Free Shipping on Framed Reproductions

"By the Window" (left)
©2007 Diana Moses Botkin

This special piece is one of 17 images offered as a reproduction on canvas or art paper at my LifeImages Gallery.

You can get free shipping now on all framed orders over $30, just in time for Mother's Day.

To take advantage of this offer, type promo code MothersDay10 at checkout and order by midnight May 3.

My Work at Yellowstone Art Museum Gala Event Again

Two of my paintings were accepted to Yellowstone Art Museum's 42nd Annual Art Auction, held last month in Billings Montana at the Museum. This is the second year in a row I've shown and sold my art at the gala event.

It's always fun to meet new collectors. Last year I was able to be at the Show and Quick-Draw and talk to the folks who purchased my work.

This year, my paintings at the show were "Storm Ahead" and "Winter Brotherhood" (left).

April Painting Challenge: Spring!

Last month I mentioned that two members of my Challenge Group had to drop out due to family needs. We still have six participants in this monthly exercise, though: Suzanne Berry, Robin Cheers, Jeanne Illenye, Michael Naples, Vicki Ross and me (Diana Moses Botkin).

As you may recall, each of us in my Challenge Group takes a turn choosing what we'll paint. This month, member Jeanne Illenye suggested, "As it's April, how about something broad in range that leaves lots of creativity for everyone: 'Spring'."

The idea of spring calls up an array of images: flowers blooming, weeds to pull out of my gardens, grass to mow, fruit trees to prune, the end of hibernation for the bears, melting of snow from the mountains swelling the rivers, little girls' Easter dresses, the Resurrection. So many ideas... so little time!
Last year I started a series of miniatures inspired by the tenacious maple seeds that had been lying dormant all winter and had miraculously sprung to life everywhere on our property. As exasperating as they are to battle in my gardens I have to admire them. They truly are amazing. I think they epitomize the idea of spring perfectly.

(left) "Spring Wonder"
Oil on hardboard 4"x6"
©2010 Diana Moses Botkin
SOLD

I am always delighted to see what each member of our group comes up with for the Challenge each month. "Spring" brought an especially beautiful crop of paintings. I love them all!


(left above) "The Lost Ribbon", Oil on Panel 8"x8", (c)2010 Jeanne Illenye
(middle above) "Easter Sunday", Oil on Canvas 12"x12", (c)2010 Suzanne Berry
(right above) "Stretch" 18x18 oil on canvas ©2010 Michael Naples



(left above) "En Plein Air", Oil on Panel 9"x12" ©2010 Robin Cheers
(right above) "Spring", Oil on Panel 9"x12" ©2010 Vicki Ross

Two Different Figurative Studies

Bringing out the nude form on a dark background is an interesting challenge, as is drawing the face upside down.

As I'm working away, after awhile I forget the model is totally naked there in front of us. It's just charcoal on paper, looking for the shadows and then chalk to find the highlights on her form.

©2010 Diana Moses Botkin

Life Drawings, Short Studies

Five, ten or fifteen minutes is not a long time in which to do a drawing. Shorter poses are more simplified than the longer ones.

I like them, especially for the movement which is difficult for the model in longer poses. It's a good challenge to draw quickly to capture the lines of the body, masses of shadow with the charcoal, and some highlights with the white chalk.

Contact me if you'd like to buy these 18"x12" drawings on grey paper, $65 each plus S&H.

©2010 Diana Moses Botkin

My Interview at the DailyPainters Blog

You may know that I've been exhibiting online with DailyPainters.com since 2006. I've enjoyed the venue with fellow daily painters, as well as meeting new collectors of my work from across the globe.

This week, I am featured in an interview at the DailyPainters blog. It's not an extensive expose on my art or personality, but you can find out a few useless bits of information about me, including who I might pick to have dinner with in all of history if I had my 'druthers.

The Dance

I'm working on a portrait commission for a special collector. I always consider it a privelege to paint a custom piece for someone, but it is more difficult and time-consuming than my daily paintings.

It feels like quite a dance to keep up my energy. So I do take breaks when I'm working on larger projects. Recently on an evening break I watched a ballet documentary on Ballets Russe.

Although I always wanted to be an artist growing up, I had aspirations to be a ballerina, as do many young girls. I spent countless happy hours in the ballet studio. But as much as I loved dance, I was not born to be a performer.

I still love the ballet. What a delight to see my own teachers in this film. If you are a fan of dance, I recommend this documentary for an evening of delightful ballet history.

Giclees available of the special piece at left if you love the ballet too, or know someone who does.

"Plein d'envie"
Oil
©1992 Diana Moses Botkin