I felt I must post this photo. This is the baby gown I rescued from a dark, damp garage area of an antique store. I could not bear to see this master work left unrecognized and forgotten forever. I believe it is fine linen. Every stitch, not only the embroidery, is hand done. I found it dingy and covered with tiny rust colored spots, maybe mold. It only had a few baby food stains. I treated it with Dawn dish soap and some Shout stain treatment. I left it soak for 24 hours and then washed it by hand with more Dawn. Then I rinsed it well and laid it on a towel to dry.
I am hoping to locate a museum that specializes in hand made clothing. If anyone has any suggestions, please contact me through this web site. Also, be sure to zoom in on the little dress photo in order to appreciate the tiny stitches. Diana

I hardly know where to begin. I guess bad news first. I have been working on a still life that has special meaning for me. I only showed you small portions of it because I wanted it to be viewed first at a show that I have been waiting for. I already have experience in this show, both getting a big award and also being rejected. So, for months I have been concentrating on getting this piece completed in time for the entry. Then those who placed an entry must wait a month until the juror has made his/her selections. October first those choices are emailed. This painting is one of my best which made it difficult to see the words on the email. I don’t mind the rejection for myself but it has been frustrating to try to figure what was it about this work that made the juror reject it. My thoughts are that it was not wildly modern, since I lean toward old masters style. Who knows? Anyway, it was painful to have to make this announcement to my students. I struggled to lift their spirits and not allow them to want to give up on their own efforts. We must realize that if we are going to participate in a procedure that gives the choices over completely to one ‘expert’, then we must be prepared to accept the results. I have never painted to try to please a juror. Rather, I strive to make a composition and painting that is good enough that it cannot be ignored! If I have reached a time in my life where I no longer have the patience to deal with this and other strange things that are happening in our art arenas then I will be glad to spend more of my time painting and less with groups and exhibitions. I enjoy the artists and viewers too much to do that at this time.
I did two days of antique shopping last week. I wanted a nice piece of copper, perhaps a tea pot or little creamer. I found a perfect piece that had been silver overlayed on copper. The copper is very apparent. I was looking for a goblet, found that. A rough clay pot, an old dirty boa with box joints, check. Unfortunately, other things, which were not art related, called out to me. I should be disposing of my stuff, not bringing more into my small house! I must tell you that in an adjoining damp dark garage, hanging on a back wall, I rescued the most beautiful, although simple, hand stitched baby gown. I will try to post a photo when I finish this blog.
OK, to wrap it up, I will tell you that the project I have been working on for almost three years is about to come to fruition. My husband always makes the things I need around the house, usually furniture. When I asked him to make an art tool, he tried, but, the edges needed to be smooth and the marks precision. After a while, I was directed to a Tech school where the first prototype was turned out. After two or three more attempts, voila! Perfect. This process included explaining the plans in detail to several different companies with months of waiting, only to be told that their machines were not able to do the job. Very aggravating! Finally, this production is now in the hands of a capable company. My daughter, a graphic artist in Ohio, is skilled at videoing. She will help me make an instruction video.
The image at the top is one I showed in the early stage. It is almost finished. These trout lilies grow on the forest floor in our area and probably most of the eastern mountains. I will now try to post another image of the little baby dress. I consider it a national treasure.
Well, I don’t have a way to show you. I will try on the next post. Enjoy your art. Diana

Every now and then I simply must take a break. But I don’t mean to imply that I want to stop painting. I just need some soothing scenery. Flowers or some other nature close up usually does it for me. Here are my trout lilies under the grape vine. Did you know that these won’t bloom unless their bulbs are situated at a shallow depth. Every year, the new bulb is deeper. If you see a patch of the mottled leaves in the woods with few or no flowers, you will know they have buried themselves too deep over time. When I plant mine, I dig a hole and then place a flat rock in it. I place the bulbs there and then cover them with about an inch of soil. They make a beautiful display in the spring.

