Sorry, friends, that I forgot to post this image of the orchid when it bloomed.  I was just so busy getting ready for the shows.  This orchid has lost its tag so I am not sure what its name is.  Another, called BROWN EYES is getting ready to bloom.  It is a beauty and I will try to show it to you as soon as it opens.

our artist group has an assignment this time.  We are challenged to do a pastel.  I have never used pastels and never really wanted to but it is always good to stretch our limits.  I bought a small set of pastels when I was in my teens and still have them but yesterday I bought a few other things so that I can refine what I have started.  The only paper I could find at home was black.  I chose a really cute image and began.  OOOh, not so good.  But I am still working on it and if it is presentable, I will post an image later.

Shalom, Diana

Nothing goes the way we think it will.  Vertigo set in again for one thing and so I was down for three days and I’m still battling it.  My art group near here ask me to please be sure to enter the fall show. I hadn’t intended to do so because I had nothing ready.  So I went to my photo reference archive to see what I had set aside to paint in the future.  I decided on some shots I’d taken at the museums we visited this spring.  I chose a simple but elegant pose with great lighting.  The light in a subject can create the entire composition if you know what to look for.  This shot had drama and would catch people’s eye. Even so, it should be easy to paint.  (I wasn’t counting on the vertigo.).  Bruce cooked supper every night last week so that I could put in a marathon effort.  I got her finished the day before the jurying.  Often a show is juried by digital entries but this one must have the entries carried in personally.  You pick up your pieces the same day and then later you carry them to the college venue where the show will take place.  When I picked up my painting I was told that not only was she accepted, but she has won an award. I hope someone will purchase her.  I think she will be a beautiful addition to a special décor in someone’s home.  Hope you enjoy her as well. Diana

Here is Sarah, she is eleven.  Of course this portrait is not completed.  Her hair is blond and her skin has a lot of pinkish coral but it is still milky white.  I am hoping to finish it in the next week or two. Be sure to go back to earlier blogs to see the work in progress. Diana

I don’t know who all has checked my website but I welcome you with warm greetings. It is surprising to see so much action on this tiny insignificant post although I too really enjoy connecting with others who love art and all of natures beauty. I knew when I started this it would never be a fancy or elaborate communication. I only hoped to give others the opportunity to see and read about what I am doing. One of the things I have told you about since the beginning is the work I do to compete in local and regional shows. I have been very blessed to have been awarded often for my work. This is creating a dilemma for me now. The groups who host the shows are relying on me to always have an entry. That is flattering but sometimes I cannot finish something new in a timely manner. Also, since I love to paint large, most people do not have homes where these pieces would fit. That is OK for now since I am gathering enough of my work to have an individual show. But eventually I will run out of room to store all these paintings. My thought is that soon I should switch from doing shows to instead putting my time and creative effort into doing more commissioned work. It has always been rewarding and fulfilling to me whenever I can do a portrait for someone and see the joy they express when they are able to have the work of art for their home. Well, this is what I am thinking about doing in the next year or so. I want to continue my associations with the groups though because I have met and become friends with the most wonderful people. I would never want to lose contact with them. They are great artist and great people. They are interesting, fun and they inspire me. They make me happy too.

Hopefully, in a few days, I will take a photo of the portrait of my grand daughter. Also, I am waiting for my catleyes to bloom. I think there are three with inflorescences. Sometimes each stem holds several flowers. I will make another post when they bloom. Till then, good night. Shalom, Diana

My dear Granddaughter stayed with us for a week so we had several oil painting sessions.  She had never before used oils and she did a good job with this image of two sheep on a sunny hillside with clouds. She is better at freehand work than I am.  It was fun to hear her tell me that she was able to apply some things I taught her to her computer drawing and painting programs.  How wonderful it is to pass on skills to the younger ones and how great it is to watch them develop!

I have finished my works for two upcoming shows and I am working on a third.  Also, I have been finishing several portraits of my grandchildren.  Those have no prominent deadlines, (that sounds ominous!).  All previously mentioned projects are in the not quite done stage. For instance, the vintage/art clothing storage project, the gardening project, the cleaning my house project, etc.

I have several orchids that are getting ready to bloom.  I think they liked the tropical forest humidity we have had recently.  These are big Catleyas.. I will let you know and get a photo when they bloom.

