Exciting news…

 

Wait for it….coming soon…Collectible ART BLOCKS!! Small art blocks, just the right size for bookshelves, office desks and all sorts of spaces. Currently in production phase but will be ready in October. These will be available in my ETSY store and in retail stores in the area. Very affordable and they make great gifts.  Stay tuned…

Studio space….

 This is where the small magic happens! Anything up to 11”x17”happens here.  

We have been in this house for about a year and a half and this studio space is just now feeling like home.  The studio is a long, narrow walk out basement.  This picture is the end of the room with (the bad news) the only windows and a beautiful view of Tennessee rolling hills (the good news). The mid section of the room is set up with an easel for large paintings and the far end is computer and storage. There are also tables for utilitarian and sometimes crazy projects.

Periodically, I straighten everything up and have to take a picture….as in today

“Saturday Night “

 

This is a companion piece to ‘2am’ and I am calling it ‘Saturday Night’. Part of me really is tempted to put a crown on her head but I am going with the old adage that you get dressed up and then take one piece off. Wouldn’t want to overdress her…lol. 

Next piece of the series will have a winged person..I think. One never knows when you are painting because the paintings have opinions of their own……

Enjoy…di

Still working on the studio

 

Since I am not going to barbecue in my walk out basement studio-the barbecue hood came down and custom shelving will be built and inserted👍. Very excited..it took us a solid year to find some one to remove the metal hood as it was embedded in brick…but score one for the team and we move forward…

Work in progress…

 Do not usually post uncompleted work on my blog (that I do on Instagram #difergiart), but I haven’t posted lately and don’t want you-my peeps, thinking I am a sloth!

This is going slowly for two reasons. One, it has a lot of detail involved. Two, it doesn’t have to be done until the end of August. I also have been doing some side art smalls that take time! That is kinda of number three, and now I am officially whining…lol.

Bottom line, I am liking where this is going-stay tuned…

My image was selected!

 

So excited. This image was selected by Friday Health Plans to be used on their promotional materials for the state of Tennessee. The company held a national competition and selected one artist’s work for each of the eleven states in which they do business.  Mine is, of course, for the state of Tennessee.  I chose to include In my piece, the Cherokee mountains and our state flower, the iris.

It is an honor for my work to be selected.

“The Gift”

 

I love it when a painting names itself! The title for this piece was obvious to me. Hopefully, to you also.

This piece seems to be, as always, narrative but also a bit ‘sentimental’…not sure that is a good thing. Perhaps, in these divisive times my soul is searching for harmony and the art is reflecting that.

ACEOs

 

Working on small ACEO’s, that I sell on eBay. I have fun doing them and it gets my name out there.  They are whimsical and bring in the $ for art supplies etc.  Getting ready to start a ‘real’ painting’ this week and waiting to hear from two exhibitions.  So life continues on. It is all good.

Works in progress for competition….

 

These are not done yet but they are getting there! I have been chosen as one of three artists in Tennessee to compete for a cover on a national company’s promotional material.

The company has chosen the top three artists in each state that they have business in. I am Tennessee, hence, the Smokey mountains and irises (state flower). 

These are about 70% done and I will not show them finished until the winner is announced.  Am not sure which one I will submit and won’t know until they are finished. I have 7 days to complete them so will be busy.

This is the finals, so keeping fingers crossed. If not the winner, I am honored to have gotten this far. I have received some compensation already for my efforts and will have two new paintings for sale, so all is good…looking for some collectors from Tennessee!

Art reflects….

 

Artist reflect their times. With all that is happening in Ukraine, it is impossible to disconnect from the pain of its people. There was no way I could not react to what is happening in our world today. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words and I believe that to be true. I have not decided on a title yet but it will emerge. Hopefully, you feel the ‘title’ in your soul.

2 AM

 

This took quite a while! It is 36”x48”. I am going to do some smaller ones next as I am more of an instant gratification type of girl! 24”x36” is probably my favorite size painting to work on. For some reason I also like to work on a square shape which a lot of people do not like to do. But I am rambling-forgive me🙃. 

I think this piece gives you a feel of that early morning strangeness-and you have to love the lady in the lower left👍….enjoy!

‘Blest’

 Reworked some more and officially done and titled. Blest is the archaic form of blessed! So google informed me. And they are being blessed.

Character, character, character…….

 

You just have to love their personalities! Perhaps I am too easily amused lol!

Still working….deadline looming

 

This piece is slow going because I am not sure how I want it to play out.  It is trial and error all the way.  I think the title will be “Two AM”, we shall see.  Just checking in as we are just getting past all the holiday stuff and I am begging for routine. Hopefully, this painting will be done by March 1 for a show.  No promises.

Have been busy👍

Trying out a retail space……

Showing at the Knoxville Airport (second from the right)

Showing at Athens Area Center for the Arts-Two person Show

Starting new large painting

 

‘Dare to Dream’

 Newest piece for my upcoming show at the Athens Art Center, Athens, TN. The show opens November 5th and runs through most of December. The piece is 24x36 and I have to say I really love it. Because of the pandemic there is no satin finish spray varnish to be found, so this will have to be sealed with a matt finish. Not my favorite but it is a sign of the times. Once we get through the holiday season, I hope to do a larger piece with colorful characters 👍. ENJOY…

September Art Opening

Have been really busy getting ready for this show. That is why I did not do much posting for the last two months.  This show was at the “Emporium’ in downtown Knoxville, TN. It opened last night, September 3rd.  The venue is huge and featured 5 different artists. The show runs through September. There were about 800-1000 people who came through and sales were made, ( I love it when my work is displayed in someone’s home👍). My next show is scheduled for November in Athens, TN. Ya’ll come ….

 

Saturday Night in Cartoonville

 

A frivolous piece on paper (11x14). It just happened, do not know what to tell you…I just had a major birthday and I think I have lost my mind. But it is cute so I will share it for now. ❤️Di

In The Garden

 

Newest piece. Thanks to COVID I have not had a show in over a year BUT now I have two big shows scheduled for this fall. Since, I could not socialize last year, I had plenty of time to work! Now the dilemma is to choose which paintings I want to show not the usual ‘do I have enough,’ conundrum.

Last year was very hard on artists. Yet the sun is shining and life, as we knew it sort of , returns….❤️

No title yet.....

 

Heaven only knows what was going through my head with this one BUT I like it! Am working on more complexity in my work and continually pushing myself-somewhat frustrating at times. I think the blood, sweat, and tears will be worth it eventually. I am counting on it!