L. Diane Johnson

Now on FaceBook & LinkedIn

2009-01-27T15:38:00.003-05:00

I hope my collectors, colleagues and fans will join me on LinkedIn:

and on FaceBook:

See YOU there!

Diane

New North Carolina Plein Air Workshops

2008-09-27T15:37:00.001-04:00

I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE two new plein-air workshops in Raleigh, NC, hosted by The Collectors Gallery.

These one-day workshops cover specific topics artists have requested. You can sign up for just one or both (discount available.) Open to artists painting en plein air in acrylic, soft-pastel, oil or watercolor. We will paint in the historic City Market and Moore Square. And in the event of rain we'll still paint. Hope to see you there!

TACKLING GREEN
1-day – Friday, October 24, 2008
Fee: 160.
For the landscape painter, creating the right green for any situation is among the greatest yet most satisfying challenges – especially when something may not appear to be green! Discover how to "see" any type of green then tackle how to mix and apply to your painting. Whatever your style or media, Diane will work with you personally to achieve your goals and offer concrete, effective exercises. You will then create luminous color while painting en plein air.

TACKLING ARCHITECTURE

1-day – Saturday, October 25, 2008
Fee: 160.
There is more to the landscape than pure land. It may also include architecture - from bridges and fences to historic buildings and skyscrapers. As an expert in architectural rendering, Diane will offer insights into how you can paint architecture by eye, how to down-select for more powerful creative compositions, or to incorporate other elements into your paintings. You will paint on location to apply the many concepts Diane shares and demonstrates.

Epcot and New Art Instruction DVD

2008-04-15T09:25:00.005-04:00

HAD A WONDERFUL TIME for the third year running of participating in the Epcot Garden Festival. Many of my painting friends were there and it was great to see Durinda Cheek again! Here I am sitting in Italy painting one morning.

In other news:

INTRODUCING THE INAUGURAL ISSUE OF THE Traveling Painter Library - a brand new series of DVDs for beginning to advanced artists in acrylic, oil and pastel, both en plein air and in the studio!

With an ever growing demand for my workshops, I cannot reach everyone. Therefore, I have turned to producing videos that anyone can use via their computer or TV. Granted, you don’t have the personal interaction of a hand-on, in-person workshop. Nevertheless, I promise, you will gain so much that whether you go it alone or when you do go to a workshop (whether mine or someone elses’) you’ll be well equipped!

Soft Pastel: A Painterly Approach, is the first of three offerings in 2008. If you are already a pastel painter, this is a great volume to help you loosen-up to capture the landscape. If a beginner, it will teach you pastel strokes along with countless tips along the way during the demonstration - even encourage to paint along, or from your own subject.

To view a listing of what’s included and a video clip of excerpt from the DVD click here. When you try this volume please send me your feedback - I want to serve you. My objective is simple - to develop extraordinary education for all. (A Soft Pastel Starter Kit for beginners will be available later in the series.)

Acrylic, Water Miscible Oil and plein-air painters stay tuned! A multi-disk comprehensive plein-air workshop is in the works along with many others listed here.

Thanks for your interest and support. I look forward to sharing my years of teaching and painting experience with you personally !

P.S.
All DVDs are in standard Letterbox format. As demand for high-definition DVDs grows will produced in that format as well.

L Diane Johnson: 2008 Exhibition & Show Schedule

2008-01-16T16:01:00.001-05:00

Collectors and Colleagues,
Following is my 2008 exhibition schedule thus far - it is more expansive than I ever imagined! I hope wherever you are, you’ll come to see the works and opportunities to purchase fine art whether by me, or colleague painters:

Currently showing:
Through 1.28.08
Second Annual Members Show
Plein Air Painters of Hawaii
Maui Hands Gallery
Paia, Maui, HI

Disney Epcot International Flower & Garden Invitational
Friday, 4.4.08 through 4.6.08
Invitation to my collectors and general public, who have visited on-site and purchased the past three years and those new to this event! I love talking to both adults, children and groups about painting. Please stop by anytime. I will post the country within Epcot I will be painting in I arrive. Many collectors and friends are anxious to see this year’s fesitival. I am equally excited to see you all again and make new friends in 2008!

