The gesso flies on Sunday... Art Studio Picture

I have two heaters running in the studio this afternoon. The one right under the window and a massive kerosene heater on the floor (can't see that one in picture.) It is very cold but the sun is shining in Cleveland this afternoon. Seal is playing on the stereo and gesso is meeting 15 8x8's, 15 8x10's and 3 16x20 panels. No complaints, life is good. nodp

Bunny & Bouquet the "cute culture"

Bunny & Bouquet 14" x 14" Oil on Board

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Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Tracy Clark-Flory wrote an interesting article about people's fascination with all things "cute" on Salon.com. She quoted a Vanity Fair article by Jim Windolf that theorized our need to laugh and swoon over cute kitties and babies is our reaction against "war, economic breakdown, and more Wi-Fi." According to him we're "a nation in need of a hug, a Snickers, and the nucleus-accumbens squirt provoked by baby-animal photos." I don't know why this painting hits the spot for me but it does. A silly porcelain bunny inserts itself in front of a bouquet of flowers. Am I painting something "cute" to make myself feel better? Maybe. I just know it gave me a chuckle and I'll probably do a few more.

Tulips and Apple Floral Still Life Painting

Tulips and Apple 8" x 8" Oil on Board N/A
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Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Last week, I hung ten paintings at Mulholland & Sachs. They are a gift boutique at Eton in Woodmere, OH. Paintings include two 18x18's and eight 8x8 dailies. I have more news to share.... and will do so as soon as dates are figured out! My paintings are finding places to be outside the walls of my studio and that makes me happy.

Bundled in Blue Tulip Painting

Bundled in Blue 8" x 8" Oil on board $175. SOLD

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Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

I'm getting a lot of mileage out of the pretty tulips from Trader Joe's! This composition is cut in half horizontally...which is usually a no-no. But I think it works because of the random sprawl of the flowers and slightly off center placement of the pottery jug. A bit more drama this time around. Me likey.

Mickey Mouse Push Puppet Toy Painting

Push Puppet Mickey 8" x 8" Oil on board

I still love to paint old toys. Since my focus shifted to flowers I downsized my collection of old toys, but sometimes can't resist... Acquired recently, this 1977 Mickey Mouse collapses backwards when a button on bottom is pushed. Ooh! I should paint a Matrix Mickey! (:

Magenta Blooms Original Oil Painting Tulips

Magenta Blooms 14" x 14" Oil on Board $470.

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Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Wow, as I add little items to my still lifes (like lemons) ideas for more items occur. It's not like I haven't studied a million still life paintings! I know artists have painted old books, cutlery, glasses, toys & shells for hundreds of years, but it all feels new somehow. I love the look of chunky color in this painting. Maybe next time I'll add a few old books.

Winter Hollyhocks Flower Painting

Winter Hollyhocks 8" x 8" Oil on Board N/A
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Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Too much fun! I posted a picture of my nephew on Facebook? ...and he caught the attention of my Facebook friend/artist Pattie Wall and she did his portrait!! Reader, you know I've painted my nephews more than a few times, but what an absolute DELIGHT it is to see someone else's version! You can see the portrait on her blog here. Thank you so much, Pattie!!

Snowday Duo Hollyhocks Painting

Snowday Duo 10" x 8" Oil on Board

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Ever since Qiang-Huang talked about painting "too big" on his blog, I've been thinking and feeling like I do too! Allowing for more atmosphere forces one to cram a lot of detail into a small(er) space...especially when the overall support size is just 10" x 8" like this one. I am happy with the overall results so far, but also reminded why painting on extra large supports is so much fun!

This morning I scraped ice off my windshield.

When the cold weather makes me feel like hopping the next plane back to sunny California, I remember the summer day we took my nephews to beautiful Lake Erie for an afternoon. And I feel better. Good times. (: nodp

Lemon Tulips Flower Floral Painting

Lemon Tulips 8" x 10" Oil on Board N/A
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Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Majestic Poppies I & II Poppy Painting

Majestic Poppies I & II 18" x 18" Acrylic on Canvas Panel NFS

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Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Play it again, Di. Same compositions, different colors. These paintings were a lesson in when to say when. Acrylics dry so fast! The possibilities for second guessing and "fixing" are endless. After spending the morning nitpicking, I called it quits.

Poppy Tapestry II Floral Flower Painting

Poppy Tapestry I & II each 18" x 18" Acrylic on Canvas Panel NFS
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Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Another of the same. Gosh, they look a bit stronger as two instead of one, don't they? I forgot to say HAPPY NEW YEAR last time I posted. Happy New Year! (:

Poppy Tapestry I

Poppy Tapestry I 18" x 18" Acrylic on Canvas Panel NFS

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Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Here's another version of Designer Rough Poppy. This time I used acrylic paint instead of oils... Is "flattify" a word? Because I think that's what I did to to these poppies.

If you have an opinion on this painting, I'd love to hear from you via email or the comments section! (Thanks for looking.)