I am still catching up on pet portraits, what a joy!  This one was done in oil from a small snapshot on a 9" by 12" wood block as a gift for someone who lost this little guy.  His name is "Earl", a white albino chihuahua with plenty of challenges including the KY wildcats shirt.  I was tempted to add some red in the background, but blue was the color.  Follow along, some new pastel sketches are next (and yes they are dogs).

This will be the cover a new book by Elizabeth Tyler Rosenquist.  It is phenomenal and we are all looking forward to seeing it published.  The cover reflects the message in the book about our journey  (read previous blog entries about the process).

Together we received additional artist proofs that I would like to offer for sale to fund a larger project I am working on for Shoreshim Ministries.  I will be doing another painting that will take quite a bit of time.  I will then have a digital file made and supply prints to raise funds for a new studio they are putting together.  These would be sold through the ministry website.  All the details are still being worked out.  These prints of the book cover are selling for $25.00 plus shipping.  They are high quality giclee prints on Canon heavy weight paper (8" by 8" with 1/4" border).  They will be signed by the artist.  There are only four.  Please contact me for more information or questions.    

I would also like to share a link to Elizabeth's new blog.  She shares some insights into our relationship with Our Heavenly Father.  It would be very well worth your time to visit and visit often.

http://theancientbridge.com/2014/06/the-character-of-god-as-father-pt-1/

Pet Portraits, Nikko

This is a recent pet portrait done on wood block in oil.  The size of this one is 9" by 12".  Due to the time consuming nature of these, I will be increasing my price soon.  All orders placed before the end of the month (June) will get one for $100.  Thank you for following my work.

Nikko

This is a special request for a special person, love the intensity of the colors.  Moving on to a commissioned pet portrait next, stay tuned.

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited

Sunrise

Mini-movie My Transparent Journey Series

Turn up the volume and enjoy! 

The Process Part Three, "Walk In The Light" John 12:35-36

As I enter the finishing stages of the painting, I worked more on gently steering the colors in the direction I wanted them to go.  I diminished some of the less important detail.

There are some troubling aspects of the painting that I have not yet put my finger on.  As I approach the Sabbath, our weekly rest...I will leave it in His hands.  I am using very minimal reference material for this image.  I was given a rough sketch as an idea and the wonderful book from the author.  This place does not exist.  I know I want the scene bathed in light.  I have not achieved this objective...YET!  Part of the reason for this is the competing light areas of the painting which would be difficult to change at this point.  I am also expecting the colors to dull a lot when it dries completely.  The bank to the left is still standing out too much, but there may be a reason for this that I am unaware of at this time.  One of the challenges an artist faces is locating the problem within a painting and gaining insight into what action will solve it.  Making up for it by painting another area better or adding something is usually disastrous.  Here is the "now" stage.

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited

  

The painting has reached a point where it needs to dry several days.  Oil paint dries very differently, so I will let it cure and see where I want to go with the final touches.  I have a few surprises in mind.  I also hope to write something about our spiritual journey to go along with the painting for this is also a process and YaHshua admonishes us to walk in the light, while we still have light.  He knew that His departure would leave darkness, but He tells us that it is only dark if we "choose" to ignore the light.  Part of walking in the light is believing in the light, this in turn makes us children of the light.    

If the painting is approved, this will be the cover of a new book written by a special friend.  At her discretion, I will add information about this at the end.

Stay tuned!  

I had a long break...spring cleaning...started a new job.....and enjoyed a wonderful visit from my sister and her husband.  Now I am ready to focus on finishing the painting.  The design needs to be refreshed in my mind, the most significant problems jotted down and the path of action for the adjustments solidified before I pick up a brush.  At this stage it is very easy to wreck what you have already done and want to keep!  I have the tendency to start again and just start painting.  I will have to restrain myself and allow only the changes and finishing accents happen.  Here goes!

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited

"Walk in the Light"

The final painting!  I wanted a warm, inviting scene for the cover of this book.  I wanted the earthly tones to remain in the water for reasons of natural vs. spiritual.  We are striving to reflect an image, but not drawing truth directly from the tree.  I separated the stones from the water a bit, added a minimal indication of the bank reflection and brought that area back into the painting a little more.  I was going to make the water more murky, but decided the reflection is distorted enough to reveal the message.  The overall scene is a journey, just as the book describes a journey.  This is not a distant or unknown place, it is one we have been to before.  The stone bridge and olive tree are the solid parts (truth) that move us toward light and instill in us a desire to become wheat (the first fruits of the harvest).  I will post more information about the cover and may be designing the graphics also.  I will create a separate link with information about this amazing author and her gift with words and how to purchase the book as this information becomes available.  Our Messiah is glorified when we become all that He created us to be.  As you walk the path, I pray this will encourage you to keep trusting Him, the author and finisher of our faith.  

