Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Three Muses - “Zlightly Zetti”

Hi Everyone...I just had to create one of these creatures...and I have no idea what a Zetti is ...but I sure had fun creating my take on one...Halloween inspired ....

I hope you enjoy her great taste in cute dresses...and stockings...

Happy Wednesday!!!

Hugs
Diana

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Created by Hand - "Play" - Have you ever dreamed up one of these ???


Hi Everyone....Cole thought up this cool idea to make a Pumpkinman...just like his favorite snowmen......I love collaborating with Cole and his ideas always make me happy....
This is a pen and ink illustration I created that I am submitting to Created by Hand this week....the theme is play and that is what we do everyday!!!
Happy Tuesday!
Hugs
Diana

Monday, September 28, 2009

Mixed Media Monday....what a wonderful world.....






Hi Everyone....what a fun challenge this week on Mixed Media Monday....the theme is to choose a piece of music or song that means something to you, and make a piece of artwork around that. So I had to pick a song I start almost each and every day with.....

Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

It reminds me to be thankful each and every day....and reminds me to stop and pause every so often so I don't miss all the wonder around me....I hope you listen to it and I hope it also inspires you....

It also makes me think about my dreams and hopes .....and makes me believe that dreams can come true....if you truly believe and want something with your heart and soul.......

The song inspired this Hawaiian piece and reminds me of all the beautiful people that I have met that are so giving and sweet....bless you all!!!

Happy Monday!
Hugs
Diana

Friday, September 25, 2009

Illustration Friday - "Pattern" my take "pattern of behaviour"

The children could easily be found...they had a pattern of behaviour where every Friday afternoon they went to the local Dairy to get an ice cream cone....

Some patterns are hard to break!

Happy Friday everyone...and don't forget to enter my Giveaway....check out the sidebar....

Hugs
Diana

Thursday, September 24, 2009

A GIVEAWAY- get your own custom painting!!! !A new custom painting for me....titled "the kiss" and my art on stamps!!!

Hi Everyone....I took a breather yesterday as I finished a big project and thankfully have a new bunch of projects I have to work on.....So I took the afternoon off to finish a custom piece that I created from a memory from my last Mother's Day this year....Cole and I went to the Royal Botanical Gardens and had a wonderful day ...while we were there he gave me a kiss and a big hug and my heart melted......Here are some photos from that day.....I created this custom watercolour as inspired by that day...and that special kiss.....he is the greatest gift I have ever received!!!

If you need a cool gift you can purchase one of these paintings...It is created with inspiration from one of your photos...you can pick one up in my new Etsy Shop....


I also was lucky enough to be contacted by a wonderful stamp maker who is now using my special illustration of a cupcake on some stamps in her shop.....


Blossom Stamps is working with me....she created stamps from my cupcake artwork...

you can pick these up here....there is a small one...a large one....and a set!!!

www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31351205

www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31351534

www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30776569

Well I am off to get started on some new projects...
GIVEAWAY!! - ok everyone...I am hosting a giveaway for a custom watercolour painting ...so please leave your comments here and make sure you follow my blog - side bar....and I will pick a random winner in mid October.....please also tell all your friends about this giveaway...it will make a perfect gift!!!
Hugs
Diana

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Art Lessons....meet my new instructor....Cole's take on "windows" for 3 muses....


how could I say no painting to this cute face...I dropped my project and got Cole everything he needed and then I just watched as he created another wonderful piece.....


Hi Everyone....I have been so busy these last few weeks...but when Cole came to me and asked if he could paint today , my heart was so excited that he loves art as much as I do...and he started his career early....I got his new painting apron out and some french watercolour paper and my finest liquid watercolour paints....and I let him have fun with it....I had to bite my tongue...every time he added too much water I wanted to say something...but I didn't....I let him create his own way...and he always makes me smile with each piece he creates....
I know we teach our children ...but everytime Cole paints ...and I see his passion for it I learn from him.....
I hope you enjoy his piece and I hope you all have a wonderful day....take a moment to just breathe and take life in....
Hugs
Diana







Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Take a peek through my window.....Created by Hand - theme "texture" and Three Muses "windows"

Hi Everyone....just taking a break from all of my projects to create for this week's Created by Hand challenge and Three Muses Challenge....the themes are "Texture & Windows" and Marie had one of the most amazing views outside her window...she spent countless hours just looking out the window while she enjoyed some sweet macaroon treats....

Happy Tuesday !!!

Hugs
Diana

Monday, September 21, 2009

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad - my special painting for MMM this week....theme "Metalics"




Hi Everyone...