I’ve spent a lot of hours cataloging my butterfly photos too.  I have large photo displays on our four season room walls and I have a small frame that I can use to put a few more in.  I have so many wonderful shots of butterflies that I just cannot let them go unappreciated.  I’ll pull one up and put it here.  Till later guys.  Shalom.  DianaThis is a Question Mark that was on our butterfly bush.  The tiny silver mark on the under wing actually has a little dot, along with other markings, that distinguishes it from a Comma. The butterflies in this part of the country have taken a hit because of weather and habitat destruction as is happening all around the country and the world. I do my butterfly collecting with my camera and I enjoy it so much. They are God’s jewels.

Hi, everyone.  Life is a whirlwind!  My husband planned a special trip for me to New England.  We stayed in a lovely extended time hotel in Pittsfield, Massacchusetts and toured five museums which all house and display paintings by the French artist, William Adolphe Bouguereau.  Everything about this tour was great: our weather, little traffic, easy access to the museums and food! We arrived back into our area just barely in time to attend a reception given by the Allied Artists where I was awarded second place for a portrait I had entered.  I have just sorted out all the photos I took in the museums.  I am so grateful that photos are permitted because this is how I study and learn.  I will get back to painting as soon as I can and connect with you all to show what I am doing.  Keep in mind, now that summer is here there is gardening to do and I get to spend more time with my sweet grandchildren.  Also I have a big, no, huge project in the works.  I am cataloging and photographing and also washing and storing a lifetime’s worth of hand tailored clothing that I have sewn over the years for my family.  I gave away about half or two thirds of it but just could not let go of these things which I consider art pieces.  I would love to display them in a show of their own.  Maybe someday!  Till then, my youngest grand daughters will be happy to wear some of this vintage clothing. Talk to you soon.  Shalom, Diana

Sorry the last post was delayed.  I did that from my I-pad and did not realize I had made an error until a few days ago.  Spring has finally arrived and I am living with joy.  When everything is blooming and doing so well, it makes me happy.  My slightly improved health has allowed me to get outside and into the garden to plant and enjoy.  We had a hard, cold winter so the azealias  did not bloom well but everything else did.  I have done regular painting too.  I will post an updated image  of the projects. This is almost complete and ready for the show to be entered in July.Here I have begun a quick portrait of one of my granddaughters. It is very convenient to have so many good models available.  They are accustomed to Grandmother taking a lot of photos of them.  They are even becoming very artistic because of being exposed to all the art everywhere.  The older ones did not have that opportunity because I was still raising the younger of my children.  Well, for now, I will go to my studio and actually try to finish the painting that is the first on this blog.  Till next time, shalom, Diana

The Latrobe Art League had its reception for the annual show on the 14th of May.  I was not going to enter because I didn’t have anything ready.  But I looked around and decided to enter two portraits, the one of Andrea and the one of my grandson Ryan.  They are both in the gallery of this blog so you can see them.  I entered because I wanted to participate but these portraits are simple and I doubted they would get the judges attention.  There are a lot of wonderful artists in this gallery and the shows present stiff competition.  I was very pleased that the portrait of Andrea took second place honors. The judge told me there was only a whisper of difference between her selection and the other portrait.

I am working on a number of paintings at this time.. This one has a July deadline so I must get it finished.  I am happy with the subject, now if I can only get the proper interpretation. I’ve been doing a lot of gardening so I should concentrate on this.  My knees are not bothering me as long as the cortisone holds out.  I am feeling quite blessed to be able to get around again.  The gardens are looking so beautiful that I truly want to spend a lot of time there.  Unfortunately we discovered the growing tips of the roses in front of the house have either frozen or gotten wind damage.  They just aren’t there.  We must wait for new stalks or new growing tips before we get the roses.  Happy painting.  Shalom, Diana

This is the work so far on the duplicate.  (I have a blueberry apple pie in the oven and it should have been taken out fifteen minutes ago, so I’d better go check it.) I will just tell you quickly that there is an equal amount of work on both paintings and they look reasonably the same.  I had a lot of trouble at first because I did not stick to the grisaille under painting but instead tried to work with natural tones to preserve the sunny look.  It is now getting back to within workable limits though.  I will soon begin to strengthen the features and as I do, I will also strengthen the bright sunny light in the painting.  All the shadows are rich in color too.  Talk to you soon.  Diana

