Theme Thursday - Busy

Hi Everyone....I thought I would show you the latest painting in the painting a day project....She was inspired by my old raggedy Anne doll that I still have in my studio....her clothing is a busy pattern and I thought she fit this week's theme on Theme Thursday...

I have kept my doll for many years now and it makes me smile to think back to my days as a wee little girl....I also still love dolls....and love barbies too....I guess we never really get old....we are all just kids at heart...and I want to stay that way!!

I also thought you would get a kick out of Cole's latest comments....whenever he sees a Barbie commercial he always stops what he is doing and says "those are for you Mommy... you like those....when I am bigger I will buy you one of those barbies"

I smile and laugh and my heart is full of his cuteness!!! I showed him my little collection one day and he always thinks of me when he sees a barbie...how cute is that....

Happy Thursday!!!

Hugs

Diana

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Three Muses Challenge - Quote - create art based on a quote.....

Hi Everyone....This week's challenge over at the Three Muses Blog was a lot of fun...first I had to pick a quote and then I had to be inspired by it....so here is my quote....

"There is only one success--to be able to spend your life in your own way."
Christopher Morley

I think this really made me think about life and success and what it means to me...One of the greatest successes for me was and is becoming a Mom...I think Motherhood was a pivotal point in my life where I started to weigh out things and really focus on what is important for me and my family....It also made me think about what my life means and would be left behind in this world ...so that people would know I was here.....

and that is when I decided to pursue my art full time...so I could be home with my child and create each and every day.....It is also why I started to write and illustrate children's books....because for years to come children would be able to read and enjoy my art.....it is very fulfilling and this is what success means to me....A lot of you may not know this...but I left the world of Technology and Business (15 years to be exact) ...the proverbial rat race....with a great income to enjoy far more benefits and far more successes all in my home sweet home.... so the next time you look at your lives...think about success and really define it ...it may change the direction your life is in and bring you some new focus....after all isn't life too short? So my two pieces for this week's challenge represent Motherhood and art....my passions...my successes...

Have a wonderful day!!!!

Hugs

Diana

My cute Little Angel...This is after bath time ...he wanted to paint with Mommy...and the results are below....I love each and every one of his paintings....and seeing him each and every day as he grows into a little man....that makes me feel successful.....

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Mixed Media Monday - "the games that people play"

Hi Everyone....I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!!

This week over at MMM the theme is "The games that people play and the last three paintings in my "A painting a day" project 2010 were perfect for the theme so I decided to post them all for Monday.....When I saw the sneak peek at the theme I immediately thought about love and our health...so these paintings all came to be ....love games can make our hearts break...but they can be mended by love too.....The anatomical heart painting represents the games we sometimes play with our health....eating bad foods and having bad habits.....and finally the last one is a little more on the fun side....it is titled ..."mind games"....I have heard many people say they are sick of the mind games in relationships....

Well I hope you enjoy these pieces and I also added a little montage of the project so far!!! and tomorrow I will have some new illustrations!!!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Hugs

Diana

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Illustration Friday - clumsy

Hi Everyone....When it came to Cupid University....Gabriella was always clumsy with her hearts...She would miss her target and they would all fall down....luckily at school there were numerous clouds that would catch her fallen hearts.....and give her another try at making love happen......

Have a wonderful Friday Everyone!!!

Hugs

Diana

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Theme Thursday "numbers" and more of Cole's fun work....

Hi Everyone....I painted another cupcake ....this one is all about texture and dimension...The theme this week on Theme Thursday is "numbers" and this is titles "one" just a lonely cupcake....ready to make someone smile..... Cole also worked on a new watercolour....

We also worked yesterday making a ton of special recipe breakfast patties....I love these....we ground the meat at my Mom and Dad's and made them there ....I worked with them and we made a lot of yummy patties...and these are extra lean and tasty with all the spices we put in....I am a fan of breakfast sausage...but needed an alternative way to get the taste without the calories...and I finally have a recipe I love.....

Cole has some cool techniques with his paintings....now he is all about circles at the start.....

