Boy on a Swing

Boy on a Swing 6" x 6" Oil on Canvas Panel NFS

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diane@dianehoeptner.com

This little dear started out as my nephew. I'm afraid I lost his likeness... It's his hair and that's how he swings, belly down (for hours!) But that's not Russell. I'll try him again sometime...

Well, I spoke too soon. I just called sister and had her take a look. She loves it. ??! It's so hard to predict people's reactions... I know I can do better? But it's one of those situations where it's best to just step AWAY from the easel. And I am.

Yeah, but what does it look like on a mini-easel?

An (oh-so-fab) friend informed me that my paintings on Etsy would be better presented if I added pictures of them within a setting. Today I heeded her advice and photographed some of them within an impromtu setting. Just call me the merchandiser..

Tulips for Linda Study

Tulips for Linda Study 10" x 8" Oil on Canvas Panel NFS

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This is a "practice run" for a larger painting, pending customer approval!

In other news, a dealer in California has expressed interest in some larger paintings.... I'm attempting to paint those, each 22" x 22" on gessoed paper. I've made a few mistakes. The paper I first used was too rough. Additionally, I miscalculated drying time on one painting and managed to bungle that the next day by painting over tacky paint. I cringe to think of the wasted time and materials on my initial tries! Yesterday I gessoed and toned 7 more smoother sheets and I will return to that project next week. 22x22 feels HUGE compared to my daily 6x6's! But painting bigger is something I've been wanting to do for a while... so it's all good.

Beautiful Decay

I'm very excited about my new (BIG) paintings, but they are still in progress!

Don't cha know all good things must come to an end... Check out the photo above: My tulip models have seen better days, but aren't they still so pretty?! In other news: we bought a snow blower last weekend-- and today will be a good day to try it out... Cleveland is experiencing (another) white out.

Memories: A painting from 2002

I'm working on a few larger paintings this week, I will post 'em as I can. Here's a painting from my Children at Play Series. It is a combination of watercolor and color pencil on Arches paper. The boys are my (now adult) cousins in a row boat in my Mother's backyard pond. Sold

Tulips Plus Lime

Tulips Plus Lime 6" x 6" Oil on Canvas Panel $95.

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diane@dianehoeptner.com

The "lime" is for the tablecloth across the bottom. ...a simple sweep of color that makes for quite a dramatic effect?! Not sure if I like it or hate it. More tulips to follow!

Tulips in Medicine Bottles

Tulips in Medicine Bottles 6" x 6" Oil on Canvas Panel $95.

SOLD

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diane@dianehoeptner.com

Two Tulips

Two Tulips 6" x 6" Oil on Canvas Panel $95.

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diane@dianehoeptner.com

Iris and Three Tulips

Iris and Three Tulips 6" x 6" Oil on Canvas Panel $95.

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diane@dianehoeptner.com

Yep, I'm still on the Tulip Train. Will be trying out some deep purple ones this afternoon.

Tulip Elephant

Tulip Elephant 6" x 6" Oil on Canvas Panel $95.

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diane@dianehoeptner.com

A pink elephant wandered past the tulip forest.... I like the idea of combining toys and flowers. May try a few more. I'm seeing fresh tulips every time I go out, they are an unfussy but fun flower to paint. Trader Joes has them potted and in bouquets. How wonderful to find them in the dead of winter!

January Sunflowers

January Sunflowers 6" x 6" Oil on Canvas Panel $95.

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diane@dianehoeptner.com

Here's this week's Ebay offering! I LOVE sunflowers and I NEVER get sick of painting them. The auction starts at $65 and features FREE SHIPPING and no reserve. Place your bid, here.

Tulip Trio

Tulip Trio 7" x 5" Oil on Canvas Panel 

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diane@dianehoeptner.com

Iris Duo

Iris Duo 6" x 6" Oil on Canvas Panel $95.

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diane@dianehoeptner.com

Tulips and Iris a Flower Painting

Tulips and Iris 6" x 6" Oil on Canvas Panel $95.

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diane@dianehoeptner.com

Greetings from Cleveland, OH where the temperature outside hovers at around 10 degrees. Regarding 2009 resolutions: I was thinking to paint 20 large toy paintings in the first half of the year. I was then going to present them to a few select galleries outside my 100 mile radius... I wrote this plan down and posted it to my bulletin board. But plans change. I am really enjoying these small flower paintings. I may regret saying so here: But I might want to paint flowers instead! Flowers sell better, they have a remarkably broad appeal. Beautiful flowers are easy to acquire... Why, even Eckhart Tolle said they're the s*#@t, or something like that, ask Oprah, it's true!

But habits die hard. My latest prospective toy subject is a small pink plastic elephant. He was probably a give-away prize at carnivals in the 40's/50's. Most outstanding: He matches the tulips I bought, two of which are in the painting above... Perhaps there's a way to combine both flowers & toys once in a while. Mmm.

