A Page From an Old Sketchbook

(right) "Kitty"
pencil on paper, 10.5"x8"
©1971 Diana Moses Botkin

I've been remembering a dear friend who passed away a few days ago. I'm so thankful for the gift of her kindness and friendship and support of my work through the years and am especially grateful to have been back in the touch the last few years through the modern miracle of technology. Who would've thought, decades ago, that there would be such conveniences for communication as the internet and facebook?

Although I didn't posses a camera when I lived in Kitty's house, I do have this drawing from one of my old sketchbooks from that time of my life. This is Kitty, decked out for a social gathering, stalwart and sturdy. Every time I make bread or pie crust or cornbread or pour honey from a jar or visit a fabric store, I think of her with fond remembrance and gratefulness. I'm so glad I'll see her again in the sweet by and by.

Portrait Oil Sketches

(left) 
"Hopeful"
Oil 6.5"x5"
©2016 Diana Moses Botkin

Here are a couple of studies, from sessions this past winter at Geatches in Oklahoma City. Both of these lovely young ladies were patient models with fun hair for portrait oil sketches.

These two pieces are the last I have to show you from my stay in OKC. The one plein air painting I did there looks terrible, so I'm debating its destiny. 

I also have some other work from my winter travels, which is not quite ready for prime time. Some of it I'm trying to decide if I should do anything more, or simply call it done. A few others I've worked on and have likely ruined. Trying times.

(left) 
"Translucent"
Oil 9"x9"
©2016 Diana Moses Botkin