Plein Air Painters of the South East Painting Exhibition
Anderson Fine Art Gallery
As a member among 18 artists, I will be painting on location at St. Simons Island, GA from 4.21.08-4.24.08, please visit and enjoy the adventure!
Opening Exhibition Reception: Friday, 4.25.08

Azaleas on Parade
L. Diane Johnson Solo Show
Opening Reception 5.18.08, 1-3 pm; Through 6.8.08
Special exhibition of plein-air pastel, oil and acrylic collecton of azalea landscapes. This the long-awaited, first year I have broken my sabitical with pastel to present a new colleciton to you!
Little Gallery on Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta VA

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Artists
I’ll once again be a part of four bold venues this year with two to three of my newest paintings represented among thirty painters from the U.S. and several other countries. A grand opportunity to view/purchase pieces from major landscape painters from around the world. If you are near or at one of these locations don’t miss this exhibition/sale:

4.21.08 – 5.21.08
The Link Gallery
Fish Creek, Door County, WI
3900 County F
Fish Creek, WI 54212
E: staff@peninsulaartschool.com
P: 920.868.3455

6.1.08 – 7.6.08
Culrural Arts Council of
Estes Park Fine Art Gallery
304 E. Elkhorn Avenue
Estes Park, Colorado
P: 970.586.9203

7.21.08 - 9.18.08
Old School House Art Center
112 Fern Road West,
Qualicum Beach, B.C., Canada
P. 250.752.6133

9.18.08 – 1.4.09
Terrace Gallery
400 South Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32802-4990
P: 407-246-4279

New Plein Air Coastal Paintings

2007-11-16T08:41:00.000-05:00

Dusk Over The Pond

8 x 16 in. | Oil | Click for Complete Information

ALL NEW PIECES DONE ON THE EAST AND WEST COASTS. The first three were recently created on a remote private place, Creighton Island, off the coast of Georgia. Eleven painters spent a week creating works uninterrupted. No roads, no other people and only two hours of electricity each day. A wonderful, untouched landscape to enjoy painting.

Morning Munch

6 x 8 in. | Acrylic | Click for Complete Information

Cows grazing in one of the small island areas for them to eat. The island is only 1 by 2 miles and heavily wooded.

Sunrise Over Creighton

7 x 5 in. | Acrylic | Click for Complete Information

This painting created on this island: a tiny morning piece glowing in the sun. The mist was wonderful to capture.

Carmel Mist

12 x 16 in. | Oil | Click for Complete Information

Turning to the West coast, this was painted along the coast off Carmel. Enchanting marsh and inlet at sunrise.

More Coming!

Landscape Painting at Live Event

2007-11-06T16:45:00.001-05:00

LAST EVENING I participated in a church-wide event with over fifty business-to-business vendors, ranging from dentistry to photography. I had a free space to feature original paintings, but also delighted to paint live, front and center in the vast room. I had to use one of my photos to paint from as the lighting was low (and no trees or streams exist in a late-night conference :) Here is a pic of me starting the painting. And following...

Just an hour and a half later, a nearly completed painting. It will be available for sale online soon after a few minor adjustments for color and sign it off.

Coming next...my trip to Creighton Island of last week. So many grand photos and paintings coming...stay tuned.

Plein Air Workshop Photos

2007-10-24T11:23:00.000-04:00

Breath of Autumn Plein Air Workshop

THE LATEST ALBUM from my plein-air workshop of last week.
See participants paint and also my demos...Enjoy!

As always, I learn so much from my students who challenge and enlighten me. Thanks to all who came, it was a wonderful time of discovery and painting en plein air!

Painting a Pony in Orchard

2007-10-08T19:05:00.001-04:00

Pony Among the Peaches

6 x 8 in. | Acrylic on Linen Board

WHILE ON VACATION to paint the Smokey Mountains, the weather was not conducive to painting at all, even though I love painting in the rain and unique weather conditions. Although tough to paint last week, I took along a few photos that have shaped the region where I live. This piece is especially significant to me...the peach orchard has recently been leveled to build a housing development (known here as a PUD: "Planned Unit Development")

I am excited to have had been given permission by the owners of that land several years ago to shoot photos of this orchard. They were cautious and reluctant, as most folks are when approached by a stranger. Nevertheless, I was able to shoot photos rapidly rather than paint on location in this situation. I was just thankful to capture images of the land, home and pony all at the same time. This painting is a composite of what I came away with from the location.

Finished Church Painting

2007-09-28T14:44:00.000-04:00

JUST COMPLETED "Whosoever...", Acrylic on linen, 16x20 in., that I started on site a couple of days ago. (See photo in post below.) As the piece will be used for a cover in November, I decided to change it from a late Summer scene to an Autumn one. The magazine staff was very happy to hear I could do this. I gave it a try and am very happy with the result. Enjoy!

