A Painting a Day by Diana Moses Botkin: July 2009

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

More Figure Studies

These are a range of longer poses using the charcoal and chalk again, and also soft graphite stick. The graphite has a completely different feel on the paper than the charcoal. It's very "slippery" and glides easily over the surface. Although it's not as black as the charcoal, or as forgiving, I like it a lot.

(left) "Lauren, Side Rear View" 12"x18"
Graphite on Grey Paper
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

(below left) "Back Stretch, Side View" 12"x18" Charcoal on Grey Paper
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

(below right) "Lauren Reclining" 12"x18" Charcoal and Chalk on Grey Paper
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin
NOW SOLD

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Figure Studies

I've been busy finalizing my show that opens this Friday for Sandpoint's ArtWalk. My tasks this week include varnishing and framing paintings, and that least favorite but necessary chore... paperwork.

So, while I'm away from my paints and brushes for a few days, I thought I'd share some recent figure drawings.

You can contact me if you're interested in either of these, framed or unframed.

(left) "Torso Study, Arms Up" 18"x12"
Charcoal and Chalk on Grey Paper
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

(below) "Hand Shadows" 18"x12" Charcoal and Chalk on Grey Paper
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

Our Artists' Salon is still meeting most Monday evenings to sketch from a live model. These are a couple of the quick studies from our last session. Our model was a petite and muscular young woman who seemed very comfortable in her skin.

I find that a big piece of soft willow charcoal and white chalk applied on grey or colored paper is the perfect medium for these somewhat Impressionistic figure studies. If you'd like to see how this technique works, take a look at my charcoal demo on YouTube.

Monday, July 27, 2009

"Afternoon Greens" Daily Painting and a PaintOut!

Original unframed oil painting 5"x7"
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

This is a small color study I did Saturday at a yearly PaintOut at my place.

We've had storms trying to move in for several days. Interesting clouds and wind were a big feature on Saturday!

(left)
Bonners Ferry artist Dorothy Smith.

(right)
Bob Bissett
painted our old bunkhouse.

Bob's wife, Loi, enjoyed the evening light (left).

(right)
Newcomer Kelly painted her very first plein air landscape.

For several years I've invited the local artist group for a PaintOut and potluck in July at our little farm out here.

I did this again two days ago on Saturday. We all had a lot of fun painting together and then sharing a meal.

Dalas Klein (left) put on quite a show as he painted one of his lovely oils. His audience enjoyed the demo, I think! Several from our art group showed up at this mini event, along with the young painters, including Dalas' 10-year-old granddaughter who painted a whimsical piece at Grandpa's side.

Friday, July 24, 2009

"Valley Cloud Shadows" Landscape Daily Painting

Original oil painting, 7.5"x13.5"
in contemporary black frame
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

The area where I live is a glacial valley with surrounding mountains, which always makes for interesting landscape studies. The low angle light is wonderful too at our northern latitude.

Portraying the spaciousness of the valley was one of my chief challenges for this relatively small study. It would work even better as a really big painting!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

"New Kitten" Portrait Daily Painting

Original oil, 7"x5"
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

NOW SOLD

There is not much that is cuter or more fun than a new kitten. I can feel that soft fur and hear the purring, can't you?

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

"Church at Sunset" Miniature Daily Painting

Original miniature oil 3"x2" in tiny frame
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

This little country church on the horizon makes quite an inspiring scene at sunset. Painting this tiny study makes me want to try this one in a larger format. All I need is for someone to ask.

Monday, July 20, 2009

"Cherry on Granite" Miniature Daily Painting

Original miniature oil painting, 3"x3"
Unframed with free mini display easel
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

Fresh cherries off the tree are a treat I really enjoy in July. Doing these little studies is my way of remembering the delight of their luscious taste. That way I (and you!) can enjoy them again and again, even when they're not in season in my yard or at the market.

I'm experimenting more with using thicker paint. This tiny piece was painted first with a palette knife, with some added detail using a brush.

Friday, July 17, 2009

"July Delight" Miniature Daily Painting

Original miniature oil painting 3"x2.25"
Unframed, with free mini display easel
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

It's cherry picking time at our place this week.

I love the pie cherries and the sweet cherries. Together or separate. Alone or in a pie. They're wonderful for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

A Look at a Few More Self-Portraits

As I mentioned yesterday, I wanted to paint something a little different for the self-portrait July Challenge. It was fun to put the spin on it with the little toy figures.

Some of my works are auto-biographical, and I've used myself as a model through the years, as well as painted outright self-portraits. Perhaps you'd like to see some. This one shown at left dates back 13 years.