I want to apologize because I have not kept up with my blog. I have told you I had cataracts removed. That is common for almost every one I know. Now, it seems, there is a shortage of technitions so I still don’t have my painting glasses. I must admit, it is partly my fault because I asked for the wrong thing and must have my painting glasses redone. Also, my glaucoma did not get resolved with the surgery. My schedule this year is really tight too. I am only able to put in about four or five hours painting.
I am very happy about the two paintings in progress. I am saving one to unveil at a local show. I will post an image of the other. Already I am planning several more. I am so thankful I am blessed to be doing this. Let me see if I can get this image up. Hugs, Diana

First I will insert an image. This is a tiny portion of the new painting I have been working on. I am going to keep it as a surprise until it is finished. This image is very special to me and later I will try to remember to tell you more about it. What you see has an under coat or imprimatur a, a first sketch a second painting and will get one or two more layers as I work on the entire piece.

I did have both eyes operated on for cataracts and a special procedure to release the pressure of the glaucoma. This procedure, however did not solve the pressure build up. I must wait three months to see the specialist again and learn if the pressure is still building. There are a number of other things which have kept me from my work but I hope to get back into the swing of things now. It has been a busy spring and a more natural warm up. So many recent springs jumped right into 90% temps and that was no good for any of the early plants. Of course the spring colors are more vivid for me now since my eyes see more cleanly. We have our eight great grandchild, a boy. Our daughter is overjoyed that he has won her affections so completely. His parents are enjoying him too. He came a month early so was very small but not considered a preemie because he was above five pounds. Mama’s milk has certainly put weight on him fast. We have a graduation and a wedding soon, but I hope to post images of the other painting I started before all this. For now, I want to paint, so I will get back to you soon. Shalom, Diana

I have told you before that I like to have several paintings in the works at the same time. I should have checked, maybe I have shown you this one previously but now today’s work is on here. I just painted rocks and tree bark. I love to do this on a day when other life events keep me from being able to concentrate. The almost mindless task of random marks is soothing to my nerves. Actually, a background like this is a lot of work and has a beauty of its own to add to the painting. That is why I chose to do another Mountain Stream Painting at this time. A few years ago, I thought I might change directions away from larger portraits and so I was doing more head and shoulders portraits. After a while, I began to miss the larger ones. Now I have a problem as to where I will put them! So, for now, I just want you to know that my health is coming under control, I think, and I hope to be doing more painting and less doctor visits. I do wish you all much joy in doing your art. I am so grateful I can still do this. Shalom, Diana

I must say that when a subject is so balanced and precise, this becomes a challenge for the artist. It is hard to know when to stop. I think I want to brighten up her cheeks and lips and then call it done. I hope you all have learned something from following this blog or maybe just enjoyed it. Now to go make dinner. Tonight, at least, should be easy; we are having left overs. Shalom, Diana

I took a break to begin work on a new large format painting. I have always liked to have two or three going at once. Then I didn’t want to pull myself out of that one to get back to this. But finally a day arrived when she called to me and I returned. I want to get her completed so that I can enter a special competition. I am posting this so you can see what I have done in the past few sessions, mostly today. She is coming along. Enjoy. I will try to get back to you soon. Shalom, Diana

Although it may not seem like much, each layer helps create depth and suppleness in the flesh and also lifts the value on the surface. This is INDIRECT painting as opposed to DIRECT painting methods which premix the colors and apply them directly to the canvas side by side as correctly as possible with the first or second pass. I like the luminous quality of the paint with the indirect method. It also works better for me with my pain level and time constraints. This portrait will have dark and vivid details in spite of the blonde hair. I am hoping it will be a good addition to my portfolio. Enjoy your painting, Diana

Every portrait is evaluated by the artist at some point, preferably this is a continual process. Being critical can be negative but having a critical eye during this process should be a positive thing. With each layer I add, my mind evaluates the depth and realism of the flesh. Taking photos is necessary so that I can share with you, but keep in mind that these photos have a sort of x-ray effect so they seem to show the under layers and often do not give a good representation of the actual skin tone I am achieving on the canvas. From my perspective, I am watching for the values to become correct, the skin tone to be alive and supple looking and then of course, I try to get the features bright and eye catching. I look it over again in case there is something I missed. Then, I call it a day. I can usually tell if I am heading for success. I don’t like it when I become impatient and try to do something in a hurry. I am satisfied with today’s work. Shalom, Diana

