Longest Summer Day

Ive had a very enjoyable day creating my latest work."Longest Summer Day" has been so called for obvious reasons-the canvas is a massive 5ft tall and just 1 ft wide.
Its been very interesting painting on a canvas this size, though it must be said its a little awkward to avoid getting paint everywhere-including on the kitchen ceiling!
Its now hanging in the bathroom drying.The sides are all painted and staple free so it does not require framing.
There is a bit more detail than is showing up in the photo-Ive lost some of the detail at the sides when I cropped it for the websites, so if you want a close up of any partsof the painting please get in touch via my website www.paintingmyway.co.uk
or www.dianetheartist.com
The price of this painting is £180 and that includes P+P in UK. If you are outside the UK please get in touch.

Guest Book

ITs lovely when my students leave me a message in my guest book on my website,the latest from Jane Morgan made my day!

" Hi Diane
Just to thank you again for a wonderful day on Saturday - such a relaxing and therapeutic day in these stressed times, a real sanctuary - amazed myself with what I came away with too! I will be back.
Jane
Your location?: Bristol
Date: Wednesday April 9 2008 "

So many people have told me that they feel so much better after coming to classes,its a break away from the stresses of everyday life when they can forget whats going on in their lives and have a laugh and joke and also produce something really great to take home too.

Of course the feel good factor continues when they get home with their painting--everyone is amazed at what they have achieved in the short time they have been painting and they receive more compliments!!!.

BIG Canvas!

I have treated myself to some giant canvas-some are 5 ft and some 4ft.They are stored on the landing at the moment as we are short of space!
Im itching to get started on them and will be painting one of the 5 ft ones later today.Its going to be interesting working this big-the problem is where is it going to live while drying!!
The house is full of canvas-all shapes and sizes-we could do with an extension to keep them all in!
I will post the work in progress on here a-if I remember to take the photos-I tend to get carried away when I am painting and forget to take the pics.

Latest Poppy

Ive finaly finished the ''Red Poppy'', I have added the wax centres to all of the 4 canvas and they have had their first coat of varnish.
The colour is absolutly vibrant now they have had the varnish, you can see all the different shades of reds clearly.
The only problem with painting the red poppies is getting decent photos of them-they tend to come out orangey rather than red!
I am very please with the effect of the lava rock paint that I used just outside of the wax cenres-it looks just like pollen-very effective.You can see me adding the melted wax with my special tool in th photo.
They will get another coat of varnish today and the final one tomorrow.

New Work

I had started these poppies a while back but have been so busy with other things they have never been finished.
Ive had an enquiry about one set like them on my website, that is already sold, so have pulled my finger out and got on with finishing them today.
Got a few more layers to go on, then the melted wax centre will be done.
After that at least 3 coats of gloss varnish will be applied by Bill over 3 days.Bill is better at the varnishing than me-he makes a lovely job of it..

I love painting these poppy paintings-each one turns out completely different to the last, makes them very individual!

Class Of April 5th

Well we had another great class yesterday-we welcomed Jane for the first time-everyone else had been several times before.She admitted to being a bit nervous but soon settled down and everyone put her at ease!
We had 7 in class so Bill had to bring up the easel he made for me a while back.I will have to go over to Kidderminster this week and get another easel the same as the others.
They are evry expensive but well worth the money,good and sturdy for all the bashing we do in class!
The time flew by as usual, although for once we didn't go over the 4 hours, we still had a couple of good breaks for tea, bickies and sandwiches.
Everyone was amazed to see how different the paintings all were again, some were quite subtle and some more bold, but its always interesting to see how everyone interprets what they are told and shown.
When it came towards the end there was a bit of reluctance from 2 of the students to paint in a large tree in the foreground-in Janes case it was the normal-''I'm really happy with what Ive already done and dont want to paint anything over it'' and in Kays case it was simply because her painting didnt really need a tree, she had enough going on in her painting to take it or leave it! In the end they decided to put one in, and they both looked brilliant.
Janes partner was gobsmacked when he came to collect her after the class had finished
We will be seeing everyone again soon!

Latest Newsletter

Well Ive sent out the latest newsletter to everyone who requested one--didn't realise how much time it would take up--I'm sure that as soon as I get used to the format of it , I will get quicker!
Its been an interesting few days with my brother in law showing me the shortcuts etc on the computer! I do need him back here to verify a few things that went in one ear and out the other mind!
Must admit am not the most computer literate of people, would rather spend my time painting than computing-but needs must and all that!
I have got to catch up with some housework too--I have a student travelling from Yorkshire next Friday for 4 days, Joyce will be having a mixture of one to ones and also joining in a class.
Ive been so busy working on the "Trio Of Sunflowers" commission that there hasn't been much dusting going on lately-still cant do everything.!Will have it all sorted by the time I pick Joyce up from the train station!!
Bill has been busy varnishing all the latest paintings for me--he is much better at it than me.They all have at least 3 coats of varnish before they go out, with 24 hours in between each coat.

