Alstromerias Painting Flowers and Knowing Names

As flowers go, some are fussy some are not. Sunflowers are a joy to paint and to behold. This flower here? Yeah, not so much. While I've painted it a few times, I always labeled it under "other." (My paintings are searchable by flower, see menu on right.) Anyway, I just figured out, it's called an Alstromerias. Trader Joe's had a bucket of them!

It's not my favorite flower to paint, but one of my favorite paintings does feature pink Alstromerias, see it in my Ebay Store, here. nodp

Coco Sitting Oil Painting Gray Cat

Coco Sits 12"x 12" Oil on Board
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diane@dianehoeptner.com

Yes, it's another Coco portrait. I would happily paint ten more of his furry cuteness. But it's time to get back to business and don't cha know sunflowers were on sale at Trader Joe's.

Halloween Pirates Scamper

Pirates 11"x 14" Oil on Board $365. Reserved
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diane@dianehoeptner.com

My nephews. Happy Halloween. (:

Coco Gray Cat Painting

Coco in Repose 12" x 12" Oil on Board N/A
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diane@dianehoeptner.com

This is Coco, our spaztastic cat. He was rescued from the pound and promptly terrorized daily by my first cat, Layla. He's the most muscular of the two cats, weighing a good pound or two more than Layla, but in his eyes she's still the boss... Will take better photo of this painting when it's drier and Cleveland's rain and dark lifts. To see more posts about Coco, click here.

What does the back look like?

Here's a quick post to illustrate what the backs of my small(er) daily paintings on board look like. I prime the front of the board with three or four coats of gesso and attach the wood "planks" on back. Wire is then strung across the planks. They are ready for display as-is, but will also accomodate a frame. This method is great for smaller sizes, up to about 12" x 12." Beyond that, warping might become an issue. Bottom line though, (for fellow artists and collectors) it's a cost effective support that will allow paintings to last a very long time. In other news, I'm doing touch ups and figuring out frame issues for an upcoming show. More information and hopefully more daily paintings soon. nodp

Shadow Chaser Oil Painting of Daisies

Shadow Chaser 6"x 8" Oil on Board $95. SOLD
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diane@dianehoeptner.com

Sometimes a painting is about shape and arrangements, sometimes it's just about how the light makes shadows. I would like to try this one again sometime, bigger. In other news, I'm still figuring out which colors provide full opaque coverage and which are more transparent! The dark limey greens in the pottery were a bit on the transparent side... This image is best viewed full size.

Gerber Daisy Oil Painting

Daisy Designs 16"x 20" Oil on Canvas NFS

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As I attempt to add more complexity to my paintings, things like composition, lighting, patterns, color and value become springboards for so many possibilities. I wanted to further explore a yellow & gray color combo here, but I also wanted to paint white gerber daisies. I picked up a couple yards of upholstery fabric (on the table top) over the weekend, it has a wonderful subtle swirly pattern. While I did manage to work in the yellow/gray colors and the white Gerber daisies-- the swirly pattern didn't quite make the final painting. Maybe next time.

Local Girl Gallery and a New Painting

Oil on paper, 22x22, reserved

I learned about the Local Girl Gallery when the Cleveland Plain Dealer ran a story on owner Linda Goik, purveyor of things bright and beautiful. She seemed delightful and I thought the gallery might be a good place for my flower paintings. Linda is a delight in person too and she agreed to offer a selection of my smaller daily paintings at the gallery. (Woohoo!) Bigger paintings will be available as well in the near future.

Good Hair Day

It was a good hair day: low humidity/no frizz ...and time for a new bio pic! Husband took the pictures while I tried to look something similar to sober and coherent. We did manage to get a good one out of the bunch and I went ahead and posted it to the left. Thanks, Hot Husband. (: On a side note: I am painting a rather intensive commission this week but will be back to regular blog posts soon! nodp

Before & After Flower Painting

It's confusing trying to figure out what to salvage and what gets put on the burn pile. I've had a few pieces returned, unsold. My paintings are getting better and looking at the old work confirms that. After much internal debate and a little sadness, I will watch a few go up in smoke. This one here just needed a little tlc: More highlites and some cool browns to tamp out the neon looking undertones. Painting is oil on paper and measures 22x22.

Carmine Daisy & Daffodil Oil Painting

top: oil on paper, 22x22 reserved

I discovered a new color today: Holbein's "Luminous Red." I needed a pinkish hue with more opacity than magenta, it was perfect. Top painting needed some extra light yellow added to the daffodil at the last moment, thus you see a fresh pce. of palette paper with just those colors... Below that, a detail of Wild Ones a painting I posted earlier in the week. Still showing glare, as it is still drying, doh!

Poppy Love Oil Painting of Flowers

Oil on paper, 22x22, reserved

Don't cha know the poppies are hot, hot, hot right now? Unlike the weather here in Cleveland which is mid 50's and windy, brrrrrr.

Wild Bunch Ranunculus Floral Still Life

Oil on paper, 22x22, reserved

It's a cryin' shame to post such a bad photo of this painting. ...and I will re-photo these 22x22's when they've had a chance to dry properly! The first time I painted this "wild bunch" was here. Considering the numerous comments it received (always such a pleasure!) and the fact that it sold right away, I thought it might be a good idea to paint it again. I'm very happy with this latest version.

Fluted Yellows Naturtium Flower Oil Painting

Oil on paper, 22x22, sold

Trying again for that elusive yellow on gray "eye pop" effect. (: Not sure if this is there yet, but I like how it came out anyway.

Sunday Three Oil Painting of Flowers

Oil on paper, 22x22, sold

I never get sick of painting this composition. I seem to be back in production mode this week, a good place to be. Expect to see more & bigger variations on tried and true favorites.

Fragment: A New Size for Dailies!

Fragment 6"x 8" Oil on Board SOLD
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diane@dianehoeptner.com

Today I am introducing a new size to my daily paintings: 6" x 8" I've been wanting to try some small landscape format compositions for a while now... 5x7 is too small for me, so 6x8 it'll be!

Preparing Panels for Oil Painting

Today I'm doing busy work: prepping panels for paint, cleaning off my office desk and making a round of comments on my favorite blogs. I may even bake some crab stuffed mushrooms for my dear husband. nodp