"Foggy Night" Landscape/Nocturnal Painting

Original Pastel painting, 7"x10"
©1998 Diana Moses Botkin
Night scene in blues, greens, greys and warm lights

If you're wondering what's up with my infrequent posts lately, let me explain. Two weeks ago I traveled to McCall, Idaho, a long drive which I did in two days stints.

Four days of driving for a two day stay.. I must be crazy. The travel to McCall was for a gala art event at a botanical garden in McCall at Charlie's Garden. It was my first time at the show and although I had no idea what to expect for sales, I sold paintings. It was a lovely show with excellent attendance from locals and tourists in the area. Wine tasting and live music, the beautiful outdoor setting and lovely work exhibited by artists from all over the region contributed to the success of this show. I met some wonderful new people and supporters of my work and got to see artist friends too.

"Before the Wedding" Portrait Daily Painting

Original oil painting 9.5"x10"
Young woman in formal green dress with pink roses, highlighted by the glowing light of the nearby window.

Of course this took longer than a day to paint, but it is today's painting! I very much enjoyed the challenges of this portrait.

This beauty is the matron of honor. She waits on the stairs just ahead of her sister who is the beautiful bride, soon to walk down the aisle. The little white box holds the ring for the groom.

Please contact me if you'd like to commission a painting of someone special.

©2008 Diana Moses Botkin

"Iced Tea Reflections" Still Life Daily Painting

Oil, 7"x5" in Gold frame $155.
©2008 Diana Moses Botkin

I'm back to detail work.

"Trees at the River" Landscape Daily Painting

Oil, 4"x6" in Gold museum style frame
©2008 Diana Moses Botkin

SOLD

Artists often lead solitary lives, even in the midst of family life, due to the nature of their work. Take this past weekend for example when we had a crowd gathered here for the Fourth of July, .

Saturday a bunch of us drove to a nearby boat dock to swim in the freezing river. I had brought along my little cigar box pochade so I could paint.

While I sat in the strong wind and the bright sun and worked to capture the light and wind on the water and trees, I could hear the kids having fun at a distance from me. They are all old enough to look after each other now and I don't need to be lifeguard. Come to think of it, being a lifeguard is a lonely job too.

I'm Celebrating

"Iced Tea with Cherry" Still Life
©2008 Diana Moses Botkin

Oil, 3"x3" Framed
SOLD

Hope you're staying cool, and that you have a safe and fun 4th of July remembrance!

Daily Paintings and Doin's

June wore me out. I hung or delivered work for 5 shows during this past month in our region. For months I was getting ready for my annual solo show at Naples Gallery. Nearly 100 new works were finished up, varnished, framed and hung for that show the first Friday of June. In addition to that one, I hung a small solo show at Monarch Mountain in Sandpoint and also at Ivano's for ArtWalk in Sandpoint. Plus I took pieces to the POAC Faces show in Sandpoint and the PaintOut show at Timber Stand. And I participated in the Plein Air PaintOut. And wrote an article.

After all that I needed a rest (at least mentally). I've been using the down time from painting to catch up on the yard and garden a little. Now I'm back in the swing for painting, I think. And I'm trying a few new ideas for loosening up for the dailies.

Daily Painting and Sandpoint Plein Air Paint Out

After the Paint Out last week I am going through withdrawal and missing the camaraderie. It was good to see all the artists again, and suffer together in the wind and sun while we painted. Although the Sandpoint Paint Out was a small event this year, we had a productive 3 days.

Friday afternoon we each took plein air pieces framed to Timber Stand Gallery for the Paint Out Opening in the evening, coinciding with ArtWalk. Lots of people were there at the gallery and the other ArtWalk locations around town. The Hallans' Gallery Opening was packed; everyone wanted to see Viggo Mortensen's huge mural photos. 

After Friday night's fun, it was back to work here on the farm. I finished up my article for Art Calendar yesterday (a piece on packing and shipping art) and got photos to the editor this morning. My article in the current issue is "12 Ways Artists Can 'Go Greener'". I've heard from a number of readers that they really like the piece. It's nice to know. 

My daughter snapped the photo above of me on Friday when I was painting in downtown Sandpoint. We actually had hot weather that afternoon. (Well, hot for north Idaho... certainly nothing like down south.) When I sat down to paint I was mostly in the shade, except for my feet. Although I had slathered on the sunscreen, my poor little piggies got red and swollen. 

They're fine now, though, and actually look a bit tan. My husband says that a sign of a life lived with the proper priorities is tanned feet. 

Although I am not usually inspired to paint buildings, I decided to capture this one with the reflective windows.

"Downtown Windows" 
Cityscape/LandscapeOil, 7"x5" 
©2008 Diana Moses Botkin

SOLD

"At the Lake" Landscape Daily Painting

Original small oil painting 6"x4"
Tree against blue mountains and water in blues, greens and greys.©2008 Diana Moses Botkin
in decorative silver frame $125.
Summer plein air study

"Trees by the Lake" Plein Air Daily Painting

Original small oil painting 5"x7"
Green trees and fields with lake, mountains and sky in greys and blues.©2008 Diana Moses Botkin
in silver frame $155.

This sure is a busy month for me. Besides my two shows I've hung already, I put up another one today, for Sandpoint's ArtWalk which opens this Friday. And I took 3 pieces to the Faces show which also opens this Friday in Sandpoint.

Our Sandpoint Plein Air PaintOut started today also. This is the better of the two little studies I did this afternoon. It was wonderful to work by the lake on this beautiful day the Lord made.

