Turquoise Lime oil painting of calla lilies

Turquoise Lime  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  NFS
Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Here's a few first time props--the draping scarf and the oriental gold plaster horse figurine.  Of course similar items have been painted into still lifes a hundred times by other artists, but they feel and look brand new to me and I will for sure paint both again.

Picture of my Nephew

Is my nephew cute or what?  Back in 2008, I drew him with color pencils. Oh, how he's grown since then!  See his baby portrait here. 

No painting today. However I have a few exciting things coming up that I can't wait to talk about. More on that later.


A quick reminder:  My gorgeous fine art blank notecards are available for purchase on this blog, here.  They are a stylish choice for personal correspondence!!  ...and they are just $7 a pack including shipping in the USA--so get 'em while they last.

Duck Under wind up Donald Duck

Duck Under   Oil on wood  8" x 8"  $195.

Wind up this vintage Donald Duck toy and he vibrates and spins in place--fun right?  He could easily steal the show but placed in the shadows here, he makes a nice counterpoint to the ever elegant calla lilies. 

More calla lilies and sunflowers coming up later this week. 

Trying new stuff: necessary & heartbreaking

It's important to try new things.  Most artists slip into "try" mode very easily.  We try for a positive outcome when we paint.  ...and we keep the faith that failed attempts in painting will come to fruition later when lessons learned are revealed.  When we succeed it makes all the preceding (failed) trys worthwhile.   You'd think we'd be a bit braver in other arenas too...  I thought I'd give designing greeting cards a shot.  "Strung Out" was submitted and rejected, promptly.  Honestly, it's never easy.  But like a good painting, when success or "acceptance" does happen it's important to remember it happened because we tried.   Getting juried into the next big show, selling out at an exhibit, getting 300+ visitors a day on your blog--all these things happen because we tried.  On a related note, I had (several) similar designs also rejected.  It was either write about my cats again today or try to remind myself and hopefully you too trying new stuff is good despite the rejections.  But I can't rule out writing more about my cats in the future.  (:

Fruit III   Oil on wood  8" x 8"
Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Newly tweaked!  Freshly photographed!  "Fruit III" a painting from September of 2010.

Whimsies & Whatnots Local Girl Gallery

Six of my recent paintings will be available at the the 2nd Annual Whimsies & Whatnots show at the Local Girl Gallery in Lakewood, OH.  I had a sneak peek and wow what a fun collection of really cool art and collectibles.  My new paintings that combine florals w/figurine/toys are a perfect fit for this show.  If you are in the area, it's must see!  Show runs through July 13.

Fruit I painting of fruit oranges grapes still life

Fruit I oil on wood  8" x 8"  SOLD
Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Here's a reworked painting from September of 2010.

Guard Cat oil painting Diane Hoeptner

Guard Cat  Oil on wood  14" x 11"
Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Our cats Coco and Layla have abandoned sleeping in the bedroom at night.  Instead they patrol the sliding glass doors that go to the backyard.  They've lead sheltered mostly indoor lives.  Since the weather got warm, they spend much time waiting for (wild) neighborhood cats who visit.  Upon sighting them--Coco's been known to throw a hissy fit, ruffling the curtains and generally getting very bent out of shape.  Layla remains calm but she's rapt with attention.   They never miss a visit.

In Reach original floral still life painting

In Reach   oil on wood  10" x 8"  $245.
Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Happy Father's Day, Dads!!

Witness mannequin porcelain bunny lily

Witness  Oil on wood  10" x 8"
Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Still finding ways to incorporate toys and/or figurines into my floral still life painting.  I might be a little all over the map lately...  Colors-PLUS yesterday and today a more neutral palette.  Well, such is the life.  Tomorrow is another day.

Time on Tuesday painting vase of flowers

Time on Tuesday  Oil on wood  14" x 11"  N/A

Diane Hoeptner Fine Art Blank Notecards

One of six blank cards now available!

New! ...and available here on this blog:  6 packs of Diane Hoeptner Fine Art notecards!  They've been selling like hotcakes at various "live" art venues.  So I figured it prudent to offer them online. 
Making an investment in stylish correspondence has never been easier, click here for more information. 

Elephant & Duck ray lamontagne brandi carlile

Elephant and Duck  Oil on wood  8" x 8" 

We went to see Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs sing last night.  Brandi Carlile was the opening act.  Both were so good!!  If you want small talk and eye contact, Ray aint your guy.  But the man can sing.  Understatement.  I still "swoon with sadness and glee" over Ray LaMontagne... now, if I can just keep from wearing my $30 (!?) concert t-shirt it in the studio.

Duck and Irises oil painting toy lemon flowers

Duck and Irises  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  SOLD
Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Every object has a "most favorable angle."  The little plastic ducky when viewed from above shows a compact profile and a kooky sideways gaze, this is most favorable.  While the irises are sort of haphazardly arranged, I think they might be my best yet...

Backlit Kitty floral still life painting Cleveland

Backlit Kitty  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  NFS
Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Go, kitty, go. The porcelain kitty pitcher still inspires!  The first time I painted it was here.

Monkey Lily vintage gund monkey painting

Monkey Lily  Oil on wood  8" x 8" 
Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Today I painted a vintage Gund (?) monkey.  He has many companions on the still life props shelf:  a purple haired troll, old rubber squeak toys, art deco horse figurines, kitty and elephant pitchers and duckies (oh! the duckies!) pull toys, trains and boats.  I hope to paint more soon.

Hydrangeas and Fruit floral still life painting

Hydrangeas and Fruit  Oil on wood  11" x 14" 
Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

One of my favorites!  This time I painted it a bit bigger. 
Did you know that collectors of my art receive freebies in the mail every now and then?  Last year I mailed out 2011 desktop calendars featuring my floral still life paintings.  I'll probably do it again this year.  Anywho, a special message to new collectors who purchased painting(s) at my Cleveland Botanical Garden Guren Gallery exhibit:  I have your name but not your address.  If you happen to read this, do get in touch.  I'll add you to my A list--and you too will receive fun freebies in the mail!