A little update and a picture of my nephews

My nephews and me at the
rollerskating rink last weekend.

I had mentioned posting my "big commission" by the end of this month in my Yearly Wrap Up...  Well, I actually finished it today.  Unfortunatley, it's still wet--and nearly impossible to photograph correctly. 
More about that and a picture of the painting soon. 

In other news, my sister and I had fun rollerskating with my nephews last weekend.  I've included a picture of me and the bee's knees for your entertainment. 
    

Sunflowers Pears more back to basics

Sunflowers Pears  Oil on wood  12" x 12"  NFS

Another back to basics painting:  Sunflowers in canning jar with pears.

Primary Refresher red yellow blue painting

Primary Refresher  Oil on wood  12" x 12"  NFS

Back to basics with "Primary Refresher."  I love me some patterns, but they can be tedious to paint.  Really happy with this one.

Horse Head Still Life by Diane Hoeptner

Horse Head Still Life  Oil on wood  14" x 11"  NFS

Coolest still life prop ever!  I've been looking forward to painting the horse head vase.

Gray Cat Green Bird oil painting 11x14

Gray Cat Green Bird  Oil on wood  11" x 14"  NFS

Handsome Coco is normally very docile and lets the girl cat eat first and generally "run the show."  But this morning we caught him harassing her.  I hope he hasn't realized that he is nearly twice her size.  

Hydrangeas and Oranges floral still life with fruit

Hydrangeas and Oranges  Oil on wood  12" x 12"NFS

The year is starting with a bang!  I am thrilled to report that Annie Strack, maritime artist, feature writer for Professional Artist Magazine and tv show host of "Painting seascapes in Watercolor" has included ME on a list of   "Top Artists to Watch in 2013!!!!"  I'm honored (not to mention shocked.)  

Also Taryn Day who maintains popular blog The Art Room introduced her January theme "Artists Who Blog Favorites of 2012" with a very nice write up about my paintings.  She included a picture of my favorite painting of the year and two of her favorites. See it here.   Thank you both!

Hoeptner Year in Review plus Molly the Beagle

"Molly" Oil on wood, 8" x 6" SOLD --a Christmas commission

Greetings from Cleveland.  I hope the New Year finds you and yours healthy and happy.  I've managed to stay out of my studio for two weeks doing marketing and tweaking my "online presence" -the kind of stuff I generally procrastinate.  Can't wait to paint in 2013.  But let's wrap up 2012 right quick.  Numbers first:  I had wanted to do at least (20) large(r) dimension paintings this year.  I did 25.  In 2011, a total 129 paintings were made, this year, 127. 

The high points of the year were things I didn't anticipate or plan. Modern Cat Magazine did a feature about my cat paintings in their premier issue.  Four of my floral still life paintings were used on sympathy cards and my first royalty check arrived soon after.  Sweet.  An intrepid collector commissioned me to do a 36x24 figurative painting.  Wanna do more figurative painting! (Will post the completed commission this month.) Especially fantastic:  Edward Montgomery Fine Art started exhibiting my work and Galerie Kornye West invited me to participate in a group show.  Terry Lindsey sold my paintings at her wonderful seasonal Equidae gallery. My desire to paint new subject matter (horses!) and bigger more challenging compositions persists. 2012 presented some amazing opportunities and for that I am very grateful. Thank you Edward, Paula and Lindsey!

An ebook is in the works.  It will be a condensed and improved version of my Mull it Over Monday posts with an emphasis on helping introverted artists succeed.  More on that when it gets published.  Finally, I've acquired a printer that makes archival quality prints on watercolor paper.  Prints of popular paintings and will be made available in 2013.

Thank you dear reader and fellow art bloggers for taking the time to visit my art blog, comment and for accepting my posts in your email.  A special thanks to those of you who added to your collection or acquired your first Diane Hoeptner painting.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 
     

• Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans. John Lennon