Recent Life Drawing Studies

We have a lovely new model for our drawing sessions. She's very responsive to the artists, and also quite interested in what we're drawing. Here is the pick of the litter from my last couple of sittings.

Please contact me if you'd like to own any of these unframed warm-up sketches or longer studies. (Reasonable prices). A few of my life drawings have been spoken for, and some others will be matted and framed to go in the Artists' Salon Show at Redtail Gallery in Sandpoint in April.

(Left)
"Woman Leaning, Back View" charcoal on grey paper

(Middle)
"Seated Nude Woman, Front View"
charcoal and chalk on grey paper
 
(Below left)"Back Study"  SOLD  
charcoal and chalk on
tan cotton charcoal paper
 
(Right)
"Woman Sitting, Back View"
pastel on blue cotton charcoal paper
 
February is disappearing fast, like our melting snow outdoors.

I've been working on a couple of bigger projects, so my daily paintings are suffering a slowdown right now. I'll get back to doing them again after I finish a portrait I've been working on. This is the last of five pastels for long time dear collectors. This last one has been much more difficult than the others because of the reference photo I'm stuck with.

I usually take my own references which are almost always better than relying on existing photographs.This family wanted to make sure all their young children have been painted by me, but there was a problem with getting photos of this last child because he had grown up while we were out of touch for a few years. Long story short; I'm struggling to paint something nice from an existing poor photo. I'm chipping away at it, though, and staying the course.

I have an upcoming trip to Billings, Montana for the Yellowstone Art Museum Exhibit and Auction. I'll also participate in the Quick-Draw, which kicks off the gala event. Two of my original oils have been accepted for the show and I'll paint an entirely new piece in one hour for the Quick-Draw on March 7, one week from this Saturday.

Quick-Draw events are quite the "fast act". Artists paint furiously to get enough down on canvas to make a good picture before time is up. Simplicity is key. Although I rarely call a painting finished in an hour, even something postcard size, it's a really fun exercise and a bit of a self-induced "contest". There is always excitement at the Quick-Draws to watch artists transform a blank canvas into a picture in such a short time. If you're at the show, I hope you'll introduce yourself and cheer me on.

Landscape /Skyscape Giclée Reproduction on Canvas

"Summer Skies" ©2004 Diana Moses Botkin

You can easily order large reproduction of this piece at a fraction of what an original oil painting of this size would cost you. A 20"x16" hand-enhanced giclée reproduction of this colorful skyscape on canvas is available with the Paypal button below.

Please allow 2 - 3 weeks after your payment for your order to arrive. This gives me enough time to order the giclée on canvas and do the hand-enhancement. I then pack it up safely, insure it, and ship the piece to your door. Please contact me if you need more info.

Buy this reproduction on PayPal
Price: $450 USD plus $15 SH

Giclée Reproductions on Canvas

"Evening Light"
Rosy sunset tints on the hillside and trees, with cool shadows in foreground.
©2004 Diana Moses Botkin

Last Wednesday I told about some large giclées on canvas I'm preparing. This is another of the pieces that was chosen.
Please contact me if you want to commission a similar original oil painting or order a giclee.

If you would like a 20x28" hand-enhanced giclée reproduction of this image on canvas, your order will arrive in 2-3 weeks.

Available Giclée on Canvas

"Autumn Reflections"
Colorful fall scene by the river.
©2004 Diana Moses Botkin

This is another of the pieces that will be installed in the Washington health facility I mentioned in my last post.

If you'd like one in your home or office, please use the Paypal button below to order a large enhanced giclée on canvas 20"x28". Other images also available at my website.

Large Giclée Reproductions on Canvas

One of the projects I've been working on lately is art for a health setting in Washington. (I'll tell you where, later.) The first phase of this project is for placing work in high traffic areas. They prefer giclées rather than originals.

(Left) "
Fall Display"
Oil
©2005 Diana Moses Botkin

This colorful piece of mine is one of the five giclées on canvas I'm hand-enhancing and will send to the framer for this job.


