Portrait Workshop in OKC

I have another Portrait Workshop scheduled in Oklahoma City soon. Dates are Thursday and Friday, November 13th and 14th. It will be held at Geatches Art Studio in the Paseo District.

I'll be doing demos from live models and teaching how to capture a likeness in charcoal and then in oil.

My goal for this workshop is to help participants see the model, and develop skills in capturing a likeness. No matter the style or experience I will try to assist and encourage each one. Students can follow my lead for using charcoal to start with and then trying a portrait in oils. Or if some would like to work in charcoal for all sessions, that's okay.

Please message me if you'd like more info, or visit the event page about it on facebook.

Fall Plein Air Painting

"Slice of Light" Oil, 7"x5"
©2014 Diana Moses Botkin

SOLD

Earlier this week I went with a fellow artist to nearby Kootenai Wildlife Refuge to paint en plein air. It was a beautiful afternoon and we actually had some sunshine after a week of rainy, grey days.

We drove to a couple of spots before settling on this place to get to work.

The sun set quickly and the mountain shadow darkened most of the scene before me after I'd been working only a short time. This was actually quite nice, as it contrasted with that last bit of sunlight in the distance and lit up that glorious orange tree. Sometimes on-site paintings don't work well, but this one serendipitously came together nicely.

Sunset Painting Finished

As I mentioned recently, that pile of unfinished paintings in the corner taunts me from time to time. This one needed something even though it had a lot going for it. It had been sitting for a couple of years, so I added a few touches to tie it together and am calling it done.

That amazing show of glowing green sky at the horizon contrasted with the scarlet clouds is what captured my fancy.

"Sunset Splendor Show" Oil, 8"x8"
©2012 Diana Moses Botkin

Another One from Scotchman Peaks Paint Out

(left) "Monarch Morning" oil 8"x10"
©2014 Diana Moses Botkin
 
This is the piece I started Saturday morning at the Plein Air event. I felt it needed a little more something than what I got on location.

I've bumped up contrast a tiny bit. I resisted doing much to the piece, so perhaps this is enough to call it done.

End of Day Plein Air

(left) "Bright Evening at the Flats"
Oil, 5" x 7"
©2014 Diana Moses Botkin

The Pack River Flats of Lake Pend d'Oreille is one of my favorite spots for plein air painting. This little study is one I did about a month ago but felt it needed a few touch ups before it was ready for prime time. I think I'm done now.

Scotchman Peaks Paint Out 2014

The knats and flies are swarming these days in our neck of the woods. This makes for misery when painting outdoors... not as bad as mosquitoes biting, but annoying none the less. Crazy making if they're really active: bugs in the eyes, ears and nose and flying into one's clothing and into wet paint. Ah the joys of plein air painting.

This past weekend was the annual paint out for Scotchman Peaks Wilderness. It was a Saturday one day event this year, although some participants started the night before.

(left) "Pink and Green" oil 6"x8"
©2014 Diana Moses Botkin
SOLD

Evening paintings are really my favorite for plein air, so Friday evening I headed to a spot I love to capture what I thought might be a good sunset. Even though I was pretty much painting in the dark at the end, the piece turned out to be satisfying, even in the light of day next morning.

Early Saturday I downed some coffee after sleeping (sort of) in my van and headed out from my camp spot to see what the light was like on the lake. Those evil bugs kept me company as I worked on a study of the Monarchs in the early light by Lake Pend d'Oreille. Early and late light changes pretty fast, so I snapped a few photos to finish the piece later.

My middle of the day painting wound up being scraped off. I'm trying to use more paint in my work, but sometimes it gets me into trouble and this was one of those pieces that just got  worse the more paint I put on. No big deal... it's just some wasted paint and time. Even though I had the bugs for company I did get some sun while I worked, so that was something.

(left) "Fall at the Creek"
oil 5"x7"
©2014 Diana Moses Botkin
SOLD 

I managed a little study at the last minute of a distant scene I'd had my eye on while I was working on the failed one. That one, and my evening painting from the night before, would suffice for taking to the gallery (Outskirts in Hope, Idaho) for the show. I wouldn't be in the competition this year anyway, as I was the judge, having won first place last year.

Judging, as is usually the case, was a challenge. There were quite a few really lovely paintings. Of course we all have our prejudices. It was fun to be able to pick my favorites for the prizes. I wish I had a link to the winners. Maybe soon they'll post something on facebook so I can show them to you.

Three of My Paintings Juried in The MAC Auction

 

(above, left) "Way Over Yonder" oil 8x10"
(above, right) "Hood Awakes"  oil 8x8"
(below, left) "Clear Palouse Afternoon" oil 10x10"

I'm pleased that three of my paintings have again been accepted this year to the MAC Art Auction, benefiting the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture.These three plein air pieces are framed and delivered to the museum for the auction preview.

The gala event happens on November 8, 2014 at the historic Davenport Hotel in Spokane Washington. Please visit this link for tickets, information and online catalog.