleworks in Johnstown.  If any of you are interested, please look them up on line and make a reservation for your spot in the class.  The space is limited.  Shalom, Diana

My solo show ran the whole month of March. What a wonderful experience. After that got wrapped up and we got all the paintings home I then had a great visit with my out of state cousins. Once we said our good byes I got out my schedule for the upcoming shows and started to figure what I could get finished and which shows I might be able to enter. My artist contacts were asking me to arrange a class so I figured out a date where I could get in a full six classes and we had a totally fun and successful time. About the time I finished that series, a local art group asked me to teach there.  I had an amazing visit with their intern and met the new coordinator/ also set up a tentative schedule.  If you are interested in a six session portrait class, contact me at this site on my contact page.  The object of the six sessions is to teach the process so that as you practice and apply your ability you will be able to have the info that will help you paint a portrait of your loved one.  The next few months are getting quite full. I am glad it is finally summer and the fresh veggies are coming on. Our high school class will have a reunion, number 55, in September.   I will try to find time to put more on the blog but my mind has been too distracted lately to think of much of interest to put here.  Well, that is enough for now.  Shalom.

On Monday, May 22 we will begin a new portrait painting six week session. I have very limited space so please reach me by the contact info on this site if you want to join us. We will decide how to schedule around Memorial Day whenever we meet for the first class.

I don’t do a lot of posting on social media.  I figure this blog is the place where I can put my thoughts and notices about my art work.  I cannot expect my loved ones and friends to follow every bit of artsy stuff that I do.  I do it because I am called to it. I do not expect them to be called to it.  That being said, I know there are many who are seriously interested; in my opinion, in my artistic point of view, in my examples for reference, and so I put them here.  I don’t write often but I hope it is enough to satisfy those who are seeking the info.  I know I felt it was a futile attempt, when I was looking, and I still do search, for examples as stimulus, for new and better methods, for encouragement. I have come here today to tell you about this show experience.  Let me do that.

Gathering all my good examples together was a fairly big project.  There is more to doing this than one would expect.  First, I needed to know if I had enough reasonably good work to give people a pleasant experience as they viewed the material.  So, my first job was to take inventory.  I counted things about four or five times, each time coming to a different total because usually I remembered something else I had overlooked before.  I have outdated typed lists on my computer so I pulled one up and made a print out.  I went around making notes so that all my work would be there in one place. Each time I located or remembered another painting, I would insert it into the list with the year it was finished, the title and the price.  I reorganized my document in the word document on the computer so that each time I added, subtracted or moved an item, the list would self correct.  Even after Bruce and I worked to get this list complete, we would remember something else. I was amazed to find that I have painted over one hundred works with about half dozen not completed for a number of reasons.

I chose fifty five, I believe, to go to the show.  Bruce made four trips and then another trip to rewire a couple that the wire broke. There was no way to imagine how they would look when the formal arrangement was complete.  Let me just say that the staff at the Latrobe Art Center worked their magic and the room was enchanting, even for me looking at my own work. the night of the show finally arrived.  I had made every effort to not catch any of the miserable viruses going around but I could not stop the exhaustion that was creeping over me.  My defenses were down when I started receiving notices from ones who could not make it to the reception.  I did my best not to become discouraged but the weather had brought a snow storm on the heels of an early spring warm up.  That might stop people from coming out too.  Well, a good friend helped me voice my fears and bolstered my resolve and about that time my first attendee arrived.  After that, the evening was gone light a bolt of lightning.  I never had time to grab a snack.  Thank God my friend had provided a bottle of water or I would have never made it.  There was plenty of food that my friends and the gallery had provided. Our daughters were traveling long distances and three of them got caught in traffic from the same accident on the turnpike, but they got there at the end.  I will always be together in memory with those of you who came to the reception and who were able to visit during the month the show was hanging and also those who participated in the ‘ask the artist luncheon’ a week later.

Finally, the time arrived when we had to take every thing down and bring it back home again. I cleaned all the walls, wishing I had the reserve energy and motivation to repaint.  But the walls remain pale green.  We did rearrange the order and it looks nice.  We had to put some new nails in and find places to hang more.  I am sending some home to the girls.  And I have begun two new pieces.

Well, for now, I think I have covered the bases.  I will copy this blog and put it in my journal.