In the photo of me working, I am applying the clear acrylic gel (no, it's not toothpaste!) to the reproduction. I use brush and palette knife to add texture. The image size I'm working on here in the photo is 20"x28". If you want one like it, it's a very reasonably priced option for large wall art (only a fraction of the cost of an original that size).

If you'd like a beautiful 20"x28" hand-enhanced giclée reproduction of this image, please use the Paypal button below. Your order will arrive in 2-3 weeks. Or contact me to order other sizes, or to ask about commissioning a similar original oil painting.

Drum Roll Please....Here is Our Very First Painting Challenge: Legos!

Last month I proposed a monthly challenge to a group of 8 artists. The idea is for us each to take turns choosing an interesting object to paint each month; something we have never painted before.

We were to all paint without revealing what we were doing with the subject until our set date to reveal them all at once (today!).

I picked our first challenge; a toy figure which shall remain nameless, at the request of the company. I had contacted them to ask about copyright concerns. They said they didn't mind us using the figures in our still life paintings, but ask that we not use the brand name. That way, there is no confusion in the public eye about whether we might somehow be associated with the toy company.

So, in case anyone is wondering if we're official artists for the manufacturer, we are not!

I hope you enjoy seeing these as much as we've enjoyed thinking up these creative pieces.

Although we all painted these for the artistic challenge rather than their sales' potential, if you'd like any of them, they may be for sale. Please contact the artist at their respective blog links. It would be so cool if a collector wanted them all! Here they are, mine is first and the rest are shown with links to each artist's blog.

 (Left)
"Snow! Why'd it Have to be Snow?!"
Oil on board 3.5"x5"
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin 

NOW SOLD

With apologies to Indiana, the smirk and fedora seemed fitting for this little guy's snow job.


(left) "Cheyenne Funnel Beak" Oil 5"x7" ©2009 Mike Beeman NOW SOLD 

Mike regularly paints birds as subject matter, so his creation for our Challenge seems especially appropriate.

(right) "Call Me Plastic Figure One More Time" Oil 8"x10" ©2009 Silvina Day 

I love how Silvina turned the request to not use the brand name into her painting title.


(left)
"Soldier Boy, Please Don't Go"
Oil 8"x10"
©2009 Marie Fox

NOW SOLD


(left)
"The Line Up"
Oil 6"x6"
©2009 Michael Naples
NOW SOLD

(right)
"Anna at Play"
Oil 6"x6"
©2009 Robin Cheers 



(left)
"Toy Knight Turns Artist"
Watercolor 5"x9"
©2009 Dianne Mize
Dianne had never even seen these toys before I announced it as our first Challenge subject. She told me she got quite attached to the little guy. I love her paint brush substitute for the knight's lance.

(left)
"Le' Go my Sake"
12"x6" Oil
©2009 Vicki Ross

I love them all, don't you!? I hope you'll keep watching our blogs for next month's Challenge. We're just getting started on it, but look for the unveiling next month on March 15.

Our March subject, chosen by Vicki Ross is a secret so I can't reveal what it is... but I can tell you that it's not a plastic figure!

Happy Valentine's Day and Challenge Soon!

"Entwined" Oil 16"x20"
 
Symbols of lives united in marriage; his and her cowboy boots and the lariat encircling it all. Look closely for the 4-leaf clover!
 
©1998 Diana Moses Botkin

Here is a sweetheart painting I thought you might enjoy for Valentine's. It's an earlier work and no longer available. However, you can order reproductions on canvas at my Life Images Giclee Gallery.

Or contact me to commission an original oil painting of your own special boots!It is not much longer until we unveil our Challenge Paintings. Please visit here tomorrow to see what my group has been up to. I think you'll be surprised, amused, and maybe even inspired!

"Sweethearts" Valentine Painting

Original miniature oil painting, 2.25"x3"
in mini gold frame. $55.
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

NOW SOLD

Please contact me if you'd like to commission something similar.

A fun little Valentine... these two cuddling candy hearts look cozy to me on the green velvet. "YES DEAR" and "ONLY YOU" seem to reinforce the idea that they'll stay snuggled together.

Silly, I guess, but I wanted to pursue a lighthearted idea today. I've been working on other larger pieces and needed a break.