Here is the next step and soon I will post another.  It is challenging to work with a figure in shadow/backlit.  I am attempting to brighten it up without losing the quality of bright light.  I know that if you want brights you must have darks so I will darken the shadows carefully so they don’t jump out at you but still portray the sunshine well.  I want to diminish the importance of the background and so I am simplifying as many features there as possible.  The figure tells the story and is of utmost importance.  This child is eleven now and is an amazing artist already.  When she was two and three she would get so frustrated because her crayons would not do what she knew they should.  I would tell her, “Remember, you are fifteen or twenty in your brain but your hands are still only three years old!”  That did help her to be patient, at least it helped a little.  She now has more control and drawing ability than I do -seriously!”

I hope these painting examples are helping you with your portrait work.  I had no one to help me.  I worked for years doing everything wrong.  Even now I would like to solve some of my painting problems without so much trial and error but I can only do what I must because no one else has the same vision I do. No one can advise me on a way that would work with my methods. Most people do not understand how I work.

I am taking on a few  more commissions now that I am back to work again. When people ask me what I charge I usually direct them to the pricing of some other artists who have web sites.  They can compare the work, decide if my work is up to their standards and then make a fair offer for my time.  I usually try to keep the piece small and simple even though my own pieces are quite large and complicated.  I want to continue having clients who are pleased with their own private work of art.  My goal is to achieve a painting that portrays the spirit of the subject.  I will write more on this at a later date.

I am excited about this simple composition.  Here you can see my transfer of the drawing to the linen canvas.  I used a raw umber on the back of the drawing and placed it carefully to get it positioned just right.  I have a natural feel for the center of my paintings and always feel that something is wrong if I don’t get the composition in the right place.  Sometimes I have drawn the portrait on paper but then repositioned it differently on the canvas.  The photo references, which I took about six years ago, were taken on a brightly lit sunny day.  Therefore, not  only does the bright sunlight fall behind the child, but the reflected light is very colorful.  I must be on guard to get that right.  I do not normally use blue as a background color, but it did not seem appropriate to darken the background on a brightly lit day or to wash out the sky with white when there is so much light on the child’s clothing. Since there is such bright light, I decided to establish a lot of those brights first.  Normally, I would establish the skin tone in darks and lights before adding color, then move on to the clothing.  In this case, I wanted to get all the direct light, which is marked on the arm of the first photo but not shown in the second.  What you see in the second photo is direct sunlight falling over the shoulder from the back and going through the clothing, but on the face, that is just reflected light.  Even though her face is not lit directly, there needed to be a lot of light in it.  We will see how it develops. I have not detailed the background.  I hope to suggest the street and trees behind her but keep them muted.  Shalom, Diana I decided to add another photo.Sorry,  I didn’t realize I had not turned it.  But you can see all the lights here.

I am doing an experiment to see if I can add a blog from my iPad. I tried it once before and couldn’t download what I had prepared. Maybe this time it will work. Here I will try to add a photo.well, well. So far, so good. It took a minute but I was able to get the photo uploaded.

let me tell you a little bit about this image.  I took several photo images to use someday in the future for a painting. The pose and activity seemed like a good subject. Of course, other things intervened so I had This idea tucked away in a folder for a later date. Recently, I was realizing that my shortage of finished work because of the time involved with my aging uncle had put me in a position of not being able to enter some of my regular shows. Not only are my art friends disappointed, but also I feel a little pressure about the work I need to do. It was a stimulus for me to do some planning. there is a show coming up soon that has an opportunity for work to be chosen for an area art gala. They already bought one of my pieces and I have a goal for another work of mine to be chosen. Now it was necessary for me, not only to paint something for this show, but to choose a suitable subject of the best quality of composition and interest and also be able to complete it in time for the entry deadline. I went to my folder to make a choice and this is the sketch I compiled from the references. I will upload images as I work. Hope you enjoy this subject and artwork.

My husband was checking my website and informed me about all the many places that have viewers checking this site. Even Vatican City! Hello to you all. Also Bueno dia to you in Brazil y Otra hombres espanol. Me espanol no es Bueno pero es possible por mi hablar y entiendo un poco. Esta machina no quiero las leteras en espanol y decider hacer leteras diferente.

