"Glass Ball and Gold Paper" Daily Painting

Original unframed oil on panel 6"x6"
©2008 Diana Moses Botkin

SOLD

Detailed study of iridescent glass Christmas ornament with crumpled gold tissue paper; realism with abstract qualities.

Several of my children tromped out in the snow last week to cut a tree. We have plenty of volunteer fir and spruce in our woods and it's good to thin them out a bit. I was thankful the kids helped get the Christmas tree up in the house, and decorated. I'd been too busy and not very motivated.

Now it's time to put everything away in the boxes for next year's Christmas. The iridescent glass balls are some of my favorite ornaments and I love seeing them every year. Their fragile loveliness is fascinating and makes me smile when I look at them.

This year I told myself I'd use one of them in a still life before they got packed away. So, here 'tis... This piece is a little different from most of my other work, but I hope you enjoy it.

Thank you for your comments and encouragement day after day. Looking back at all the work I've posted here makes me realize I'm still whacking away at my goal of a painting a day. It's been good to strive for this even though some days I didn't finish a piece. But many days I did, and usually managed several a week. Let's see what happens next year! Blest wishes for 2009 to you all!

"Reflections on a Pear" Daily Painting

Original oil, 5"x5" unframed.
Some red and green for you!
©2008 Diana Moses Botkin

Pears in the store now are quite good. We've brought them home to enjoy, and today I realized there was only one left. I wanted to paint one before they all got eaten!

So I took a break from the commissions I'm finishing to paint this green pear on the scarlet background. The bright colors were very fun to work with and a nice departure from the charcoal portrait I'm finishing up for a client.

DailyPainters.com book now available; I'm included!

Here is another gift idea for you fans of the Daily Painting phenomenon; the brand spankin' new book from DailyPainters.com. 
For those who haven't yet discovered the site, DailyPainters is an online gallery that shows and sells new paintings every day by 146 artists who are daily painters. I've been a member since December, 2006.

The volume showcases all artist members of DailyPainters and features our best work. You can peruse the book, or buy a copy at the publisher's website.

It's a beautiful book!

Special on Christmas Art to celebrate Christmas

"In Humility" 
reproduced from the original pastel.
Nativity scene reproduction pkgd 20x24" 
Acid-free paper, fade-resistant inks 
$50 plus SH.
©1992 Diana Moses Botkin

My teenager is counting down to Christmas. "Only 8 days left, Mom," he told me today. Indeed I know. I'm counting the days also, and what I have left to do. But I'm enjoying the season too.

So if you're like me and still need to do a little shopping, here's a special offer of my Christmas themed reproductions to celebrate the holidays. Buy 2, get shipping free. Contact me for an invoice or more details.

Some of my Daily Paintings at Sandpoint Shows

Tomorrow is the Opening for Lilliput, A Miniature Show, at the POAC Gallery in Sandpoint at the Sandpoint Powerhouse. If you're in the area, I hope you'll stop by between 5:30 and 7 pm. I plan to be in attendance and hope to see you!

Some of my very detailed miniatures are in the show. Two of the three appear in this photo, which was reproduced with my permission for the Lilliput Show announcement postcard, recently mailed.

I also plan to get to the Holiday Show Opening a few blocks away at Timber Stand Gallery. Timber Stand is across the street from the Pend d'Oreille Winery downtown on Cedar. Three of my small originals are in the show and there should be lots of other fun art there too!

Today someone asked me if I'm excited about the Openings tomorrow night. I've been quite distracted today with an article deadline for Art Calendar and other commitments, and didn't give him a very good answer. But now that I think about it, I am excited. I don't get out much, so it is always really good to attend art events, especially those where I see fellow artists and my loyal collectors. So yes, I am excited! And I should have that deadline out of the way by then, so I'll be in a celebratory mood.

©2008 Diana Moses Botkin

Life Drawings

"Standing Male, Charcoal"
Original unframed charcoal drawing on white bond paper, 17"x11".

These sketches are my favorites from this week's session with the model. The same fellow posed for us. It looks like he's lost a few pounds. My Texan grandma would say "dropped off". She said to me once during a visit years ago, "Have you dropped off?" I asked her, "Dropped off of what? I'd never heard the expression before in reference to losing a few pounds.
As an artist I like to see bone structure and muscle definition, so lean muscular models are more interesting to me. But not all artists feel this way, especially about female models.

"Man Touching Ankles, Charcoal"
Original unframed charcoal drawing on tan Canson paper, 12"x16".

©2008 Diana Moses Botkin

"Clifty Christmas" Daily Painting on Christmas Ball

Oil on glass sphere, approx. 3".
Winter landscape of snowy trees, with Clifty Mountain.

This unusual painting is not my average piece. Every year our art group hand paints Christmas balls for a special gala auction that benefits our local hospital is in its 13th year.
Contact me if you want something similar. 

©2008 Diana Moses Botkin