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.?????

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.