Thankfully

7x5 water soluble graphite portrait sketch

Commission - nfs

Happy post Thanksgiving! What a perfectly lovely afternoon we had at Joel's on Wednesday. I got to paint and sketch a perfectly lovely young lady for a friend's Christmas gift. 

I think I made my model look a little older, unfortunately. But hopefully she will grow into her portrait! Lol

I started a second sketch using casein. But the eyes are all wrong. My limited palette of casein is an issue. As is my inexperience with the medium. I will finish this at home  either with oil or casein. 

Now - I don't want to ignore the fact that this is the biggest shopping weekend of the year (though I almost feel ashamed for us at all the desperate commercialization I'm seeing.) But truly in the spirit of expressing my gratitude to my friends and fans, I have a special discount for my email/newsletter subscribers only! Sign up today - in the right column ➡ and I will send you codes for 25% off and/or $100 off purchases over $500. My shop on ETSY is filling up with my studio inventory finally. Help me make space (literally and creatively) for new work!

Trumpeter Sketch

I saw this man playing and singing in different areas on different days and with different fellow street musicians. He was really talented! I bet he is well-known in New Orleans but I do not know his name. 

Pencil sketch from the pages of my sketchbook.  

Chinese Dancer

6x6 oil on linen

Available at Randy Higbee Gallery 6" Squared show opening Dec. 3rd.

I had three painting accepted to show at the fall exhibit at the gallery in CA. I think its a neat concept to show paintings that are only one size. I'd love to see the opening! If you are in the Costa Mesa area, go and check it out for me. December is looking to be a busy month for my artwork. More details to follow!

While I Breathe, I Hope

24x24 oil on canvas

Available at Russell Collection Fine Art in Austin.

This is my contribution for the fundraiser for the new Seton Breast Cancer in Austin. The Russell Collection gallery invited their "Best of Texas" artists to each create a painting on the theme of hope. When I think of any trials that life throws our way, my hope seems to always fall on the next generation - the youth, energy and infinite possibility of our children. This is a likeness of my daughter, blowing bubbles. Lots of symbolism in here really. I'll let you all interpret it. The title is the Latin - Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope." And blessedly, I have this outlook on life even in the darkest of hours.

Tuesday night the gallery hosts an event to unveil the paintings together.

Portrait of Major

12x9 oil on panel - not for sale

This is our new dog. He came to us a few months ago and I wanted to paint a portrait of him for his former owner. I feel badly that circumstances led to his needing a new home, but I am awfully glad he is part of our family now. He is a really neat dog. (An Irish Terrier). I can't resist a bearded dog, truth be told.

I'm feeling guilty today because we are packing to go on vacation again and the dogs are getting suspicious. They are generally lazing about a lot anyway though since its gotten so very hot here, so maybe they won't miss us much.

Everyday People V

8x10 oil on carton board
$150 + s/h

I keep forgetting to mention that I am working on paintings for my upcoming show at Studio 47 in Woodstock, Vermont. It is to be a three-person show. Initially we thought to do just a solo show, but as I am newly represented there, I wasn't sure we'd have the draw for just me. Want it to be worth everyone's while... setting up and hanging a show is hard work.

I am having fun exploring some new scenes. And some old favorites. I will unveil all the work on here as the July 24th opening draws near.

Everday People IV

10x8 oil on carton board
$150 + s/h

This might be the guy at the bus stop... different days though. He was walking across a crosswalk tuned into his headphones.

Carton board is something I found at Judson's Art Outfitters. Its a tan card stock similar to the cardboard some of the impressionist masters painted on - but its updated and archival. I like the effect the oils create - almost a pastel quality. And the background color is a nice neutral tone.

Everday People III

8x10 oil on carton board
$150 + s/h

Realllly love this one. I am not sure I want to let him go. But, an artist's gotta eat! (Or buy more supplies.)
Enjoy your weekend!

Everyday People II

10x8 oil on carton board
$150 + s/h

Another random portrait. I sketched this homeless man who was sitting on a curb during an arts festival downtown. Below is the sketch. Today I felt like painting his face... though it tells a bit less of his story.


a page from my sketchbook - nfs

Everyday People I

8x10 oil on carton board
$150 + s/h

Sometimes I just don't feel like painting the background etc. when just the gesture or face says enough. So I am painting some "portraits" of everyday people. This man was sitting at a bus stop.

Oh, Romeo

8x10 oil on panel
nfs

Today I packed up my things and went to hang out in V....Vaughan's studio. I sat on her floor and painted while she worked on a painting of a hawk for the SE Wildlife show (I think). We painted...and we talked, and we critiqed, and she showed me her private collection (other artists, not personal), she made a lovely lunch of gumbo (perfect on a rainy day) and some yummy Mexican hot chocolate. My painting was dull. But when a heavy rain began and the thunder started, her "good Dane" as she calls him, was nervous and sat nearby. He was begging to be sketched. So I grabbed a panel and did the above. He is an enormously big baby. And I am enormously blessed to have a friend like V.

btw - I'm tired of feeling sorry for myself and not painting. "Shut up and paint!" I told myself this morning. Thanks for bearing with me.

Ages Ago

Today was the anniversary of James Dean's death. I pulled this ancient painting out of my closet. Look at the date -1992. I went through a period of idolizing this young man. I have always been a fan of the old b&w movies and Giant is perhaps one of the best films of all time.
This was one of the first paintings I did when I began oil painting classes in SC at the Greenville County Museum of Art. Its actually a very nice museum considering its not in a large city. The classes were very good too - it was a good start for me. And they have a large collection of Andrew Wyeth paintings. So, this was a fun trip down memory lane.
Oddly enough, one of the other paintings I did from this time, copied from a Eudora Welty photo, hangs in my hallway. Maybe I should post it too.

Year's End

12x9 oil on carton board
nfs

Today I painted my contribution for Different Strokes for Different Folks' final challenge - we submitted and then were sent random photo portraits. I waited until the last minute practically, as usual. But enjoyed it thoroughly.
And this is my last painting of 2009. What a year. Its been up and down certainly and I hope for a more stable 2010 for us all. I am excited to start a new body of work next week.
Happy New Year!!

Moses Botkin Monthly Challenge

Self Portraits! Whose idea was this? Ugh! I started well enough, but soon grew to hate the sight of myself! I seriously dislike looking at myself this long. I painted one, screwed it up, wiped it off and started again. I always look mean in self portraits. I think that happens though to most artists because we are concentrating hard! I also realized it was very hard to squint and paint yourself. Squinting, we all know, helps painters mass in things and not get belabored by details.

At any rate, I did it. And here it is along with the images the rest of the challenge group created this month! I like theirs MUCH better!


Self-Portrait Loathing
12x12 - oil on panel (for the time-being)
c 2009 Robin Cheers


Me ala Schmid
10x8 - oil on canvas
c 2009 Vicki Ross



Making Up My Own Story
24x20 - oil on canvas
c 2009 Marie Fox



Self Portrait
6x6 - 0il on board
c 2009 Michael Naples

Make Me Beautiful, Rembrandt!

6x8 - oil on panel

c 2009 Diana Moses Botkin

Self Portrait with Steve's Shirt
11x14 - oil on canvas
c 2009 Silvina Day



Self Portrait
8x10 - pastel
c 2009 Mike Beeman

Beagle Love

6x8 oil on panel
nfs

Another gift for a friend whose family friend will not be sharing Christmas this year. Maybe this little painting will bring a smile.