"Shadow Streaks" Miniature Daily Painting

Original oil painting, 2" x 3.25"
in gold frame
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

I just can't resist blue shadows lining up across a snowy white river bed!

"Thaw" Miniature Daily Painting

Original oil painting, 2" x 3.25"
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

SOLD

Spring is starting to show a little around here, but there is still snow.

"Snowy Overlook" Miniature Daily Painting

Original oil painting, 2" x3.25"
unframed, with free mini easel
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

I have a few more snowy paintings for you before spring.

"Snowy Shadows" Daily Painting

Original oil, 5"x7"
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

SOLD

Warm bright afternoon light on a snowy scene contrasted with those long blue tree shadows: this is one of those beautiful days that makes winter worth the cold weather and short days.

Recent Figure Studies in Charcoal and Chalk

We've had many overcast or rainy days here lately, so I delayed shooting my most recent set of life drawings until there was better natural light. I finally got a little sunshine time for photographing my work. Here is the pick of the litter.

Each were 20 minute studies from the live model at Open Studio. You can purchase these and other figure studies here. 
(left) "Have a Sit"
Charcoal and chalk on tan 100% cotton paper, 18"x12"
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

(below left) "Relaxation" Charcoal/chalk/grey paper, 12"x18" ©2011 Diana Moses Botkin
(below right) "Unwind" Charcoal/chalk/grey paper, 12"x18" ©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

"Marble on Granite" Small Still Life Daily Painting

Original oil, 6" x4"
in Museum style frame
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

Marbles are fascinating microcosms, aren't they? I watched this one being made at a craft fair although I couldn't see how wonderful it was until it had cooled and I had it in my hand and then held it up to the light. What a beautiful little world is inside this small bit of glass.

After our Challenge this week, I determined I would paint some more black backgrounds to learn additional thoughts about contrast and simplicity, and whatever else came to mind.

I enjoyed the challenge of this unusual and simple subject, and tried to capture the subtlety of the colors, the contrasts, reflections, and that backlit glow. The blue and green orb seems surreal in such a stark setting against the black granite, like a transparent planet in space.

This was not a painting to rush through. I worked on it in several painting sessions for three days, so it's not really a daily painting at all.

Painting Accepted to OPA's National Show

I'm very pleased to announce that my work has been accepted to the 2011 Oil Painters of America National Show. This year’s exhibit will be held at Devin Galleries in beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and opens June 10.

March Painting Challenge: Black Background

Group member Ruth Andre chose our Challenge this month. She instructed us to paint an image with a black background.

Although I've done that with simple subjects such as the striped sock Challenge last year, I welcomed this little push to do something more complicated.

I figured that painting the reflections in this still life would offer a chance for more experimentation and perhaps produce a few unexpected results for added fun. 

The black background offered the perfect contrast to show off this plastic container of gold wrapped chocolates and those interesting mirrored images.

(above) "Sweet Reflections" Original oil, 4"x6"
in gold frame ©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

SOLD

I love the dramatic paintings everyone did for this Challenge. Each member of the group took a different approach to this puzzler, which is part of what makes the Challenge so interesting to all of us, month after month. I hope it does for you too.

Here are the March paintings from the rest of my Challenge Group.

(left) "Blue and Pink" Pastel, 9"x12" ©2011 Vicki Ross

(right) "Glass Artists" Oil on clayboard, 5"x7" ©2011 Robin Cheers

(left below) "Megan Noir" Oil on canvas, 4"x6" ©2011 Ruth Andre

(right below) “Not So Crystal Ball” Oil on canvas, 20"x24” Sharman Owens 

(bottom) "Sunny Side Up" Oil on board, 16"x20" ©2011 Suzanne Berry

Now Offered as Giclées ~ "Snow, Why'd it Have to be Snow?!"

This whimsical painting was for our very first Challenge over two years ago. It was the first Lego painting, and the inspiration for my series on these marvelous little figures.

The original sold soon after it was shown here at my blog, so I'm especially pleased to be able to offer this image as art prints through FineArt America.

The giclée process is the reproduction method of choice for most artists nowadays. It's ideal for capturing subtleties that aren't easily matched in other printing processes.

I hope you are enjoying revisiting a few of the past Challenges while I show off what's newly available as reproductions. Tomorrow it will be time to unveil our paintings for the March 2011 Challenge. Check back to see what the Group has been up to!

Here's More Fun to Order as Giclées ~ "Press Event"

Perhaps you remember this humorous piece. It is one I painted for my monthly online Challenge (June 2009).

It was an especially fun one to paint and even though I was happy for the collector who bought it, it is one of those pieces I miss seeing on my wall.

So I'm especially pleased to be able to offer this image as art prints through FineArt America.

"Attack on the Eggplant" Reproductions Now Available

This humorous lego daily painting was my answer to our March 2009 Challenge.

The original sold awhile back and I've had requests for reproductions. Now they are available to order, printed on canvas or art paper in several sizes.

"Young Explorer" Cat Daily Painting

Original oil, 7"x5" unframed
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

Giclée reproductions are available at my Animal Gallery.

ORIGINAL SOLD

This fuzzy kitten is now a grown cat and quite a good mouser.

On nice days, he likes to sit out at the edge of the yard on a little hillside, waiting for movement in the grass below.

"Snowy Cat Walk" Small Daily Painting

Original oil
7"x5", unframed
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

NOW SOLD

I am often fascinated by our cats.

It is interesting how one of them doesn't mind where he steps through the snow. Our orange tabby, however, is quite fastidious about keeping his feet dry if he can, and makes his way through footprints already placed in the snow.

Enjoy "Yo-ho-ho and a Bottle of Rum" as Wall Art

This whimsical piece was another one I painted for my monthly online Challenge (Pantry Shelves). These little lego figures are very popular at our house. During 2009 they appeared in my Challenge paintings month after month.

This original oil sold soon after it was unveiled. And now, reproductions on canvas or art paper are available to order at my giclée gallery.

"Knights in Pink Satin" Now Available as Giclées

You may recognize this painting from my April 2009 Challenge. I had a lot of fun putting it together and received fun comments and kudos for the piece.

The original has a happy home with a ballet teacher and lego fan, which pleases me very much.

Now this whimsical image can be ordered on canvas or art paper from my reproductions gallery.

Giclée Repros Available of "Coffee and Purple Napkin"

Here is another of my favorite still life paintings now offered at my FineArt America Galleries.

Giclée reproductions on art paper or canvas are faithful to the original and offer a lower-cost art alternative ~ perfect for high traffic areas in home or office.

I've only recently made these images available to order as reproductions. Because I have confidence in the quality of FineArt America, I've joined with them to produce some of my most popular pieces as affordable wall art and greeting cards.

Save 15% on your order with my Introductory Offer until March 15. Just use this code at checkout to receive the discount. GHRJVN