Organizing my Art Studio

Here’s my at-home art studio after I was able to re-vamp it. I finally bought a new easel after about 10 years (I guess I got attached to my last one!) I also bought the 3-drawer storage unit that has wheels and also serves as a little table. I am lucky enough to have this space in my house to dedicate to my painting. On the left is the long, wooden table where I sit and paint my minis. I also organized my old paintings and selected some to gesso over to paint on again. This is a primer that imitates the canvas itself that makes a surface appropriate for painting on. I have been working on some minis for Fat Cat Cafe in Tallahassee and shown below are some close ups of my studio during a break.

Mini Cats for Gift Shops

Here’s some more mini cats! First of all, I’d like to welcome the new subscribers to my blog. Hope you enjoy. Everyone please note in addition to asking new people to join, I’ve updated the other sections of the menu. This post is about the mini cat paintings I sell in gift shops around the panhandle. Shown above are four of the cats I did for All That Jazz in Apalachicola, FL where I’ve been selling cats since 2009. I’ve also included the in-progress shots of how these 2-1/2″ pieces are created for those of you who are interested. I will be doing a lot more minis in the near future since I am waiting to hear from the Fat Cat Cafe in Tallahassee where I should be selling mini cats portraits. A percentage of the sales will go to helping care for the cats they have there looking for homes. A good cause!

Artopia was a Hit!

Last month, the much anticipated local fund-raiser for HIV/AIDS, Artopia, was held at the civic center in Tallahassee. I donated the piece pictured above called Fair Violets No. 3 that was able to get a $50 bid for a happy contributor to this great cause. I also donated some mini cat paintings which went for less profit because of their small 2-1/2″ size but certainly made the art and cat lovers glad. I’ve also included two pieces I admired (one of which I bought) a cat by David Maki and some flowers by Ann Kozeliski. It was a fun and successful event!

Holiday Mini Custom Pet Portraits

Hey folks! I’ve been away for awhile for the holidays but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been painting. I got an order from New York City for TEN custom mini pet portraits for Christmas presents! I did four dogs and six cats and of course, they were all unique. The dogs were challenging to do because they’re all different as opposed to cats which are the same shape and just vary in color and patterns.

Then, the woman loved them so much, she ordered four more dogs for friends that she was going to see after Christmas! I’ve included the pictures of some of the paintings and the appropriate reference photos. Anyone interested in a mini pet portrait, they’re 2-1/2″ square and come with an attached wooden easel. Got two more to do right now for different people!

More Minis

I’ve painted more mini cats! These 2-1/2″ square cat portraits are going to be used for workshops that I teach as samples for the students to refer to and one is going into an exhibit that I’ve been accepted for. First, I have a Mini Paint Your Pet workshop coming up next month that I’m preparing for at LeMoyne Center for the Visual Arts in Tallahassee. Second, there is an exhibit at Tallahassee Community College for the art teachers and students from the Tallahassee Senior Center that I have been chosen for. I will be submitting my painting “Self Portrait” as well as the mini black and white tuxedo cat with the red background pictured above. More info on these events later!

Minis on Display at LeMoyne

The other day I went into the newly remodeled LeMoyne Center for the Visual Arts Gift Shop. I was happy to see my mini cat paintings on display in a very attractive way. Shown above are four of the six cats I supplied them with. When submitting mini cats to sell anywhere, I like to include a variety of color schemes for the various cat owners out there. I usually like to include a calico and gray tabby (not shown) as well as those shown: the orange tabby, black and white tuxedo, all white and all black. Sometimes I’ll also include a spotted cat, gray and white tuxedo or a brown tabby. If you like the minis and have your own cat, I can do a custom mini pet portrait at a reasonable rate and can ship. Just go to my Etsy site. Thanks! www.etsy.com/shop/dianedyalpaintings