"Daydreaming" Study of Young Woman with Red Hair

Original oil on canvas
12"x9" unframed
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin
 
I enjoyed painting this lovely redheaded model one afternoon. The loosely painted oil sketch reveals a quiet and thoughtful personality, I think. Some of the models I've painted I've gotten to know a little, but this was the first and only time painting this young woman with the beautiful hair.

Hand Painted Christmas Ball

"Clifty Christmas 2011"
Oil on glass sphere, approx. 3", with hanger
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

Hand-painting glass Christmas balls is not something I do often. I have done others, though, and this majestic landmark in our area, snowy Clifty Mountain, has been an inspiration more than once.

This unusual painting on glass is a custom order, one of several projects that have kept me busy lately. It's a special surprise Christmas gift, commissioned by employees at a regional tree nursery for their boss. I can't wait to hear how the boss likes this unique gift of art.

December Painting Challenge: Blue

"Blue": the Challenge this month was chosen by group member Vicki Ross. Such a simple request, but the multitude of possibilities made for a real puzzler. One of the thoughts behind the Challenge is to paint something that we haven't tackled before. I've been wanting to try some shiny Christmas ornaments, so this was a good excuse.

"Holiday Blues"
Oil on hardboard 5"x7"
Still life of Shiny Christmas ornaments 
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

Painting that reflective glass, getting the spheres to look right, and just making an interesting composition in the first place were all more challenging than I'd envisioned. But it was fun too, and I love what everyone did for the blue theme.
 




(left above) "Malibu Blue" Oil on canvas, 4"x8.75" ©2011 Ruth Andre
(right above) "Blues" Silverpoint and Oil on Gessoboard, 4"x4" ©2011 Vicki Ross(left below) "Blue Ice" Oil on canvas16"x20" ©2011 Suzanne Berry
(right below) "Windy Beach" Oil on panel, 12"x9" ©2011 Robin Cheers

 

Small Landscape of Lake in Morning Fog

"Fog Slide" 
Original framed oil
4"x6"
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

Search for the Perfect Christmas Tree

While I'm finishing up some art projects I can't show just yet, I thought I'd post these little jewels. If you'd like any of them, please visit my DailyPainters gallery page.
These three little tree miniatures are some I haven't shown before. Painting them brought childhood Christmas decorating memories to mind. I hope they bring smiles of remembrance to you, too.
When I was growing up, our family would begin the hunt for a tree after Thanksgiving, to display in the living room, and on which to hang our collection of Christmas ornaments... and our memories of the season. Back then, it was de rigueur to add, as a final decorating touch, tiny fragile strips of aluminum known as "icicles".

My parents, who grew up during the depression, always insisted we save those strips, year by year, along with used wrapping paper. It was simply being thrifty ~ "recycling" before the term and concept became fashionable.
However, preceding adding those final touches to the tree, we had to find the right one... something affordable but not too reminiscent of Charlie Brown's tree. It had to have some fullness and balance, or at least one good side even if it failed to look lovely from all angles.

We would search a nearby Christmas tree lot to find ours and settle on one that wasn't too spendy or straggly, even though there were bigger and better ones available (if price hadn't been part of the necessary equation).
Once we got it home, added lights, our treasured collection of baubles, home made decorations, and those special icicles, we all declared it was "the best tree ever" and enjoyed the glowing lights and the fresh piney smell through the Christmas season.

Two Miniature Mt. Hood Daily Paintings

(left)
"Orchard View"
Original oil
3"x3" in mini frame
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

SOLD

It's pretty much winter here in north Idaho these days with cold, grey short days. I've been remembering the sunshine and hot weather I enjoyed last August at the Columbia Gorge paint out and decided it would be a nice diversion to paint some miniatures from photos I took.

"Flaming Light"
Original oil, 2.25"x3.25" in mini frame
©2011 Diana Moses Botkin

SOLD

I've been working lately on some larger pieces. It takes a lot more effort to finish a bigger canvas and it's much different maintaining energy and momentum for them.

So, doing the little Mt. Hood paintings was a nice break this week from working on several uncompleted paintings that are 11"x14". It sure feels good to get something finished. It's one of the joys of painting the little jewels.

Paintings to Galleries and Patrons

I've been finishing up some commissions, and packing up new work for two galleries.

It's the "busy season" for projects, as well as time with family and friends. During the dark winter months, the special people in my life are more important than ever.

(above) "Extraordinary Storm Colors" 3.5" x 10" Oil ©2010 Diana Moses Botkin

This wide format piece is one of my little jewels delivered to Out Skirts Gallery in Hope, Idaho. Kally Thurman's remarkable art showroom on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille is a must-see if you're in north Idaho.

I've also sent a box of my figurative and landscape paintings to Tidewater Gallery in Swansboro, North Carolina. If you're in the area, please stop in and tell Ray I sent you!

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