Friday, December 17, 2010

Bug Collection photos now online


"Trumpet Taster" photo shot at sunset. I've just posted 80 new photo images from my "Bug Collection" on my website. You can see them here http://www.dianemorganpaints.com There are a few non-bug photos interspersed. Just click on through to see them all. The images are for sale in a variety of sizes printed on paper with mats or as gallery-wrap giclees on canvas.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Diane Morgan juried as member of International Guild of Realism

"Liquid Sunshine" oil on canvas 24" x 30"



"Diversity" and "Autumn Delights" watercolor

"I Love Bees" oil on canvas



I have been juried in as an official member of the International Guild of Realism in Scottsdale, AZ. The roster of members is quite impressive. I'm thrilled and honored. The 5th Annual International Exhibition was held last February at J.Willott Gallery on El Paseo, in Palm Desert, CA not far from my studio. I hope to be a part of the show next year. My oil "Liquid Sunshine" was selected to represent my work on their website. In the acceptance letter they commented that they especially enjoyed "Autumn Delights", "Diversity" and "I Love Bees." You may see all of the members at http://www.realismguild.com

Friday, December 3, 2010

Exterminators buy four Insect Painting giclees


Frazier Pest Control bought full-size 24" x 30" giclees on canvas of all four of my insect paintings for their office. And, they want more...crickets, ants, cockroaches, beetles, spiders... I'm going to be busy painting bugs! The IncredibleArtist.com fund-raiser wreath auction for the Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City was a tremendous success!

Friday, November 26, 2010

Poinsettia watercolor demo


I started this piece last week for a demo at a painter's group...mostly oil painters. They wanted a holiday theme. The demo was only two hours, so I didn't even come close to finishing during the meeting. Took me another fifteen hours to finish it. Guess this will be next year's Christmas card. Watercolor, arches 300# cold press, 14" x 20"

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Misssion Accomplished photo in Vermont show


My "Mission Accomplished" photo was juried into the FLOWERS, TREES, BIRDS, BEES: NATURE EXPOSED photo competition at the PhotoPlace Gallery in Middlebury, Vermont. Only 40 images were selected out of over 1200 entries. Exhibition: Jan 4th - 29th. See all the winners at the website: http://www.vtphotoworkplace.com/id97.html

Friday, November 19, 2010

Winner of Desert Symphony Program Cover Art competition




Great show Thursday night at the McCallum Theatre with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy performing with the Desert Symphony. My art "California Sunset" was chosen for the cover of the program for the 2010-11 season. Perks.... 6th row seats and back stage passes. A fantastic evening.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Finalist in Blossom competition


"Raindrops on Roses" watercolor, 21" x 29" was selected to be in the Blossom II Art of Flowers exhibition. Approximately 100 paintings were chosen. Show runs from February 1 - April 10 at the Naples Museum of Art in Florida. Winners will be announced at the awards reception on February 9th. First prize is $25,000. There are quite a few $5,000 awards, too. Needless to say, I'm pretty excited.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Caution Wet Paint


I've been busy working on this large floral, "Just Glorious" 48" x 60" oil on canvas. And, I've been working on my article for International Artist Magazine. It's so much more work than you might imagine. I've finally finished it and will be sending off the piece to the magazine this week. Have no idea when they will publish it. The earliest it could be is February of 2011. This portrait of me at work was one of the requirements. That was an undertaking in itself. Setting the 10-second delay on the shutter and running to get in position many times til I got it right.

Diane Morgan - One Life Photos


If you like my photo portfolio please click on the One Life Photos website link below to vote. I could win a trip around the world :-]
Diane Morgan - One Life Photos

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Unfinished business. Works in Progress
























Here's what happens when you teach a bunch of 3-hour workshops. Works in Progress. Lots of paintings started and not finished.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Last stop for NWS traveling show in 2010


Last chance to see my "Organized Chaos" in the National Watercolor Society award-winning traveling show from the 89th Annual Exhibition is Firehouse Arts Center, Oct 19 – Dec 2, 4444 Railroad Avenue, Pleasanton, California 925.931.5355
http://www.nationalwatercolorsociety.org/exhibits/2009-Annual-Show/index.html

