Moon and Stars ...plus news

Still working on some pet projects here (sample to the left is one of many works in progress!)  But I wanted to share a bit of good news, Daffodil Trio made it into the Randy Higbee Gallery 6x6 exhibit.  This exhibit brings together "Nationally acclaimed traditional representational artists to a spectacular venue in Orange County, CA"  At 1200+ entries, the competition to get into this show was fierce.  I'm really happy to be a part of it.  The artist reception is on April 16th... isn't that the perfect excuse for a quickie Southern California vacay?

Pet Portrait Collection

I'd post today's painting, but it was a miserable failure, best burned.  We'll try again tomorrow.  Anyway, this is more fun:   Check out the pictures above!  Most of the pet portraits I paint immediately disappear into the grateful hands of collectors never to be seen again.  What a delight when Mary Frances of San Antonio, TX emailed me a picture of her collection of pet portraits and a picture of the portrait I did of her beagle, Annie in it's new frame!  Her impressive collection includes paintings by Virginia Vaughan, Elizabeth Fraser and Karen Winters!  I am honored to be part of it, thank you for sharing, Mary Frances!!

Rose painting on paper Hoeptner Newsletter

I will be taking this week to work on some pet projects, this is the first of three rose paintings on paper.  It's a work in progress and measures about 8" x 5."       

Yet to Bloom painting of pink lilly lillies flower

Yet to Bloom  Oil on wood  8" x 8" 

I am so pleased to be the featured artist on Artsyshark right now!  Carolyn Edlund provides an absolute gold mine of information and inspiration for working and emerging artists.  There's a three question interview with pictures on the feature about me, check it out here.  Thank you, Carolyn!
If you are a visitor from Artsyshark:  Welcome!!  Please take a moment to subscribe and if you have any inquiries, do contact me.

March Melody before and after

March Melody before and after, original post has been updated.  SOLD

Still tweaking.  Photos of this painting were taken in different light conditions, so it's hard to identify what the tweaks are.  Only two items were changed:  I made the flower leaves less blue and gave them more details... and I made the back flower (the third) a bit brighter.  I wasn't happy with the silhouette of the flowers and popping the back one forward helped.  I am still quite thrilled with this painting and I'd like to get back to doing more of the Arts & Crafts inspired still lifes eventually. 

New Harvest before and after

New Harvest before and after, original post has been updated.

There's still enough time before my next gallery show to indulge in obsessive compulsive tweaking of existing inventory.  (:  So, you may see a few more partial paint overs before all are hung and displayed at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens gallery.

Shades of Gray

Shades of Gray   Oil on wood   8" x 8"  SOLD
Click image to enlarge.  Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Tole painting is the art of painting fruit, flowers and leaves with "one-stroke" onto products ranging from rocking chairs to pottery.  It was taught in the UK in the 1700's.  Women who did tole painting were referred to as "paintresses!"  While I would probably object to being called a paintress, I sure do appreciate the simplicity of tole painting.  Unfortunately the "one-stroke" method  won't get me the results I want...  Building up values from dark to light is crucial.  I do it better when I slow down and get methodical about it.  The brightest parts are the most fun and provide the most drama...sometimes it's hard not to jump ahead, especially with the white Mums! Anyway, I may have gotten my fix of this flower for now, it's time to shop Trader Joe's for fresh inspiration!

Mums chrysanthemum white flower painting

Mums  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  SOLD

Here for your viewing pleasure, a trio of what I now know are Chrysanthemums or Mums!  Thanks dear reader(s) for providing this most valuable information.  I have so many talented, smart, funny and consistently PRESENT commenters on this blog.  Sometimes it feels miraculous, actually it is miraculous.  It's amazing to live in an age where seeing what fellow artists are doing and sharing what I'm doing is as easy as turning on the computer!

In the Shade floral still life oil painting

In the Shade  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  SOLD
Click image to enlarge.  Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Yes, it's the white mystery flowers again.  I love, love, love how this one came out...  These flowers have daisy like petals around the outside and finer whispier, more yellow petals on the inside/top...  Do you know the proper name of this flower??  If so, please advise!  I  may still have to paint a few more before I get 'em out of my system.

Transition cleveland auto show I want an Audi

Transition  Oil on wood  6" x 6" 
Click image to enlarge.  Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Husband and I went to the Cleveland Auto Show this afternoon.  He's very no nonsense with regards to big purchases.  He thought the Honda Insight Hybrid was both good looking and a sensible choice (if we were actually shopping for a new car which we're not...)  

Employing "reason" has never been my forte.  I made a beeline for the Audis.  I wanted to see a particular A6 but they had discontinued it.  There was an A3 which was super slick so I sat in that...  Now lemme see here, just how many paintings DO I have to sell to get me one of those??

March Melody painting of white flowers

March Melody  Oil on wood  12" x 12"  SOLD
Click image to enlarge.  Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

The double handle green pottery vase above was acquired at a local flea market.  It was a bargain at $5, although I wouldh've paid much more!  It's perfect for my Arts & Crafts inspired still lifes.