Forty Winks Oil on panel, 8" x 8" NFS |
Dear Interested Party,
I hope you didn't forget me! It's been a minute since I wrote to you. Seems like massive torrents of water under the bridge since the last newsletter?! Big changes everywhere. As an artist, I continue to paint the paintings regardless. It keeps me a bit grounded, a bit sane. I am grateful for that and most certainly grateful for your interest.
This edition of Hoeptner Happenings contains my latest attempt to paint people...my dear nephews to be more specific. Capturing accurate likeness in a pleasing composition seemed especially important, see it below. Me thinks my love for them can be felt through this painting. It's not unlike painting the in home cats-- Familiarity is a sweet plus! Of note, a painting of home girl CC, made it into a live show in Wisconsin, more on that below.
I am looking forward to creating the Spring paintings. (Not to mention Spring itself, but I told myself I wouldn't burden you with my complaints about NE Ohio weather, you can thank me for that later.) Ridiculously cute bunnies and daffodils? Me thinks keeping it light and lush is just the ticket, look for those subjects next time around. Your sustained interest is appreciated more than I can say. I wish you the best always. Artfully yours,
Diane Hoeptner Artist
Kirtland, OH www.dianehoeptner.com |
Thrilled to report, "Forty Winks," (above) a painting of our in home Calico was accepted into the Richeson75 Small Works International Exhibit.
The Richelson School of Art and Gallery is located in Kimberly, Wisconsin. Paintings accepted are no bigger than 144 square inches. "From little landscapes to petite portraits, each piece demands a closer look." Show runs FEB 21st-April 2nd. |
Liza and the Leaf Oil on panel, 10" x 8" NFS |
A black cat is never out of season. Purrfect Pals is a cat Sanctuary in Arlington, Washington. Every October, they host an annual Black Cat Ball and Auction Gala. It's a fancy to-do that raises money for homeless and hard-to-place cats and kittens. I was asked to be the featured artist of the evening... Opening festivities feature a live auction with an auctioneer. The first item to be auctioned will be my painting!
Makes-my-heart-feel-good: Black cats are among my favorites to paint, so I had fun with it. I gave them a choice of two black cat paintings. They chose "Liza and the Leaf," above. Side note: The declined painting, "Marti and Minions." (Think, full moon and bats!) It is now listed on the Paintings>Available page of my website.
Also: A sincere thank you to fellow artist Darcy Goedecke for the referral to Purrfect Pals. Check out Darcy's fantastic calendars and graphic goodies, here. |
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Brothers
Oil on panel, 12" x 12" NFS |
I persist painting the people. My sister remembers when she took the photo (used as reference) she had to pull Nathan (my eldest nephew on the left) away from building a clay car. He wasn't happy about that as you can see. Clay car included for your extreme amusement. Also, because I can't resist, a photo of my handsome eldest nephew today. He and his brother make the family proud. But dang, how quickly time flies! |
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Above: (Left) Fluffy Beast, Oil on panel, 8" x 8," $450. (Middle) Tabby and the One that Got Away, Oil on panel, 10" x 10," $710. (Right) Nap Now, Oil on panel, 8" x 8," $450.
Thank you, Maggie Swanson for letting me use your shelter cat photos! @shelter_cats Maggie provided cat photo reference for painting, Fluffy Beast. Also Robyn at Love and Hisses for black cat photo refs and Frank Boxtel for letting me paint his sweet Smudge.
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Diane Hoeptner (hep-ner) is best known for her award winning paintings of cats. Her work has been featured in books: Cats in Art and The Book of the Cat. She lives in Kirtland, OH with her husband and two rescue cats. |
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