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Desert Symphony Program Cover Winner


My "California Sunset" was selected as the winner of the Program cover competition.
YAY! Besides the cover I get a free full-page ad in the program worth $3000. Luckily, I spent the whole weekend putting the ad together because they gave me 5 hours notice til it was due. I never was able to convert the PageMaker doc to a pdf as they required so had to recreate the whole ad in Photoshop. So I learned a new skill. Now I know how to combine multiple photos in one jpeg. Noone uses PageMaker anymore. One of these days I'm going to have to upgrade to InDesign. In addition to all this wonderful program stuff there is also the month-long gallery showing. I'm so honored and thrilled. This is the 7.5 x 10" ad.

Friday, October 1, 2010

California Sunset finalist in cover competition


Just received notice that my oil "California Sunset" is one of three finalists in the Desert Symphony's program cover competition, 2010-2011 season. In addition, I have been offered a reception and month-long exhibition of my work at the art gallery at Robert's of Course on El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA

Friday, September 17, 2010

Sunset Snack


Latest painting "Sunset Snack" 24" x 30" Oil on canvas. I have so many ideas I want to paint. There just aren't enough hours in the day, or days in the life.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Raindrops on Roses


Fresh off the easel. Latest watercolor, Raindrops on Roses, 22" x 27" on Arches 300# cold press.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

ArtvsOilSpill store featured in The Artists Magazine

The Zazzle store started by watercolorist Paul Jackson to raise money to help in the Gulf oil spill cleanup got a nice write-up in the October issue of the Artists Magazine, page 18. My friend Jane Freeman's t shirt is the number one seller. $6,000 has been raised to date. That means $60,000 in art sales! Other Artcolony artists friends who are involved include Debbie Cannatella, Vernita Bridges Hoyt, Mary Jansen and Cindy Agan. Paul says the store will remain open indefinitely to help wildlife rescue in the Gulf Coast. To purchase items go to http://www.zazzle.com/artvsoilspill+gifts

Monday, August 30, 2010

Liquid Sunshine


Finally, after six weeks of interruptions, I have finished the latest in my bee series. This bee is feasting on the blossoms of a miniature palm tree. I never realized palm trees had flowers. Liquid Sunshine is 24" x 30"w oil on gallery-wrap canvas.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Joshua Tree Bee accepted in Oil Painters of America Exhibition


Joshua Tree Bee, 24 x 30" oil on canvas was accepted in the 2010 OPA Western Regional exhibition. The show runs from Oct 9 - Nov 10 at the Mountain Trails Gallery in Jackson Hole WY. I'm on cloud 10. I was a little worried because I had entered both the lady bug and the bee in two competitions. Lady's Day got in the Paint the Parks and this one got in OPA. I don't know what I would have done if both competitions had wanted the same painting. What luck! In addition to these great events, I sold a large watercolor that a lady had seen way back in January, I sold 5 minis on eBay and I picked up a greeting card account. Our local National Monument Visitors Center is carrying an assortment of 15 of my images depicting local scenes, which include watercolors, oils and photographs. It is not consignment. They buy them outright. Make that cloud 11.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Artistic Touch 4 fine art book now available



This is the latest book in the Artistic Touch series by Chris Unwin. The book is 9 x 12" 172 pages, with 164 full-color plates. My "Heaven is a '57" watercolor is a full-page image on page 44. The book lists for $35. I'm offering at $29 including shipping and a personalized autograph by me. The book may be purchased on my website

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

OvationTV seeking Nude Art for September show


Three minute sketch with live model. OvationTV is featuring the human form in September. Upload your nude images by August 9th for a chance to be showcased on air during The Body by OvationTV event. To enter join The Community at http://www.ovationtv.com/

Saturday, July 31, 2010

More Small Oils on eBay today

I've listed another group of my mini oils.
"Vampire Repellent" 6" x 8" oil on gallery-wrap canvas.
SOLD



"Strawberry Cheesecake"

Friday, July 30, 2010

Mini Oils on eBay auction


Just listed some mini oils on eBay starting as low as $9. It was fun last time, so thought I try it again. I you like one it could be a real bargain. Will be listing more throughout the weekend. SOLD

