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.

New website

The Lemonville Group of Artists 18th Annual Show is 
April 30th, May 1st 2011.....less than 2 months away. 
We have a new website that is just finished. 
Have a look LemonvilleGroupofArtists.com

Yahoo

It's March....yahoo!

The month of spring, days are longer, sun is warmer, still snowing  but the light is at the end of the tunnel, we are in the home stretch. Bring on the warmer weather, I am ready.

Look at this!

Here it is ...a sign of Spring in my front garden. Green sprouts.

Aren't they beautiful little troopers?

Art Battle

Went to very interesting event on Saturday night at the Varley Gallery in Unionville, Ontario.....an Art Battle. Thirty-two artists painted in three rounds of 20 minutes each to declare a champion as voted by the audience. 

It was very interesting, a great fund raising event. My only complaint was there were too many people and because of some snowy conditions it started late. We left after the first round because it was just too hot and crowded. If you want more information check it out Art Battle.
 
As an artist, I don't know how I feel about competitive painting but it was a different  kind of evening. This was the 11th in the GTA so I guess they are becoming popular.

Stain Painting

Another great workshop......Lots of great ideas. 

Tried stain painting on raw canvas. I had some good results. Here are a couple of them.

Lucy

I mentioned before I volunteer at the York-Durham Aphasia Centre. I do a program called Art for Communcation with clients in Newmarket. It is designed to develop drawing skills to help with communication for people with aphasia....ie if you can't say the word apple but you could draw an apple and get your message across

It is a step by step process to tap into your artistic side and remember these people are not artists. I have them do warm up exercises for the brain and then they copy a picture that I have drawn of a person. We do the same person for a whole year. In the past it has been Mona Lisa, Winston Churchill, Abe Lincoln, and last year Elvis

This year I have decided that Lucille Ball would be a great subject Client's will draw her upside down while music is playing so that they can tap into that right brain.

I Love Lucy!

Happy New Year

 2011 Ensō .....one moment

Hard to believe it is the end of the first decade of the 21st Century. Remember all the Y2K panic!
Have a happy and safe New Year's Eve and a wonderful 2011.
Looking forward to lots of painting.

Wishing

A Merry Christmas to all.

Peace on Earth.

Remembering

Beyond

This can be a joyous time of year, regardless of your beliefs.  

For people dealing with loss it can also be very challenging. 

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

My tribute to them is to live each day to the fullest.

Challenging

Challenge of the Season

2 persian kittens, 15 weeks old

1 red pine Christmas tree, 7 feet high

 Equals 2 kittens with sap and pine needle
in their very long fur   

[decorated the tree in record flat time
while they were sleeping, whew!
also brushed out all the extras in the fur,
kitten exhaustion used for good!]