Stocking Stuffers: Original Minis, Gift Certificates

Are you so busy this time of year that you forget to cook dinner for your family? (Am I telling on myself here?) Do you get confused about who wants what for Christmas when you go shopping? (Me, again.) What about all those parties you want to attend? (I like to bring something special for my friend the hostess.)

Fret no more. Original art is a gift sure to be remembered and cherished. You can pick something you like from my Miniature section or other sections at that gallery page and I'll get it in the mail pronto.

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas season!

December Painting Challenge: Hot and Cold

Our subject for our Challenge this month was chosen by group member Marie Fox. She suggested, "Warm and Cool, or Hot and Cold: opposites must both be included. Subject could be interpreted literally as in a bowl of cold cereal, and cup of hot tea, or an interior showing a cozy fireplace and snow outside. Or in less literal ways such as warm and cool moods, or warm and cool colors."

(left)
"Waiting for Global Warming"
Oil on hardboard, 4"x6"
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin SOLD

It was fun thinking up what to paint for this month's Challenge idea. My son the legomeister helped me find the right little parts for the penguins.

He had actually built them for me before when I was turning over some previous Challenge ideas. I'm glad they could be a part of this one, especially with the current discussion on global weather. It's cold here in north Idaho, so the idea just kind of painted itself. It's nice when that happens.

I really like the other ideas from group members, too. As difficult as it is to get these painted every month, our Challenge is a lot of fun for all of us. We're always glad we tackled the task!

(left) "Colors Warm and Cool"
Oil on canvas, 8"x10"
©2009 Marie Fox

(right) "Fire and Ice"
Oil on hardboard
9.5"x7.5"
©2009 Suzanne Berry


(left)
"Winter Rooftops"
Oil on hardboard, 6"x6"
©2009 Michael Naples
(right)
"Iced and a Biscuit"
Oil on Panel, 8"x10"
©2009 Vicki Ross

"Christmas Star" Shiny Ornament Daily Painting

Original oil painting, 4"x6"
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

SOLD

Working on these little dailies gives me some mental relaxation, always important, and especially during times of stress. There is always a lot of it at the end of the year. It's sometimes difficult to keep focused on tasks at hand and the Reason for the season.

And if you like this little treasure and want to see more still life paintings, check out my DailyPainters Gallery page.

"Christmas Heart" Still Life Daily Painting

Original Oil Painting 3"x3"
Unframed Miniature
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin
 
SOLD

Thank you for your patience if you've been missing my daily paintings lately. My computer had a major problem right before Thanksgiving and had to be in the shop for a week. I felt crippled without it; there is so much I do on this machine for my art: inventory, invoices, image documentation, the posts for DailyPainters and this blog, etc. Then there was Thanksgiving, and after that a wedding to assist and packages to mail for Christmas. Getting back to the dailies has been more difficult than usual.

Determined to get back in the groove however, I painted this little Christmas themed miniature today. Lots had to be reinstalled on the computer, including the software for my scanner, which simply wouldn't work for me when I was ready to scan this little 'un to post today!

Anyway, this was a fun and colorful piece to paint and put my mind at ease while working with the rich reds and golds. Glass is fascinating to me and I liked the effect of the light shining through this delicate piece, revealing some thin spots on the edge of that blue section. It made it look like the inside was glowing... which seemed appropriate for a heart at Christmas time.

"The Garter" Wedding Portrait

Original oil 12"x9"
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin 

SOLD

That sliver of light hitting the bride's face speaks of promise, a warm future and delight. I really enjoyed working on this portrait, even though painting those layers of veil were a bit tedious. I love the way they wash over the bride's figure like a cascading waterfall.

"The Garter" is the newest piece at my LifeImages reproduction gallery, available to order on canvas or art paper.

Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas!

"Prince of Peace" 
Original in pen and ink
©1983 Diana Moses Botkin

The halo reads "and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace", from Isaiah 9:6.

As a new Christian in 1973 I looked for Christmas cards that would somehow express the joy of celebrating the Savior's birth. I found a lot of Happy Christmas Tree cards and themes of Dreaming of a White Christmas. Although there's nothing wrong with those during the holidays, they just were not what I wanted to say. So I began drawing my own dramatic reminders of what Christmas is really about, and had cards and prints made to share with others.

Wishing you each a wonderful celebration of the Lord's birth!

There are reproductions of this art available. Contact me for more info or a Paypal invoice.