I have a class set up for the last three weeks of September. It will take place on Sunday and Monday afternoon’s starting at one and continuing until we are finished, two or three hours.  We will be covering the process, not necessarily finishing a portrait.  Then those who feel they are ready will have an opportunity to continue in the intermediate class which will be held in the fall.  I have room in the beginner’s group for only one or two. Reach me by using the contact info on this site.  Hope to see you there.  Diana

People have been so eager to learn how to do portraits and have been asking me for years to teach.  In the spring I had six students for a six class session and we followed up with a second six classes.  All the results were great and the students were very happy with their accomplishments.  I hope to do an intermediate class again in the fall.  For now, there are other new students who need the beginning experience before joining the more advanced group.  So, September 11 I will do another beginner’s group.  We will have six classes starting at one o’clock on Sunday and Monday for the last three weeks in September.  The classes are scheduled to run for two hours but usually go over almost another hour. The classes are twenty each and the first three payments must be paid at least a week in advance and non-refundable. We will be learning a process, not necessarily finishing a portrait.  I will provide the subject for the beginner’s class and later you can work on your own project. You can reach me with the contact info on my web site, dianawilliamsportraits.com and then I will mail you the supply list with instructions. Keep in mind, I have room for only one or maybe two more students. I enjoyed this teaching process so much and I hope you will join us.

These are both unfinished works by my previous class by people who told me they could not paint portraits.  They were very excited about the method and also the outcome.  I was delighted.  I hope to begin another class in the late fall.  It will be a six week class.

Also, there are two students who would like a beginner’s class before summer is over but I need at least two students more before I put that class in the schedule.  If you are interested, check my contacts on this site and leave a message for me.

There is a wonderful gallery in New Alexandria owned and operated by art restoration expert and artist, Jeffrey Rouse.  Our artist group meets in the classroom of the New Growth Gallery every month.  Jeffrey arranged a show of my sketches because he appreciated their simple value as gesture sketches.  The earliest of these was done by me around the age fourteen or sixteen and the others in a continuing time line up until I began to do oil paintings.  Most are of my children and their friends or other members of my family.  They are basically quick studies, not fine art but they sure look fine all matted and framed. This photo shows me with Jeffrey’s wife, Roxanne and my friend Kimberly Green.  I will post a couple of the sketches here as well.

I wish I was better at lining these up for you but I am lucky if I can get the image on here.  These are just two of the sketches out of all the ones I did over the years.  Thanks to Jeffrey for hosting such a nice show.

Nothing I say could give a true picture of the man who  was Bill Paxton.  Botanist, artist, adventurer, poet, humorist, friend.  There is so much more to him.  I only became acquainted with him a few years ago.  I long to know more.  During our first conversation he talked to me about dancing, dancing with his wife. Of course we talked about art and he encouraged me.  He scolded me for not taking his favorable critique of my work as strongly as I should have. We talked about butterflies and picking up road kill and grape vines and wild roaming stands of milkweed and all his myriad of interests. He wrote the most winding, twisting, fun, interesting poetry and it usually made us laugh.  Our group of artists always hung on the edge of our seats, quietly waiting to see if he would show up.  It wouldn’t be as much fun if he was late, or, dread, maybe not make it because of another engagement, teaching or what ever.  Busy, busy, busy.  I saw him a week ago.  He died this morning.  Earth Day.  He left a big empty space.

I want to tell you all about the wonderful experience I have had with my portrait painting class.  Originally I had arrangements made to teach with a local art group but the class never came about for a few reasons.  Several people who were very eager to do this called me a number of times to ask when and where I might be teaching. Eventually I made the decision to set up the class myself.  By the time we were getting started there were six people who were driving as far as forty five minutes to get here.  Each student was very serious and dedicated.  All of them were sure they would never be able to accomplish much but they all had determination and talent.  Now I have two others who would like to begin at the beginning as the others did.  I would like to have at least two more students before I set up a schedule.  The class is so intense that I just don’t think I can put that much energy into it if I am doing it two here and two there.  Let me tell you a little more.