I hope this was a good depiction of the process although it was a complicated example to use.  I hope you gained insight and enjoyed it.  The painting will be for sale after a high resolution digital file has been made.  Thank you for following along, more transparent journey paintings to come (and a special pet portrait in the works)!

The Process For Untitled Part Two

My main premise for this painting is to depict a journey.  I am sharing mine through art in many ways on this blog.  This is not a safe thing to do, it is fearful in many ways.  Millions of questions must be silenced in my mind about that because most of them are not likely to happen and if they do, well...they just do!  I am using this work to reveal the painting process; it is by no means a 'how to paint' course.  It is merely to give art buyers and collectors a good idea of what is involved in completing a painting.  If you have not viewed "The Process For Untitled Part One, it has been posted in a previous blog entry.

At this stage, I am mopping in color and making decisions on what the overall tones will be.  Normally I under paint with one color, but I wanted to do a color composition of sorts and determine the tonal values of the green.  I am looking for a warm, inviting image to call us into the scene.

This stage is the color composition through transparent washes.  It has dried for at least 48 hours before continuing.

This stage is working in the image from the back, forward and bringing it to life.

I have come to a stalling point and dislike the color harmony.  I listed some of my issues below.  I am still building the painting from the back forward and determining lines and shapes.

The painting is too busy which I knew would be a challenge when I started it.  There is a lot going on in the scene, I have to determine the significance of each part and carry it into the whole.  The color harmony and balance is problematic.  I worked last night to bring the painting together.

As I bring all the elements together, it is looking more serene.  The bank on the left is an eyesore; a color attempt that is just not working.  I purposely chose earthy tones in the reflections; this creates a challenge to harmony.  You will understand more completely when it is finished.  Some waiting time will determine whether this is a big bust or the painting can be brought back to a harmonious nature.  Some of the detail that is less significant will be diminished in favor of overall unity.  Right now I am very disappointed and have a big FAIL flashing in my mind.  My first thought was "What could I be thinking, I should have finished and made sure it came out okay first before posting this!"  I find that humorous considering the title of this blog.  The lessons learned are the value within this journey and this aspect never ends.  Why not be transparent about it?

Continued in Part Three, "Walk In The Light".

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, use of or reproduction of any image is prohibited and against the law without consent or permission.

The Process For Untitled, Part One

This post is simply about the process for completing an original painting.  It can be somewhat different with every one because the execution is always different depending on what the artist is trying to achieve.  Of course everyone also has their own style and formulas.  This is mine specific to this small painting.

I have recently been working with hardboard, 8" by 8" in size.  The board is cut and the edges are sanded.  It provides a very smooth surface and that is what I like about it.  It is also not prone to warping like canvas panels and other illustration boards.  I begin by priming these boards with gesso.  This gives the paint a bonding surface.  No less than 4 coats of gesso are applied, lightly sanding between coats.  Each coat requires 24 hours to dry, so I do about ten boards at a time.  The final sanding is done with a fine sanding block to leave a finished smooth surface.

This painting was sketched out beforehand in order to work out any design problems and details.  It was approved by the client, no color composition was done.  The sketch was then traced to transfer onto the prepared board.  This is also the part of the process where I refine the lines and shapes because they are repeated several times.  It helps me to solidify the image into my mind before beginning the painting.

Three separate tracings were used for this image to maintain the accuracy of the reflections in the water.  Two of the tracings of the rocks and the trees will be inverted into the water portion of the scene.

Again the lines are refined even more directly on the board and the image is cleaned up removing any excess carbon.  Shapes and lines are examined, less important ones lifted.

The image on the board is now ready for under painting.  I will focus on the accuracy of shapes during this process, looking at the image through negative and positive shapes rather than lines.  I will be working with only three colors for this leaving very few of the areas completely white.

Thank you for your interest in my work, stay tuned for Part Two.

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, use of or reproduction of any image is prohibited and against the law without consent or permission.

Browse Awhile...

