Happy Thanksgiving, and Christmas Preparations

If your family is anything like mine, this is a busy week. My clan enjoys a variety of Thanksgiving traditions. One that some folks relish, is to go shopping for bargains and special deals the day after the big feast.

Personally, I'm not much for battling the crowds at the mall or discount stores. However, I do like to shop online for free shipping and other offers, and I make gifts for special people in my life.

I'm always on the lookout for something unique to give to someone special.... something that says, "I appreciate you". I like it that it's a tradition to give gifts at Christmas. It's fun to find, or make, little somethings for friends and family members.

If you are on the lookout for "little somethings", my miniature oil paintings are ideal. The minis make lovely hostess gifts, tokens of affection, and stocking stuffers. They're the perfect keepsake to add to a gift basket like I've done with my little coffee painting, shown in the photo below, with baked goods and gourmet coffee.

You can see a whole bunch of original miniature oil paintings, and purchase easily, at my DailyPainters gallery page. Many are marked with free shipping for Christmas season (through 12/15).

And if you are in the market for several originals of any size or medium, please contact me and I'll add free bonus pieces to you for Christmas!

"Festival Dance" Headed to Holly Eve Gala Event

(left) "Festival Dance"
Original oil on hardboard, 10"x8"
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

 
SOLD
 
Last spring I began a series of studies to plan my large painting for The Festival at Sandpoint. I wound up doing a number of oil sketches in preparation for the poster art.

It was quite a responsibility to paint something that represented the important summer event. I wanted Festival goers to connect with the art and from everything I heard, they did. It's always nice to feel like a job is done well and received well. My original 20"x16" oil painting for the poster art was auctioned to benefit The Festival. Final bid was $4800.

This is one of the sketches, and one of my favorites.

Cat Portrait Commission Finished

"J.J." Original oil, 7"x5"
Commissioned cat portrait
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

It's been an odd last few months for any semblance of daily painting. I've had a number of projects going at once, a few false starts on some bigger pieces, and a couple of other paintings that simply weren't working which I've set aside for now.

This little cat painting is one of those aforementioned projects that I've finished. The commissioned portrait was challenging and interesting, too. At first I was really concerned that this handsome fellow blended in with the background too much from the photos sent to me by my client. Even though I simplified and neutralized the landscape, the cat was quite camouflaged.

Then my son made the comment, "But isn't that the point?". So he does look like he's designed to blend in with his surroundings, like many animals naturally do. My purchaser is pleased with the painting which makes me very happy. I'm glad to be able to provide this lasting tribute to a beloved pet for her to enjoy and remember J.J.

My Art to be Published in Richeson Souvenir Book

I've just been notified that my painting at left is a Meritorious Entry in Richeson's Small Works Competition. It will appear in the upcoming 4-color collectible book of the exhibition.

(left) "Waiting for Chloë"
8x10" Oil on hardboard, framed
©2010 Diana Moses Botkin

You can purchase fine art prints of this little vintage dolly, reproduced on canvas or art paper, starting at $29 at FineArt America.

November Painting Challenge: Wisdom

November's Challenge "Wisdom" is courtesy of group member Suzanne Berry. What a challenging subject to portray! A wide variety of ideas could be interpreted.My first thought was the verse "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom". It is found in Proverbs 9:10, (and others) and is a recurrent theme in (guess what) the wisdom books of scripture. It can also be seen in numerous other bible references.But how to represent that? Several things came to mind and would've been appropriate if I'd had the right model, the right setting and a lot more time.
As with our other Challenges, the time constraints are part of the deal. Having had the idea announced a few weeks earlier, our group paints for the finish deadline on the 14th of each month and we all post to our blogs on the 15th.At left, is my piece, which you can purchase here.

"Seek and You Will Find"
Oil on hardboard, 8"x6"
unframed©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

Plus, close work is a lot more difficult with fading eyesight. Painting this piece larger would've been a lot easier than doing the smaller one!

I sure like all the other interpretations of our theme this month from the rest of the group.















(above left) "Wisdom" Oil on canvas, 16"x20" ©2011 Suzanne Berry(above right) "Helping Hands" Oil on panel, 10"x8" ©2011 Robin Cheers
(below left) "Wisdom" Pastel on paper, 3"x4" ©2011 Vicki Ross(right) "Morning Watch -The Innate Wisdom of Animals" Oil, 6"x6" ©2011 Ruth Andre

Finishing Projects

(left) "Gold and Blue"
Original miniature oil painting, 2.25"x3.25"
Unframed, with free mini easel
©2008 Diana Moses Botkin

My projects are taking awhile and it's nice to not have to rush them. It's good, though, to have a little something finished. Reworking my junker pile gives me the opportunity to do that while warming up my brain for painting on the bigger pieces. I'm offering these two little 'uns at special prices with FREE shipping in the USA. Maybe you'd like them for a friend or yourself?

(left) "Pink and Blue"
Original miniature oil painting, 2.25"x3.25"
©2008 Diana Moses Botkin

SOLD

Making it More Interesting

"Fall Storm at the Peaks"
Original miniature oil, 3"x4"
©2008 Diana Moses Botkin

"Hands on Head" selected for Figure/Portrait book

"Hands on Head"
Original oil on canvas
10"x8" unframed©2010 Diana Moses Botkin 

I'm honored to announce that this painting was selected for inclusion in the upcoming full-color collectible book, Richeson 75 International Figure/Portrait 2011.

A portion of the entries for Richeson's Figure/Portrait competition will be showcased in this catalog and I'm very happy that my work will appear in such talented company.