My Annual Showing of Paintings at Naples Gallery

My Opening went well last night. (Openings can be a little like weddings; there is much preparation beforehand and then usually something goes wrong that we laugh about later.) We all had lots of fun, plus a good turnout and sales.

I did a giveaway for a little gem which was especially fun for the winner. Congratulations to Mary, one of my faithful local collectors who was at the Opening last night!

Here is a snapshot of Suzanne, Naples Gallery owner, and me. Can you see Suzanne's terrific pirate belt? It's made from gun shells, which is perfect for north Idaho.

I hung almost 100 new paintings for this show, which will last a month at Naples Gallery. Doing paperwork for that many Bills of Sale took many hours this week! I give these to purchasers (and I keep a copy) as it has their name and contact info for my records, along with care and copyright information for the buyer.

It took a good portion of the day yesterday to hang that many paintings. In the morning I laid all the boxes of art and paperwork by my door, my camera, plus nice clothes for the Opening. The boys helped me load up everything in the car (I thought!).

I then drove the 40 some-odd miles to the gallery. Man I must've had a lot on my mind, because I drove right past the gallery and had to turn around.

The day went so fast, working to get everything hung up. Before I knew it, it was time for me to change out of my grubbies into something nicer. Then I realized I had forgotten to load my nice clothes!

Suzanne found me a simple black dress in her closet and a scarf for a sash. Boots and hoop earrings I had in my bag with my camera, so I wasn't totally a motherless child.

Dear Suzanne always puts on a wonderful array of food and drink. I think she outdid herself this time. Jim, her husband, had gathered maps to lay out on the food table along with pineapples, coconuts and "treasure gold" in a chest to go with our pirate theme. There were lots of Spanish dishes and beverages for all to enjoy.

Here are a handful of pictures of the event. (I wish I'd thought to ask someone to take more photos, as I was busy talking to visitors most of the evening about my work.) Thank you to everyone who participated in the fun!

©2008 Diana Moses Botkin

Sold Daily Paintings

"Afternoon Trees" 5"x7" Oil 
©2008 Diana Moses Botkin
SOLD

"By the Lake" Mini Oil 
©2008 Diana Moses Botkin
SOLD

"Couple at the Museum" Oil 7"x5" 
©2008 Diana Moses Botkin
SOLD

"Blue Flag" Oil 3"x3" 
©2008 Diana Moses Botkin
SOLD

"Spring Play" Oil 5"x7" 
©2008 Diana Moses Botkin
SOLD

"Studebaker Self-Portrait" Oil 5"x5" 
©2008 Diana Moses Botkin
SOLD

"Red and Blue Hat" Oil 3"x3"
 ©2008 Diana Moses Botkin
SOLD

"Violet, Green and Turquoise" Mini Oi
 ©2008 Diana Moses Botkin
SOLD

"Yellow Iris" Oil Mini
©2008 Diana Moses Botkin
SOLD

"Iris Glow" Oil Mini
©2008 Diana Moses Botkin
SOLD

"Pink Tulip" Oil 3"x 3"
©2008 Diana Moses Botkin
SOLD

"Spring Colors with Hay" Oil 4"x6"
©2008 Diana Moses Botkin
SOLD

My Annual Showing of Paintings at Naples Gallery

In my last email newsletter, I mentioned I'd be announcing an intriguing theme soon for my upcoming annual show in north Idaho. Here's the fun idea I promised! ...Do I hear a drum roll?....

New Gems, Large & Small

by Diana Moses Botkin

Please Join Us at the Exhibit

Opening on Friday June 6

4~9 p.m. at Naples Gallery

(Pirate Costumes Optional!)

Show runs June 6~July 6, 2008

Naples Gallery is located north of

Sandpoint ID, on Highway 95,at Mile 495 1/2

I'll be hanging nearly 100 new paintings at my annual show in less than two weeks in Naples Idaho. This exhibit is always a fun event and a unique opportunity for local collectors to see my framed originals in person. I've been busy this past year painting lots of treasures large and small. I can't wait to share them with everyone! If you'll be in north Idaho, please mark your calendar and save Friday evening June 6, to drop by. Suzanne will have grog and grub for you to enjoy while you peruse the paintings!

I may wear a pirate outfit or at least some big earrings and eyeliner, ala Johnny Depp! How about you?

Here's some useful pirate lingo so you'll be shipshape for a treasure hunt!

Ahoy -- "Hello!"
Blimey! -- Exclamation of surprise. "Blimey! Look at all that art!"
Booty -- Loot, gold. Useful for buying art.
Chest -- Treasure container. We'll have a chest full of art for you!
Deadlights -- Eyes. "Use yer deadlights, Matey! That's art!"
Grog -- Generically, any alcoholic drink. Specifically, rum with water.
Grub -- Food. We'll have some!
Handsomely -- Quickly. "Handsomely now, Suzanne, wrap that up for me!"
Jollyboat -- A small but happy craft.

Lad, lass, lassie -- A way to address someone younger than you.
Me hearties -- Typical address for a pirate leader.
Matey -- Cheerful, if not friendly, address.
Rum -- Traditional pirate drink.
Shipshape -- Well-organized, under control, finished.
Shiver me timbers! -- An expression of surprise or strong emotion.
Smartly -- Quickly. "Smartly there, men!" = "Hurry up with the grog!"
Splice the mainbrace -- To have a drink. Or, perhaps, several drinks.
Swag -- Loot. (see Booty)
Yo-ho-ho -- Useful pirate lingo, whether it actually means anything or not.

Ahoy, Mateys! Blimey!... you aren't on my mailing list!? Contact me smartly and I'll add your email to the list for sending out my newsletters.

©2008 Diana Moses Botkin