Dianna Soisson Art Studio

Accepting the here and now

2012-01-23T19:48:00.005-05:00

For years I have tried to control my life and those around me and much to my demise I have discovered that the more I fought it, the unhappier, anxious and depressed I became. So, what to do?
I'm handing it up to God, the Universe, the Higher Power and allowing Him to take the lead. I've learned something.....I'M NOT THE BOSS!! As a girl and now a woman, we were taught that the mother is the one who takes care of the children, does the housework, grocery shopping, cooking, gardening and loves her husband! That was then, this is now, which now includes (in most homes) a job outside the house. I don't know about you but to me this sounds to the title of a BOSS. Right?
I am accepting that I can only take care of myself and GUIDE those around me. They in turn have a choice which takes the responsibility off my shoulders and ultimately leads me to a less stressful life. Rather than putting up the pessimistic roadblocks I am learning to observe the positive attributes of the polars.
Swimming upstream all my life has been exhausting. I could never enjoy what was set before me because I was so domineering. Letting go, accepting the past and present, and allowing God, the Universe, or Higher Power to take the reigns is exhilarating.
I'm accepting change in my life. And now I must embrace it!
As always, thanks for reading!

Choosing the Glass Half Full

2012-01-20T14:34:00.004-05:00

Anyone that knows me (especially my family) will tell you that if there is a way to create a crisis or concern out of a situation that I am the president of the club. I over-think the possibilities and build upon that. I expect the worst in every scenario and soon my bruised and scarred soul becomes weak.

I've been reminded (by my husband) that we have choices. God gave us the greatest gift....the gift of will. In every case we have a choice how to react. I can choose to worry and fret about my children or the world economic crisis.But will my uneasiness solve any of the problems? If anything it could end up being a self-fulfilling prophecy.

At least for today I will choose to take the glass that is half full, count my blessings (actually jotting them down would be a good visual) and hand my struggles (real or prematurely fabricated) to God. It would be such a delight to wake up each morning sit with a cup or two of coffee, read an inspiration and move on to the studio knowing that God (the Divine, Higher Power, etc.) will be taking care of all my perplexities.

For today, raise your half full glass of joy and do what makes you happy!

As always.....thanks for reading!

A Time To Breathe

2012-01-19T15:32:00.009-05:00

Though I should be at my drawing table working on my entry piece for the CPSA International Competition, I find myself aimlessly wondering around the house cleaning, organizing or just anything else in order to keep my mind off my son who is in Army basic for 16 weeks.

Don't get me wrong, my art has always been my therapy and has been able to calm my nerves. But this time I can't seem to think about anything but wondering how my son is doing. He hasn't been able to call except to quickly let us know that he arrived and he wrote saying that it will be at least another three weeks before we can talk on the phone. (It has already been two.)

I realize that at the end of 16 weeks he will come home a respectable, honorable and grown man but not being able to see or talk to someone that you have raised for 18 years is painful right now.

Therefore, if my readers don't mind, I may occasionally be posting some insightful thoughts from a book that has been by my side for the last two weeks. It's called Simple Abundance "a day book of comfort and joy" by Sarah Ban Breathnach.

Most women read for pleasure or to gain knowledge about raising children, improving relationships and finances. I have found comfort in reading daily inspirations. I find refuge and temporary shelter for my soul from the everyday discord. Relief is another expression that rises when I read similar feelings coming from other women authors.

The book concentrates on the journey within yourself. Happiness is not found in external possessions but within yourself. It is based upon six principles: gratitude, simplicity, order, harmony, beauty and joy.

Order stood out this week as it probably will for the next few weeks preparing for taxes and preparing the kitchen for painting. I have no control over my children (though a mother likes to believe so) nor do I have control in anything outside my life. Anxiety is my middle name. I need to have some type of control in my life. I don't know a female friend of mine that can think clearly with a sink full of dirty dishes, an empty refrigerator, piles of dirty laundry and a cluttered desktop.

So to clear my mind I'll be cleaning house and when I'm emotionally drained I'll be back to painting.

I wish you all simple lives and as always thanks for reading!

Question For My Readers

2011-11-11T19:42:00.004-05:00

I have received many inquiries about the carousel that my husband made for me. Most of which were... could my husband make them one. Now my question....how much would an artist pay for it? We have totaled the costs of supplies, but hours of labor are more than one would care to pay for. So minus the pencils and printed labels how much is it worth to you? I will not be offended by any price. I realize that by asking for opinions that I am opening myself to criticism. I would appreciate any advice or suggestions.