I will be telling you about all the things I learned over the past years by observation and trial and error.  I want to impart the things that I have learned so that it won’t take you as many years as it took me and also so that you will see impressive results that will encourage you to continue in this endeavor.  The beginner class will use a photo reference that I will supply because it embodies many things that I will teach you to look for when you are choosing your next project.  I will be teaching my methods.  You will not necessarily come away with a finished product.  We will work for six consecutive weeks if possible and if the class decides to do another six weeks, then we will set that up.  Once you have watched and tried each of the steps in this process, you will have the information to apply these techniques in your next project.  The students I have in class right now are so enthusiastic that I come away from the experience exhilarated and encouraged as well.  They tell me they never could have believed they could do what they are doing and they are amazed that they never learned any process like this in the differing levels of art education they have between them.

It is a joy to work with them, and truly, we do work.  The social aspect is there because they are friendly and willing to help and encourage each other.  But we begin promptly at two and try to finish up between four and four thirty.  Sunday afternoon is my day for teaching and it has worked well for everyone.  You will find my contact info on my home page.  I will enjoy meeting you and sharing as much as possible with you..  Shalom, Diana

I know the photo is odd but if you look to the left you can see the dried up sheath that I thought would never bloom. You can also see the long inflorescence emerging with two blossoms. Happy day!

Orchids are a joy. Usually they just sit there being green. Yes, they need water and light and nourishment. And then they decide to bloom. I was watering the orchids upstairs and got that surprise today. The odd thing is this; the Brown Eyes corsage orchid that I have always loved put out a couple of blooms last year. The blooms begin encased or hidden in a green leaf like sheath. Unfortunately, I have seen times when these stopped developing, which is referred to as an aborted blossom. Last year this particular plant had this happen to at least two blooming stems. The surprise today was when I noticed emerging from these dried up sheaths two blooming stems. One has one blossom and the other has two. I will try to get a photo in the sunlight tomorrow.

Who ever heard of May flowers in full bloom in the middle of March? That is what we get this year and who’s complaining.  There is so much going on I haven’t had time to get posts written.  I’ll download a photo of the finished painting you have been following and also one of the surprise cymbidium.  I’ll probably post this blog and then download the photos on a separate blog.

The second class is doing amazingly well.  Everyone is so dedicated and talented.  I could never have hoped for a more wonderful group of people to work with for my first group.  I’ve taught a little before but just a week end or a basics class.  This group has gotten into the nitty – gritty and they are doing so well.

I have finished a number of small portraits this winter. I had my next one scaled out and drawn in detail but I just could not envision this piece on the smaller canvas I had chosen.  Back to the drawing board to redo the whole sketch.  I’m really glad I did.  I have begun this piece and hope it comes along quickly because the gallery is looking for a specific theme of work and this will fit right in.

Of course I have been struggling with severe pain which has not abated even with all the therapy I have put myself through.  This takes a lot of time, not only for the therapy sessions but for the home exercises as well.  I even drove two hours every week for acupuncture.  Unfortunately, I cannot say it helped, although I am still hopeful some improvement will manifest itself.

I am going to be the featured artist in a small show in New Alexandria on the evening of June  9th. It will be hosted by New Growth Galleries, owned and operated by conservator Jeffrey Rouse.  It will be a sampling of early sketches and one portrait which demonstrate the journey from dream to reality of an artist. I hope to see all of you there if you are conveniently located to make the trip.  I will download the photos I mentioned in the beginning of this blog.  Enjoy spring.  Shalom, Diana

Sorry I didn’t get this downloaded sooner.  It is almost time for my class to begin so I cannot say much about this.  I’ll just tell you that I want to add another layer to the skin  tones and then finish the hair and light in the image.

Hi everyone.  As the title tells you, things are always happening.  Bruce had another surgery and I am now under the care of an acupuncture specialist.  I did three rounds, about six weeks each, of physical therapy to get the nerve pain in my arms under control and hopefully eliminated.  I just couldn’t stand it anymore so decided to try one more thing because I don’t want surgery.

On another subject, the six week class I have been teaching has been a total joy.  The students have been so attentive, both in getting to class and doing the work.  They are all doing so well and I am so happy they want to continue.  Others have inquired about joining but the space is limited.

I will try to post some photos of my latest work later today.  Till then, I want to go paint.

