Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas 

to all 

Oh Christmas Tree                     December 2011

and Happy Holidays

Remembering

This is suppose to be a joyous time of year, regardless of your beliefs.  The world tells you you are happy. 

For people dealing with loss whether it is new or old it can also be  very challenging and sometimes overwhelming. 

Remembering all of the people in my life both friends and family who are no longer here in body, but still in my heart.  

Exhibition

Forest Sunbeams

Floral Fanatasy

Gulf Coast Sunset I

Twelve of my paintings are hanging in the Cornerhouse Restaurant in downtown Stouffville. 

The Cornerhouse is one of the sponsors  of the Stouffville Studio Tour and they generously showcase a Tour artist every month. 

These are a few of the paintings in the show.

Workshop

I will be conducting a workshop at the Japanese Cultural Centre this Saturday. Information is here. Should be good.

Singing Ink

 



Sumi-e Artists of Canada presents Singing Ink:
 
Here are 2 of the paintings I will be putting in the show.

I will be demonstrating Sumi-e on Sunday at 1 pm 

Great show .... hope you can stop by 

Three's Company

The Wave

Lest we forget

Remembering all who fought and lost their lives, remembering all who came home.

With gratitude, I remember my grandfather in law who fought and was wounded at the Somme in WW 1, my father in law who drove trucks in WW 2 through liberated Europe and who could never speak about what he saw. 

My parents, both still very active, served... my father in the Merchant Marines up and down the Atlantic Coast and my mother in the Womens Division of the Air Force, stationed on the west coast watching for enemy planes. I was fortunate to go to a reunion of these women a few years ago .... what a group, how young they were during the war  and how young at heart they were at the reunion, all of them well into their 80's. 

To all our veterans from all the wars thank you!
Let our future be filled be peace. 

November

So the time has changed back to standard and it is awfully dark out at 5.30! We are enjoying nice warm weather so that is a bonus. 

I have a commission of Sumi-e fish that is working well. Always a challenge to take a commission ... never sure if you are going to be able to be successful. 

Getting ready for the next show....Singing Ink: An Exhibition of Oriental Brush Painting.  

Details are here and on this invitation. 

If your in the area stop by...it is always a great show.

Happy Halloween

It is the end of October....where does the time go! 

I have to get some paintings done for the next show "Singing Ink" presented by the Sumi-e Artists of Canada November 19th and 20th. 

Time to get the brush working!

Studio Tour 2011

regrouping and resting!

Studio Tour 2011 is history. A fantastic weekend with record crowds....rainy, windy weather didn't stop anyone from attending. Lots of new and familiar faces. Time to regroup and rest. Now the fun part putting the house back together!

Day 1

Day 1 of the tour was fantastic! Many new and familiar faces. Looking forward to tomorrow.

Another painting

Behind the Mask

Another new painting for the show. 

This one has its name! 

I sometimes find this the most challenging part of the process .... often a painting's name seems to be obvious, like it is destined to have that name ... other times nothing seems quite appropriate. This was an obvious one.

New work

Busy days getting ready for the Studio Tour....managed to spend time outside on such a beautiful day. More like summer than October...if only it would last...I love warm weather!

watercolour batik

acrylic

Here are a few of the new paintings that will be on display next week. No names yet!

Demonstrating October 1st

Lots of fun demonstrating at Latcham Gallery.
Two successful Sumi-e paintings!

Culture Days in Stouffville

I will be demonstrating at the Latcham Gallery, Stouffville as part of Culture Days. Stop by and say hello between 11 am and 1 pm.

10 years later

Very moving day remembering 10 years ago the events that changed the world. No politics just thinking of all those people who were just going about their business doing their jobs and lost their lives. 

This was a tribute in Tempe Arizona. An 8 foot flag for every person lost on that day with a little of their personal story. The 8th year this has been done!

The other one

My other painting in the show  .... 

Views from the Moraine

Two of my paintings are in the Lemonville Group of Artists "Views from the Moraine" at the Latcham Gallery Stouffville starting tomorrow. I will also be demontrating on October 1st in the lobby of the Gallery. More details later. Here is one of the paintings "Roots". It is painted on an area map from the 1880's with all the farms marked.

Watercolours

Summer's Heart

I love to paint in watercolours. They are unpredictable and fun. I am attending a watercolour workshop in September and I decided that it was time to flex the watercolour muscles. Trouble is it has obviously been a long, long time. I am rusty! 

Spent a week in frustrations but finally have got a few things that are workable. I am relatively happy with this one although it is a little "pretty". At least I don't feel like I have forgotten how to paint!

Your invited

Everyone is invted to a show I am participating in at the Latcham Gallery in Stouffville. 

It has been several years in the making so I am very excited. 

Please join us!

All Done

Just put the final touches on my two paintings for the Lemonville Group of Artists exhibition at the Latcham Gallery, Stouffville September 3rd to October 15th. This exhibition has taken over 2 years to pull everything together so it is very exciting. Stay tuned for more details.

Resting

Show at the McKay is now over. Thanks to everyone who came by. It was fun and we are definitely thinking about a repeat. 
Have stored all my paintings [not an easy feat], resting for a few days then on to new works! 
And by the way it is hot enough out for me [a heat wave in the little town of Stouffville] and yes I do like it!

Newest work

New work.....might be in the show next week!
Drop by and see!

Everyone's invited

Come to our show 
in beautiful historic downtown Unionville Ontario.