"My Long-Suffering Sitter"
Oil 6"x8"
©1996 Diana Moses Botkin

Here are links to others on my blog:
"Studebaker Self-Portrait" from May, 2008
"Reflection" from July 2007
"Self-Portrait" from March 2007

One of these days I'll try to locate a pastel self-portrait I did back in high school, just for comparison. It's stored around here somewhere, probably in my flat files!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

My Challenge Group for July; Self-Portraits Revealed!

For this month's subject, member Michael Naples chose for us to all paint a self-portrait. Since I've done a number of these works through the years, I wanted to challenge myself to create something a little different. A couple of ideas suggested themselves to my mind, but my "little friends" insisted on helping again this month. They've appeared in all my Challenge paintings so far and wanted to make this one fun too. I hope you enjoy this whimsical piece!

"Make Me Beautiful, Rembrandt!"
Original unframed Oil on board, 6"x8"
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

The rest of my Challenge Group participants painted their self-portraits without any legos, but maybe they aren't as attached to them as we are at my house! I love all these paintings, don't you?

(far left)
"Self Portrait"
Oil on board 6"x6"
©2009 Michael Naples

(left)
"Self Portrait Loathing"
Oil on board 12"x12"
©2009 Robin Cheers

(left)
"Self-Portrait with Steve's Shirt"
Oil on canvas
14"x11"
©2009 Silvina Day

(right)
"Self Portrait"
Pastel
10"x8"
©2009 Mike Beeman

(bottom row, left) "Making Up Her Own Story" Oil on canvas 24"x20" ©2009 Marie Fox
(bottom row, right) "ME ala Schmid" Oil on canvas 10"x8" 2009 Vicki Ross

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

"Rainy Mountain" Mini Daily Painting and Challenges!

Original tiny oil 2.25"x3"
in gold frame
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

Yesterday I saw this outside my window but was working on my July Challenge painting. So today I gave myself the challenge of trying to paint from memory.

Tomorrow we reveal our July Challenge. It's going to be fun!

Friday, July 10, 2009

"Purple and Gold" Landscape Daily Painting

Original oil painting, 8"x10"
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

Sitting above our town is this this magnificent mountain, named Clifty. I'm frequently amazed at how much it changes through the seasons and with the evening light.

My favorite time is when the sun just catches the top ridge of snow at sundown to highlight it in gold or pink. I love the way it contrasts with the blue violet colors in the snow and the mountain.

Stay tuned for our Challenge paintings in a few days. This month's subject is one I've painted before, but I'm doing something special for fun and your enjoyment!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

"Summer Feathers" Miniature Daily Painting

We are having such beautiful weather these days. I especially enjoy the skies in the early evenings. It's fun to try to capture a bit of the magnificence, even if it's simply a tiny little study like this one.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

"Pink Sundown" Landscape Daily Painting

Original unframed oil painting, 5"x7"
A study of rosy sky, blue mountains, green trees and a pink reflecting stream.
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

This small sunset study is another one using the new alkyd oils from Gamblin. I'm getting the hang of handling them. When I first tried the paints they seemed dry, but with some experimentation with thinner and medium, there is more flow like I'd expect with other oils.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

"Summer Clouds" Miniature Daily Painting

Gamblin Oil Colors sent me some new paint to try out and tell them what I think about it. It's a new line of fast-drying oils they're developing. The paint handles a little differently than other alkyd oils I've used but I think I could get used to it. This little study is one of the first pieces I did while experimenting with the new paints.

Monday, July 6, 2009

"Pedicure in Pink and Ink" Whimsical Daily Painting

Original commissioned oil painting, 5"x7"
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

A month ago, my Facebook friend Marsha told me she couldn't get my May Challenge painting out of her mind. And, by the way, our July Challenge is coming up next week!

Marsha loved the concept and the little Lego helper and wanted me to paint something similar, with a twist, just for her.

Marsha has a special homemade tattoo on her great toe that got there at a high school slumber party. She's had it for over 40 years and has grown quite attached to it, even though she's not sure if it is a pineapple or a flower.

She and I both had a lot of fun planning this piece to show off that unique body art. When the painting was finished, we posted it on Facebook for a naming contest. Close runners-up for the title were "Pinkin' it Up", "Piggie Party", "This Little Piggie Got a Tattoo" and "Pampered Piggie". BB's suggestion of "Pedicure in Pink and Ink" got the most votes and it IS the perfect name for this piece!

Friday, July 3, 2009

"Wispy Show" Miniature Daily Painting

Original tiny oil painting, 2.75"x2.25"
Unframed with free mini display easel
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

NOW SOLD

You can contact me if you'd like me to paint something similar in a larger format.

Wishing you all a happy and safe Fourth of July with family and friends!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

"Feathers" Miniature Daily Painting

These little sky studies are fun. I'd love to paint bigger ones too. You can contact me if you'd like something like this in a large size.