And So it Begins- the Artist

This morning a friend brought a copy of the local weekend paper. On the front page was a copy of this painting, one of two entries in the show. As I entered the venue I saw right away that it had been awarded Best of Show. It was genuinely a surprise. Anyone who attends any of the local art shows will necessarily admit that it would be a daunting challenge to make these choices. We have so many talented artists here. The evening was pleasant and rich with conversation about the art and inspiration and plans for the next project. It is a joy to have these opportunities. It is also great to see so many people taking part in making and enjoying them.

Here is the work I did today.  I will say that I have spent a lot of time with technical problems today.  First I sent a message on e-mail and just as I was ready to send it, it disappeared.  Now as I am trying to blog, somehow I touched the wrong thing and my computer totally shut down.  So now I am trying to communicate with you all and I hope I am not sounding too frustrated.  I will download the work I did today.  Look at the child on the right.  Doesn’t it look odd with only her ear in a more developed condition.  I really enjoy watching things turn from flat to alive almost.  There is still a lot to be done.  I am going to publish this and then try one more post.

This has been a business day, you know, writing notes, balancing books, depositing funds, sending my brother a birthday card that should have been in the mail two days ago. The rain came in around one o’clock and justified my misery. I did not sleep until after two last night and today has been, well, I’m whining so I’ll stop. Only meant to say I didn’t get any painting done. Even so, a lot of other things got done that have been waiting for me and those things are an accomplishment. Bruce is going to build a fire where I will snuggle up and soak up its healing and restorative energy after we have eaten our dinner. I have homemade Salisbury steaks in the oven and they smell so good that when Mollie stopped by on her way home to Meadville, I gave her one for her supper.Bruce  and I will add garlic Rosemary roasted potatoes to that with a veggie and afterward I wills pull a fresh blueberry apple pie from the oven and top it with vanilla ice cream for desert. Why should I complain about anything? God blesses us daily, no matter how bountifully, it is all blessing. May you all count your blessings as well.Shabbat Shalom, Diana

If you compare the last image with this you can see the changes and deepening flesh, even though we have not yet added any color. People ask me how I get the flesh to look so real and not like plastic. The directional brush work, the layers and the sensivity to light are the things that lead to the correct result. When I teach my methods, one of the things a student must develop by natural instinct is the touch. I can demonstrate, I can explain, but the technique is something one must come by naturally. It is such a joy to experience the emergence of the attitude and personality in a portrait.

I don’t know if you will  be able to see this well but today I spent some time refining the likenesses. I look at the preliminary work and make a lot of visual measurements, especially if something seems off. It may seem easy or it may look as though it was easy, but when an eye or a smile line or any shape at all is off by just a little bit, it just doesn’t add up right. This is especially important with the character and expression or what I call the spirit of the sitter. These two little girls are both cuties but they each have a special personality and this image shows it. I want this work to be wonderful, an image that everyone will enjoy looking at.

I’m going to enter a photo of the recent painting I have started. I am excited about it because of the two cousins, their expressions and the lighting especially. Of course, this transfer of the drawing is in its early stages. As I work on it I will continually refine the likenesses and all the finer points of the composition. I love the turn of their faces and the way they are looking off to the side and not directly at the viewer as if their attention was drawn when someone called to them, which is what actually happened. They are both somewhat aloof, interested in their own activities but polite little girls to respond as they are called. I hope to work on it tomorrow but as the days go by, a lot is happening. I begin a class which has increased to five students! They just materialized almost out of the blue. The stars aligned and there they were, all ready to begin just when I knew it was time to organize this. I am so grateful. And five is a good group. I don’t have room for more right now. I’m looking forward to this mix of students. Now let me see if I can download the photo. I’ll put up another as I progress. Diana

I will put up an image whenever I get it on the canvas. The two little girls are cousins and have very similar features. This is part of the reason why this is coming together as a good composition. As you artists know, there are some things that usually add up to a good portrait. Of course an interesting subject is one of those things. Another is lighting. I will completely discard a better picture for one that has better lighting.   The subjects and the lighting are the reasons why this jumped ahead of the others in my plan. I am truly in love with the possibilities in this double portrait. I can hardly wait to see it developing. There will be a lot of family gatherings over the next several days so it will be on hold. I will get back to you in a few days. Blessings.