Craft Fair Thursday 3rd April

Well after getting back from the WI demo at 10:30pm last night we didnt feel like loading the car ready for the craft market when we got home, so we got up early and loaded the car then.
We got down the craft market at 8am, and were all set up for 9:20am.The weather was beautiful for once-no wind blowing everything around, just lots of lovely sunshine!
I was able to get on and do some finishing off to several paintings that had been started at home, but not finished, as well as painting some new small oils.
Lots of new faces up there, we all made friends and we gave out some advice about what the craft market was about!
I am looking forward to meeting up with them at the next craft fair.

Sundorne WI--- Wed 2nd April

After a busy start to the week getting work on a commission nearly finished, we had a trip to the other side of Shrewsbury to Sundorne WI.
The letter sent when booking stated that they met at "The Lantern"
Unusual I commented to Bill-they meet in a pub!
When we followed the directions to The Lantern we found it was not a pub but a community centre!!
It was packed when we arrived, and we set up at the back of the room while their meeting went on.
They turned their chairs around watched my demo -there were a few questions but mainly it was silent!!!.
I finished the first painting in record time-Winter Wonderland was finished in less than 15 mins-and I was stopping to talk as well as painting!
There were many comments when I carried the painting round after I had finished it, -a lot of people said "its the first time Ive seen an oil painting that looks fantastic close up as well as at a distance"
When I started the second painting "Summer Day" it was even quieter-again I finished in record time.
Joan won the 'Winter Wonderland' painting and I donated the 'Summer Day ' painting to the WI to use for raising funds for their chosen charity.
I am conscious that all of the WI and art groups that have booked me to demonstrate all have to pay for the room that they meet in by the hour, so if my demo goes on for too long they have to pay out more money for the room, so I have to keep it as short but imformative as possible.
So my demos range from 60 mins to 120 mins depending on their circumstances!
There are lots of interested ladies in Sundorne WI that will be coming to a class.
I have 3 ladies from Hadnall WI coming again to class tomorrow.
This will be their 3rd time.
I also have one of the WI members neighbours booked for a class at their home for 6 people! Its all go at the moment!

Congratulations Sharleen!!!!!

We want to congratulate my friend and student Sharleen Toller on starting up her own website gallery on www.affordablebritishart.co.uk
She is my first student to do so although I think Mandy wont be far behind her!
We met Sharleen last August at Onslow Park steam rally when we did the craft fair there,such a short time ago and look at her now!!!

Sharleen took to the technique like a duck to water and quickly started painting at home.She has already sold some of her work,Im sure the future is very bright for Sharleen!

Class of June 14th "Poppy Field"

Again back by popular demand 'Poppy Field'
This popular painting subject always has amazing results -even with first time students.
If you would like to join this class please get in touch via the website
www.pantingmyway.co.uk

Class For June 21st "Summer Day"

Back by very popular demand 'Summer Day' is one of the most popular paintings that we do in class.
The changes can be rung in many different ways and it is always very successful even with first time students.
The painting always turns out different in every class-as usual!
Each person interprets what I show and tell them in the step by step sections differently.
Each person will paint their sky different to the next person , as with the sea and the beach, when it comes to doing the foreground flowers, its lovely to see the confidence emerging from even first time artists as they paint a variety of flowers from poppies to daisies.
If you would like to join this class please get in touch via the website
www.paintingmyway.co.uk

Class for Saturday July 5th "Forest Pool"

This is a new class subject "Forest Pool" is painted onto a black canvas which makes it less nerve racking for total beginners !!
Its a lovely atmospheric picture.
I have been working on some new subjects for some time, the photograph of this one is not brilliant as the painting is still wet.I will take another one later when its dry.
If you would like to join the class to do this painting, please get in touch via the website www.paintingmyway.co.uk
I sure the places will get booked up quite quickly.

Sundays Craft Fair

After the awful weather on Saturday and during the night we were not sure whether we would be going to do the Craft market or not until we woke up and saw what the weather looked like on Sunday morning.
After losing an hour's sleep with the clocks going on the last thing we wanted was to start unloading and getting soaked!
However the morning was bright and the sky was blue, so we decided to chance it.I'm so glad we did.
We had a lovely day, several of my students called by to see us for a chat too which was lovely.
One of them ,Kay took the opportunity to book up for another 2 classes.
Chris and Pauline who had attended yesterdays class,also booked up for May too.
It stayed lovely and sunny all day, there was a steady stream of visitors to Ludlow,and some locals were mooching too.
All in all we had a good day, we seem to get quicker setting up the stall-we were done by 9am.Its been as late as 10.30 sometimes but we have got it off to a fine art now!
We know how many paintings we can fit on the stands and roughly where they will go.
I like to have all the class subjects together so I can explain to potentual students the sort of thing they will be able to paint when they come to class.Then all the other paintings, that I dont teach can be displayed together.It works very well, but I leave the hanging of them to Bill-he gets them up nice and straight--unlike me!

