New Gallery for me up in the mountains in Idyllwild, CA

My watercolors, small oils and giclee prints are now available at Artspresso Gallery, in Idyllwild, that lovely little mile-high art town in the mountains up Hwy 74.  Owned by well-known artist Gerry High and Celeste Cuomo it's a must-visit on any trip to Idyllwild.  54380 North Circle Drive, Idyllwild, CA.  Phone 951-659-6162   This is "Silver Platter Pears" watercolor 11" x 16" one of several of my watercolors in the gallery.

NPR story on Antoine de Bougainville

Just got a request from NPR to use my "Bougainvillea Blossoms" for a story about botanist Louis Antoine de Bougainville on their blog.  My image must have come up in a Google search.  I'm very happy to contribute to NPR in any way I can.  This 6" x 8" oil on canvas is available on my website.  Maybe this will stir up some interest in it. http://dianemorganpaints.com/dataviewer.asp?keyvalue=3066&subkeyvalue=195447&page=WorksZoom

Watercolor Demo at Venus Studios new Art Space for classes

Had fun doing a watercolor demo this morning at the local art supply store's new space for workshops.  My Coachella Valley Watercolor group came out in full force which made it really fun for me.  We went to lunch after, then came back to watch Frank Eber paint.  He is a master, and what a nice man. What a treat to watch him work.  He is in town for a two-day workshop on Monday and Tuesday.  Wish I had time to take it.  My classes start Friday in the new space.  I have classes scheduled for Thurs, Fri  and Sat starting next week and running through March so far.  Will schedule through the summer if there is continued interest. Schedule of classes available on my website http://www.dianemorganpaints.com

Wednesday's watercolor workshop

Had a great workshop yesterday with 14 students at Rancho Casa Blanca. It's a great group of gals that meets every month to paint and bring in different instructors each month.  They are real workers.  They worked all day with hardly a peep.  I presented two demos.  One of an acorn and leaves and a lemon.  Most of them worked on both. And, dang....I forgot to take a photo of their finished pieces!  I spent more time walking around and helping so didn't finish my two pieces.  Work in progress  "Lemon Scent"  watercolor 12" x 12"

Watercolor classes now forming

I've just been invited to teach classes at a great new space right in the heart of town (Palm Desert, CA)  The only locally owned art supply store has just leased a whole new space just for classes.  The owner is having an Art Expo next weekend to kick it off with lots of product give-aways and demos.  She has asked me to demo, and I will be right before or after Frank Eber!  Woohoo!   I've scheduled classes for almost every Friday and Saturday for the next 3 months and sent out an email blast.  Hoping to get lots of new and returning students.  This will be fun!  Here's the link to the store's website  http://www.venusstudiosartsupply.com/art-classes.html

St. George's BDA watercolor

Bermuda has always been one of my favorite places to vacation.  The beautiful beaches, the wonderfully colored houses and the frogs singing at night make it such a romantic retreat. This scene is one of the back streets in the town of St. George's, Bermuda's oldest community.  Watercolor 12" x 16" SOLD

Splash 13 Best of Watercolor book available for pre-order

Amazon now has Splash 13 available for pre-order.  http://www.amazon.com/Splash-13-Alternative-Approaches-Watercolor/dp/1440310351/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321481095&sr=1-2

I'm so thrilled to be included with my "Raindrops on Roses" 

And, no surprise, my friend Jane Freeman is in it too!  The list of artists reads like a who's who of watercolors. A few names you might recognize...Thomas Schaller, John Salminen, Ted Nuttall, Judi Betts, Prafull Sawant, Soon Y. Warren.  Like Sonny Bono when he said,  "I can't believe I'm a Congressman."  I say, "I can't believe I'm in the book!"  What an honor.  Can't wait to get my copy.  "Raindrops on Roses" is available for $3900.  It is currently in the traveling exhibition of the Blossom: Art of the Flowers competition. To purchase email skb@blossomartcompetition.com 

To see it in the Blossom virtual gallery go to: http://www.skbmuseum.com/BlossomGallery/blossom10/gallery13.html

Eric Weigardt demo

Our Coachella Valley Watercolor Society brought Eric Weigardt in for a 5-day workshop this week. We had him do a one-hour demo at our monthly Monday evening meeting last night.  Amazing that he does a value sketch, draws and finishes an entire full-sheet painting in one hour.  He says, "The less you show the more the viewer sees." Good advice!  He also said he used to do more tight and detailed work, but now he's having way more fun.

"Stop and Smell the Details" photo

I found this gorgeous rose today.  So many wonderful color variations and intricacies.  Can't wait to paint this!

"Licking Roses"

Licking Roses......what a pleasant pastime for such a beautiful day.  Photo shot in normal daylight. I hope soon to get back to more bee paintings!

"Drawn and Quartered" watercolor

Another piece worked from a real model rather than a photo.  I'm really enjoying the process. Watercolor on Arches 300# hot press paper.  I usually work on cold press paper which has more texture. Trying a new paper. Whoa!  It's a slick as ice.  Almost like working on Yupo. Colors lift very easily, but they really slide around...almost as if the paper is coated.  Maybe there is a slight coating. Watercolor 8" x 6"  Available at www.dailypainters.com

Simple Pleasures Apple 1 watercolor from life

To stir things up a bit I threw an apple on my work table and painted it from life.  Felt good to work from a three-dimensional model rather than a photo. This is more an exercise in trying to quickly capture the essence of something rather than worrying about creating a masterpiece.  Feels good!   Hope to do more of this, maybe even some plein air.  You never know what the new year might bring. Watercolor 6" x 7"  Available at www.DailyPainters.com