All paintings are done on 8" by 8" hardboard panels in oil unless otherwise noted

At The Lake

I couldn’t help sensing the cool breeze, breathing the clean air and feeling the warmth of the sunlight dancing across the water as I painted this scene. This is life at the lake ─pure solitude and the touch of nature all around you. If we could bottle it, what an achievement that would be! Although dramatic in the portrayal of these elements, they are very simplistic things we see and interact with every day. Unfortunately they are often taken for granted. They are life giving forces that yield to necessity ─sun ─light ─water ─air. What if only one of them were removed? At the lake there is time for creative reflection on what we are given everyday, what we cannot give or provide for ourselves and the beauty and harmony of all of them in unison. 

Country Morning

SOLD

I stood on the edge of a cliff, 100 feet in the air and did a free fall when painting this scene.  I knew what I wanted, the warmth of the morning sun, the misty fog still lingering across the horizon obscuring the trees and warm sepia tones.  I used a very difficult bottle from my own collection.  The ribbed form I wanted to show, but not to the point of breaking up the scene revealed through it.  I began with the center and worked my way out and forward which is artistic suicide.  We are taught and told to block in the background and overall shapes first.  Miraculously, I was happy with the approach and method.  I learned something new.  It is okay to take a risk, sometimes it pays off and sometimes not.  In this case it did.  I miss the old farmhouse on Campbellsburg Road.  The morning sunrises were a different brush stroke of the Creator’s hand and I never got tired of looking at them.  Many photographs later, I still enjoy the look and feel of each scene from the back porch.  Simply breathtaking!

Maine Coast Sunrise 

SOLD

My sister Sherry Paul took this photograph off the Maine coast.  She told me she had to get up at 4:30am to see it because it is the earliest place for the sun to rise on the Eastern coast.  The color, water and simple land forms were breathtaking.  There is something so elegant about the sun rising or setting over the horizon.  I chose a bottle that would compliment that theme of elegance yet remain simple for optimal glass peering!  I am happy with the lines and slight distortion that this painting was able to convey.  The original photograph is simply gorgeous!  I am using many of her works as reference.  She has joyfully traveled much of the United States and abroad.  It is a rare privilege and honor to use her images.

The reference landscape photograph used for this painting was taken by Sherry Paul

Kentucky Bourbon

I absolutely love this old antique bourbon bottle, but it breaks away from the norm of what I am trying to accomplish with color.  I was able to add some greens from the background to make it work, but the dark of the bottle diminishes the scene quite a bit.  I still like the overall Kentucky impression, the warmth of the browns and sepias along with the antique feel of the overall scene.  I especially like the horse embossed on the front!

A little bit of Kentucky signature, these pastures and horses are all around me.  All I have to do is venture out beyond the comforts of home to see them.  The horse is one of my favorite subject to paint and more scenes like this are always in my heart and on my mind.

This painting has been done on 8" by 8" wood block panel, 1 1/2" depth brown finished edges

Dreaming of Spring

I would rather be on a farm in the country than in the fanciest place in the world.  I love everything about it!  The heritage, history and simplicity of life found there will never leave me.  I love old antiques that no one knows what they were used for; the animals just going about there daily business and the scenes that just stun our world!  I love jars and I love country landscapes, so the two together are ‘charm’ in the purest sense of the word.  This was the first attempt at trying these painting exercises and I was taken back at how it all came together.  This is a scene from early spring when things are just starting to appear after the dead of winter.  I am sure many country jars will find their way into my future paintings.

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, use of or reproduction of any image is prohibited and against the law without consent or permission.

And That's Not All...

All panels are done on 8" by 8" hardboard panels in oil unless otherwise noted

Minding My Own Business

I am feeling a little defiant with this one, breaking away from the color structure of glass.  What a wonder…the little goldfish in a bag.  A small miracle of life captured from its habitation to bring us color, joy and that child-like feeling.  We marvel at the way he looks, but does he know how significant he really is?  He is little, part of the bottom of the food chain in the water world.  He is just trying to survive and has no idea how heartwarming he can be to us.  I titled this “Minding My Own Business” as a depiction of how little power we have over the universe.  There is an irony in thinking we have control while our plans can crash down on us before our eyes (even though they seemed to be good plans).  A little pun…maybe.  I prefer to call it sarcastic humor.  My little goldfish is in for a surprise.  He does not know what is about to hit, but we do.  Still cute and full of delight, he just goes about swimming and blowing bubbles…minding his own business.  If hearts could smile, I would be sharing a big one right now…swim baby swim!