Reiki Healing

My dear friend Jan is starting up her Reiki practise very soon.
You wil be able to book a one and half hour session with her to "heal,harmonise and balance your life".
Its the most amazing experience , Ive never felt so relaxed and invigorated at the same time ever!
The atmosphere is amazing-so relaxing , calming music and sweet scented air. And of course Jan is so calming with her manner you will feel relaxed before you even get on the bed to begin your reiki treatment.Jan can work hands on or hands off. I must admit the hands on way was great for me--to feel the heat from Jans hands was unreal to be honest,you cant describe the feeling. When I came round(Im sure I dropped off twards the end!) I didnt want to move-felt like I could sleep for a week, then after a while I had so much energy it was unreal.That stayed with me for some time.
I went into it with an open mind and came out very impressed.Wanting a top up session now!
Its also the best value at just £30 per session.
She will be practising at Clements in Tenbry Wells from April 29th. To be sure of a place please give Jan a ring on 07837 939797.

Special Students

Today was a special day for 3 of my students.I had decided that my advanced students needed some recognition of the fact.So Mandy Jack and Jan (who called by the class after me asking her to) were all chuffed with their artists badges that I presented them with.
The little lady artist badge complete with easel and paints are for my female students and the palette badge complete with brushes and paint tubes are for my male students.
Its just a token gift of my appreciation.
All of my students who attend at least 6 times will recieve their badges.
Jack has taken Yvonnes home with him as she couldnt attend today.I have a few more to give out at the next advanced class.

Todays class

We were minus one student today--Yvonne had to work.Im sure she would have rather been painting!
We had a mixed lot of students today,
Sam who had been once before bought along her mother in law who hadn't done anything like this before.
Pauline and her hubby had been once before and Jack and Mandy have been quite a few times.
Right from the start you could see that the paintings were going to turn out very different to each other.
As soon as the surgical gloves(Supplied by me to protect their hands) went on and they picked up their natural sponges, the paintings all evolved in different ways.Jack had several spooky faces appear in his pic straight away--he always laughs at me picking them out!
But soon everyone was spotting faces of trolls and all sorts of things in the paint!We had a a great laugh as usual in the class.
The pathways all went in different directions which made it very interesting.
The trees were a bit scary for some of the students to do, but everyone soon settled sown and when it came to the splattering part, we ended up in fits of laughter! I ended up with black spotted boobs, and feet after some of the splattering went wrong when I was holding the plate with the paint on (thanks Gwen!!) But everyone soon got the hang of it in the end!
When it came to the finishing touches-adding the foxgloves with the encaustic pen --there were lots of nerves , but again after a few practise runs on some card everyone produced some great foxgloves.
I had previously ordered some acrylic varnish from the SAA, as I knew we had some acrylic classes coming up.
All acrylic paintings benifit from a couple of coats of varnish to bring out the colours and protect them.
I am happy to supply the varnish at cost price from the SAA to my students.
Pauline and Chris also went away with the SAA joining forms, catalogue and a free copy of Paint magazine.

Changes In the Garden

There are going to be some big changes to the garden.Bill has decided that its not worth trying to grow vegetables on the bottom level of the garden.Its such a lot of work and the results were quite disappointing last year.So he is going to turn it into a flower garden instead.We have been and bought a lovely weeping willow tree and loads of plants to put in, but the first major job is to make some new steps down to the level, like the ones we have from the first level to the second.The original steps are very steep and I didn't like going up and down them.So Bill is going to make some new ones.The bricks and concrete have been delivered and its just a matter of getting it done now.Its not a quick job but it will be lovely when its done.

Latest Commission

I will begin working on my latest commission tomorrow.
I have been asked to paint "Trio Of Sunflowers" on a bigger canvas,I thought I would have to order a canvas in to start with then discovered that I already had some here--you have got to see my spare room --there are hundreds of blank canvas in there in all shapes and sizes.The size I wanted was hidden away behind some others!
I'm going to paint it on a 100cm x80 cm.
I'm really looking forward to starting this one tomorrow.
As usual I will email Debbie each stage for approval, before going to the next stage.
Its an interesting painting to do-quite difficult to get the 3D effect, but I love a challenge and as its done in acrylic there is no waiting a long time for it to dry in between stages.

Easter Babysitting

We had our little grandaughter Hollie to stay on Sunday night.She just loves it in the kitchen sink as you can see! Its much easier to bath her in there than to empty the bath of the oil paintings that are drying in there! Good job we have 2 bathrooms though!
Once she settled at 10:30 pm we didnt hear her til 8am.But we both slept lightly,listening out for her!