For now, that is all. Shalom, Diana

Here is today’s work.  I am very excited to see this come into reality.  This image is so much like the girls and painting it is almost like carving an image of them and having it come to real life.  They are a few years older now but they still look just the same.  Besides, this is a day’s event that will be nice to have memorialized as I once planned but didn’t get it right.  I hope I can keep working and show you regular updates and I hope you enjoy seeing my process.  I will tell you here that there is no flesh color on this painting although it looks like there is.  The background undercoat is grey and the grisaille is only just begun with a half-paste of lead white.  I am doing the darks with a mixture of burnt sienna, black and burnt umber.  I usually use a grey or green but the tones on their faces are so much in bright sun that I wanted all warm hues.  Of course, they both have toothy smiles, a no-no for most portraits, but who cares?  This is what I want so this is what I am doing.  If I get much done tomorrow, I will try to update, if not, I’ll see you next week.  By the way, the sailor is almost finished.  Tonight while watching TV I hope to paint some details.  Shalom, Diana

I will start with a note to tell you that as I have been striving to get back to diligent painting, I get carried away and forget to take consecutive photos so you can see my progress.  I am going to put a few that I have here but later I may pull a couple off my Ipad if I can figure out how to do that.  First, let me pull up the class painting.  I have already shown you some early shots of it.  Here is the most recent..You will notice that this is the same shot as I used when painting “There Once Was a Little Girl.”  It is a perfect example for teaching.  It is captivating, has descriptive shadows and light, and of course, a winning smile and bright shining eyes.  OK, so on the first rendition, I finished it  in a hurried, rough manner.  With this one, I wanted the skin to be more refined and the skin tones to be more milky, as is natural for this child.  On this photo, it does not look as soft and natural as it does in person.  Now I will pull up Ryan, but I am sorry I don’t have more in between images.This is my grandson. He is about to graduate from High School.  I wanted to paint this because I wanted him to have a more adult painting than the pouty little child I had painted when he was three or four years old.  Now I am going to show you another image or two. This is a work that I first attempted when I was just beginning to teach myself portraiture.  I did it in water color and it would have been a good painting except that my drawing was out of proportion.  Even when we make mistakes, we can learn.  This mistake taught me that all the problems must be worked out as much as possible when in the drawing stage.  At least this is so in the method I use.  Also I want you to know the these are my two youngest daughters, the photo taken at the graduation of the youngest.  Both the girls loved this shot.  It shows how close they are and yet how different.  Neither of them know I have pulled this out to do an oil.  The photos will also reveal my duplication in progress simultaneously so that they each have an original.  Well, I was mistaken about the photo, it does not show both canvases side by side.  Just try to imagine another one just like this sitting on the easel beside it.  I’ve done this before, working on two exact images and you can barely tell them apart.  I know this photo doesn’t show much but this is the stage that excites me most.  The potential is all in there. Now lets see what I can do with it.

I am almost finished with the large painting that got postponed when my uncle was ill.  I wanted to have it done for a national show but I was at least a months work from that goal.  Now there is just a tiny bit to do.  I won’t show it till it has been accepted into a show.  I’m just not quite sure where I should enter it.

I wanted to show Plimoth Wife in the Three Rivers Show but it didn’t fit their criteria I guess.

I am waiting to hear from Philadelphia too.  I’ll tell you more after I hear from them.

One more thing,  Years, maybe ten years, ago I bought a Cimbidium orchid.  I tried to get it to bloom but finally learned that they won’t bloom in the  north unless you can provide perfect conditions.  About two months ago I was so surprised to find a flowering stem with two buds on it.  I feared they would abort and die but they continued to develop and now they are sitting in my kitchen bay window.  Next year I will move the other two Cimbidium plants to get more light and maybe I will be able to get them to bloom as well Here is an image.

Here are the two images I wanted to load a few days ago.  I got everything ready and then could not get them to go onto the demonstrations page.  I still cannot figure out what I am doing wrong.  That page is on hold somewhere in the ether.  I decided to put it here so you don’t have to wait any longer.  The first one is the sketch that I have worked on a little while the transfer paint is still wet. (I don’t like to leave lines).  The second one is after two or three sessions.  Mostly I have just worked the lights and darks in a few layers so that I can make as many corrections as I want.  Soon my student and I will begin with adding color to the flesh.  This is very difficult because it involves using a light touch and being able to know what you are looking for.