The venue is the McKay Art Centre

Fred Varley’s artistic legacy in Markham continues at the McKay Art Centre. The historic Kathleen McKay/Salem Eckhardt house has been recently restored to its original splendour. The house dates to the 1840's and was the home of Frederick Horsman Varley during the last 12 years of his life. In his studio on the lower level of the house, Varley created various portraits and landscapes inspired by the surrounding area.

Hope to see you!

19 on the Park

Hanging now at 19 on the Park in downtown Stouffville are works from the Lemonville Group of Artists. 

September Morn

Early Morn

These two of  my paintings are included. Stop by and have a look.
They will be on display until July 19th .... over the Whitchurch-Stouffville Strawberry Festival

Happy Father's Day

Happy day to my Dad....90 years young this past week and doing great! 

Hope everyone had a good day.

Website

Have just finished a new design for the website. I am very happy with the results. Still have some updating to do but have a look www.alternativesinart.ca

Too soon

So I spoke too soon. My great success with one painting led me to other thoughts or visions of how I wanted my next paintings to look. Trouble is on the technical side....how to get a very large copy of something. I finally figured it out but it has taken me over a week. GRRRRRR. 
I did attend a great workshop about book making. Made a really neat hardcover book. I will definitely be making more!

New work

Can't garden in this continuous cold rain. Where are the spring temperatures!
Spent the day painting with great success. Can hardly wait until I can get back at it tomorrow.
Nice feeling when things are working out.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all. Hope everyone had as great of a day as I did.

Thank you

Thank you to everyone who came to the show on the weekend. Great show, great crowds, reasonable weather. Taking a rest today!
This is how we looked before the doors opened.

All ready

Paintings are all hung and we are ready for the 18th Annual Lemonville Show tomorrow and Sunday. Great show so don't miss it. Over 200 paintings from 18 different artists.

Lemonville Community Centre,

13453 McCowan Rd,

Stouffville Ontario,

10 am to 5 pm both days. 

The weather should be good so it will be a great weekend for a drive in the country.

Another painting

Mr Peabody

One more for the show
www.LemonvilleGroupofArtists.com       

More

Early Morn

Another painting that will be in the show this weekend.

Getting Ready

Summer Story

White Coneflowers II

Show this weekend.  Lemonville Group of Artists


These are 2 of the paintings I will have in the show.
Stop by and say hello!

60

Happy 60th Anniversary to my parents today. 

It's back

Winter.....it's back in Southern Ontario. Snow, cold, wind chills. Last year this time over 20 c this year 0 c.....enough said

What?????

Okay, so clearly I spoke too soon. I apologize. It  must be my jinx on things. Spring has disappeared. A cold, rainy, cold, flurries tonight weekend in suburban Stouffville.

I am not complaining just observing.....where is spring?

Spring

The crisis in Japan continues. Please click here here for the information about the free paintings that I am giving away. I am in awe of the support of this project. Thank you, the people of Japan thank you!

I do believe in enjoying every moment, life goes on in spite of tragedy. 

It is a beautiful sunny day in southern Ontario. I think it is safe to say Spring is here! I saw my first robin on the weekend and there is a tulip peeking up in my front garden.

Stay tuned. Getting ready for the Lemonville Group of Artists show.

Japan

Things do not sound like they are getting any better in Japan. Imagine not having your identification, worrying about radiation, where your loved ones are, if they are even alive. This is so overwhelming on so many levels. 
I have  5 Ensō paintings still available  for free, the watercolour painting is no longer available. Read the following posts for the details how you can obtain your choice.

Thank you for your support.

For Japan continuing

Thank you for the support....over $600.00 has been raised for the Canadian Red Cross Japan relief. Amazing!

I have a few more Ensō paintings and that are available under the same conditions as the previous post. Ensō number 1 is still available from the first post. 

The people of Japan still need our help.

Thank you again! 

Ensō 7- no longer available

Ensō 8

Ensō 9

Ensō 10 no longer available

Ensō 11 - no longer available

Ensō 12 -no longer available

For Japanese relief

The devastation in Japan is so overwhelming for all of us. I have a plan that hopefully will raise money. 

Have a look at these Ensō paintings. Ensō means circle in Japanese. They are acrylic paint on white paper 8 inches by 5 1/2 inches with gold and silver flecks signed with my chop or seal. 

I will give one you one of these paintings, your choice,  if you send me confirmation of a minimum donation of $20.00 to the Canadian Red Cross Japan/Earthquake Asia-Pacific Tsunami.

Here's how to donate: 

•  Click here: Canadian Red Cross to donate online. Forward  me the confirmation artbydiana(at)gmail(dot)com

•  Donate one of the other ways outlined on the Red Cross site, let me know which painting you would like and I will put a hold on it for you until you can get the confirmation to me.  

• Already donated? Great! Send me the confirmation and I will send you your choice of painting. 

This is first-come, first-serve basis, so please don't delay.  

Also I have one watercolour and ink painting  [8 inches x 10 inches] that I will give to the first person who wants it and sends me a confirmation for a $50.00 minimum donation.

Ensō  paintings, one stroke, one moment in time. 
For Japan: one moment on Friday March 11 that changed everything.

Ensō 1

Ensō 2 - no longer available

Ensō 3 - no longer available

Ensō 4 - no longer available

Ensō 5 - no longer available

Ensō 6 -no longer available

Watercolour and Ink painting -no longer available

So Sad

Flowers for Japan

Today has been a very sad day....I can't even imagine living through a 9.0 earthquake. Thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan and anyone who has someone they are concerned about. This was today's work.