“Holding Onto Life”

 

This is my newest piece in my ‘circle of life series’. It’s highly symbolic in that the orbs are our spirits, woman is the vessel and of course we need man. The gift of life is such a special blessing.  I am always amazed, as I walk along in my aging body, how lucky I am to have lived in a physical form

This piece is 20”x20, acrylic on canvas.

Always working…

Always working though I am calling myself a ‘retired artist’! ( that’s bs because artists don’t ever really retire) It just makes conversations easier.

Am painting smalls that are available on eBay. You just search ‘Difergi’ and I will pop up. Since I am obsessed with faces and obsessed with color, this is what you get. 

We all have our paths and this is mine at the moment.  Enjoy the faces-they seem to be on the serious side today….hmmmm, go figure! Di

No title yet….

 New little piece, no title.  Thinking of something like …my peeps….peers…..my social group…will have to think about it!

I think it’s a sweet piece ( whatever that means). It is one of those that you just relax and let the painting unfold and let the paint speak for itself!

“Thoughts”

 

This is 22”x30”, acrylic on heavy art paper. It is part of the 2023 ‘ Circle of Life’ series.  I am pleased with this one. (Artists do have favorite pieces!)

The piece is visually textural, loose and emotive.  Those are three qualities that mean a lot to me.  The other quality that matters to me (the most) is that the style is uniquely mine.

All is good in the world-di

No title yet!

 This is an 11x14 on paper-no title yet. It is part of this year’s series which I have titled ‘the circle of life series’.  The orb represents soul/life and has appeared consistently through my work whether I want it to or not! I am also using an unbleached white in all of the artworks. Which is just a parameter that I set up for myself.  It helps them pull together for a show.

My next piece is larger so will take a while. It has named itself already. ‘Generations….’.  Will talk at you later-back to work.

Pantone post cards—

 

This is a ‘new to me’ fad right now. It is painting on Pantone postcards. They come in boxes of 50 or 100 and artists are painting on the color portion of the cards. The area is only 4x4, so a card is not a major commitment. The process offers up the opportunity to paint outside of my normal subject matter and color choices.  It doesn’t hurt that the cards come in a cute box. 

Of course, I ordered the box of 100 and have to tell you they are very addictive.  So wish me luck on completing them in a timely manner. Christmas 2023 is my goal. Di

The Girls

 Sometimes, one is just not happy with a painting. There is nothing really wrong with it BUT you just don’t like it. Such is the case of a painting called Three Sisters (scroll below a bit) which is now The Girls! I think I just needed more color and stuff going on. Any how, in its final rendition (I hope), here it is.  It is on eBay for a very reasonable amount. :) 

So

No title yet-but I like it👍

 

If you are older/mature/wise you will recognize the pink tape above as an early product for the huge computers in the 60s.  This particular tape allowed the computer to determine the distance from any two points on the globe.  Since this piece is an ode to ‘space/science’,  I decided to use the dot sequences for the patterning on the blue.  Thought it was appropriate….I am going to attach a piece of the tape to the back of the painting because I think it is ‘cool’.

Do not have a title for this piece yet but I have to admit I really like it…. I have been reading  alien books lately….now you know!

“Life”

 

Calling this piece “Life. Life is a positive and challenging experience so hopefully, I captured that feeling.

My last piece was a bit somber so I decided I wanted to do something a bit more positive this time. So this is it. Enjoy!

Having fun!

 

Sometimes cute is enough. These are ACEO cards I paint to sell on EBAY. They take me probably 45 minutes each and I do not make a lot of money off them BUT I am developing collectors.(at least that is what I tell myself) So, it is all good.  They are created without purpose and no beginning plan. I think that is why they come out so fun. They really are a great exercise for me…I teach myself a lot as I do them.

Generations

 

Not sure how I feel about this piece-which is ‘artist speak’ for this did not come out as expected but it is done. there is a lot of character in the faces but it is too sweet?, too generic?, too something! Chalk it up to the journey and we will see what happens next. Di

Your way, My way

 

Just finished this piece.  The jury is still out on it. I think I really like it but it is a bit somber. The title, “Your way, My way,” just popped into my mind. I am not sure why but it did. So for now that is the title.