Again, my most sincere thanks to all who have shared this event of a life time with me. I want you to realize that without you as part of it, it would mean nothing.  Hugs and Shalom, Diana

I mentioned earlier that I would put some info about the show here when I had the chance.  I am taking a moment now to do that.  When I began painting in earnest, that is, more than one painting a year, I though it might be possible someday to have a solo show.  It was not something I counted on because I am not good at planning and executing a big event.  Gabi at the Latrobe Art Center ask me if I was interested and wanted to know if I had enough paintings to fill a wall or the whole room.  I had to make a count and was surprised at how many I had completed.  Last summer was too busy at the gallery but in November we set a date for March, hoping that winter would be past so that people would not have to brave snow storms to see the show.  NOT!  Winter held off until the night of the reception when she came storming in.  But we managed.  There was a wonderful turn out of friends and fellow artists, family and people I didn’t know.  I was so busy talking and greeting that the evening was over before I knew it.  The special event was the formal unveiling of my latest painting, Afternoon Mountain Stream Reverie, a portrait of Gabi’s godson, Jack.  I hope I have a better chance to speak with his mother and grandmother about the painting because the evening’s hustle and bustle did not afford me much opportunity to do so.  I will forever see the faces of those who came in and shared their excitement, kind words and joy of the artwork with me that evening.  It turned out to be a more significant evening than I had anticipated.  The following Thursday we did an ‘ask the artist’ luncheon so that I could answer the many questions people ask about my painting process.  The turn out for this event was great. Also the interest and enthusiasm for knowledge about portraiture kept the afternoon rolling along.  I was not nervous because this was not quite as social as the previous week and I have no problems talking about a subject I love, especially in an informal setting.  Also, I must say that Rosita’s food on the buffet was the most delicious I have ever eaten.  Perfecto!  Many want me to do a class again so I will have to see how my health goes after recovering from this!  I plan to slowly change from doing mainly juried exhibitions, to doing more commissions and more teaching.  I love it all.  I am so blessed to have been given this wonderful opportunity.  I hope I can continue for a long time to come.  Hugs and thanks to all.  Diana

I love these people. They make things feel happy and work smoothly. The photo on the right has a painting in the background that I finished in time for a surprise unveiling at the reception. It is Gabi’s godson. In front are his mom, grandmother and uncle if I have that all correct. If you look at my Facebook page you can read all the beautiful tributes they wrote about their beloved Jack.

MJ   Well, first I could not get the photo to post, then it showed up twice. This is Gabi Nastuck who is the director of the Latrobe Art Center. I will try to post two other photos I found.

DIANA WILLIAMS SOLO PORTRAIT EXHIBITION AT THE LATROBE ART CENTER – TO ALL MY FACEBOOK FRIENDS AND FAMILY, AN UPDATE
Last night I was up till two visiting with family after the show and then at three AM the phone rang with some stupid robo call so I am exhausted. I may not even be coherent enough to write this update and thank you especially since I just wrote it once and accidentally erased it.
No one could have ever prepared me for the overwhelming response to the art and the reception last evening. The Latrobe Art Center and all its people went above and beyond to assure that this event would be received well. Gabrielle Nastuck, the director, has coached me through all the preparations and assured me all along the way. When I arrived, one special person even calmed my anxiety over the imagined dread that no one would attend. You know who you are, so thank you so much. And yes, they came! From Washington DC to Ohio and other far away places, all my friends and family, high school class mates, fellow artists and writers groups, my buddies from NAAA, church friends and people from my small town, people I know well and those who I don’t know, children adults and everyone in between,they began to arrive and after that, I never had a minute to be nervous! I want you to know that it will be a joy to recall each and every one of you who came to share this once in a lifetime special event with me.
For all my grandkids an other fabulous models, for all of you who drove so far or just around the corner, for all who added a treat to the food table, for Seth and Joe and Janet and Rosemary who did so many things,for those who came to observe and offered kind compliments, for those who got me a drink of water and those who made me laugh, for those who organized or help clean up and any one else who helped make this evening special, I give you my most sincere thanks.
To all my dear friends and loved ones who could not come, to my cousins Bunny Leavitt and April Ashcom Meredith from far away Florida who could not be here I send thanks for all your sincere well wishes and congratulations. I will share photos on my blog in a day or two. I am sure I will also have the chance to tell you about this blessing. And to my precious family who blessed me by being part of this, hugs and all my love. And to Bruce, who started all this by encouraging me to do oil painting rather than only the pencil sketches AND who was so sweet to order the wonderful surprise of the beautiful, huge bouquet of flowers and did the framing and delivery of these fifty five paintings, you are my love forever, thank you.

Bruce and I have been making trips to the art center to deliver paintings for the show. The house seems empty and the gallery full. It will be interesting to see how things look when the fifty five paintings are hung. I hope they are received well and people enjoy the show. It is hard to keep excitement/anxiety under control. This has been a big job and an important milestone. Thanks to the Latrobe Art Center for hosting this event and thanks to all my friends and family and all who support this effort of art. I will update this blog about everything when we have finished. Again, may you enjoy the art!