Oh, my goodness!  If any of you have never gotten a painting by graphing a photo, don’t ever try to convince me there is no drawing involved.  This is the image I told you about that just begs to be a painting.  God makes His forms so beautiful and I absolutely love to use His work to make paintings.  That means that the way a curl falls or the way a child’s expression presents itself, or even just the light on a subject, those things are what I want to capture for others to see.  Of course there is a special merit in being able to capture a scene, a mood or an emotion with quick painterly style. YES, but , I have always had a special fascination for what is true and real or the perception I have in front of me.  That is what I capture and I think that is why these paintings lock people into them.   People become part of what is happening.  They feel the experience I am recording.  Oh, you cannot know how happy it makes me to be in this developing stage, or any other of the stages.  Yes, sometimes there is a dark moment, with doubt and mistakes, but I am on a journey with each one and I don’t stop, usually, until I get to the destination. Just had to tell you.

A few weeks ago I decided to make the arrangements for a class. Several people have been asking about it and I decided to just set it up and see what happened.  Sometimes we truly feel guided, this was one of those times.

I notified two people, another heard me talking and the fourth was at a gathering where I heard her say she would like to learn how to paint a portrait!  Each of these people arrived at noon on Wednesday and we started by covering all the questions people have about my work, viewing my paintings and seeing my humble studio.  Then we went to my four season heated and sunny back porch where we ate Cranberry Lemon Scones that I had made,(because they are my favorite) and had coffee and chocolates and cheese and fruit.  For the next two hours we talked shop about how this class will proceed. And we laughed and enjoyed each other’s company too.  This has to be the best match up of personalities.  I am saying my thank you prayers.

Just when I have made a firm decision about my next two paintings, another subject jumps in and usurps the first spot!!!  This happened with Plimoth Wife, a Best of Show Winner, and it has happened at other times, all leading to good recognitions.  I haven’t even gotten back to the work I was doing when Plimoth Wife intervened.  Others just kept saying, me first, me first.

So, I’m heading toward some personal shows this spring and summer and I have wanted to get some really good examples of my most recently fine tuned abilities.  I chose two subjects that I really want to be included and I was getting ready to begin the sketches when this other image started drawing my attention.  I can’t avoid it.  It has to be done.  Do you all experience this; a subject calling you?

Well, as soon as I get the sketch done I will up load it here so you can see it.  Of course I am excited and I will probably loose sleep over it.  These next two weeks have a lot of family gatherings to draw me happily away and I will use that time to solidify the final ‘masterpiece’ in my mind.  Till then, enjoy your families and friends while we can.  Shalom, Diana

Here is a detail of the newest painting I’ve been working on.  I didn’t have time to blog about it much because the gallery hoped to have it hanging over the holidays so I was concentrating on getting it ready for them.  Now I will put up an image of the final presentation.

This is a portrait of my great nephew and his grandfather.  The family has not seen it yet. They might view it here but if not, it will be a surprise for them to see on the new year.  It will help to round out my portfolio because I am expecting to do my first one person show soon.

I will begin a portrait class after the first of the year.  I am accepting only four students.  There may still be room for one more.  Contact me if you are interested.  There is going to be a get acquainted meeting on Dec. 16 at my house beginning at 12:15.  I’m looking forward to this since my last class was a delightful experience.

I am also hoping to complete at least two or perhaps three paintings that I have planned before the timing for the show. Two of them will be typical projects for me but very complicated compositions.  The third is a landscape.  I have been experimenting with this recently and would like to create some really nice compositions that I have in mind, if I can do them successfully.

That is all for now.  I hope Bruce and I will stay well and that I will have a good painting time this winter, absent any unexpected delays.  I am itching to get started on the new project.  Hugs, Diana

I’ve been busy taking care of my husband of course since his knee surgery but also trying to finish a painting for the gallery. I took some photos but they are not sharp so I thought I would just tell you that I am working on it and hope to get an image up soon.  I have a couple of small projects to get finished for our gathering of artists so I keep trying to fit that in.  After this is finished I have plans for two really demanding and hopefully rewarding paintings that I would like to accomplish during the winter.  We haven’t had much winter so far.  Right now the sun is shining.  So I must go make art while the sun is shining, (not so good at puns or jokes).  Hugs, Diana