Painting the Church Today

2007-09-25T16:01:00.001-04:00

HERE IS WHERE I PAINTED THIS MORNING. I was asked by my church to paint for the cover of our magazine; a forthcoming issue directed towards creativity - whether an author, musician, artist, etc.

Knowing that God gave "all men gifts", I was delighted and thankful to paint for Him; yet there were challenges. Trying to make our huge campus-like architecture warm and inviting took time for me to scope-out. Brick-and-mortar alone does not constitute nor convey God or His Church. Spending a previous day observing from vantage-points high and low (and doubtful of finding a location) I sought a spot which could relay our message without people in the image...and He is what we are all about.

The building faces North, therefore, never receives direct sunlight. However, I found a place to the side that receives early morning light. All the doors were closed yet, God never closes. A church and its building should be open at all times, and ours is. After all my research, you will see how I solved this issue.

I setup my equipment at 8:30 am today in the hope of generating a tough concept to capture via photos or on canvas.

See the final painting in my next message...it is not finished yet! I must complete this one in the studio...

Little Paintings

2007-09-18T18:09:00.001-04:00

Want to share this little 8x8 painting with you. It sold off my easel at Epcot during their annual Spring garden festival. On this particularly hot day, I could not find an inspiring subject. So, I went into the shade at a sidewalk store front, looked over my easel and voila, I painted this charming little dish. Unknowingly, a couple who has this same pattern passed by several times during my painting session to view; then purchased what meant so much to them.

Artists don't realize who may be watching or what someone may like. I was enchanted by my subject and someone else was too! I appreciate those who visit me while painting on location, especially when I happen to be creating just the right image!

So You Want to Become an Artist?

2007-09-13T01:28:00.000-04:00

Visit my new Squidoo Lens site:

So You Want To Become an Artist?

Insights into becoming painter whether for pleasure or a profession.

New Plein Air Wear Site

2007-09-10T13:21:00.001-04:00

New Plein Air Wear site merges with The Artists Closet

HI PAINTERS. You are probably already aware of The Artists Closet's presence on the Web for some time. I have merged this and rolled it into a new site - Plein Air Wear, which you too, may be familiar with. These two sites had so much to offer but now they are one!

As always, the focus is on education for beginning to advanced painters with a twist. The ever-popular artists clothing, aprons and gift shop is now in full-swing, with new products and added designs. I hope you enjoy the changes. One thing has not changed - all of the content once in The Artists Closet is now featured at the new domain. Take a look around and let me know what YOU think.

Also, please communicate what you'd like to see added to the site in terms of content. This service is for colleague painters, so if something is or is not working for you let me know!

Plein Air Workshops

2007-08-06T11:57:00.001-04:00

Just a note to let visiting artists know there is still availability in my upcoming workshop in just a few short weeks. Download the 8-page package containing complete details and registration form:

SOFT PASTEL LANDSCAPE WORKSHOP
3-days – August 24-26, 2007
Historic Yates Mill County Park
Raleigh, NC

Also coming up and filling quickly:

BREATH OF AUTUMN LANDSCAPE WORKSHOP
5-day Comprehensive in Acrylic, Oil & Pastel
October 15-19, 2007
Historic Yates Mill County Park
Raleigh, NC

AUTUMN SPLENDOR LANDSCAPE WORKSHOP
5-day Comprehensive in Acrylic, Oil & Pastel
November 12-16, 2007
Historic Yates Mill County Park
Raleigh, NC

View all workshops, Q&A, and past workshop albums...

Hello Collectors & Colleagues

2007-07-24T14:00:00.000-04:00

Sunflower Dance, France

12 x 12 in. | Oil on Linen Board | Available

I am thrilled to be a part of the Southern Ladies Art Conference: a group dedicated to capturing the beauty and essence of the South, whether in Florida, Georgia, or North Carolina, just to name a few!

For those of you visiting for the first time, you can learn more about me at my Off the Easel Blog or at my primary gallery site here.

To browse and shop my gallery of paintings, articles, specials, workshop offerings, and collector tips visit here.

I so much enjoy meeting/visiting with my collectors online and hope you'll write to me. Meanwhile, I'll post some pieces here as they are created.

All the Best,
Diane

Spring Burst

2007-05-13T20:03:00.000-04:00

Exhibit Information

2006-08-21T19:19:00.000-04:00

On Display and Available from
The Discovery Center Exhibit Gallery
Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Georgia
September 9 - November 19, 2006