Painting Love

Painting with natural light is the only way to truly get those warm late afternoon colors to glow.  I watch the light as the seasons change and I fix places in my yard to capture that light. 

A mother’s love is a special love -- and painting that love is by far one of the greatest pleasures I have.  Mary Cassatt would use models for her mother and baby series and they were not necessarily related -- for me, I treasure the relationship that only a mother and baby share -- and that is what I am painting!

Love!  It’s a great feeling to paint.

"Love"  8 x 10 Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com

Diane Leonard Painting Children

I love to paint children -- they bring joy to my life and to my work.  Creating that magical moment when a child has joy on their face is the key ingredient!  

This little girl has been posing for me since her mother was pregnant with her!!!!  She is such a sweetheart, and I love my time with her and painting her beautiful and innocent face.  I take a lot of photos and use different angles until I find the “look” I am going after.

We used “The Magic Hat” -- it brings a glow behind her.  It is an antique hat that I have told all of my models is magical and you get a wish when you wear it!  All of the children love this hat and it definitely has been worn a lot!

This painting, entitled, “Little Flower Girl”, 20 x 16, Oil on Ampersand Board, has been shown in five U.S. national juried exhibitions, and also won Second Place in the Louisiana River Show this past year.  I love this painting.  It is now being shown at The Hearle Gallery in Chatham, Massachusetts.

"Little Flower Girl" 20 x 16

Oil on Board

DianeLeonard.com

Diane@DianeLeonard.com