I thought you might like to see another painting I am working on.  It takes a lot of work for me to do something other than portraits because I really have no idea what I am doing.  I just love flowers and so when I have nice ones, I get some photos and then later I can work on a still life.  Of course I will call this one Wine and Roses.

I got a nice surprise recently.  I was watering my orchids and noticed three flowering stems on a specimen that I’ve had for five years!  It took almost two months for the inflorescence to open.  It is a mini oncidium and that blossom is about as big as a thumbnail.  Then a couple of days ago, I discovered two blossoms, not open yet, on my cymbidium that I’ve had for years!  Since it never bloomed, I did some research and found that they just won’t bloom in this part of the country.  But there they are.  When they open, I’ll show you.

I am really eager to let you see the painting I’m preparing for the shows but I just don’t want to reveal it yet.  Maybe I’ll take a detail shot and post it soon.  Till next time.  Blessings, Shalom, Diana

I know it has been a slow winter. If you have followed this blog you know about the life events (health and deaths) that have taken time and energy. Now I am trying to get back into a regular routine. An exciting thing for me is working with a private student. I was concerned at first that I might not be up to this task but the student has made that concern vanish. This person is talented and completely dedicated to acquiring the skills needed to accomplish similar works but from a unique perspective. We are enjoying the interaction.
I am also concentrating a large segment of time/energy on the large piece for next year’s shows. I’m not ready to release much info about it except to say the following; the piece is quite large (I decided on the size based on the largest possible dimensions allowable for most juried shows and also, of course, on the composition.) The composition is very complicated and tedious although I am enjoying it. The subject is interesting, different, and captivating. Everyone who has seen it says it is their favorite, but they say that about each one as they come along! I wanted to have it done for last fall but all the personal things interrupted my work. Now it is moving along.
I am going to place photos of works in progress from my class on the demonstration page. We are working on a close – up portrait that I have painted before. You will notice that I am approaching it differently this time. I chose this portrait because of the facial features being cheerful and excited but mostly because of the lighting. When I finished it the first time, I did so in a hurry to have something for my art group. The finish was loose and painterly, not typical for me. Now I am working on a more precise rendition, what people sometimes call ‘tight’. My favorite artist is William Adolphe Bouguereau. His skin tones and surfaces were smooth and deep and his mastery of the human figure has no comparison. If he made such beautiful works of art with such a tight method, then I certainly can work in that manor as well. I’ve never conformed to someone else’s idea of ‘correct’. I paint what my heart tells me. I am going to download the most recent examples of this work into the category of demonstrations. As I continue, I will try to get some really good close- up shots of the work. The new camera we have should get some pretty good views. Hope this is helpful. (I’ll load these later today.) Shalom, Diana

For months I’ve been busy as co-care giver for my uncle. After the funeral I gave myself a few days to rest. Then I started to gather all the loose ends and tried to get organized to get back to my studio. I actually gave one lesson to my first private student. Then, well, you can probably guess it, chaos hit again. My husband was rushed to the ER with multiple bilateral pulmonary emboli. Blood clots in the lungs can kill very abruptly. He was lucky. A test for another problem showed the clots. He was put on blood thinners and came home twenty four hours later. Now we begin a series of many doctor visits for his tests and evaluations and mine for my heart. The Saturday before my husband’s Monday rush to the hospital, we had attended the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art’s 19th Annual Juried Exhibition. I was pleased to be awarded second place for Plimoth Wife. I had entered her hurriedly because I had not been able to prepare a new piece but since she still qualified, I sent in the CD and she was juried in. Ligonier puts on a wonderful show; good art, good food and fun, interesting artists and art enthusiasts. It was a pleasant evening.
When I started this blog, I never thought my life would present so many interruptions. We all face these challenges so I hope you will continue to check out this spot. I will make every effort to paint again and get some of my work on view. Shalom, Diana

On October 29, 2014 Uncle Frank made his transition from this life to the next. His mind was still strong; he amazed the doctors and nurses. His body just would not co operate. Even his heart was strong. Everything else gave out. Mostly, he slept away. I will miss him. Shalom