Today is my Mom and Dad's Anniversary....It's hard to believe that 41 years ago...My Mom and Dad were busy at their wonderful Wedding....


I feel so blessed to be so close to my parents and to spend almost everyday with them in some way....


They are the most giving and loving people and I feel blessed that our son is spending time with them whenever he gets a chance....


I am submitting this watercolour painting I made for them to Mixed Media Monday this week...the theme is "metalics" and I love using a mix of my liquid acrylic metalics in these watercolour paintings....


I hope you enjoy it !!!


P.s. I have been having so much fun with custom work that I decided to open up a new Etsy Shop dedicated to creating custom pieces....



Hugs


Diana

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Illustration Friday "infinite" and some updates!

Hi Everyone....

What a busy week ...but a wonderful one at that....I had two book readings on Friday and they were a huge hit....the children loved the two books I read and were excited to be the first to get a reading of my book coming out in the next month.....I was so touched by the children I almost cried from all the cuteness....

I will be working all weekend to catch up with some projects and took a mini break to create a piece for IF...the prompt is "infinite" and I created this special magical candy jack-o-lantern....you see it has infinite amounts of candy that keep coming out of it...it is every child's dream ....and every adult's dream too....

Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!!!

Hugs
Diana

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Welcome Back !!! and some updates...


Hi Everyone....Firstly sorry for not popping by and saying hello...this week turned out to be one of my busiest weeks ever....I am so happy that my Brother and Sister-in-Law our on their way home from France today....they were away for 2 weeks and spent their first Anniversary in the South of France and the last week in one of my favorite cities...Paris!! I made them this special watercolour to remember their first year together...and first anniversaries are paper of all things...hehehehe.....This was the trip Brad and I were supposed to be on with them...but we had to postpone....
I also finished a new project and have been doing a lot of new work editing and getting books ready for Flash Animation....this is so much fun to work on and I just finished one book and I just got a new project to start today....
My picture book is in it's final stages and I will get the first copy within a few weeks...I am so excited and thrilled ....this book will be the first book where I merge my art with my writing....and a pivotal point for my career.....
I am also getting some special colouring pages ready for 2 book readings I will be hosting for TD Bank this week....I have about 60 children that will be attending the event and I will be reading my new book before it even hits the book stores....I will also be reading my last book and sharing my life as an Artist and Illustrator....and then handing out all kinds of goodies the bank put together......I am so excited and scared at the same time....I hope the children like me....
On top of all that I also have a new book underway and feel like there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done that I want to get done....
If I haven't popped by in a while, I am so sorry....once things get a little under control I will catch up with you all....thanks for always being there for me and for your support and friendship!!!
Hugs
Diana

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Three Muses - "Pockets" or im my case...pumpkin pocket


Hi Everyone...I have been working on some Hallowe'en inspired pieces and wanted to submit my Pumpkin pocket to the Three Muses Challenge this week....These are some pieces from my 'sketch before bed' series...Hope you enjoy these silly characters....

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Hugs
Diana

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Created by Hand - "Q"

Hi Everyone...I had a wonderful day off...or so to speak...and now I checked out a challenge over at Created by hand...so I used my watercolour ladies inspired by Marie Antoinette...the Queen of France and made this mixed media piece....I will have another piece sketched out tonight....Before I go to sleep I always sketch out something for fun and spend about 5-10 minutes on it....it is a fun habit I got into and it leaves my mind free from any sketch(y) thoughts while I sleep....hehehehe

Happy Tuesday!!!

Hugs
Diana

Monday, September 14, 2009

MMM - theme "make something round"

Hi Everyone....I am taking today off....I know that sounds pretty silly since the weekend was just here....but I was so busy with work and some outings that I had no time to rest and relax....This weekend we had two Birthdays for friends...Carmen and Dan! and I had a deadline for a project and wanted to get it in early...so I was pulling some half nighters....lol...not all nighters...and I think it has finally caught up with me....As I took some time to unwind this morning at 2a.m. I thought I would do a quick little sketch for Mixed Media Monday.....the theme is "make something round" and I was inspired to create some circles that turned into these cute Jack-o-lanterns.....

I hope you enjoy these guys....more art to come...just need to catch up on some rest first and start a whole new book and a few new projects....wish me luck!

Hugs
Diana

Friday, September 11, 2009

Illustration Friday "Welcome"

Hi Everyone....I took some of my sketches for my latest picture book and made a special piece for IF this week....This little boy always welcomes the cute birds to his families backyard....the birds love him because he always tops up the bird feeder and shows them how special they are....
I think he will grow up to be a wonderful man....