This portrait is all about the eyes. And so, everything about them must be very accurate and the painting must capture the spirit of the eyes or else it doesn’t bring to the viewer that point which the portrait is expressing. Today, I started by making some corrections and then I got in there and made fine tuning on some important features. It is a good lesson for me because sometimes I want to go full speed ahead. Today, I knew I needed to slow down and focus on the thing that would set this one up for success. Hope I am successful with this one and that I remember this lesson for the future. Shalom, Diana

This doesn’t look like much but it takes skill and patience. Every muscle must be correct or the expression is not captured. Then, you must know when to stop so that the next application will achieve the results you are looking for.

We traveled to Ohio and of course I felt worse every day because of what seemed like an obstruction in my throat. As it turns out, I was suffering from an ear infection and possible abscess in my throat that had been simmering for weeks because the first meds did not wipe it out. I am grateful my daughter suggested stopping at an urgent care center near home on our way back. Now I am fired up and ready to make up for lost time. But my cardiologist isn’t confident and so I will see my family doctor tomorrow. Anyway, I am getting as much done as possible while I can.

Here is ‘Argentine Eyes’ with the second application of flesh. I have used a soft fuzzy old brush to work the color into the canvas. Then I used a soft fan brush to buff it to a high shine surface in order to sculpt now with white and Naples yellow or even yellow ochre if I need it. Then I will softly add darks to the shadow areas. I will use a neutral dark or a dark purple, which ever seems best. My goal at this point is to brighten the flesh and make the light a focus of the portrait. Have fun and enjoy your painting. Also welcome to our new subscriber in Luxembourg! Shalom, Diana

I want my students to know that this can be done. It is like the question, ‘How do you eat an elephant? – One bite at a time!’ This can be done! But you can succeed only if you have patience. The circumstance that helped me learn this technique is the health condition that limits my endurance. I needed a way to paint where by I could quit at almost any stage in the work. This method requires extreme concentration sometimes, but the method also makes it necessary to stop so it can dry and so that the subject is not destroyed by too much fussing around without a plan. Often my students tell me they think they have ruined their project. When I look at it, I see the layer, all ready for the next step. They have just not yet learned to recognize how each layer is supposed to look before moving on. Even when they have successfully finished a portrait, they don’t come to understand what they have done until they are working on the next portrait. It is only then that their brain recognizes the ‘landscape’ where they have been before and they now know how to proceed. In this portrait, the eyes have it! When looking for the subject which will make a good painting, look for something that will get the viewer’s attention. It could be a shadow, an expression, even an idea that the subject represents well and clearly. Then, make it your goal with every painting to make every mark, every brush stroke speak and draw the viewer in. I hope you enjoy the painting as much as I do. I have a friend who is a wonderful artist but he tells me his work causes him anxiety. It would take more dedication than I have to continue under those circumstances. I hope this will resolve itself and that he will begin to relax and enjoy the process. Let us count our blessings every day. Shalom, Diana

This process adds what amounts to putting skin over the structure of flesh and muscle that forms a likeness. Most portrait artists manage without this step. I was not satisfied with my early work until I stumbled into this process. When I do the flesh color, I always sculpt with white or Naples yellow. Eventually, I came to realize that it was an even layer of skin that was missing. So I dropped back to the step of darks and brights. Adding it here allowed me to manipulate these values until they seemed right. When an artist watches their portrait come to life, it adds a joy and excitement to their work. I sometimes can hardly wait to finish one project so that I can begin another. I hope you all enjoy your art.

Usually I don’t add detail at this stage but this girls eyes are the entire focus of the painting. They have to be perfect or I will have failed to capture a truly descriptive image. When adding minute detail at this point in the process it is important to use just the right amount of strength of value; not too dark, not too light. These marks will hold the place as I add layer after layer. They will still be visible when I need to finish the work. Their presence under the layers will add a shadow of reality under the fresh top strokes. I am sitting in front of this canvas that was bare three days ago. Already there is a radiance glowing from the spirit represented here. This is what excites my students and helps them get past the struggle! HalleluYah! I am so thankful to be able to make it to my studio every day and even for the new/old med that my doctor gave me to control my tremors. I am blessed.