Finally Bruce and I figured out how to access our wordpress site. New updates always seem to mess things up at least until we figure out what to do differently. Our access route is different and if I were a computer geek perhaps it wouldn’t confuse me so much!
I hardly know where to begin to catch you up. I did the speaking engagement with the wonderful people in a nearby community. I am preparing to teach a class at the ‘Bottleworks’ in a neighboring city. That will be a challenge for me because of how unique and tedious my process is. It will not be difficult for those who truly want to learn this style of painting. Bruce drove me two and a half hours to Youngstown, Ohio a few weeks ago to watch a four hour long painting demonstration by Sherri McGraw, an Artist’s Magazine featured artist. Her work is very beautiful, especially her still life pieces. But her method, which she refers to as abstract realism, is loose and opposite of how I like to paint. I expect to try to mix it in with my style on a still life as soon as time permits.
I did not get a photo of the piece that I took to the New Alexandria Artist’s Alliance. I will do that as soon as I get the opportunity. I have a self portrait in the works for the next meeting in December. I want to get back to the large painting soon. OH, YES, I received a personal note from the lady who is the subject of ‘Plimoth Wife’. She was so gracious and complimentary. I was overjoyed to know that she has seen her portrait. It didn’t seem right to do such a special painting and the lady not even know it is her. It took almost a year for her to receive the photo. I am happy just knowing she has seen it.
I am sad to tell you that my uncle is in the hospital and slipping away fast. His daughter from several states to the West has been here staying with him since his wife died in August. I thought he was going to rebound strongly but when he realized his body was not going to keep up with his strong will and his strong mind, it took its tole.
I will keep you posted as to his condition but it seems to me that we are facing only a matter of days.
I am offering my apologies for not having the continuing posts of new work for you to see. I’ll get back to it as soon as I can. Shalom, Diana

Recently I was invited to demonstrate my painting technique at the local gallery during the ethnic festival. This event draws people from all around to enjoy the music, the food and the arts and crafts. The first two days were sunny and warm. Sunday was warm but drizzly. No matter. Hundreds of people went through. I was set up in one of the two buildings belonging to the art group. We invited people into the air conditioned area by placing a large poster showing a brief display of how my art progresses. Also, it was realized that there needed to be more direction for the people so they would find the art so some other signs were posted. I talked for three days from noon till about nine thirty (and until five on Sunday). It was quite an overwhelming experience because people are not so accustomed to seeing realism in portraits, at least not so much locally. The response was pleasantly positive.
My aunt passed away and was buried last week. I’ve had to postpone my work so I could not enter the piece I wanted to in the Mr. Fred Rogers Show in Latrobe. I entered another piece and will let you know later how it fares. Right now, I am going to be involved in helping my cousin from the state of Indiana get my uncle settled in an appropriate living situation. Till later, Shalom, Diana

This is my dear uncle with ( I’m pretty sure) his two youngest descendants, my granddaughters Ginney and Sophia.  Also his birthday cake with sparkler and a bowling trophy on his hundredth birthday.

I’ve been trying to get back to painting but the summer keeps putting things in my schedule, like a twenty four hour stay at the local hospital for a stomach and intestinal infection I don’t have time for. I’m thankful I’m recovering.  I’ve had three out of state visits from dear friends and relatives, which I love and other birthdays and reunions.  So much to do, so little time!  I will try to download the next stage of my grandson’s portrait.  I’d love to get started on the one I’m thinking about of Uncle Frank in the barber chair getting his flat top haircut. Till next time, Shalom, Diana

This is one of my daughters with her great uncle looking at one of the documents sent to him by the state or the congress or other organizations recognizing his one hundredth birthday.  I’ve been wanting to put up a birthday photo but another daughter sent the one’s she took and they did not come through.  We will keep working on that.  The newspaper article will be up whenever the editor decides the time is right.  It should be soon.  For now, all is well, to a degree.  Uncle Frank and Aunt Dot are both worn out. I will do my best to get them to their doctor and Bruce is taking fresh vegetables as do other family and friends.  Uncle Frank’s mind is incredibly sharp.  If he could breathe better I think he would walk around more.  But he is amazing. 

