Starry Whites daffodil floral still life painting

Starry Whites Oil on board 8" x 8" nfs

It's nice to return to my comfort zone. Painting this floral still life featuring daffodils and orange slices felt like coming home. I will return to illustration style paintings soon enough... Next theme there will probably be "wedding." That's a little down the road though.

Bright Eyes baby sunflower illustration in oil

Bright Eyes Oil on canvas panel NFS

These babies are loosely (very loosely!) modelled after my cousin's kids as seen through my Aunt BB's eyes. She was kind enough to let me pilfer through her awesome family pictures!! Thanks Auntie!

Daffodil Dreams

Daffodil Dreams Oil on canvas panel NFS

I'm hoping this type of illustration style painting will become easier over time. I struggled a bit with the outlines... Too much can overwhelm and too little doesn't give it the graphic edge I want. Look for a bright eyed baby in sunflowers tomorrow.

Daisy Dreams oil painting baby

Daisy Baby Oil on canvas panel NFS

Here's another Daisy Baby painting... Two more in this series. (There is actually four total, but I'm still debating whether one is worth posting.) I'm much happier with the overall results this time around.

Daisy Dreams

Daisy Dreams Oil on paper NFS

Even as I post this a re-paint is planned... Perhaps all four flower babies will be repainted. I'm getting a better idea of what works... Less fuss, more face and hands etc There's a bunch of tweaks all four need...and I want them to have a more coordinated look, so we'll see about that too.

We have a winner!

Dear Reader, The winner of my painting is Tracie. Congratulations Tracie, do contact me right away, I will put Encore in the mail for you this afternoon.

I wish I could give you each a painting! It's been both fun and humbling to see my lovely lurkers, anonymous visitors, strangers & steadfast readers in the comment section. Thank you very much if you took the time and trouble to comment-- either to win the painting or throughout the year. I really appreciate your visits and I look forward to another happy (3rd!!) year of painting and blogging!

Daffodil Dreams enter for FREE painting

Daffodil Dreams Oil on Paper NFS

Here's a better balance of baby with flowers... I'm getting closer to the look I want, I think. (: Will return to floral still lifes in May!

On a side note, I'm having too much fun watching the entries add up (below) for my painting give away, be sure to enter by commenting on the post below this one! A winner will be randomly chosen Friday morning!

**Painting Give Away leave a comment to enter**

Dear Reader,

Friday, April 23rd is my 2 year blogiversary! Instead of writing a weepy monologue about how much this blog means to me (like I did last year--) I'm gonna do ya one better: Give away a painting! Yes! The painting is "Encore," one of my personal favorites.

I've never given away a painting like this before and I may never do it again...

If you would like to win Encore, leave a comment after this post now. Lurky-loos and Anonymous visitors are encouraged to participate. The winner will be chosen (randomly from a hat) and announced Friday morning sometime.

This is a limited time offer to celebrate my 2 year blogiversary. Your comment must be left after THIS post BEFORE Thursday midnight. Don't email me, it won't count!

As always, Dear Reader, thanks ever so much for visiting, it's appreciated more than I can say without.weeping.profusely.

Fondest regards,

Diane

PS: Ok, just call me mortified. This morning, I accidentally "rejected" several wonderful comments. Heh, I think I got a little over excited to see so many comments all at once and I do humbly apologize. If you left a comment between 9am and 10:30 EST Tuesday, check to make sure it got published. If not, I'm sorry you'll have to comment again to re-enter. Very sorry for the trouble. The give-away will go on as scheduled.

Magnolia Baby birth announcement card

Magnolia Baby Mixed Media NFS

If it's not already obvious, these last two and the next several paintings are attempts at illustration style card/calendar art... my pet project for the next little while.

Sunflower Baby

Sunflower Baby mixed media NFS

"Mixed media" because it's both oil on paper and photoshop. (: Magnolia baby will be next.

Pasta Daze portrait of child

Pasta Daze Oil on Paper 7.5" x 10" NFS

Click image to see bigger.

Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Oh to be young and to enjoy pasta until you're about to explode...good times. My recent art opening at Local Girl Gallery was a professional milestone for me. It's gratifying to see so much of my best work all in one place. The show continues through May 16th... But what to do now?
Before I pick up where I left off with the floral still lifes, I'm going to paint some other subjects. It'll be nice to switch gears for a change. The paintings will be on gesso'd paper. Until I get several more done, I'm not sure if they will be available for purchase or not.

Pictures Artist Reception Local Girl Gallery

(above) Fellow exhibitor, Mike Guyot and I in front of Mike's gorgeous architectural paintings. Those are three of my daily paintings on mini easels.

(above) Linda Goik, owner Local Girl Gallery & myself, sorry so blurry!

Here's a few shots from my and Mike Guyot's artist reception Saturday night at Local Girl Gallery in Lakewood, OH. Linda Goik, gallery owner did a brilliant job hanging the art. I had three large areas of wall space on one side and Mike's art occupied the other side. Local Girl Gallery is such a warm and inviting space! My dear Mother, Sister, Aunties, Husband's Mother, Sister, Neice and many friends were in attendance, what an honor for me to be able to share my art with all. ...and what a reminder of how lucky I am to do what I love and have people who care enough to show up for a night like this. Thank you so much to everyone who attended. Special thanks to long time friend Pat Washington for taking some of the photos!

Tulips on Gray

Tulips on Gray Oil on Board 8" x 10" SOLD

Click image to see bigger.

Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

I've painted tulips in this pottery vase a few times before. I love how this one came out.

Encore daisy painting & control

Encore Oil on board 8" x 8" $195.

Two summers ago Robert Genn wrote about "control" in his weekly essay on art. His words stuck with me until this day... Here's a link. He pointed out the importance of controlling those things one can control. ...without being an "ogre" or a "patsy." I don't pretend or even try to control very much, but painting is an exception. This morning I re-worked a "wiped" painting and it felt wonderful to rescue it from the burn pile.

Easter Lilies local girl gallery lakewood ohio

Easter Lilies Oil on board 8" x 10"

Tomorrow I will bring approx. 50 of my paintings to the Local Girl Gallery in Lakewood, OH. Most are "dailies" sized 8x8 or 8x10. However, there will be seven 22x22 paintings on paper too! The reception for the show will happen this Saturday from 6pm to 9pm. If you are in the area, do stop in and say hello.