Blooming

Blooming  Oil on wood, 10" x 8,"  NFS

Daffodils and Tulips and a quote

Daffodils and Tulips  Oil on wood, 10" x 8," NFS

Daffodils and Cat

Daffodils and Cat  Oil on wood, 8" x 8," NFS

Well, not a real cat... Workin' out some kinks with the color yellow, better yellows in tomorrow's painting.   

Parakeet and Daffodils

Parakeet and Daffodils  Oil on panel, 8" x 8,"  SOLD

You've seen these Trader Joe daffodils at least a half dozen times... (Click here to see more daffodil paintings.)  I'm still applying saturated colors first.  I liked the way the colors in the Daffodils were repeated in the Parakeet.  A color that is easily skewed while painting from dark to light is yellow...  So I put down a lot of yellows first on both the flowers and bird.  Still enjoying this new approach.

On the Edge, floral still life with blue bird

On the Edge  Oil on wood, 10" x 8,"  NFS

Refreshing, new subject matter, yes it is.  Also challenging! Though, birds are infinitely easier to fit into a still life than cats... Too fun.

Daffodils on Dots Jennifer Lopez & American Idol

Daffodils on Dots  Oil on wood  8" x 8" SOLD

While commending American Idol hopefuls on their performances, I heard Jennifer Lopez use the phrase:  "That's right in your wheelhouse, Baby." According to the Urban Dictionary a wheelhouse is an "area of expertise, a particular skill"  Gotta love it...  My husband and anyone watching my bottom line would tell you my wheelhouse is cat paintings...  But I still like to fit in the occasional floral still life.

Daffodils on Pattern II

Daffodils on Pattern II  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  SOLD

I painted another version of this last year (see that one here) and it was my favorite painting of 2012.  -- The muted purple in the background here really makes the daffodils jump, very very happy with it!  I may have to try a few more arrangements with complimentary colors...

Daffodils on Pattern original Hoeptner oil painting

Daffodils on Pattern  Oil on cradled wood  8" x 8"  SOLD

It's interesting to go back to painting flowers (which are very much in my comfort zone) after painting so many cats and critters.  These daffodils were a joy to paint.   I'm very happy this one!

Blue Jar with Daffodils 14x11 original painting

Blue Jar with Daffodils  Oil on cradled wood  14" x 11"  NFS

Daffodil Trio still life painting

AFTER:  Daffodil Trio  Oil on wood  6" x 6" NFS
Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

BEFORE

The little daffodils needed refreshing--  I added yellow and a couple highlites on the petals.  I've noodled with this painting so many times, if I was charging by the hour me thinks, it would be more than $95.  Heh.  Whatever. It's a labor of love, right?  Have a great weekend!

Lime Lines fixing tweaking paintings

After:  Lime Lines  Oil on wood  6" x 6" 
Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Before

More noodling.  Originally I just wanted to get rid of the brownish-mauve table top--but I ended up punching up the daffodils a bit too.  Better!

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!

Daffodil Trio fixing, editing a painting

Well, don't cha know some paintings require a bit of noodling...  The first time painting Daffodil Trio, I painted all the daffodils equally.  Each had a graphic punch that is ok but not exactly what I was going for.  When I re-worked it, I tried to make the back daffodil stay back a little better...   Getting a good focal point and a sense of depth can be a challenge--  these are issues I continue to explore!

Vodka Chaser oil painting of daffodils by Hoeptner

Vodka Chaser  Oil on wood  6" x 6"  N/A
Click image to enlarge.  Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Lime Lines floral still life painting w daffodils

Lime Lines  Oil on wood  6" x 6"  N/A
Click image to enlarge.  Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Today I remembered (again) that applying paint thick & bold is vastly superior to thin & timid.  Mixing enough paint from the get-go saves much time and aggravation.  Applying it in an assertive manner (regardless of how one actually feels) is also worthwhile.  More daffodils and limes coming up tomorrow.

Daffodil Trio floral still life painting

Daffodil Trio  Oil on wood  6" x 6"  N/A

Daffodils are one of my favorite flowers to paint.

Trumbull Art Gallery 46th Annual Warren OH

Accepted paintings: Perfect Storm,

Abundant Whites & Daisies in Turquoise

I'm pleased to report that three of my paintings have been accepted into the 46th annual TAG show. TAG stands for the Trumbull Art Gallery in Warren, OH. Mark Cole, Associate Curator of American Painting and Sculpture at the Cleveland Museum of Art is the Juror. The exhibit will feature NE Ohio artists and it runs from August 14th through September 24th.

Daffy plus Limes oil painting of daffodils

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

Click image to see bigger.

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.