Thanks for reading!

Color Pencil Carousel

2011-11-04T21:48:00.009-04:00

Ten years ago my husband made me a lazy susan color pencil holder similar to the one in the Color Pencil Solution Book by Gildow & Newton. I continuously use it and since I have recently added some new brands of color pencil I had asked my husband to build me a second one with a few additions.

As you can see the carousel is two levels high and spin separate from each other. I work with solvents and asked that he drill out spaces for the containers. I have the woodless pencils and realized just how fragile they are. I put them in my original lazy susan pencil holders (sharpened end straight up) and accidentally (ever so lightly) grazed the top of the pencil and it snapped! I knew right away they were not going to last if I were to store them as my Prismas. That is why I had my husband route out indented trays on the bottom level of the carousel.

I also learned how to be patient with Micro Excel on the computer and was able to create professional looking labels which I can slide out anytime I need to.

If you look really close toward the center of the holder you'll see what looks like smaller pencils. They are actually wooden dowel rods that I made to look like colored pencils and are glued into the carousel. The last hole of each spoke is drilled all the way through and is slipped onto the color pencil dowel rod. We have made several spokes for each brand of color pencils that I have, so they can be changed out easily.

It has taken about a month to make this but now that he has the correct tools and design he is hoping that it should be fairly easy to make another.

Sometimes I think I get more excited about the new toys for my color pencil than I do about the drawing. I must admit though, it makes the process a lot more fun!

Ready, Set, Draw!

2011-09-29T19:45:00.004-04:00

After hearing only good things about the Caran D'ache Pablo color pencils I had to see for myself what is so wonderful about these pencils.

They are more expensive than my Prismacolors but I decided to loosen the purse strings and go for it. My order arrived on Tuesday and I was floating on air when I opened the set! The gorgeous rainbow of colors, perfectly sharpened and in order! I felt my O.C.D. kick in before I reached out to slowly move my fingers along the tray and stopped. I had to take a photo! Once I began to draw this tin box would never be the same. Okay.......enough about this compulsion.

These pencils draw like butter! I haven't come close to any pencil in comparison to the Prismacolors and I have to say that the Pablos are there....minus the price. As I get further on my drawing I'll let you know how the color choices are.

Until then, happy drawing and as always thanks for reading.

Trash to Treasure, The Final Project

2011-09-24T20:40:00.007-04:00

Well I finally finished my rainbow storage bin, labels and all. It fits perfectly on top of my flat files and there's still plenty of unused drawers to fill! The flat files were purchased from an office that was going out of business last winter. My husband and I went to the sale and found them in the usual gray color with quite a few scrapes and scratches all over it. Because my studio faces the north side and is quite small I wanted the room to be as light as possible, the furniture as well. I painted the walls in a cameo white and painted the flat files white. My husband made a laminate top for it so it would bare weight more evenly.

So the room is complete with the exception of creating another color pencil lazy susan. It's still in the planning stages but will be posted. I promise.

Now that the "nesting" process is winding down, I'm preparing for the hibernation in my studio for the fall and winter months to come. I've been adding more nature photos to my inventory and am hoping I'll have a few nice ones to keep me busy for the next several months.

A Long Overdue Shoutout

2011-09-22T06:30:00.014-04:00

For the past few years I have taking my originals to a highly recommended photographer who shoots 2-D and 3-D art. I don't trust myself to get my pieces set-up properly let alone knowing my camera well enough to use. Making sure the photo contains the correct colors of my piece is another concern that just heightens my anxiety.

Eric Law of Color & Ink Ltd. is one of the best art photographers around. He runs the business very professionally and always greets you at the door with a warm smile. He becomes very familar with the clients work and notes the colors in their pieces. This enables him to correct the colors in the computer so when the prints are produced they look "spot on" to the original. This is what separates him from all other art photographers. Clients purchasing my prints are just as happy as the clients purchasing the original.

Eric uses a ten ink color printer which produces the vivid colors and smooth transitions that artists works call for. With superior lightfastness ratings, these prints last up to 200 years (providing the prints are covered with UV glass and kept out of the sun).

