My Work at The Garden of Artistry

Ponderay Gardens, near Sandpoint, presented The Garden of Artistry this past weekend.

I was honored to be invited to exhibit with 30 artists. I got to rub elbows with well-known painters and sculptors (who happen to live in beautiful north Idaho but show and sell all over world!) Terry Lee, Kyle Paliotto, Gabe Gabel, Joe Kronenberg, and Betty Billips. Wow, what a show!

I don't usually do outdoor art fairs but made an exception for this one because of the nearby location and the opportunity to be with some of the artists whose work I admire.

Also, it's wonderful to talk to people, firsthand, who love my work, see friends/collectors who drop by, and meet new collectors who've jumped in with both feet to buy my art.

I sold some, and I bought some, too. It was a sweet opportunity to add new pieces to my collection. I'm looking forward to seeing how these new paintings speak to me and teach me. I know I'll enjoy them.

Something else I enjoy, although it is hard mental work, is to do live portrait sketches. It is an interesting challenge to capture a likeness of a stranger in 20 minutes or so (and a great excuse to stare at someone).

These photos show several I did at the show. I loved sketching each one, but I think the drawing I like best is Martin's.

A smart and helpful young man, he reminded me of Tintin.

"Storm Lights" Landscape Sunset Daily Painting

Original unframed oil, 5"x7"
©2012 Diana Moses Botkin


I've been working on some larger pieces, which always take longer than a day. Plus I've been varnishing and framing pieces for an art and music festival in north Idaho this weekend. I'll be one of 30 regional artists showing work at this fun venue.

I did manage to paint this small study today, though. I hope you like it. Those rosy storm clouds and glowing water tower just had to be painted!

"Summer Vista" Plein Air Daily Painting

Original oil 5"x7", unframed
©2012 Diana Moses Botkin
 
This small study was painted on location one very hot afternoon recently.

I had to pack up and leave before I was finished with the piece, so added the finishing touches later to the clouds.

Comparison of Two Landscape Daily Paintings

"Afternoon View"
Original oil, 4"x6"
©2012 Diana Moses Botkin

SOLD

This is a recent study I did from a photo which I had taken when I was painting at this location in Oregon last September.

I thought it was interesting to compare this little piece with what I had previously painted en plein air (shown below and at this post).

I like elements of each one, and although they are different, each captures the feel of that time and place. Do you have a favorite?

"Calapooia View"
Original oil, 4"x6"
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

SOLD

Moses Botkin July Painting Challenge: Hands

(left)
"Blue Egg"
Original unframed oil painting
on hardboard 6"x6"
©2012 Diana Moses Botkin

This month it was my turn to decide what the group would paint for our Challenge. I chose hands as the subject, because they are always so interesting to me and can indeed be a challenge.

I debated with myself about what to paint with hands or a hand. I actually started a previous piece but it wasn't going like I had envisioned so I abandoned it.

Sometimes that is just the way it goes. I may get back to it later.
 
For now, however, my little painting above illustrates the hand Challenge idea. I especially liked the contrasts of the smooth egg texture with the wrinkled hand and simple shape of the egg with the more complicated gesture of the hand.

Every month when the group does these Challenges I look forward to seeing how the others interpret our subject. We don't see what each other is painting until our deadline, right before our blog post day. It is always a bit magical to see what each member thinks up to paint and often there are ideas painted that some of the rest of us have considered for the particular Challenge. Other times they are each so unique I cannot say that any of the same ideas came into my own mind. But this month I actually considered very similar ideas to the ones that Mark and Vicki painted. It is a lot of fun to see that.

(left below) "Hand and breast" Oil on panel 8"x8", ©2012 Mark Adams
(bottom right) "'lil Mama-San" Oil on Linen, 6"x6" ©2012 V.N.Ross

 

"Scarlet Sundown" Sunset Daily Painting

Original unframed oil, 5"x7"
©2012 Diana Moses Botkin


Those last fifteen minutes of glorious color at day's end never cease to amaze me, whether the sky is clear or stormy.

It is always an interesting challenge to try and save the impression in a painting.

"Spring in Jackson Hole" Landscape Daily Painting

Original oil, 4.25"x6.25"
in museum style gold frame
©2012 Diana Moses Botkin

SOLD

This is the area to the east of the Tetons, showing part of the Gros Ventre Range.

Happy Fourth of July!

(left)
"Teton Garden"
Original oil
4"x12"
unframed
©2012 Diana Moses Botkin


This time of year in Grand Teton National Park is lush and green, like a wide garden world with an amazing view. This little wide format painting is offered with free shipping to celebrate our National Independence Day.