I thought it would be a good idea to post tonight, just twenty minutes till twelve and it will be the 24th on July, 2014, the one hundred year anniversary of my uncle’s birthday.  Since he isn’t up to a big party, here is what is happening.  Around 11:30 a reporter is going to arrive at his house for an in depth interview and photos.  She was at my house this evening, and God bless her, she has purchased balloons (so did I ) and a crown and signs, etc.  At twelve o’clock I am rounding up as many people who want to go and we will proceed to his house.  There, I hope to bring him out to the steps of his porch, so that all the people can sing happy birthday!   I hope it will be meaningful for him.  I’ve actually baked him a small cake and we are going to put a sparkler on it.  A simple candle did not seem to suffice.  I hope the rain holds off or is finished by then.  Happy Birthday, Uncle Frank!

I don’t know how many of the people who went through the art gallery at Twin Lakes will have access to my  blog.  I gave out some of my business cards for the ones who seemed interested so some of you might browse to this site.  I hope you will see my sincere THANK YOU and pass it on to any others you might know who voted for “The Mountain Stream Heals All.”  Of course you can look at her any time you go to the gallery on this web site.

When an artist enters a show it is natural to hope for an award.  Any of us who have entered often have become conditioned to the unsettling seas of the award ritual.  We artists take it as a special recognition just to be included in the first selection.  It means our work is appreciated by a qualified and experienced juror.  After that, we are also conditioned to accept the award decisions.  If we spent much energy getting upset when there are choices we don’t agree with, then we probably wouldn’t bother to enter other shows.  The juror is one person and his or her choice is an opinion and it is important. It lifts the artist’s status to the next level. But The People’s Choice Award lifts the spirit of the artist and gives the incentive to paint again!  I consider it an extremely high honor to be awarded People’s Choice in any show because it tells me that YOU, THE VIEWERS enjoy my work.    Thank you for coming to the show, for looking at art, for studying and enjoying the paintings of Diana Williams and thank you again for voting for “The Mountain Stream Heals All.”

Let me fill you in and catch you up.  First, I was so blessed to be awarded first place at the Dressler in Somerset.  I went there on the advice of a new acquaintance a few weeks ago.  Since there was an upcoming show, I entered three pieces.  I knew I wouldn’t be able to attend the reception because that was the same time and day as my grandson’s rehearsal dinner.  But the art group called to tell me I’d received an award and asked if there was any possible way I could make it.  I looked at the travel routes and times and figured I could get there but couldn’t stay long.  I’m so glad I did because in that short amount of time I experienced such cordial new people and was welcomed so warmly.  Artists are great people and that is one thing that makes this all so nice.  Since all my most recent pieces were already in the Westmoreland Show, it was Red Mushroom that took the award.  You can see her in the gallery on this site.  I have to say that the most fun thing of the evening was seeing an old friend whom I have not seen for two years.  This museum is near his home so I contacted him to ask if he would be attending.  He was already planning to be there so it was a special treat for me.

My grandson had a beautiful wedding.  The odd thing is that a week after I fell, his dad fell and fractured a vertebrae six days before the big event!  Do you know that sometimes these breaks can be cemented together?  Well, that is what they did and my son in law recovered well enough to enjoy the wedding too.

Of course gardening is taking a big chunk of time right now.  My husband does all the vegetable garden in a plot approximately 45 x45′.  He has also picked up a lot of my flower care duties.  Even so, there is a lot for me to do.  I just discovered that the deer are munching off all the blossoms of my hydrangea.  There is only one place within the fenced off area where I can move it, but that means I will have to clear out the creeping phlox and the other ground covers that are there.  Then Bruce can help me move the plant.  Maybe next year I’ll get some blooms.  I’ve had the plant about seven or eight years.  It is about time I get it to bloom.  Yesterday I transplanted six Streptocarpis.  I will try to get photos when they get blooming well and post it here.

Now, I am thinking that I need a couple of new dresses for summer, so I must spend some time sewing.

There are retirement parties, graduation parties, holidays, and don’t forget my uncles one hundredth birthday is this month. HELP!

Actually,  I have made some amazing progress on the work for a big show.  I wanted to enter it in the Mr. Fred Rogers show, but there was no way I was going to have it ready for the July 1 entry deadline.  I entered a couple of other things and we’ll se how they do.  I don’t want to show this piece on this blog until I’ve had it in a show so it will have to wait probably till next summer unless I find an important show where I think it will work.