Color and Ink, Ltd. uses the Epson Stylus Pro 7900 Printer using Epson UltraChrome K3 HDR pigment inks and the highest quality, acid-free archival Epson professional Media.

Trash to Treasure

2011-08-10T19:40:00.010-04:00

A couple of months ago my husband and I came upon a garage sale where most items were tools and machinery. I usually turn my nose up at men's garage sales but when I stumbled across this steel bin shelf I saw a diamond in the rough. I should have taken photos before I started sanding and washing the pieces. The only photo I have is a portion of it. It was the early 80's country blue. The unit consisted of 50 bins but is missing five so I can use one shelf to store a large tin of colored pencils.

The ceiling fan in my studio is a color wheel, so why not create a matching storage unit?! My studio space is small and I needed to find some way of organizing additional pencils and other odds and ends. I will be finishing off the bins and shelf with a clear gloss coat within the next few days and put it together by the beginning of next week. My studio should be complete by then and I'll post it after that.

I'm hoping to get back to drawing in September after the kids get back to school and I can develop a regular routine. I usually find time after work in the evenings to sit at the drawing table but the summer weather just calls me outdoors to do my walking or any other activity excuse my mind can bring up.

The cooler weather seemed to whisper in this morning and it reminded me of the mornings that we will once again greet in a few weeks while getting the children on the morning buses. We complain about the blasted intense heat of the summers but yet our faces become still and saddened when the cool, crisp air comes knocking at our windows because we know that soon after that the nights become long and cold. This is when I can be found in front of my drawing table and heater at my feet and a warm cup of coffee in the morning or tea in the evening.

So, as I wind up my organizing of my studio (or some may call it nesting or harvesting before the seasons) I wish all my readers to enjoy the last few weeks of summer and embrace the upcoming crispness of autumn, the beautiful colors of the turning leaves and the smiles of the parents whose children are returning to school.

As always, thank you for reading!

Dallas, Camping, Home

2011-07-27T20:43:00.020-04:00

So here I am with both feet (or should I say with both boots) planted firmly on my own solid Michigan ground after an enjoyable week with old and new friends in Dallas, Texas at the CPSA International convention.

This was followed by a week of camping at the Warren Dunes along Lake Michigan as one of several parent chaperones for my daughter's cross country girls' and boys' teams.

Rekindling the friendships I had made from last year in San Francisco brought memories of young giggling school girls who were so excited about a huge sleepover away from mom and dad (a.k.a. the husband, family and responsibilities).

The exhibition displayed some of the best colored pencil artwork by international artists. I was very impressed this year with the competition.

Because of the 104 degree heat in Dallas we didn't venture out too much but five of us were dead set on purchasing a pair of cowboy boots! We had a ball trying on several styles and sizes and one by one we chose the style that seemed to applaud our personalities. As you will see in the photo my boot (the dark chocolate with the red accent) applauds quietly. *Sigh* I'll have to work on that next year ladies. ;)

What diversity in our choices!

After our boot shopping we were famished for some delicious Mexican food!

Kendra Ferreira with her beautiful "Sea Foam" at the top.

Yours truly with "Beyond All Boundaries"

Deborah Friedman with her prize winning "Counterpoint in Green"

Lynda Schumacher and her "Canadian Cowgirl" above. Lynda also received her five year Merit Award!

The Cippy Award "The Sisters" went to C.J. Worlien

Myself, Elizabeth Patterson and Lynda Schumacher getting a little crazy at the reception. I think the Dallas heat was getting to us!

Now, onto the camping......to be honest, I have never camped out in my life! I lived in the country when growing up, so why would I go camping?

We borrowed a camper from a good friend and my husband took care of the rest. We left for Lake Michigan the day after I returned from Dallas. I was looking forward to some cool nights coming off the lake after the oven-like temperatures in Dallas. Unfortunately we had temperatures in the 90's and the humidity, of course, made it worse.

The cross country team lightened their work-out schedules and spent more time in the water. We chaperones, ladies especially, didn't mind it. Tradition among the team is to run up the biggest Warren Dune (not once, not twice, but three times for the girls and five times for the boys)! Since my daughter asked that I be the girls' photographer I knew that I should be on top of that dune in order to get some good shots. Yes, I did it! I climbed it once on "Dunes Day" and once on the final day before going home. A year ago (75 pounds heavier) I would not have been able to climb it and would have been embarrassed in front of my son and daughter. As I made it to the top I hid my tears of joy and excitement behind my camera.