Then he says he has to fill all the holes....(he calls the white spaces on the paper holes)

and once it is all dry this is the magic that happens.....I always think he uses way too much water....but the effects he gets are so neat....

Have a wonderful day!!!

Hugs

Diana

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Three Muses Challenge - Something in the Air and Cole's latest painting....

Hi Everyone....

Thank you for popping in and seeing my work....This week at the Three Muses blog...the challenge prompt is ...Something in the Air...and the first thing I thought of was my favorite saying..."When pigs fly" I even gave Brad...a cute little flying pig ...I told him he could use it when he doesn't feel like doing something.....isn't it the cutest little thing...especially among the Eiffel tower.... I also have a new painting by Mr. Cole...he is so sweet and now whenever he sees me in the studio creating...he wants to paint....who can turn down that sweet little face....

but tonight we all went out shopping and we got home late and Cole had to go to bed...but he asked for some of his favorite popcorn to be made ...and I had to say no....he was angry and asked for a new Mommy...be still my heart....I hope he doesn't feel that way in the morning....

and this is the note the Flying Piggy came with....

Wishing you a wonderful day...filled with inspiration and creativity...

Hugs

Diana

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Mixed Media Monday - "wings" my last three paintings for "A painting a day 2010" and Cole is joining me on this journey!!!

Hi Everyone....what a fun and busy weekend!!! My Brother and Sister-in-law just got back from a wonderful trip to the Dominican...so we spent the weekend with them and family catching up....it was a lot of fun....

This week on MMM the theme is "wings" and how fitting is this piece that is a collection of three paintings....as children we always grow up thinking that our parents have favorites...but the truth is that there is always enough love and as we grow and have more children our hearts grow even bigger....The piece is titled...." Enough Love for Everyone" and the Angel is a symbol for all Mothers....to me my Mom is an Angel and I love her with all my heart....she has always shown love to my brother and I all of our lives and we feel so blessed....so call your Mother and tell her how much you love her....and if she is not with you any longer always know that she is a Guardian Angel who will always have lots of Love as she watches you from above....

I also am so thrilled that Cole is painting again!!! I love when he asks to paint....today he created a watercolour piece for all of you to enjoy....I think he may join me on this "Painting a Day" journey....whenever his heart desires to create with Mommy!!!

wishing you all a wonderful Monday !!!

Hugs

Diana....and Cole.....

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Illustration Friday "wilderness" and a painting a day - vintage memories

Hi Everyone....It's Friday already...wow...time sure does fly when you're having fun.... I did a quick piece for IF this week...the theme is "Wilderness" and I love going to the forest and seeing some cute wild animals...even though these guys look very cute and not wild at all..I thought they would get my love of the outdoors across....

I also added a tribute piece I did a while back for Beatrix Potter....she was an amazing lady...Helen Beatrix Potter (28 July 1866 – 22 December 1943) was an English author, illustrator, mycologist and conservationist best known for children's books featuring anthropomorphic characters such as in The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

I am also happy to report that I am on track with this project...." A painting a day 2010" is going full steam ahead....I also think that this vintage camera saw some pretty cool things in it's prime.....and of course it also fits the "wilderness" prompt...because I always take my camera on all my wild journeys.....

Wishing you a wonderful Friday filled with inspiration and creativity!!!

Hugs

Diana

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A Painting a Day - #013 - Memories of the Pierre Herme Macaron....Theme Thursday "hearts"

Hi Everyone....

I am officially on a diet...yes I said it....I need to change some of my eating habits ...and since I wont be having too many sweet treats....(maybe one or two on my Birthday) but for the most part...no more macarons...no more cupcakes....but I can still create these with art....since they are fun to create and look at.....and have zero calories......so here is a special French treat for all of you....This is a Pierre Herme special raspberry macaron.....I was a little under the weather yesterday and this is what cheered me up!!!

Have a wonderful Day!!!

This is my submission to Theme Thursday this week...since I heart yummy treats...and this looks like a perfect Valentine's day dessert.... I also have some new stamps in my line that are all about hearts.....