So for now, that’s what’s happening.  Diana

I’ve been dealing with this back pain for over three years.  Last week I began to report to Bruce and my friends that I was noticing some improvement.  Thank God.  Well, today I fell down my stairs!!!!!!!!!!!!   When I slipped at the top step, I cannot remember what happened next but I became conscious of banging my head on every step as I slid over each step on the way down.  It was a rough ride and I was certain I had made my life miserable for what ever there is left of it.  Since my neck hurt worst between my shoulders, I was afraid I could have broken my neck.  I decided not to mess around so off I went in an ambulance.  Bruce followed in the car. Somehow he was pretty sure I was OK.  I wasn’t.  Sure or OK.

After a long day, a head ct and a full spine ct, the pronouncement was, nothing broken.  I feel awful but I’m fortunate I got only bruises and a bruised ego.  Oh, the heck with the ego.  I was just plain scared.  I didn’t want to end up crippled for the next twenty or thirty years.  (Remember, Uncle Frank turns 100 in July on the 24^th.)  Also I’ve lost two close friends to falls.  Remember dear friends,  stop to smell the roses, be grateful to God our creator in all circumstances and BE CAREFUL.

My painting is behind schedule but I am making some progress.  My grandson gets married soon so I’ll be busy baking cookies.

The show a couple of weeks ago was quite interesting.  My three paintings got rave reviews by the public as evidenced by the busy evening I had answering all the queries about them.  I ran into a dear old friend whom I haven’t seen for a number of years.  It was a joy!  The paintings move to twin lakes in two weeks.  We’ll see how things turn out then.  I’ll try to let you know.  Good painting.  Diana

It is four in the morning and I cannot sleep.  Unfortunately, that also means I cannot see or spell.  I probably shouldn’t post this but I suppose I will.  I’ve been working on a very large painting.  I am pretty sure it is 58 inches high.  I have to restrict how large I can make the works so that they qualify to be in the local shows.  Our galleries and other venues do not have larges amounts of space or high ceilings.  This evening is the reception for the Westmoreland National.  Yes, it was advertised and is open to National entries.  It is going to be displayed at the Westmoreland County Community College in Youngwood.  That is about an hour from here.  I have relatives attending with me tonight.  It should be a nice evening.  There are three of my portraits in the show.  I hope I can get a nap before we leave or I will be as delirious then as I feel now.  I will try to rest so that I can get thru the evening on my feet.   I will let you know if any awards come my way but having three pieces accepted for this show is an honor in itself.  Diana

Last night was the reception for the Latrobe Art League Open Show.  Latrobe puts on the greatest receptions of any group I know.  Everyone is always excited and we have so much fun. The food is great and there is usually great music too. I have had some kind of virus or else my pain level has been the cause of my feeling sick.  Who knows?  I regret not being able to attend the reception last evening.  I was notified that I took third place for a small portrait of my granddaughter.  It is entitled, “There Once Was a Little Girl”.  Actually, you can see it on the gallery of this web site.  I’m glad I found the time last week to deliver the two small paintings that I had available.  I didn’t think I was going to be able to participate but I made it and got this prize. That is a blessing. My Uncle’s daughter and daughter-in-law are coming in today from Indiana State to see him. It will be good for them to be together.  We never know what is around the next bend.  I still haven’t gotten Andrea’s signed portrait posted.  Nelly, have you seen it?  I started the new large painting on Wednesday, the day I was so sick.  That was a mistake!  I couldn’t continue and every thing I did was basically a waste.  On Thursday, though, I made some progress and sort of got my feet under me again.  For a while I was feeling so bad that I wondered if I was going to have to give up this next project.  I am doing this painting for the next important show, either the Mr. Rogers or some other event.  It is a very large challenge, full of detail and also it is an extremely interesting and appealing composition.  I’ll keep you all informed about my progress on it but I probably won’t reveal the subject until it is finished.  Till next time, Shalom, Diana

The humming birds have arrived and they hover at the window trying to get at this orchid.  I sat it outside so they could have a sip of the nectar.  That made them happy.

I always thought that when a person reached a certain age life would slow down and there would be lots of free time. I must have missed a turn somewhere or done something different because I have no free time. Well, a large portion of my time is used just managing pain levels and so I must account for that. I do like to be busy so I am not complaining just apologizing for my delay. I promised I would upload photos of my blooming orchids. I’ll do that now and then, hopefully, later this evening, I’ll upload the signed portrait of Andrea.