What a journey my past year had taken! I am and have been blessed by so many people, family and friends! I have seen and done things I never dreamed of doing! I have a wonderful and supportive husband, children who are considerate, kind and loving and most of all a mother who has always been the best role model by putting others before herself but always teaching us her motto that I live by today..."Be true to yourself".

This year I am especially grateful for those close friends and new friends that have been there for me to support and applaud my weight loss. I have overcome several personal obstacles and continue to do so as I battle my food addiction. As I reach out and seek positive relationships I become stronger and more confident physically, mentally, spiritually and most of all artistically.

I draw and paint what I feel and I feel what I paint. I have tested many new boundaries this year and so it was only fitting that "Beyond All Boundaries" be the title of my displayed piece at the CPSA exhibit this year.

As always, thank you for reading!

Julie is one of five girls' captains this year on a team of 140 girls.

At the very top of the Warren Dunes along Lake Michigan!

Hi-Ho Dallas, Away!

2011-05-05T09:27:00.010-04:00

This week the CPSA announced it's 19th annual list of accepted artists and I was very honored that my " Beyond All Boundaries" was on the list.

This year's accepted art will be displayed at the Charles W. Eisemann Center in Richardson, Texas from June 29 to July 31. The artists' convention will be held from July 12 - July 16.

Last year was my first time attending the convention. It was held in Los Gatos, California where the sun shined everyday and humidity didn't exist.

All members look forward to the annual reunion of old friends, making new ones and creating memories that will linger for months until the anticipation for the following CPSA exhibit submissions begin. Giggles, laughs and hugs begin the moment we arrive.

Thursday and Friday two color pencil workshops are given and this year they are being offered by Bonnie Auten, CPSA and Sheila Theodoratos, CPSA both exceptional artists.

Thursday will be the presentation of all show entries followed by door prizes that are generously donated by art supply companies and then last but not least the silent auction where we can bid on our colleagues original artwork!

Friday evening is the long awaited Awards Banquet and Saturday will be the Artists' Reception at the Charles W. Eisemann Center.

Brought up with and loving country music, I had always wanted to visit Texas. As a little girl I loved my cowgirl hat and spring horse. (I think everyone had one of those.) Since then I have been thrown twice (by real horses) and vowed to never mount one again unless it is bolted to a steel plate and run by a coin machine. :) But hey, how does the saying go....when in Rome? So I'll be bucking it up and attempting horseback riding again. (Photos will not be shown. :D)

Thanks for reading!

My First Publishing!

2011-04-08T19:22:00.006-04:00

I'm so excited to have received a copy of Pratique Des Arts yesterday. The French art magazine's April/May issue contains a special portfolio recognizing color pencil artwork and I am very humbled to have my work published among some of the best color pencil artists. My "Pink Peonies" was chosen to be displayed in this beautiful magazine on page 7.

The editor of Pratique Des Arts contacted me a while ago about my work and asked for permission to publish it. I was very honored to discover that other color pencil artists such as Ann Kullberg, Alan Servoss, Arlene Steinberg and east coast friend Deborah Friedman were among those also being published.

The magazine's layout is very attractive and appealing and I must say had me wishing I had studied the French language in college. But with the assistance of technology I'm able to use the translator on-line.

My dream as a little girl was to become a Hallmark artist and create beautiful greeting cards but I never thought in my wildest dreams that I could make my own cards and that my work would be displayed internationally. I owe a big thank you to my parents for keeping me grounded and always believing in me. My husband and children are the world's best supporters when it comes to my "drawing marathons". I tend to "draw better and become enlightened under stress" as my husband puts it.

I'll be planning another drawing marathon within the next month so stay tuned!

Thank you all for reading.

CPSA Entry Completed

2011-03-31T20:03:00.007-04:00

I vowed to myself last year that I would never work under the gun again with my CPSA entry piece. But alas, just as I have done with cleaning the house, doing taxes, etc. I have used every excuse to avoid the barriers I hit during the progress of this piece. The size started off to be 22 x 34. But as the colors were added the composition became too complicated. Cropping is a too familiar word in my vocabulary and it found it's way back into this painting. After focusing more on the movement of the rapids and the direction of the highlighted water, it became apparent where I had to crop it. It is now 14 x 31.