Friday, July 23, 2010

Watercolor Workshop at the Gallery


Most of my students had never painted with watercolor before. They did fantastic. We had fun learning and laughing. I have scheduled four new classes for August....the 4th and 18th... 1:30-5:00 and 5:30-9:00PM
Go to www.IncredibleArtist.com for more info

Thursday, July 22, 2010

"Lady's Day" makes Paint the Parks Top 100


Woohoo! Just found out that my painting "Lady's Day" 24x30" oil on canvas made the Top 100 of the 2010 Paint the Parks competition. I have 2 watercolors on tour with their sister competition PaintAmerica Top100. Paint the Parks art may be seen at PaintAmerica.org
My PaintAmerica Top100 watercolors may be seen here

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Happy 4th of July Semper Fi



This is a portrait I did of my dear friend Rick. He never had his picture taken in uniform when he served, so he sent me a current photo of him in uniform and the b&w headshot from the high school yearbook to put his young head on the body :-}
Watercolor, 20"x 27" on 300# cold-press

Thursday, July 1, 2010

International Artist magazine ranks as favorite magazine


Artist and author, Katherine Tyrell publishes the very informative
http://www.makingamark.blogspot.com/ Her most recent article relates that International Artist ranked as the favorite magazine in her survey. Well YAY! because.... International Artist just contacted me to write an 8-page feature story about me. Now, I'm even more excited.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Finalist in Watercolor magazine Cover Competition


"Bird in Paradise" was selected as one of only nine finalists in the 2010 Watercolor magazine cover competition. My work is featured on page 27 of the Summer issue on newsstands now. This art was the poster art for the 2009 Indian Wells Arts Festival and the original is currently on display in the State Capitol as part of the Senate's Eighth Annual California Contemporary Art Collection.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Top Down Day


Saw this wonderful 1970 Cadillac DeVille convertible while walking in my neighborhood the other day. I just had to capture the wonderful colors and reflections.
"Top Down Day" 21"h x 16"w on Arches 300# cold press.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Lady's Day


My final entry for Paint the Parks. "Lady's Day," Oil on Canvas, 24" x 30." Entries must be postmarked June 2nd. I have two whole days to spare!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Joshua Tree Bee


One down; one to go. I'm trying to finish another by next Monday. I've been up til 2AM for the last 3 nights finishing this one. Started the second and hope to complete in time for a May 31st competition deadline. "Joshua Tree Bee," oil on canvas, 24" x 30"

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Love in the Afternoon


This is one of several pieces I'm working on for all the competitions that have May and June deadlines. Deadlines sure are great motivators. This was an amazing shot I was lucky enough to capture on one of my sunset walks. Watercolor, 14" x 18" on Arches 300# cold press

Saturday, May 15, 2010

This one's for Dana

Dana Cooper posted some Palm Trees the other day which reminded me that I had some that were almost identical....great minds think alike. You may see Dana's on her blog
Mine may be purchased through my website DianeMorganPaints.com

Monday, May 10, 2010

Need your vote in National Geographic competition


If you like my bug photos please vote for one of my images in the National Geographic photo competition, insect category. Email address is required and you can only vote once. Thank you. http://www.greatoutdoorscontest.com/bin/Rate?searchphotographer=diane+morgan&search=photographer#

Friday, May 7, 2010

PaintAmerica Top 100 winners now on view












My two watercolors "Autumn Delights" and "Heaven is a '57" were chosen for exhibition in this year's PaintAmerica Top 100. It's a great honor to be in this select group. My paintings may be seen on page 8 of the website http://www.paintamerica.org/2009PATOP100html/09top100Page8.html

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

My answers to a 5th graders interview questions

Kyra is a 5th grader interested in becoming an artist. These are the questions she asked me. It's a little long, but several people asked to see my responses.
I tried to keep the answers short and not too complicated.

When did you first realize you wanted to become an artist?

I've wanted to be an artist for as long as I can remember.
As soon as I could hold a pencil I started drawing.
I started drawing members of my family and teachers.
Art was always my favorite subject in school.
I started college as a French major, but found I enjoyed drawing my books more than
reading them, so switched to art my Junior year. I'm so glad I did because if you do what you love for a living, it never feels like work.