Bruce and I drove to Loretto this week to pick up this painting. The title is SEAFARING TEXTURES although I usually refer to him as the fisherman or the sailor. I have shown him a number of times and he has always been overlooked by the juror but well loved by the public. The morning after we brought him home I received an email from the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art telling me of this award. I am extremely pleased because the award tells me this painting is truly well received.

ALSO, I want you all to check the Latrobe Art Center’s web site to pick up information about my solo show which will be there in March, the reception on the 2nd from six to eight. The show will hang till the first week in April. I will post the info, but not tonight. I am lucky I was able to get this up. Blessings to all, Diana

Last night was the Gala at the Latrobe High School.  What an honor to have two of my pieces chosen to be included this year.  There are two votes counted.  The audience picks five of their favorites and both of mine were in the top five. Wow.  That was an amazing outcome.  The students preferred five others and they are all wonderful works.  I was privileged to meet most of the participating artists and I got to speak to many happy and excited art lovers. The graduates of Latrobe remain dedicated to and proud of this collection as well they should be.   The people I spoke with had driven from as far as Ohio to return for this event.  It was a wonderful evening.  I do hope I get to join these interesting people and celebrate this recognition of art and art appreciation again next year.

Back around the year 2000 I was trying to teach myself how to paint portraits.  I had done a lot of pencil sketches and a painting or two but they were awful.  I attended a water color class and met a teacher who took me under her wing and made me believe I could be a true artist.  She actually did her best to make me believe in my latent abilities. So now, there are a lot of people who want me to teach them what I have learned.  Finally in January of this past year, I gave in to the pressure and did my first six session painting class. It was fun and I was surprised at how excited my students were as they learned my unusual process.  I am now teaching my fourth six week session.  I just had to make a notation here on this blog about how amazing it feels to start out teaching a person who says they want to learn how to paint, and end up feeling flabbergasted because that person is an artistic genius!!! All my students have had success learning this process and they have been very happy with the results.  They have told me how joyful they feel to be able to apply these methods and to be here learning together.  That is such a rewarding accomplishment.  The thing that amazes me is to meet a student who seemed to not recognize her own potential, then proceed to teach her how to use my ideas, and watch her bloom almost overnight into the most amazing artist, far better than my self.  Now, I get to pass along what was given to me, the ability to believe in herself. I just find it awesome to be blessed in this way.  Later, when she is ready, I will post some of her work here for you to see.  Till then, take encouragement from this.  Our abilities may not be exactly alike but each of us have potential.  Art can make people happy.  I never realized how encouraging others and teaching art could make me so happy too.

Our portrait sessions have been exciting, fun and rewarding. I have decided to fit in another six sessions beginning the last weekend of October; Sunday and Monday afternoons for three weeks. There is room for one or two more students.  Scroll down through the previous blogs to read information about our classes. Hopefully you will want to join us. Go to the contact page to reach me.

October 17, 2016 It is an eighty degree fall day, the first full day of Succoth. I have been looking through photos I took last year at this time and last week to plan a landscape. On Saturday I headed out on my own, as I said I should not do. It is hard to find the right places to get the kind of photos I want for the landscapes. When I see a pretty spot, it is often on private property. If not, then it is almost always nearly inaccessible. That is what occurred on Saturday. I was wandering along this country road headed from 711 toward Rachelwood. I could see a slow moving shallow stream that twisted and turned among the trees in a lowland. The road I was on was twelve to fifteen feet above the creek. Ahead there appeared a nice sized safe looking parking spot on the oncoming side of the road. I pulled in.   Then I got out of my car and looked around for a gentle slope where I might safely get down to the level of the stream. There simply was none. I had my phone in a plastic bag in my sweatshirt pocket, my camera around my neck and my walking stick to help me steady myself. After three hesitant and unsteady footholds forward, down I went sliding and rolling to the bottom. I think it was at least ten feet or more. When I came to a stop, I was shaking hard. I had difficulty getting myself upright and when I managed it I checked myself over. Nothing seemed broken but everything hurt. After assessing the place I’d come down I knew I would not be able to get back up that way. I had no choice but to wander around until I could find a gentler slope out. Since I was there anyway, I decided I may as well walk beside the stream and take advantage of the strong sunlight and colorful foliage for some shots. I spent about an hour and a half there, all alone, half expecting a bear or mountain lion or big foot to jump out at me. The clouds had sifted across my sunny blue day and the light was almost gone. It was around four o’clock and I had time to get home before dark but more photos were out of the question. I headed toward the bank in order to work my way up to the road. Surprisingly, I was able to hairpin my way up without too much trouble. I thanked God for the beautiful time spent in solitude with His creation and now I hope I will be able to put my experience, or at least what I saw, on canvas for others to enjoy. I think I will post this journal page on my blog so my followers (that is a strangely inappropriate term) can laugh at my adventure.