Hello to all the followers and friends of this art and this webpage. As you probably know, the world is in turmoil. We are blessed to have a compelling distraction for some short hours as we do our creative endeavors. I will also briefly mention that my family has been affected by what is being called ‘excessive deaths.’ Like anything else, death rates have been charted for who knows how long. There is now a surge in the charts. I will let it up to you to check it out as you wish. The loss and grieving we are experiencing has interrupted my productivity and the next thing that threatens to interrupt it is a worsening health condition. So, in spite of all that, I am ready to get back into some work. I don’t like to call it work but it does take time and effort.

I hope I have managed to insert two images of the raw beginning of this portrait. The first is the drawing, if indeed it shows up first. I worked on this for about four days, from two to three hours each day. It is one of the types of images that I hope to do justice to the light, especially in the eyes, which are the focus of this painting. I spent hours just studying the placement and shape but later it will be the colors and light that will challenge me. The next image is the transfer to the canvas. Upon completing the transfer, I make an effort to soften the lines and shadows, adding more of the same color that I used for the transfer. I do this to add detail or shading wherever needed. On my next post, I will show you today’s work. I have painted in the most prominent brights. In this way, both the shadows and the light are established and corrected from the beginning. I do hope you enjoy watching the steps to creating what will probably be entitled, ‘Argentine Eyes’ Shalom, Peace, Diana

The second image did not show up so I will try again. Since it won’t let me add, I will do a second post. Let me just say that I hope to make some changes soon that will help with these problems. So sorry.

I will tell you all briefly that I haven’t been active in recent weeks because of health and grief. We have lost a dear friend and also my brother in law from the same horrible brain tumor. At the same time, my blood pressure tanked and tests show some things that I believe to be in error. Then yesterday, my knees decided they had had enough and swelled up with serious pain. Right now, I must prepare my class room and my self for my students who arrive at one. I will take an anti inflammatory and try to get through the next few hours. I love the students and our time together and don’t want them to have a long stretch of time between classes. I do hope it will not be long until .I am back to a regular post here. This blog will include the image of my grandson, entitled ‘BEAUTIFUL BOY’. Praying for peace, Shalom, Diana

Here is another layer. The flesh texture and surface is beginning to have the supple, alive feel to it. Sometime, you can almost see him breathing! What a blessing to spend a day in art. Kathy would be happy I did this today. My grief is comforted as I imagine her laughing and enjoying what I did. She loved her art experiences. I pray comfort for her family.

Here is an 8×10 of a Night Blooming Cereus which I painted in order to have something to donate to a local art group. This took a lot of work even though it is a small image. I am enjoying this flower so much, I am considering doing a multiple for a larger format. I have so much going on at the moment that it is challenging to keep up. My gardens are better than expected since I couldn’t find anyone to help clean them off until after their robust sprig growth had already over taken them. It didn’t seem to slow them down.
TAKE NOTE, arrangements were made for me to present a demonstration at the Community Art Center on Two evenings;June 9th and 10th from 5 to 7. Sadly, the info about the time was mis-printed in the news letter. This presentation will NOT be at noon. It will be from 5-7 as planned. I will be demonstrating a head and shoulders portrait and answering questions as we go through the process. I hope it will be a helpful endeavor. Shalom, Diana

Well, this image is not showing very true to color but I will get a better shot when it is finished. I am not happy when rushing thru a painting. I don’t mind if a painting moves along at a rapid pace because it is working out well, but I just don’t like to be hurried along. I suppose I must admit that I have produced a few good pieces under this type of circumstance. I just don’t enjoy it. I am so thankful that art is providing me with good times and experiences. I want to be able to continue as long as I can. This was class day which is also rewarding because the students express their satisfaction in their learning and in their accomplishments. I hope to finish this little painting tomorrow. I will post if I get it done. Diana