Lately, I have been doing small/average size pieces but this one is 30x40, so it’s a decent size piece.  They seem more important when they are larger.

Onward….

Several titles in mind…..

 

She is definitely putting the stop to something…last time I named a painting too soon and one of my followers came out with a better suggestion. So this time I am going to wait for a bit before settling on a title.

Am not sure she will fit like I want in the new series but she wanted to be here. Sometimes paintings have a mind of their own!

Searching

It is so hard to create new habits. I just finished my fourth ‘getting looser’ piece and I find myself reverting to my love of form….and using my older perspective. That is not all bad if I continue to lengthen the stretch and I will!  I think my goal is 20 pieces and then a serious critique and refinement of where I am heading. 

The title of the new piece is ‘the dreamwalker’.

 

“The princess bird walker”

 She does have a title! And a certain questionable charm!

Small 8”x8”

 Continuing in the ‘pursuit of looseness’.  Looking for that feeling/intensity of being.  No title yet.

The boys club…

 

So…I feel/felt like my last series was too ‘tight’.  This year is going to-be about loosening up.  It is a hard path to figure out where the line of perfection is for each individual artist. I suspect I will have to ruin a couple thousand paintings (a little drama but true) before I can arrive at my somewhat unknown destination. How finished or unfinished , how raw, how objectified, who knows??? I just know my journey is not over yet.  So, here I go again….

Singing to the city night….

 

Fourth small piece (9x12) for the ‘Behold the Night’ series to be shown this June.  I always try to have some smaller pieces for smaller pocketbooks.  Not everyone has the place for or purse strings for the larger works.  I guess it is tacky to discuss such things but reality exists.

I really like the mood of this piece. Have not named it yet..I hate trying to come up with clever names. Some pieces name themselves and some not so much!  The titles tend to get redundant especially when doing a themed series.

Back to work…hello and then goodbye.

Showing in the communities…

 Haven’t posted in a while. Had COVID despite getting boosters etc. I am back to normal finally and getting back to doing arty thangs! Today, I went and hung 9 paintings in the Etowah Carnegie Library in Etowah, Tn.  My local art guild rotates solo artists and their artwork through our 5 surrounding counties. It benefits our public spaces and as artists, we do love our art on display as opposed to sitting in our studio spaces.

Hopefully, I will be posting more in the near future…d

Collectible Art Blocks

 

My Art Blocks can now be found at Sweetwater Market at the Mill, in Sweetwater, TN and at Fullers Frame and Gallery in Athens, TN. There is also an ever growing selection onEbay. On EBay just search Difergi to find them.  

These are small (2 1/2 x 3 1/2”) prints mounted on wood that liven up a bookshelf, mantle or office cubicle and are just a perfect gift. Very affordable and unique. All, of course, of my original artwork. 

Always working and learning….

 Signed up this year for Paint Your Heart and Soul 2023 class. There are 50 different lessons and 25 different teachers. I love the exposure to different artists and their techniques. I try to do most of the lessons for the techniques and mediums but I do individualize the subject matter and compositions because that is just who I am.  I love the opportunity to just not have a goal for a piece other than learning and exploration. these are done in a sketchbook sometimes or just-on paper. They are not precious and that is what makes them fun.

Music

 Working small equals more posts. This is a 9x12 on canvas. It will take me two sessions normally, so that equates to two days.  I am pretty sure it is done but there is always a possibility of tweaking…..it is a strong piece IMHO visually.  Now I need to do some eBay stuff so I can fill the coffers. Later—

‘Duet’

 Starting  a new sub-series..if that is even a real thing! These works will be on paper and all 11x14, acrylic paint and mixed mediums. They will have to to do with music and song. Hopefully-My ‘behold the Night’ paintings should show perfectly with these.  These smaller ones will be for sale on Etsy. Enjoy-di

“The Night Out”

 

This is the eighth piece of the ‘Behold the Night’ series. There will probably only be two more pieces. One of those will definitely be a musician-maybe both and they will be smaller. The series will be shown in Knoxville in June, more info as we get closer. 

