Getting Back to it !

     Hi there,, I hope you have been keeping your brush wet and doing better job at that than I have lately.
     What am I doing today ?  Getting back into it , I actually started yesterday  starring at a blank sheet of paper wondering how to get back to it .

    I want to share what works for me when I have been away from my easel and  or
sketchbook for a while . We all have our own ways to restart but I thought I would share what works for me.
   First       I set my priorities  :  Mine are God , Family and Painting  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

   Second    I go back to what I know,  a review of sorts.  A few favorite brushes, simple palette auerolin yellow, permanent rose , cobalt blue  and lots of paper .

    Third     I take out some of my favorite art books looking for inspiration and then I begin with Bob's Blobs . Those of you who have taken classes from me know I love Robert Wade's Bob's Blobs as a great practice and exercise . Where you just put paint on little squares with no idea where you will end up . I did two sheets before lunch , I  guess I was thinking water , trees, and landscape when I did these , Lol !

    This afternoon I continued using my books doing little lessons and exercises that are in them and then finally went for two of my own from my recent photos of Maine . I hope you enjoy seeing them  and that you are inspired to open your sketchbook and stand at your easel and get back into it . No excuses on why you couldn't paint over the holidays  ( I didn't either )  but now it is time to get back to practicing and painting what you love .

I hope you enjoy seeing these and that they encourage you to get back to it . 

Merry Christmas

                         Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year

Isaiah 9:6
  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given : and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be Wonderful Counselor , Mighty God , Everlasting Father , Prince of Peace.

A Little Of This and That

Wow ! I can hardly believe it is December already and Christmas will soon be upon us.  In the midst of all the things that need to be done , I look forward to my quiet time each day to thank the Lord for all He has done as I prepare to celebrate My Saviors birth.

Well , I said a little of this and that so a huge Thank You goes out to Nanette Hance of Artisans' Loft for hosting a fabulous reception on November 7. We had a wonderful evening and I was thrilled to share my love for sketching and painting with all those I met. It was fun reuniting with old friends and making new ones as well as uniting a few paintings with their new owners.

I have finally put some of my new work and ink/watercolor sketches onto my website . You can check that out here  www.dianeklock.fineartstudioonline.com

Here is a preview of a few.

And finally as we start to look ahead to 2016 and plan our schedules  here are a few things that might interest you. 

Steve Hall   NYC  Plein Air Watercolor Workshop  June 6-10 2016  

Steve is a wonderful painter from the UK. I have had the pleasure of taking three  courses from him. He will be coming to NYC to teach in June so if any of you are interested in signing up please contact me for additional information.

I will be having a show with fellow artist  Barbara Aras in July . It will be in Tenants Harbor Maine , more information will follow as time gets closer.

I also hope to teach a few workshops in  2016 so I will be keeping you posted about those as well.   

Bye for now and I hope your day is full of joy as you take time to slow down and look at the world around you and as always practice, practice practice....