After the crop, relief and satisfaction came. (I feel the same way about a new hairstyle. :) )

Beyond All Boundaries started to come to life and I felt as if the pencils knew just where to go without my assistance. I became excited about the near birth of this painting!

I have been told by a dear friend to learn to trust yourself. Thank you dear friend!! As I become more comfortable with my decisions I am becoming more confident with them as well.

I used to think art was just about creating, but I'm understanding it's about my life, taking on new challenges and winning them. My paintings are becoming the pages of the diary of my life. As I look back at each piece I can remember what time of year it was and what struggles, challenges and accomplishments I have made. Hence, my latest and newest piece Beyond All Boundaries.

I wish all those who entered the competition the best of luck!

Thank you all for reading.

W.I.P. completed!

2010-12-03T19:24:00.006-05:00

After months of second guessing myself on the choice of reference photos, rainbows of colors, techniques and just deciding how to execute this massive size, I can finally say with a huge smile on my face...."I am completely pleased and giddy over this painting!" There are no regrets, if only, or maybes.
I have learned so much about myself in this painting. I was afraid to work with such an enormous size since it's been a while and yet it's my largest ever. I have learned to trust myself with what I know and don't be afraid to try new things. I tell my students that in color pencil most mistakes can be corrected and don't be afraid to try new colors. I've discovered that during the painting while I have engaged in softer and relaxed techniques, so has my life paralleled the painting. I have learned to let go, don't be so critical, I can't control everyone or anything. I can't protect my children forever but I can give them the knowledge of wisdom and faith. Relish the good times and memories. The past can not be changed and the future holds boundless promises and successes if we allow them.
The title of the painting is withheld until the client receives it. (hint...it will be" ___'s Tulips"..the client's daughter's name). I honestly can't wait to see the expression on their faces! I hope they like it.
Now it will be off to making chocolates and cookies for Christmas. It's a tradition I look forward to every year with my kids!

W.I.P. Tulips

2010-10-22T21:36:00.003-04:00

I've noticed that I haven't been faithful to my blogger followers. By that I mean not posting for a while. I'm sorry. Time flies when you're busy drawing, nannying, and going to your son's and daughter's cross country meets but I'm not complaining. I love it all and wouldn't change a thing!
This photo was taken about two weeks ago and since then I've applied color to a few more tulips and blended them with solvent. Since then I've noticed that I have to mute the background down quite a bit and build up an apricot/salmon glaze on top. The tulips are way too pink in the drawing for me and I would like to soften them to live up to their hybrid name "Apricot Beauty".
I don't recall using as many colors as I have on my side table! I believe I have every color from the warm side of the color wheel for the tulips......reds, pinks, peaches, oranges, yellows and everything from the cool side for the background.....blues, greens and violets. Yup! I believe that covers it! Three types of pencils are being used for this piece, Prismacolors, Polychromos, and Coloursofts. I'm finding that the white Prismacolor doesn't like the solvent as well as the Polychromo so I don't even bother using the Prisma white for the drawing. After the painting of the solvent I will be drawing in detail on the tulips. This is where I'll be tuning out the world, turning up the tunes on my MP3 and loose myself at the drawing table. That's my idea of a perfect weekend! Oh! And my space heater to keep me warm. It gets cold when your studio has north side windows! Ha!
I was hoping to complete this by the end of October but it looks like it's going to be the end of November. I will have it photographed for prints and straight to framing for the client. My personal deadline will be to have the original in the clients hands on December 1. Framing takes two weeks and then off as a gift unless the client needs it sooner than December 1.

San Francisco Update

2010-09-01T18:23:00.006-04:00

On August 20th the CPSA International Exhibit came to an end and I had been waiting impatiently for my original drawing of "Caught Up In the Moment"to be returned at the front door by the UPS man. I started tracking it on Monday and noticed that it was due here on Wednesday, September 1.

When it finally came I noticed the box was to my surprise in very good condition. Although when I picked it up it seemed light. At first I thought my strength training was paying off. Hahahahaha! (**cough**) But as I opened it up I knew I wouldn't find my painting in there.

Since I hadn't received a phone call, e-mail, or snail mail notifying me of a sale I assumed the worst but kept my hopes up that someone fell in love with it and purchased it.