This piece is collage and painting. The collage was the basis for the graffiti walls and I went from there. It is 24”x24”. I would say it depicts a slow mid-week night.

Black Tie Affair

 

7th piece of the ‘Behold the Night’ series. I have a real love/hate going with this series. I doubt them as I am doing them and then when I put them all together they sing….so I embrace the old adage- my job is to create…the world can judge. 2-3 more paintings and the series will be done. It has taken me probably a year to get the six pieces done ( note one piece is 36x48). Not working exclusively on just this series but believe me time is invested in these.  They will be showing in June at the Emporium in Knoxville.

Honored to be selected for the cover!

 

Feel so honored to be selected for the cover of volume 8 of Women Speak.  This magazine has wonderful short stories, prose and poetry.  The quality of the writing will engage you and expand you.  Well worth your time. 

Ahhh, the Holiday Season…

I really was not planning on doing this BUT!, there are people that I just want to do a little something for this holiday season. So now, when I need to finish a painting for an exhibit in the month of January, I am wanting to make a plethora of ornaments.  To be honest-the ornaments are more fun. And when choosing between fun or not so fun…fun usually wins.  So now my goal is thirty of these, this week- no problem, she says….

 

The glamorous path to fame ….

 

A holiday trunk show at the local art center! Bread and butter, small items, prints and pillows…..all in the search for recognition.  Maybe a bit embarrassing in the fine art world-but it is what it is!  Had great sales tonight and sold an original.  No complaints - I love the journey.  A sliver of my life in an 8’x8’ space…now onward to tomorrow..

“Magic in the Stars”

 

Lately, I have been drawn to stars-especially a wand with a star top and ribbons.  To me the star represents magic. Not magic as in spells etc., but the magic and joy of life.  So a star is a great thing and meant to share.  So I am sharing with you. Love-Sigh….

This is a smaller piece (11x14) on paper and will be on eBay.

“Diva in the Spotlight”

 

Titling this one, “Diva in the Spotlight”.  The mood is hot and sultry so it fits in perfectly with my ‘Behold the Night’ series.  I was inspired by a photograph by a former student of mine (#elementaleyesphotography).  Hopefully, I caught the moment in my painting just as she (Sandy Holmes) did in her photograph.

A Magical Walk in the Woods

 

A small 11x14 piece, acrylic on paper. This piece is just oozing with layers of color and of course, magic! It is for sale on eBay. I often put smaller works that are not part of a series or body of work on eBay.  So just search Difergi and you will find it. 😊 

Girls Night Out

 

Nothing like a “Girls’ Night Out” for my ‘behold the night’ series.  Jury is out on this one right now.  As always there is a lot going on in the background! Do not want to bore my viewers…enjoy!

“Behold the Nite”

 

New piece in the new series for a Show next June. I am having a lot of fun with these. Keep watching👍…

“Party Nite”

 Third in my series about night life…this one is full of fun and joy. A lot to notice in this one!

I will be showing this series in June in Knoxville. I plan to have at least eight pieces in the series-so back to work.

No title yet!

 

This is a fun smaller piece (11x14) acrylic on paper. It is suppose to represent beginnings, boldness and wisdom.  Who knew! Not sure it does all that but I find it charming. There is just something about it that warms my heart. 

Had fun today…

 

I had fun today.  This is my favorite type of imagery to paint. Colorful and imaginative faces always surprise and delight me.  They are what I need to incorporate into my paintings more.  I know, I know, I am working on it.

I am posting just to check in so that you know I have not fallen off the face of the earth. Behind the scenes, I am working on a series that I am calling-Behold the Night.  It has to do with some imaginary clubbing and I will be showing it next June and hopefully more than just then.

So hello and good bye…I will keep in touch. Hugs!