Time goes by so quickly. My husband has had trouble getting around because of a bad knee so he finally got a knee replacement early in November. It is surprising how much time it takes when one person doubles up on chores and tries to do the work that two people usually do. When Bruce retired he took over a lot of household duties in order to allow me time to dedicate to my painting. That has been a real blessing. Now that he needs to mend and do therapy, I have gone back to a busy schedule of household chores which leaves little time or energy for my art. This old/new schedule takes a lot of time and energy but part of that is caused by all the going up and down the stairs double or triple the amount of times as I am used to. This week I have managed to put in a few hours on my latest effort, a portrait of my nephew and his grand father. I don’t plan on downloading the in progress shots because I hope to present the finished portrait soon. The gallery is waiting for it and I would like to finish it before the end of the month. I thought I would let all my friends on this blog know what I have been doing and why I have not made entries here recently. When this work is finished I have two great preliminary ideas I want to work on. I may even set them up to work on them simultaneously. Also, I have wanted to develope my skills on landscape. I went out into the wilds of our local area this fall and risked life and limb to stomp around in creeks trying to get some good reference photos to use through the winter. Later I will download a shot of a small landscape I finished lately. I have several other projects in the pipeline encluding a portrait class that I may begin after the first of the year. If anyone is interested, use my contact page on this blog to let me know. Till then, shalom. Diana

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

Hi to all you blog followers, artists and friends.  It has been an exhausting time for me.  The two biggest shows of the year have come back to back as usual.  I barely have enough energy for them.  I have never been super social but I love people.  My problem is that I stress about missing someone or forgetting a name so of course that means I always forget names and miss someone.  Forgive me if you find me frazzled at one of these events.  I do my best.  Even when I do not receive an award, as on Thursday evening, even so, many people want to know about my work. I spend a glorious evening speaking with the wonderful people telling them about how I came to design the composition, how long it took me to paint the piece and even how many trips up and down to my studio or back and forth to check my perspective did it take.  It may seem hard to believe, but if I am answering questions about the art, I am happy. In the past two evenings I have enjoyed the company of my dearest friends as we traveled to the show, I’ve been blessed to hear great music and wonderful food, I’ve reacquainted with people I have not seen for ten or more years and I’ve recorded in my heart the sincerely enjoyment expressed to me about my work. That is the true award.  The Friday evening show brought recognition for the Degas piece that I have already posted here.  People really love her and I must admit that I have a special fondness for her too.  Having used someone else’s creative results as inspiration for my piece did not take away from my own creative input and it only served to add heightened appreciation for the beauty of the Light, Shadow, Texture and Form of the work.  Usually I am very familiar with the features of my portraits as I paint the faces of my grandchildren and friends.  But with this piece the only features were exactly what the title tells you.  That somehow made this work very gratifying, maybe because I did not have to make the work look like someone.  I just wanted it to be beautiful in its own right.  That also may be the reason why people were so drawn to her; she was not someone’s grandchild.

This blog is about me and my work but I must mention another work that was part of the show on Thursday evening.  I don’t feel it is a good idea to include names or photos of someone else’s work but I will make mention of this piece by description.  This one piece stood out among all the art in the studio.  If you were there you will remember the painting  that portrayed a formally dressed Daddy standing in the bright light of a sunny window with the most beautiful little girl in a frilly dress with a string of pearls around her neck.  This painting was perfectly executed in an impressionist manor.  The features on both the father and daughter were crisp and soft at the same time.  The composition was spot on and I’ve never seen light captured so well in an oil.  Best of show could not even bring as much recognition as this painting and this artist deserves.  I hope someone passes on my congratulations to you and I hope you continue to paint and enter such art as this!

I will not post a photo yet of the piece from Thursday’s show since he may be in some other local venues.  I just do not like to take the spotlight off the event. It is a little bit like spoiling a surprise.  I’ll show you later.  Right now I am hurrying to do a subject for another local gallery that is coming up soon.  It may turn out to be somewhat abstract, a real divergence for me.  The theme for the show is a challenge but I have the perfect material if I can pull it off.  We’ll see.  I’ll keep you guessing till I see if I can manage it.  Till then, Shabbat Shalom, dear friends,  Diana