After a quick phone call to the Art Museum of Los Gatos where it was hanging I was informed that my piece was indeed SOLD and the check would be in the mail soon. Yippee!! For the next hour I was doing the happy dance around the house with my husband, teenagers, and three little ones I nanny just shake their heads with embarrassment.

I have many things to be thankful for at the conclusion of the CPSA exhibit. First and foremost, my family who supported me last year when the stress was turned up and my mother who seems to know me better than I know myself and said "this was my time" to take control of my life and "just do it". Then there's the true and many friends I have made at the convention who support each other with love and laughter. LIFE IS GOOD!

The Future Is Looking Brighter (400 watts brighter)

2010-08-29T17:29:00.025-04:00

Just like our kids, we parents and teachers prepare ourselves for a new school year. This fall I fit into both categories of parent and teacher. Not only am I looking forward to my kids returning to high school (as I know they are *cough*), but I am also excited about returning to teaching at 212 Art Center in Saline and starting up a workshop in Warren, Michigan for the Warren Fine Art Center at the Warren Community Center.

Though my prior classes have involved transfer paper for transferring photos onto drawing paper I wanted to make it easier and cleaner for my students. (I'm hoping to cut down on time as well.)

I strongly suggested to my handyman of a husband that I would like a homemade light box since they can be pretty expensive. We started out with the idea of a small box (8 x 10) but calculated that it would be cheaper to make a large one to accommodate 4-6 students. (That is, cheaper than building 4-6 light boxes.) If any of you know my husband, he is the "Tim the Tool man" of our subdivision. We actually have a sign for his garage "Bill the tool man". If there's a way to build it bigger and better, Bill will do it.

I've never been so excited about a project of his as I have now! This box looks so professional and works so well! Neighbors will now know when I'm working when they see the house lit up as bright as the Griswold's on "National Lampoon"s Christmas Vacation" Hahahaha!

I'm really hoping my students will enjoy the simplicity of using it and maybe during the cold months they'll appreciate the warmth it gives off. The only drawback is they may need sunglasses. Hahahaha!

I've been working on the tulips but not enough to blog it and see any tremendous headway. I'm hoping to make a major dent this weekend with Labor Day weekend being a three day weekend.

Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Labor Day weekend.

my new sleek machine!

8 x 10 photo with a 12 x 16 (800 grit) Uart paper on top (can you see how strong the light is?!)

......and then there was light!!!

A New Woman, A New Painting

2010-08-08T18:37:00.019-04:00

It's been a week since returning from California and I'm still astonished with all the new friendships that I've made. After 21 years of raising a family I hate to admit I've never been away from the family except for two family funerals. I know...pretty sad case.

I came to realize that doing something for yourself is not selfish but just the opposite. My family saw a more confident and positive person coming home who smiled and (according to my daughter) laughed a little too much! Can one ever do too much of that? I owe this to the entire CPSA group. Even though this group gathers once a year for the annual convention they seemed to have picked up conversations where they left off from the year before without missing a beat. It's like a family reunion. This being my first year I had absolutely no expectations only to see the best color pencil exhibit from around the world, and I did. But now I understand why (even if one doesn't get accepted) these members attend each year. I believe it's safe to say and parallel the relationships to sisterhood (for the female members). I had the most inspirational and amazing time with old and new friends sight-seeing, conversations, and our common bond - viewing and enjoying each other's art! What more can I ask for?!

The Cippy Award went to a well-deserved artist from Japan, Shinji Harada,CPSA. The detail in his linen entitled Grapes in a Basket was breath-taking. Congratulations. The artists reception at The Art Museum of Los Gatos was well received and many spectators were in awe of the various techniques a color pencil can do.

(At the artist reception)

The Art Museum of Los Gatos

Grapes in a Basket

(Elizabeth Patterson, Lynda Schumacher, and Teresa Mallen at Muir Woods)

(Bonnie Auten and Mari K. Moehl)

(Elizabeth Patterson, Maine, Lynda Schumacher, and Debbi Friedman)

Now that I'm back I have been motivated to work on my next piece. It's a commission and the largest size I've ever done. Tulips from Holland, Michigan was the request on a horizontal format and I was very grateful when I was given pretty much free reign over the colors and types of tulips. I'm working with Prismacolors and on U-Art 800 grit paper. I'm layering the background in now in indigo blue, tuscan red, and dark green and varying in limepeel, moss green, light umber, kelp green, french grey, dahlia purple, and dark purple. After several layers I'll use solvent to blend the colors to give it a more painterly appearance.

