A few pictures from the Berea Art Walk

We had such a great time yesterday!  My husband helped me schlep paintings to our designated spot at the Cornerstone Brewing Company--where we spent several hours chatting with art walk attendees and hawking notecards.  My notecards were an outstanding success and a few paintings sold too, so big YAY!  The restaurant/pub boasts an impressive selection of beers--if you ever find yourself in Berea try the "7" beer, it is tasty!  Thanks R!ch Cihlar for organizing an amazing event! 

Berea Front and Center Art Walk Today!



Join me at the Berea (Ohio) Front and Center Art Walk in Berea from 2-6pm.  I'll be at the Cornerstone Brewing Company.   Pictured above, my new banner.  Regular readers might remember when my booth at the Kent Art & Wine Festival got wiped out in a rainstorm last year?  I had hastily rolled up my previous banner while it was still wet and it got ruined (among other things.)  Despite the picture perfect weather today, I'm glad to report I and my art will be inside!  (:

May Bouquet still life painting

May Bouquet  Oil on wood  8" x 8" 

A couple rules that sensible artists follow:  Don't put your focal point in the middle.  ...and never split everything in half with a horizon line.  Doh?!  Anyway, sometimes it's good to know the rules just so you can break 'em.  I think this painting works because of all the radiating diagonal shapes.  I'm really enjoying painting a mix of flowers too.  Meanwhile, the pretty hydrangeas have wilted before I had a chance to paint them...darnit? Must steal aquire more now.

Disarray oil painting of daffodils in bottle

Disarray  Oil on wood  8" x 8" 

This Saturday from 2-6pm,  I will be hustling my wares at the Berea (Ohio) Front and Center Art Walk.  The Cornerstone Brewing Company is hosting my exhibit space, if you are in the area do visit!  Have a couple beers and check out all the art.  I'm excited about showing many new paintings for the first time.  I will also have blank "thank you" and "hello" notecards available.  More information as the date nears!

Flowers from Ruth

Flowers from Ruth  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  NFS

My Mum, the Master Gardener brought me fresh flowers from her garden!  Score!  I've been meaning to do some mixed bouquets and this was my chance. Thanks Mom!

SOLD! the Lilac Police & Vincenza Harrity!

The Cleveland Botanical Garden Guren Gallery is selling a lot of my paintings.  I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a bit of a surprise.  The gallery itself is not attended.  I had hung signs indicating purchases could be made downstairs in the gift shop and hoped for the best.   My Husband and I brought his Mom to see the exhibit this afternoon...  It's so awesome to see those little red dots, see two above!!  Big thanks to Kate and Jeff for all their hard work.       

I don't dine and dash (at least not in the last twenty five years, heh)  but this afternoon I clipped some lilacs growing in an abandoned commercial lot.... and fled as if on fire.  I didn't really plan what to put them in once I got back to the car but we had a pop bottle and my husband suggested we put water from nearby Lake Erie in it.  Voila!  Can't wait to paint these, I just hope the lilac police didn't follow us. 
In other news, my dear friend Vinnie Harrity is doing some amazing landscape paintings and you should check out her blog.  I met Vinnie at the Utrecht "Your Work" show--where we both received honorable mentions, she is really talented. 
Have a great weekend everybody!!

Hydrangeas on Chair II oil painting of flowers

Hydrangeas on Chair II Oil on wood  8" x 8"  NFS

Here's the pretty hydrangeas on a chair again.  Now that I've painted hydrangeas--and am feeling more confident in my ability to portray tiny wispy petals I noticed the lilacs are blooming!  Mmm, might have to try those now too.

Civil Entry original oil painting Cleveland OH

Civil Entry  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  SOLD
Click image to enlarge.  Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

The more Hydrangeas I paint, the more Hydrangeas I want to paint!  I had stayed away from them because I thought they'd be too fussy/detail laden...  But the pretty pillowy shapes plus the wonderful whites--  make for a nice challenge.

Hydrangeas with Pears floral still life oil painting

Hydrangeas with Pears  Oil on wood  8" x 10"  NFS
Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Sometimes things work out exactly like they are supposed to.   Remember my recent blogiversary painting give away??  Well, the winner never claimed the painting, never even wrote me back!  So a few days ago I pulled another name.  This time around I heard back in less than twelve hours.  The newly picked winner, Teri Robus was thrilled.  She said she loved my paintings, it was "amazing" and it was the perfect "graduation present."  Teri had just the day before collected her BA in Art from the University of Alaska-Southeast.  This after receiving a BS in Biology, 36 years earlier!!!   I can't imagine the determination that sort of endeavor would require--but I thought it was so cool and wanted to share.  I'm so glad to give Earth Harvest to Teri.  Please visit her art blog here.  Her collection of inspirational quotations alone is worth the visit!  Congratulations Teri, your future is looking bright!

Hydrangeas on Chair oil painting floral still life

Hydrangeas on Chair  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  SOLD
Click image to enlarge.  Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

While this painting won't win any awards for "original composition,"  I like it and I may do a few more versions.

Tulips on Blue red tulips oil painting

Tulips on Blue  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  SOLD
Click image to enlarge.  Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

I'm gonna keep painting the 8x8s for now, later will assess which ones are worthwhile candidates for being painted bigger.  This painting will probably make the cut, it has a fresh quality and spontaneous (looking!) brushwork that I like.  Also, I know I can bring out more details in the foreground tulip petals--with a bit more space.

Clementine Tulips fruit flower tulip oil painting

Clementine Tulips  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  N/A
Click image to enlarge.  Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

The little Clementines from Trader Joe's look sweet and juicy, but they taste like cardboard.