Happy Friday Everyone!!!

Hugs
Diana

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Theme Thursday - "Vintage Women" & Inspire me Thursday - "Good Company"

The Sister had so much fun on their trip to Paris. They wore all their best dresses and sipped their warm cups as they watched the people walk by. They were sisters...they did everything together...they dressed the same and laughed the same and even ate the same things....

They were always there for each other and that was all that mattered.....

I made this piece for Theme Thursday this week....the theme is Vintage Women and I always like my vintage women to be in Paris....go figure.... and the theme over at IMT this week is "in Good Company...and I know having your sisters with you in Paris is always great company!!!

Happy Thursday!

Au Revoir

Diana

Wednesdays in Paris - A Paris inspired piece...that will become a custom necklace.

Bonjour mes Amis! ....here is a commissioned piece of art that will become a special necklace. I am so happy that the client loved it....

So for Wednesdays in Paris I thought it was a perfect fit....

Have a wonderful day!!!

Au Revoir

Hugs
Diana

Monday, September 7, 2009

Don't you "witch' you had magical powers!!!

Hi Everyone....

I have always loved witches...from watching the funny witch from Bugs Bunny...remember her with all her hair pins that used to fly around when she moved...it was hilarious...here is one of the shows from way back when...hehehehe...titled "Bugs Bunny with Witch Hazel - A Witch´s Tangled Hare"




Then I also remeber that blonde witch Samantha on "Bewitched" another fun show from the past....and I loved her Mother...she was a riot and one of the scariest Mother-in-Laws ever...I also grew up wishing I could wiggle my nose and make things happen!



I am also submitting this special witch to the Crazy Amigos Challenge this week..the theme is hats and I love witch hats!
Have a magical day!!!

Hugs
Diana

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Bonjour!!! Inspire me Thursday - Mixed Media Monday and some of my French Macaroons...

Hi Everyone...please grab a seat...just kidding....This week Inspire me Thursday's prompt is "Chair" and Mixed Media Monday's Prompt is "time of day" so I decided to create a chair that was inspired by one of my favorite cities...Paris...and the time of day is early morning...when I like to sit at a nice cafe and enjoy my morning coffee looking at the people that walk by....

I also thought I would show you my latest creations...I started a line of French Macaroon necklaces....they are so sweet with the engraved mini Eiffel towers....

I am having way too much fun....I was supposed to be in Paris this week for a late season vacation but I had to postpone it for a little while...so I thought I would pretend for a little bit....

Au revoir!!!

Hugs
Diana



Friday, September 4, 2009

Illustration Friday - "Strong"


Hi Everyone!!! you know when I am illustrating something just for fun I always try to include some yummy cupcakes...so as soon as I got the e-mail for this week's prompt...I right away saw someone lifting some heavy duty trays of cupcakes....I know pretty silly....but that is what I saw....

Initially I was going to create a cute animal looking like he is lifting some barbells with cupcake trays on the end...but once pen hit paper I changed it to a baker with some really cool tiered cake trays filled with my favorite treats!!! So please meet Phoebe...she is one of the strongest bakers around...and she never goes to the Gym...she works out at the Bakery each and every day.....

Happy Friday and thanks for popping by!!!

Hugs
Diana

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Theme Thursday - Halloween ATC


Hi Everyone...
I see more and more Halloween inspired art these days...what fun...

This little witchy was Published in a Children's Literature Magazine...
I always loved dressing up like a witch for Halloween....it was a lot of fun and imagining that I had special powers was always fun too.....


Happy Thursday!!!


Hugs
Diana

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

It's time to celebrate!!!

Hi Everyone!!!!

I am so excited to say that I just finished the book cover layout for my latest picture book! I am so thrilled to not only be finished with the edits and illustrations but also thrilled to be learning something new....creating book layouts and book cover spreads...what a wonderful way to learn more about the children's book industry....and also learn to use some cool new applications to do it.....I also had no idea about all the standards and work that happens behind the scenes before a book makes it to market..........

anyways to show that I am celebrating I feature an illustration from another book that will also be coming out soon....and these ponies sure look like they are all about celebrating....

Happy Wednesday everyone!!!

Hugs
Diana

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Inspire Me Thursday - Pear


Hi Everyone....IMT's theme this week is pear...and at first I had an idea to do something really neat....then I just ended up with a pear and an idea....

Happy Tuesday!!!

Hugs
Diana
 
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