What brushes and paints do you like painting the best?
I paint with both oil and watercolor. I like each for different reasons.
Watercolor gives such a fresh, vibrant look. When I paint with watercolor I do very
detailed drawings first. That takes a lot of time and concentration. When I paint with oil I just start painting. The oils are a little more relaxing because you can paint over mistakes. With watercolor you have to plan ahead because any white in the painting is the paper showing through. You have to paint so that you don't cover up the white. As far as brands I use several different brands of brushes, some synthetic and some sable. For paints I prefer Windsor & Newton for both watercolor and oil. For oil I use water soluble paints, which means you can mix the paint with water and wash the brushes with soap and water, rather than turpentine.

What type of picture do you like painting the most?
I like to paint everything, but probably prefer still life over landscape.
I paint very detailed so it's easier for me to focus on a close up of simple objects, rather than an entire landscape.

Are there things you dislike in some of your paintings?
Most of the time I am satisfied with my finished paintings. I think all artists could find something they would like to change or improve. I suspect that the average viewer would probably not notice what the artist would call a mistake. Sometimes I go back much later and decide to do more work on a piece. Sometimes, it's just better to start a new one.

Do professional artists use different techniques than beginners?
Everyone uses different techniques. I would say professionals have narrowed down the choices to what works best for them. There isn't a right or wrong way to do anything. Just use what feels the most comfortable and creates the effect you are trying to achieve. It is important to read and take classes to learn about technique. There are many shortcuts that can make the job easier.

What artist do you admire? What have you learned from them?
I greatly admire two artists in particular, among many. Georgia O'Keeffe and Leonardo da Vinci.

Leonardo was so much more than an artist. He was an explorer and an inventor.
He was always trying to learn more about the world and had a limitless curiosity about life. His quest for knowledge inspires me to keep learning and improving.

Georgia O'Keeffe was always true to herself. She did not let trends or popular convention limit her view of the world. She took simple flowers and painted them larger than life when no one else was doing that. She invented her own style and was a pioneer for women artists. I love painting flowers because of her work.


What watercolor techniques do you use most often?

I don't use any tricks or gimmicks. I strictly apply paint with a brush. I apply many layers of paint to achieve the color I want, rather than one thick, dark layer. I lightly wet my paper and then paint with a fairly thin mixture of paint. This would be called painting wet-in-wet. That means wet paper, wet brush. For very detailed areas I paint with thinned paint on a dry surface. That would be called wet on dry. The wetter the surface, the more the paint runs creating a blurry image. I prefer a more controlled, in-focus image.


I want to be a professional artist someday. Do you have any advice for me?

The most important thing for an artist to do is draw and paint everyday. The more you practice, the faster you will achieve success. Take classes. Read and study about other artists to learn how they work. In the beginning it even helps to try to paint like them until you can develop your own style. Go to museums and art galleries. Talk to artists. Ask questions. I would say you're off to a great start with this interview project. Good luck to you, Kyra.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader?

I received a request from a 5th Grader in Salt Lake City through my website. She wants to interview me for a school project. Here are her questions. It's a good exercise for me to think about why and how I do what I do.
Answers tomorrow :-}


When did you first realize you wanted to become an artist?

What brushes and paints do you like painting the best?

What type of picture do you like painting the most?

Are there things you dislike in some of your paintings?

Do professional artists use different techniques than beginners?

What artist do you admire? What have you learned from them?

What watercolor techniques do you use most often?

I want to be a professional artist someday. Do you have any advice for me?

Friday, April 23, 2010

"Organized Chaos" hits the road with NWS traveling show


Bob Nash, executive director of the Cultural Center of Cape Cod, hangs “Organized Chaos” for the first stop of the 2010 traveling exhibit of the National Watercolor Society. The society received over 1,100 submissions for the national show. Prominent jurors narrowed the number to 100, and 27 are part of the traveling show. When the exhibit closes on May 23, the cultural center will send it on to the next venue, the Zanesville Art Center in Ohio. From there it will travel to Kerrville, Texas and then Pleasanton, California.
"Organized Chaos," 12" x 18" watercolor on 300# Arches cold press