Sorry I could not turn this, I am working on my iPad, don’t have a photo program available. This is an UNFINISHED painting by one of my students. I want people to see what can be accomplished. The woman who did this work told me she wanted to be able to paint portraits of her grandchildren. She also was convinced that any attempt would end in failure. My first challenge was to help her believe that it would be possible for me to teach her techniques that she could successfully apply. As I go over the day’s lessons and the students learn what to do, they never fail to be amazed. Some of them have been through four years of college as art students. Some have gone to specialized art training or taken a variety of studies from different teachers. They tell me they never learned any thing similar. All I can tell you is that my method is an accumulation of processes that slowly came together from my search for the information that would help me achieve a realistic and beautiful portrait. At first I could only study portraits when I got to places such as museums, libraries or other public places. Then I had some occasion to research and find information about the old masters and their methods. There may be a lot of this info out there but it was not readily available to me. After my kids were grown I began to do a few very bad paintings and about that time I also had the opportunity to question some good artists about their methods. As I looked for teachers I was discouraged because even though they produced good work, their methods were very far different from the ways I wanted to use and had been researching. I finally found a teacher in Florida whose outcome pleased me and who had a similar vision. I learned a lot from him but his technique was far different. Mostly I learned to put continued effort into my own process. I used all these examples to refine my technique. Now, I find I am able to pass along to others the things I have taken so long to learn for myself. I look forward to holding regular classes for people who have a deep desire to paint portraits in a realistic fashion. Contact me if you are one of these people. Shalom

This show’s reception had been postponed so I took the time to look at the entries on line.  It was easy to see that the juror would have a talented line up of work from which to make her selections.  My dear friend, Tracy, was sure to win the top award in my opinion. Sometimes the award winners get a call to ask if they plan on attending. This year we didn’t but no one knew that no others had gotten that notice.  All the awards were a surprise this year.  As I expected, Tracy’s wonderful portrait received first place.  As they were preparing to announce the best of show my mind was darting from painting to painting wondering which it would be. Then they called my name.  No one believes you when you tell them you did not expect it but I can assure you, I was really surprised, no, I was completely floored.  When Plimoth Wife won two years ago, I knew she had to get this award or I must be confused.  But this year there were so many wonderful entries in this show that I just was amazed that the juror chose this painting out of all these great examples. I don’t have a really good photo so I cropped a close up detail. 

Also I will mention that the beginner’s class is having its final two sessions this week.  I know there are others who want the basic info but it will be hard to get in those six weeks of classes again before I do the intermediate class for the students who are waiting for it.  I think that will begin sometime in January.

I will locate a better photo of this and get it up as soon as I can.  The title is ‘Embrace the Differences’.

I started a new beginner’s class today. We will do six classes.  That gets everybody started with the basics and then they can proceed on their own or come for intermediate classes.  I have been told that many artists resist the encouragement to share their ‘secrets’. In my class I have had students tell me that I am the first teacher who was willing to share so thoroughly all the tiny things that help the artist learn.  Maybe I teach the same way I was able to learn.  I learned to paint portraits because no one told me I couldn’t do this or that, and I didn’t ask, I just did it.(Don’t get me wrong, I asked a lot of questions but no one could answer them.  Maybe I didn’t know the right questions to ask.)  I tell all my information because I am trying to help my students accomplish a successful portrait. I never have learned a programmed method and so I teach from the heart. The reason I am enjoying the teaching experience is because my students seem happy and fulfilled.  This, in turn, makes me happy and fulfilled.  I will take some photos and try to get them up for you to see.

Also, I went to the Artist Group where a bunch of us happy, crazy, silly, strange people gather for a social evening with wine and snacks.  Sometimes we challenge ourselves to a specific art project. This time we simply did a show and tell.  The types of art done in our group varies from knitting and sewing to building dioramas to glass blowing and taxidermy. I am single minded. I can hardly switch mediums, let alone use my imagination! So my show and tell was a how to of my latest portrait. I am always amazed at how excited people are to see a half finished painting.  Often my sister in law says, “Stop there!”  They do have a certain charm at this stage. Then they pass into the scary stage. And finally, they come out as pure poetry or art or whatever.  I love it.  That’s all.  Shalom, Diana

By the way, it is Sept. 11, 2016 at 9:22 in the evening, not Sept 12 at 1. 30 in the morning as this says.?????