Have a wonderful day!!!
Hugs
Diana

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Three Muses Challenge - Water - My 12 th painting in the "A Painting a Day Project 2010" - By the sea...Mermaid

HI Everyone...what a fun these at Three Muses this week....The first thing I think of when I think of the sea is a Mermaid...so I painted this mermaid for the challenge this week....The theme is "Water" ......

Here are all the paintings so far!!!

Have a wonderful day!!! and pop back tomorrow....

Hugs,
Diana

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How about some French Macarons...a painting a day - 2010 - #011

Hi Everyone....

I am so thrilled to be on schedule with this fun project for 2010...A painting a day...all year long is my goal......Today's painting is a tribute to the French Macaron...a cookie that is almost like art....very unique and very simple in ingredients....but can be a little hard to make...these are so much fun to try and to bake ....

excerpt from Wikipedia.....

The confectionery is characterized by its smooth, domed top, ruffled circumference, and flat base. Connoisseurs prize a delicate, egg shell-like crust that yields to a moist and airy interior. The French macaroon differs from other macaroons in that it is filled with cream or butter like a sandwich cookie, and can be found in a wider variety of flavors that range from the traditional (raspberry, chocolate) to the exotic (foie gras, truffle). Making macarons requires a great deal of discipline and is a process that is highly dependent on exactitude, technique, and proper equipment. For this reason it is a notoriously difficult recipe to master and a frustrating endeavor for the amateur baker.

I am submitting this to the Crazy Amigo Challenge this week...the theme is "Postcards" and these would make a fun postcard....and I love getting postcards from France and all over the world....

Happy Tuesday!

Hugs
Diana

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#010 - Mount Fugi, Japan - A Painting a Day Project

Hi Everyone....thank you for popping by and for making suggestions for this project....your feedback means a lot to me and I love hearing your ideas...The other day Cynthia suggested we make a stop in Japan on this journey and I immediately thought about Mount Fuji....and she reminded me of the cherry blossoms...so here is a tribute all that.....

Mount Fuji is an attractive volcanic cone and a frequent subject of Japanese art. Mt. Fuji is a distinctive feature of the geography of Japan. It stands 3,776 m (12,388 ft) high and is located near the Pacific coast of central Honshu, just west of Tokyo. What a wonderful view....

Hope you have a wonderful day!!! and if you have any ideas for upcoming paintings, please feel free to leave them and I will add them to my list...and as I get inspired I will see what I can come up with ......

Hugs
Diana

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A painting a day - #009 - Memories of Tuscany...my submission to MMM this week...something new...landscapes...

Hi Everyone....

Did you know that some of the most influential people lived here? Tuscany is known for its beautiful landscapes, its rich artistic legacy and vast influence on high culture. Tuscany is widely regarded as the true birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.

It has been home to some of the most influential people in history, such as Petrarch, Dante, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Puccini. Due to this, the region has several museums, most of which (such as the Uffizi and the Pitti Palace) are found in Florence, but others in towns and smaller villages. Tuscany has a unique culinary tradition, and is famous for its wines (most famous of which are Chianti, Morellino di Scansano and Brunello di Montalcino).

I am travelling the world with this new project...and I am so thrilled to be travelling with each and every one of you!!!

I am submitting this to MMM this week....as the theme is something new and I am trying out painting some new landscapes...

Where do you want to go next on this journey....I need some new ideas of places to visit during this "painting a day" tour!!!

Hugs

Diana

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A painting a Day - #008 - I have always loved looking at these dolls!

Hi Everyone....

I am so thankful for everyone that leaves me some ideas for new paintings...I end up learning about new things and it is fun to research and read...today's painting was requested by a Russian blog friend....

so here is my matryoshka doll, also known as a Russian nested doll or a babushka doll. It is a set of dolls of decreasing sizes placed one inside the other. The word "matryoshka" is derived from the Russian female first name "Matryona" . The word "babushka" is the Russian word for grandmother.