Prismacolor on U-Art (27 x 38)

Great Art in the Wilds!

2010-06-28T19:24:00.005-04:00

This past weekend my children and I headed to my hometown of Kane, Pennsylvania for the fourth annual Art in the Wilds. Set up went great on Friday evening. My teenagers are taller than I am and seemed to have no problem helping with the tent.

Saturday and Sunday's weather were unbeatable. We had shade from a nearby hemlock tree and the light breeze and warm temperatures gave a nearly impossible excuse for anyone to remain indoors the two days.

The hospitality is overwhelming from such a small town. My teenagers commented that it seemed everyone talked to us as if they had known us for years. I just laughed and said it's always been this way in our town and that's why people keep coming back to visit. It's so refreshing to visit a town where the people approach a stranger with open arms and welcome you into their town with warm hugs and contagious smiles that go on forever! It also helps when everyone in the town knows your mother and considers her the kindest woman around!

We stayed at the Kane Manor for the weekend and we were hosted by the nicest and friendliest gentleman around. Dave puts a smile on everyone's face with his friendly greeting and heart-warm laugh and in the morning you are woken up by the most delicious fragrances of breakfast ever! If you ever decide to travel to that neck of the woods it's worth checking this bed and breakfast out. The fresh country air and warm greetings will definitely make anyone feel at home!

It happens that the art show falls on alumni weekend and because of the professional advertising done people are coming in from the tri-state area to participate in the festivities and purchase good quality art.

The economy may still be lagging but this show seemed to be prosperous for most artists and I was no exception. I enjoy seeing any customer who purchases one of my pieces and grinning from ear to ear because my art put a little happiness into their life. I create first and foremost because I LOVE it and it makes me happy and if it makes someone else happy and brings pleasure to their life then I consider that the ultimate gift from God! There were even those I inspired to go home and grab their art supplies and begin creating again! I love it! Inspiration and creativity costs nothing and it seems to be what really makes us happy!

New Inventory for Upcoming Art Show!

2010-05-31T14:56:00.005-04:00

I felt like a kid on Christmas day when I picked up my new order of note cards for my show in Pennsylvania in June! I have had boxed note cards of my "Nature's Candy" series for a few years now and my customers always asked if I would ever get note cards made of my florals and my latest water series. Well, despite the economy, I bit the bullet and placed an order of note cards. I'm very happy I did! I am very pleased with the vibrant colors and the professionalism of the company.

The note cards are available in every floral that I have done as well as the water series with the exception of my latest "Caught Up In the Moment". They will be sold individually and come in a protective polysleeve. The cost will be $2 per card. Many customers don't have the wall space but would like something small to brighten their day and I'm hoping this will do just the thing!

As I have stated in one of my prior blogs, I am showing the last weekend of June in Kane, Pennsylvania at the "Art in the Wilds". I'm looking forward to going home and seeing family and old friends and making some new friends as well! I can always count on the best hospitality there!

California Here I Come......

2010-04-27T18:22:00.012-04:00

Well now that my husband has scraped me off the ceiling from excitement I can share the news that I have been accepted into the CPSA 18th Annual International Exhibit! "Caught Up in the Moment" will be getting ready to be shipped out to Los Gatos, California. The dates of the exhibition are July 22-August 20 at The Art Museum of Los Gatos. Yippee!!

This has been a dream come true since I was a little girl with my Crayola crayons. I have graduated from displaying my artwork on my mom's refrigerator to a museum wall! I have always been surrounded and blessed by supportive family and friends and this is no exception. This enabled me to believe in myself and carry out the dream of a little girl who won the "American flag" drawing contest in 2nd grade (I won a rhinestone American flag pin which I still have today, Ha! Ha!).

I am very honored and privileged to be among those chosen this year. I realize every year is a gamble but for the next three months I will bask in the sunshine of happiness :).