The photograph of the wave that was used as reference was courtesy of Leslie Vaslek

Mail Pouch Barn

Driving through farm country in Ohio, you may come across one of these famous and nostalgic barns.  This one I painted with an old cigar jar as my color window to reflect a farming industry that society threatens to extinguish altogether, tobacco.  My resident state of Kentucky has many laws prohibiting smoking, not only inside restaurants, which is easily understood, but also outdoors in plain air!  I have many mixed feelings about this.  One being that the state would not be where it is today without the tobacco production is has come to be known for.  I also understand the damaging effects of second hand smoke, but feel it has been taken to extremes.  It is also a way to outcast, stereotype and ostracizes people in a way that is totally unnecessary.  There are many, many self-destructive habits that cause death, but none so personally attacked as the use of tobacco products.  Well, all that was obviously not on my mind while painting this scene, but I did think of the history and work involved in the making of tobacco products and the many memories made on farms that produced it.  I have respect for that on many levels even if I may not turn a blind eye to the fact that people die everyday from smoking.  Like I said, mixed feelings…sadness for a crop that will soon fade away from our landscapes, but appreciation for old tobacco jars, barns and…well you know.

The reference landscape photograph used for the barn scene was taken by Sherry Paul.

This painting was done on 8" by 8" wood block panel in oil, 3/4" depth, black edges

Winter Warmth

Most sunrises and sunsets in the winter season go unnoticed and unseen.  They look warm and inviting, but the air is still so cold and unwelcome.  This sunrise was beautiful, but the photographs were taken in a hurry as I rushed back inside to get warm again.  The oil lamps in my home provide the atmosphere of warmth as well as a flame that soothes the icy cold soul.  I thought of the two combined together for this scene.  The glorious sunrise awaits us and promises warmth is near, winter displays some of the most contrasting sunrises ever displayed.  I marked my palette to achieve that contrast with this scene.  The light is always brighter with the shadows of darkness behind it.  We are inwardly created to be drawn to the light, but both are necessary.  In a painting, the highlights would never emerge from the shadows and bring life if there were not the shadows.  Such is life and the journey to appreciating light.  His word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.  Darkness will always be there, but behold His glorious light that warms and stills the soul!  

River Barge

If I chose to take a day and just take a drive, the river is the perfect destination.  There may be activity happening, but the barges move along at a slow and easy pace.  Just the way I want to take life at times.  They seem to coast through the waters with ease and they know they will eventually get to their destination because the river will lead them there.  Things are still simple enough to get us to our destination as well if we learn each day to enjoy the ease of the journey.  We (I) have the inborn tendency to make things complicated, when just being yourself is all that is needed.  Have we forgotten how to do that?

I chose the large glass fly trap as the antique for this scene because I wanted to show as much of the barge as possible in color.  I love river scenes.  Even if they are new and recent, they still have the impression of days gone by.  Life on the river, regardless of its nature is still an important part of our country’s heritage.  I love the old fly trap as well; it lends that antique fancy I was striving for.  The muted colors in the scene are exactly the look I wanted to achieve.  Mission accomplished!

Warm Spring Night

If we could stop one moment, take a deep breath and take in the breeze of a shore…would it look like this?  I remember when bottles like this were so mesmerizing to me as a child.  My Mom would fill them with colored water and place them in the windows.  The light shining through created different abstract shapes and colors.  I still love vintage bottles to this day and I am sure you will see many of them in my paintings.  They reveal elegance on so many levels and add a little enchantment to our everyday routines.  The sepia tones are rich and dramatic adding to the mood of the scene.

My challenge in painting this was to capture the beauty of the tree seen through the bottle.  These trees bloom in early spring here in Kentucky.  This one I found along the river.  They dare to stand out among the green foliage and the blue of the sky.  You don’t expect them, but there they are!  I wanted to capture this unique and amazing hue through my color window.

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, use of or reproduction of any image is prohibited and against the law without consent or permission.

A Clue About The New Paintings, New Adventure And New Idea

Thank you for checking out my blog.  Just to get you thinking and to ease  my sense of excitement in sharing these, I am posting a little hint.

See the statue of little girl in the background?  Guess what is in the jar?  Yes, it is a lightening bug!  It lights up when it is has absorbed enough sun from the window.  I took this picture (and others) while visiting my Mom.  I may visit your house and take some more!

Sign up below for email notifications and leave a comment or two!  My Transparent Journey paintings coming soon, I would love for you to follow along.

