Diana Cox Fine Art News

Workshop Paintings

Sat, 07 Aug 2010 12:13:47 CDT

I've had a busy two weeks, but I'm finally getting a minute to update this. The Pat Waymon workshop was great! I did four paintings (that's a lot), two palette knife and two brush. I'll get photos of them and put them up tomorrow (got company coming today.) The workshop ran from 8-9 am to 5 pm with about 30 minutes for lunch. We sent out each day to local diners for lunch. Nice way to support downtown Denison. Pat has a great studio with lots of space, nice easels and work tables, full kitchen, and even an art supply store attached. You could keep a running tab of any supplies and pay at the end of the week...nice. The studio walls are covered with work by well-known artists such as Dahl Windberg (Pat's mentor), Jack Terry, and of course, Pat Waymon. Overall, it was well worth the cost and I'll be going back for more when possible.

On the home front, I finished the workshop then took off for Austin. Had to get my Emma fix. She is 26 months now and quite a little talker. (I just can't understand most of it.) I had a wonderful three days with her then drove back home. That was a b****h! It took me six hours to get home. One delay for a four car pile up. Cars that had passed me going at least 90mph. People are such idiots when they are driving. They think they are invincible. One little unexpected thing and the idiots are out of control and causing others grief. Speaking of idiots, the one who was pulling the trailer full of tires that were tied together with what looked like yellow ribbon tape won the "idiot of the year" award. Going around the curve where 35E and 35W split, the ribbon broke! Yep, another pile up. Thank God I was alert both times and only got delayed. I hope no one died or was seriously hurt in either accident, but the saddest part was that both accidents were caused by carelessness. People need to think about the possible consequences before they act recklessly. They are not only risking their own lives, but everyone else who is on the road with them. I think that the speeder going 20 mph over the speed limit is just as dangerous as a drunk driver and should be taken in and treated accordingly!

OK, I'm off my soapbox. Off to finish dinner. Stay safe!

Done

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 19:20:19 CDT

Finished my final painting on the doctor's office commission this afternoon. Feel's good! Think I'll take a day off tomorrow. Monday, I start a week long landscape painting workshop with Pat Waymon. I've really been looking forward to it. I love her paintings.

This is my first workshop since I've moved back to Texas from California. I've missed the camaraderie, the inspiration, and the sense of accomplishment that comes from doing something you love with people who have the same love. It's a very rewarding experience. I always learn new things, whether it's something that just saves money or time, to a technique that turns my world upside down! (No pressure, Pat)

More next week about the workshop!

Remember, it's never too late to try something new.

On with life...

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 20:53:15 CDT

Finally, I'm feeling better and ready to do some serious work. I've almost finished the commissioned paintings and will meet with the client to pick out frames. It takes about two weeks to get them in, but only a day for me to frame them all.

I also have a portrait shoot this week. Nine month old boy...going to do cowboy and maybe camo themes. (Mom likes to hunt!?)

Then I can finally start Allie's portrait. There is no way I'll have it done in time for my sis' birthday, but I've gotten her a mousepad with Allie's pic on it. Maybe I'll just let her think that's all she's getting. hehe. She's been asking for this painting for a while so that would be mean (but not beneath me!) Now you know. I'm not a sweet person. I'm sarcastic and wisecracking, at least with family and friends.

New stuff on site soon!

Cough, cough

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:37:17 CDT

Yes, I'm sick. Deep, raspy coughs all day and all night. It sure isn't good for production. I've got four large paintings to finish in about 2 more weeks. Last week I had my 2 yr old granddaughter so no time there. This week, I'm sick. Blah!

I'm still painting some. I get tired very quickly, so take a lot of breaks. I finished one of the paintings yesterday and got a good start on a second. It is from a photograph of Notre Dame Paris, but my client wants a sunset instead of blue sky. That's tough. In the photograph the light is coming from 2 o'clock and hitting the east side of the building. That means changing all the shadows and highlights (making the "front" dark.) Since the buttresses are the front in this shot and the focal point, that's a no-no. So I'm doing a sunrise which will be out of the picture, but still have nice color in most of the remaining sky. We'll see if this works. I've never tried changing something this big in a painting.

New gallery added

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:53:33 CDT

One of the most relaxing ways to spend time for me is to make a floral arrangement. I've added a gallery to show my most recent creations. I like to do custom orders, especially if I get to see where they are going to be placed beforehand. I also enjoy doing wedding flowers, (but only in silk). I'll put a few photos of some on this site when things slow down.