Upcoming Events

2010-04-23T13:45:00.006-04:00

"Rachael's Lilies"

24 x 17 color pencil on stonehenge

I have been very fortunate this year in being asked to teach a workshop started up by two wonderful ladies. Diane Bennett and Joy Naylor launched a series of summer workshops, http://www.buddingartideas.com/. This will take place in the beautiful University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens. There are several artists teaching various media. This is a great opportunity to get away and create in the midst of 200 acres of solitude. You can see my workshop page at www.buddingartideas.com/dianna-soisson-workshop.html.

I'm also preparing for my one and only art show this year in my hometown Kane, Pennsylvania for the Art in the Wilds. This may be a small town but they really know how to treat an artist! Call me biased but they display the best old-fashioned hospitality around! By the way, ask any alumni from there and they'll recommend a Texas Hot from Texas Hot Lunch. They bring back so many fond memories!

Thought for the day

2010-04-07T11:30:00.007-04:00

A quote I fell upon today by Shirley Briggs.... "Let's dare to be ourselves, for we do that better than anyone else can."

As children,we were directed in school to follow the teacher's instructions and perform a certain style of printing, writing, or behavior.

As artists, we always try to find another artist that we admire and we begin reproducing their style and subject matter. It's only second nature to do this.

Tongue in cheek, I have been drawing and painting subject matter that I love. Some scenes are unconventional. That said, I hesitate to expose myself. But I have realized because I am so passionate about the piece that it becomes that much better. If you were to look at any successful artist you will see that they do not replicate any other artist and have developed a style and subject matter of their own. The creator and creation have become harmonious.

Down to the wire

2010-04-05T13:18:00.004-04:00

This is my "down to the wire" entry for the CPSA International competition. It is called "Caught Up in the Moment". I had been working on it for over two months and due to unforeseen circumstances I backed myself into a corner the last four days before deadline. What started out to be a 20 x 30 became cropped to a 15 x 20. The problem involved was not time but the subject matter was too busy and I needed to center on what was important. I am much happier with it now as I downsized it. I will keep my fingers crossed as I know how difficult competition is and the art gets better each year.

Now it is off to a commission drawing of Holland tulips from Holland, Michigan. My personal deadline is October and due to the size (20 x 30 or larger) I should get a head start. I have several photos to reference from so I should be okay. With the beautiful weather outside and all the spring flowers blooming I should have no problem becoming inspired!!

I am very pleased to say that I have also been accepted in the Michigan Fine Arts Competition which is held at the Birmingham-Bloomfield Art Center from April 2- May 7, 2010. The piece that has been accepted was in my last post "In the end it is the journey that matters". This exhibit is a must see. The all media exhibit ranges from abstract to realism and I guarantee everyone will find something to satisfy their eye. My good friend Lynda Schumacher is showing there as well. You can spend hours in front of her drawing amazed with her details.

This week my daughter is off to spring softball camp and my husband and son are off to help replace his sister's kitchen floor. I have the entire house to myself! I'll be doing some overdue spring cleaning, paint a bathroom and get a lot of "me time" before I go back to nannying next week. I am going to enjoy this week!!!

Another on it's way...

2010-01-30T20:03:00.004-05:00

I have just completed my fourth and last piece of a "journey" series. The leaf (our lives) takes us down the journey until it reaches it's destination. Prints of this series can be seen on display at the Eagle Crest Conference Center from January 29 to April. They are located on the second floor hallway.
My teenagers think that I should start a different subject matter but I see that the water series can be expanded into all four seasons...similar to our lives. The water can take on so many more different colors of the palette! I can't wait to start taking more photos!
My next piece is a maple leaf getting caught up in the turbulent water. It takes on an almost abstract quality.
In March I'll be turning 50. Turning 30 didn't bother me, nor did 40...but 50? My kids are at the age where they are becoming independent. They still need the love, advice and guidance but soon they will be on their own. What do I want to do without regretting years later? Some want to parachute...I'm afraid of heights! Some want to scuba dive...I'm afraid of deep water (my swim instructor (in 1969) threw us in the deep end and said swim!). Some want to see the world...I'm afraid of flying! I'm a real barrel of fun!!! Here's my idea of exhilaration.....changing up my style of drawing. Take my conservative style and go unconventional! Ha! Now don't laugh, this is a big step for me! I just have to remind myself of the quote by William Whewell..."every failure is a step to success"
Anybody have any better ideas to celebrate a 50th? I told my family no party. I'm not one for the spotlight. I'd love to hear what other 50+ ladies have done for their birthday?