Grand Canyon

The scene has held millions of people captive...one can't help take notice of creation and the beautiful play of light from different angles and views.  This did not fit into a painting a day schedule, but I loved it and curiosity got the best of me.  This painting was a fighter and a challenge, but I learned so many things from doing it.  I hope to take this knowledge and experience to new levels and concepts.  You will see the Grand Canyon again, I haven't given up!  You can be the proud owner of my very first one.

This painting was done in oil on a 10" by 8" wrapped canvas, auction start date is March 3, 2014.  Join the 7 day auction by clicking the link here. 

This link will take you to my ebay site to view paintings I currently have for sale.  http://www.ebay.com/sch/Direct-from-the-Artist-/60435/m.html?item=221413458919&ssPageName=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT&_ssn=cottagecharm91 

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, use of or reproduction of any image is prohibited and against the law without consent or permission.

All purchases can be made through ebay.  If you are not signed up with an account, please create one before the auction begins.  I accept paypal as a method of payment which can use various credit cards or be linked to your bank account safely and securely.  If you are interested in commission work, please contact me and I will answer any questions you may have.  Thank you for participating in my blog.

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Hawk's Nest State Park, W.VA.

This blog is more about my sister Sherry than it is about the painting.  She has graciously allowed me to paint some of her amazing photographs (this being one of them).  They are ART in their own merit, creative, composition brilliant and full of the inspiration and qualities she inspires in the lives of others.  When I am with her I feel courage, strength, happiness and love.  These are rolled up into this painting.  She took this shot in West Virginia in Hawk's Nest State Park near the New River Gorge.  It makes me long for the colors of spring even more expressing the warmth and soft hues on the canvas.  This is an original oil painting done on 10" by 8" wrapped canvas.  Please contact me if you would like to purchase this painting before the auction start date (March 3).  I welcome any questions or concerns about purchasing this original work.

Sorry, this painting has been SOLD.

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, use of or reproduction of any image is prohibited and against the law without consent or permission.

 

People Portraits

This is a beautiful little girl named Leyla.  Her portrait was enhanced with a whimsical scene which was added and not in the photo.  It was painted with oil on a 14" by 11" canvas panel.  I accept commission work on a half down deposit basis.  Contact me for estimates from your photos; original ideas and concepts can be discussed at that time.

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine Unlawful reproduction prohibited.

This is a portrait of my Grandson Kason, what a cutie.  This was done in a smaller format on a wood block artist panel.

Copyright 2012 Darlene Dine, use of or reproduction of any image is prohibited and against the law without consent or permission.

I added a little hair to the original photo, isn't he just adorable?

Duke the DOG

My amazing dog that I had from a puppy.  He was an American Bulldog and the greatest protector, companion and pet ever.  We went through some hard times together and I miss him so very much.  This portrait was painted of him on 8" by 8" wood block panel with acrylic medium.  I am showing it as a sample for portraits on commission.  I can go larger or do pencil, oil or acrylic.  Contact me for an estimate from your photo.

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, unlawful reproduction prohibited

Kentucky River in Frankfort

This image came from a photograph taken overlooking the Kentucky River in Frankfort.  I felt the colors as I painted and accentuated them on the canvas.  The result was a striking view not typically seen, but one that is clear and beautiful.  This painting has been done in oil on a 10" by 8" canvas panel.  It is signed on the front with a handwritten signature and title on the back.  Auction start date is 2/24/2014.

Sorry, this painting has been SOLD.

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, use of or reproduction of any image is prohibited and against the law without consent or permission.

Sea of Galilee

The day I was here, it was sunny and spring was blooming all around.  The colors were breathtaking and inspiring, the atmosphere warm and inviting.  The contrast against the soft distant colors was a beautiful thing to see.  There was such simplicity in this scene.  The painting has been done in oil on a 10" by 8" canvas panel.  It is a signed original with full handwritten signature and title on the back.  Auction start date March 3, 2014.  To purchase, join the 7 day auction by clicking here.  This link will take you to my ebay site to view paintings I currently have for sale.  http://www.ebay.com/sch/Direct-from-the-Artist-/60435/m.html?item=221413458919&ssPageName=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT&_ssn=cottagecharm91

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, use of or reproduction of any image is prohibited and in violation of copyright law.

All purchases can be made through ebay.  If you are not signed up with an account, please create one before the auction begins.  I accept paypal as a method of payment which can use various credit cards or be linked to your bank account safely and securely.  If you are interested in commission work, please contact me and I will answer any questions you may have.  Thank you for participating in my blog.