You know years ago I purchased some wood nesting doll blanks and actually painted an angel set...i will have to find it...last time I saw it Cole took it and it must be in one of his toy chests....I need to get some more blanks...so I can create a special set of these....

I also added a photo of some cupcakes I baked for our Girls night last night ....these are mini brownie cupcakes with peanut butter and a batch of raspberry chocolate ones...

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!!

Hugs

Diana

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A painting a day - #007 - Life is Sweet ....and Illustration Friday - confined....and a piece for Art Creations Friday....

Hi Everyone....this is a painting I did today for the Project..."A painting a day 2010" The theme was picked by Cole...I asked him what we should paint today and the first thing he came up with was a cupcake...so here it is....a reminder that life is sweet!!!

I also created a whole bunch of new stamp designs....and a few of them are perfect for this week's theme on Illustration Friday....the theme is "confined" and these cute little guys are all confined to some wonderful and warm places....

and last but not least...my submission to Art Creations Friday...

Happy Friday!!!

Hugs
Diana

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Day 6 - A Painting a Day Project - who loves lavender fields in Provence? and some fun with Cole....he is my little Angel!!!

Here are all 6 paintings for the last 6 days!!! this project is really relaxing and fun....

This painting will be in an auction at the Gallerie St. George in Staten Island....this weekend!!!

Hi Everyone!!! what a wonderful day...today I spent the day with my two favorite guys in the world...Brad and Cole....We all went tobogganing and then had a nice dinner and then did some night tobogganing too....it was like we were kids again...Cole had a blast....this year he pulled his sled up the hill....he was so cute!!!

He also wanted to make you all some snow angels..since we are happy we finally have some snow for some fun...not enough for a big snowman but enough for some cute snow angels!!!

I also snapped this cute shot of Cole today at our learning time.....I always draw and write and teach Cole new words, letters and numbers...he is so sweet and I just love his excitement over learning....wish I was more like him when I was a child...

Well have a wonderful day!!! and pop back tomorrow for a new painting...

Painting #006 is my tribute to the Sénanque Abbey in Provence France....I can almost smell the Lavender fields...I can't wait for summer to arrive so my Lavender can bloom....

Have a wonderful day!!!

Hugs

Diana

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A painting a Day - Day 5 - January 5th 2010 - My submission to Three Muses Challenge this week...Theme "Angels"

Hi Everyone...



I am really enjoying the "Painting a Day Project 2010"...This is the 5th painting for this year!!! I also created an angel on January 2nd you can check out to the left....

The painting for today is inspired by one of my garden sculptures...an angel that reads amid all of my wonderful plants in the summer...a great inspiration since it is very cold here and very snowy right now...

I was very happy when I saw the prompt on Three Muses ....I love love love creating Angels...all sorts of them....

They just make me smile...

Hope you all have your own wonderful Guardian Angel !!!

Have a wonderful day....

Hugs
Diana



P.S. if you want to help me with a list for upcoming paintings...when you leave a comment make a request....I will add it to my list.....

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My 4th painting this year - A Painting a Day Project 2010 , my latest stamps released....all created by hand....this week's theme is open....

Hi Everyone...What a busy first week of January!!! I am always so refreshed with a new year and have so many ideas and plans for my work....I just launched a whole new stamp collection...you can pick these up on-line here.....

I also wanted to share my latest painting from January 4th....wow...4 days and 4 paintings....this "A painting a Day" challenge is so much fun and I am starting to get Cole more involved....yesterday he picked the colour pallet and then I was inspired to create this star fish....The colours Cole picked made me think of the most amazing starfish I ever saw....it was in Aruba and I can still see it in my head today...it was so deep and bright red...that I thought it couldn't be real...and the way it looked in the clear blue water was amazing....I included a photo from that day....nice to think about vacations when it's cold and wintry here.....All of these paintings will be in my Etsy Shop for sale under Original paintings....

Well I thought I would add these to the Created by Hand Challenge Blog.....this week we get a freebie and these are the things I am working on....

Have a wonderful day!!!

Hugs

Diana

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