Memorial Day BBQ

I can't resist posting a couple shots of my nephews. Ask them to smile sweetly for the camera and you'll probably get eyes rolling and tongues sticking out. However, ask for help with some "action shots" and that's a different story. ...and I'm talkin' about canon balls into the pond. They don't mess around when it comes to the action shots.

Irises and Orange LINGG showroom debut

Irises and Orange Oil on wood 10" x 8" SOLD

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Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

If you happen to be on the Eastside of Cleveland sometime, be sure to take a stroll through the Lingg Showroom. They offer a dazzling array of handcrafted jewelry, handbags and gifts you can't find anywhere else.

Also available: custom pet portraits by yours truly and a selection of my recent floral still lifes. Yes! I'm pretty psyched about that. Heidi Lingg is well known in Cleveland for her ability to curate amazing talent for special exhibits... Her shop is a great showcase and I am thrilled to have my work there!

Floral with Fruit still life painting

Floral with Fruit Oil on wood 8" x 10"

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Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Bad photo of this painting.... It's almost impossible to photograph a wet dark painting without glare! Will try again once it's safer to handle.

Daffy plus Limes oil painting of daffodils

Daffy plus Limes Oil on wood 8" x 8" SOLD

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Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

I bought a box of vintage rubber squeaky toys over the weekend. Now...just where squeaky toys fit in with my art (lately) I'm not sure. You know that saying "my eyes are bigger than my stomach?" There should be a similar saying for we artists with more ideas than time to paint them.

Daisies in Turquoise floral still life

Daisies in Turquoise Oil on wood 8" x 10"

Oh joy: I just love how this came out. This won't be the last time I paint the vintage drippy turquoise jug. I acquired a bunch of new (old) still life props recently and I look forward to painting all of them!
**This background in the painting was painted dark umber in August of 2011.  It looks different now!  If you are interested in this painting, please email me.

May Daisies flower painting floral still life

May Daisies Oil on wood 8" x 8" SOLD

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Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

The more items that get added to a still life the better it is to figure out in advance: What is the focal point? Also confirmed today: A dark background may require one to exert extra effort on edges. Anyway, we'll try another tomorrow. In other news, it was sunny and warm today, heaven!

Coco in Repose II cat painting

Coco in Repose II Oil on wood 8" x 8" NFS

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Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

A bit of glare, sorry about that. Here's Coco Kitty again. Must re-photo when it's dried a bit, this painting is better in life. It's rainy and dark here in Cleveland, we're still waiting on Spring. It's not getting here soon enough.

Charlie white cat painting pet portrait

Charlie Oil on wood 8" x 6" SOLD

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Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

I can't take much credit for this painting. It's a commission and the photographic reference (which was not taken by me) was already cropped and oh-so-perfect! But I do so love how it came out. I've been waiting to post it with permission from my customer. Painting this inspired me to paint more pets.

Green Eyes cat painting & a little story

Green Eyes Oil on Wood 8" x 10"
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Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

The "favorite cat" loves to pose in the sunshine. She is very relaxed at all times, she trusts you to never sit or step on her. She has stripes that are very, very hard to paint. The End.

Petal II again dog puppy painting portrait

Petal II Oil on wood 10" x 8" NFS

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Diane@DianeHoeptner

Painting pet portraits has a special vibe all it's own. Likeness is important, but not a dealbreaker. You try to capture the spirit of the animal... and an earnest attempt will most likely bring great joy to the recipient... a refreshing endeavor to say the least.

Kitty Paws cat painting

Kitty Paws Oil on wood 8" x 8" SOLD

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Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

The reference photo for this pet portrait featured huge crystal clear paws...leaving the kitty's face blurry and out of focus. I love the kitty's far away gaze but I had to paint in extra contrast and sharper edges to have it compete with those big back paws.

Lily

Lily Oil on board 8" x 8" N/A
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Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Among the many things I want to incorporate into my paintings: patterns. The tropical themed fabric seemed like a good compliment to the lily.

Broken Shell and White Tulips painting

Broken Shell Oil on board 10" x 8"

Nothing like planning ahead: The Guren Gallery of the Cleveland Botanical Gardens has granted me a solo show next year. It will run from April 1st through May 15th, I am very excited. More news on that later! Yay!

Iris Baby sleeping baby in bed of irises

Iris Baby Oil on canvas panel NFS

I'm told by someone-in-the-know that my illustration style paintings are more desirable in suites of 4. Here's a fourth babeh to complete the series. Now to see about some colorful fruits and flowers at Trader Joe's...

The back of a painting: a picture!

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