In other news: See newly posted, available flower paintings in my Etsy Store.

Darkside Daisies

Darkside Daisies 6" x 6" Oil on Canvas Panel $95.

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diane@dianehoeptner.com

Vintage Tinker

Vintage Tinker 5" x 7" Oil on Canvas Panel $95.

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diane@dianehoeptner.com

Beach Daisy

Beach Daisy 6" x 6" Oil on Canvas Panel $95.

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diane@dianehoeptner.com

Ducks on Mauve

Ducks on Mauve 6" x 6" Oil on Canvas Panel $95.

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diane@dianehoeptner.com

Today I re-discovered for the 50th time: Blocking in colors/values before attempting to paint details is a GOOD THING. Not only do you HALVE your paint time, it's easier to see THE BIG PICTURE before you get out of joint because details aren't going so great. Oh and I do so get out of joint! Doh!

Magenta Pops

Magenta Pops 7" x 5" Oil on Canvas Panel N/A
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(: I like this one much better.
In other news: I've been juried into DAILYPAINTERS.COM The Daily Painters website features a DAILY showcase of art by over 140 painting-a-day artists. The site hosts 30,000 images of paintings by artist members. They advertise in American Art Collector and they have published a book featuring member's art... I am honored to be among a select group chosen from over 200 applicants. Special thanks goes to founder of the group: Micah Condon. Micah emailed me comments made by various jurors about my art and I gotta say, I was SO very thrilled to read those... Thank you Micah!!!

Mint Julep: Make that a double, please.

Mint Julep 7" x 5" Oil on Canvas Panel $95.

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diane@dianehoeptner.com

I promised myself I would quit being my own worst critic, especially in writing on my blog. Suffice it to say this painting falls short of my intentions. I'm gonna try again with another one tomorrow. I do love the monochromatic color scheme...

This morning I listed ten of my favorite flower paintings to my new Etsy store, here ! I'm offering free shipping on those for a limited time.

Sandy Mastroni Art: A Must See!

Here's a link to a really interesting artist: Sandy Mastroni

Sandy is a multi talented artist/craftsperson. She goes by the title "folk artist," but there's something deep and vaguely disturbing (in a good way!) about her art--that doesn't really classify as "folk." She paints (one of her paintings was accepted into the '08 Small Works North America Greenwich Show) does paper mache, builds clocks, figurines and makes bookmarks. She's licensed her art for some really neat and funky embroidered pillows too!

She held a raffle for the bookmark on your left and I won it!! (: (Thanks Sandy!) She has a most awesome collection of toys, I wish she would send them all to me, so I could paint them. (: She shares pictures of all on her blog.

Sandy's one of a kind original items can be found on Etsy, here. She's doing very well there. Check her out!!!

Around the Bend

Around the Bend 5" x 7" Oil on Canvas Panel $95.

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diane@dianehoeptner.com

Three Flowers

Three Flowers 6" x 6" Oil on Canvas Panel $95.

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diane@dianehoeptner.com

I'm pretty happy with today and yesterday's paintings. I received some new brushes from Dick Blick in the mail and WOWEE what a difference a new brush makes!

Trio Burst

Trio Burst 5" x 7" Oil on Canvas Panel $95.

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diane@dianehoeptner.com

Up for Auction on Ebay

Available NOW via Ebay Auctions: Pete the Pup Splits and Skull & Flower.

Each painting has a starting price of $65. Auctions end next Sunday, each will sell with no reserve, to the highest bidder. Bid now!

Millie & Willie II Painting of Vintage Salt & Pepper

Millie & Willie II 6" x 6" Oil on Canvas Panel $95.

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diane@dianehoeptner.com

Ah! Not so glare-free photo of Millie & Willie on a darker background. I will for sure replace this photo after the paint dries!

Millie & Willie I Salt Pepper Shaker Painting

   Millie & Willie I 6" x 6" Oil on Canvas Panel SOLD
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I couldn't resist these. VERY old plastic salt and pepper shakers. Each aged to perfection. I love the chippy paint/distinct surface colors and the nice sculptural shape of them. I tried 'em on both light and dark backgrounds, this one was more successful. If I can get a better photo of the other, I will post it tomorrow.

Sister and Nephew Portrait Painting

Russy & Deb 6" x 6" Oil on Canvas Panel SOLD

Here's a portrait of my sister and her youngest son, Russell. I'm happy with it and she was thrilled. I SO enjoy painting portraits.

It's the waiting for client/customer approval that KILLS me. Honestly, I'm a nervous wreck. Even when it's my own sister who I'm waiting on!! When I used color pencils, I was more confident about "likeness" issues. But at this stage in my progress as a painter-- It's better if I don't even try to capture the kind of details a typical portrait requires. This one seems to work, even without a lot of detail. ...and what a nice reminder of just how wonderful portraiture can be when that happens. Sister now wants a portrait of JUST Russy. So, I suspect that'll happen here soon.