Happy 2019

Life is interesting with twists and turns. Sometimes you see things coming and other times you are blind sided. Both equally describe our 2018. But we still reflect, count our blessings and hang onto faith for our future. I know I’m being ambiguous, because it’s way too involved to even start the dialog. But those who are close to me, know exactly what I am talking about. I am however looking forward to a more positive and art filled year ahead.

(And for others who have had a rough year, my prayers for you too for a more peaceful and blessed 2019!)

I thank those who have kept my hands in the oil paints with commission work. 

Here is one I did for a family member. The structure is not actually a barn, just in design only. It is more however a shed with an upstairs. We refer to it as a “man cave”. It is actually a place where the start of “Ten Bends” brewery took place. They quickly outgrew it and moved to a commercial location.

The owners then sold their home where this shed resides to my niece and her husband. Of course this shed was a huge selling point to them as our nephew is an avid hunter, fisherman and all around sportsman. I was commissioned by his Mom and Dad as a Christmas gift. I was thrilled to part of the surprise! ❤️

“Small beginnings” 16x20 oil by Dee Lessard

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Day 7 -30 day challenge- Afternoon Rest

When I was growing up there was a wonderful zoo here in NH called 

Benson’s Animal Farm in Hudson, NH. 

It closed many years ago (30 yrs?) and it has now been refurbished as a wonderful 

walking path with many places to sit, bring a picnic and just relax. 

The Ape house is still there along with a few other landmarks which 

make the park unique and interesting. The paths complete around 3.5 to 4 miles.

The park is alive with joggers, families with strollers and toddlers and even dog walkers. The place has been revitalized by sheer donations and people who volunteer their time to help groom and maintain it. If you haven’t been, it’s worth a visit. (At no charge)

Afternoon Rest - 6x8 oil by Dee Lessard

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Day 7 -30 day challenge -Tufted Titmouse

I have been painting nearly every day, though not always to completion. 

I can tell you a little secret. I’ve been a a little distracted the last couple of days

 and have neglected to post something on my blog.

Below ...you will see my distraction...

But first, here is a Tufted Titmouse I painted yesterday!

Tufted Titmouse 6x6 oil by Dee Lessard

This is available here: Click to Bid 

A future painting subject!

Meet Lily! She is a 13 week old Cavachon. 

(a Cavalier and Bichon blend)

She has the sweetest disposition and has already stollen our hearts!

We had no intention of getting a second dog (at least not so soon)

But the opportunity fell in our laps. Our 9 yr old Rosie (miniature Schnauzer)

has a disjointed nose at the moment...but is slowly coming around!

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Day 5- 30 day challenge- A Day At The Beach

Today I worked on painting a little girl. She is actually one of my high school friends granddaughter. It’s loose enough that it could pass for any little dark-haired girl at her age. I’m really pleased with the outcome. My intention here was to get the likeness without too much detail. Detail is one of my hang-ups. This is where time limits help. Don’t get me wrong, there are times when details are fun and work. But I’m trying to do some stretching in different areas during this challenge.

A Day at The Beach - 5x7 oil by Dee Lessard 

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This painting is available for auction and is also available as a "buy now" option!

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Day 4 -30 day challenge-“Aussie”

Someone sent me pictures of this beautiful Australian Shepherd a while ago. 

I can’t remember who or what this little guys name is. 

So, I’m naming the painting “Aussie”. This is a very beautiful and smart bread. 

This is available for auction here: Click to Bid

(This is also available as a “Buy Now” option which will end the auction)

Aussie - 6x6 oil by Dee Lessard

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Day 2 - 30 day challenge “Hopper”

OK, so here’s a quick one I did. I painted for most of the day! Not that this took that long, but I completed this one anyways!

I love nature and animals. We used to have a couple of bunnies when I was growing up. They are so adorable to me.

Hope all the football fans enjoy the SuperBowl game tonight! ❤️❤️❤️

Hopper is available on aucton if you are interested in a fun and cost effective way to aquire art!

You can find it here: Click to Bid 

Hopper- oil by Dee Lessard

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Day 1 -preparing for 30 day challenge

Hello from the north coooold country of New Hampshire! Brrrr. I’m willing to bet there are more creative people in states like mine! Those who don’t really ski (or at least not in the deep side of winter) and need to keep busy. What better way than to write, get into theatrics, learn to play an instrument, photography, cooking and of course painting! (As you know, these are only a few creative outlets...there are SOOOO many!) We’re stuck inside anyways, so we may as well find something fun to do! BTW, did you know that NH was the home of many well known writers like John Irving, Robert Frost, Jodi Picoult and Dan Brown? Talented actors from NH are Seth Meyers and Adam Sandler. Famous artists: Maxwell Parish and many other more modern ones!

Gwen by Dee Lessard 

Above  is a painting I was commissioned to do. Gwen is her name and the parents received it in time for Christmas. I have hardly posted anything on my art blog because, well quite frankly, life just took over. I have only been able to get into the studio this past year primarily because I was committed to doing a couple of portraits. For that I am thankful. I’m not sure I would have made time otherwise. So many things happened in 2017 that kept me and our family busy and occupied. But 2018 has started out in a positive and upward motion and I hope it remains that way. The 30 paintings in 30 days challenge that I have done in the past has been changed to February this year! I was so excited to see that change because I run my own business and need January to get my tax info done. So, now we are on Feb 2nd and I still haven’t posted for day one! Uggg. The pressure! So, I am starting with showing you Gwen. And an image of me preparing some panels for the challenge. I am going to do my best to post each day....but may have to do two postings in one day. I’m not sure I can actually finish each painting....but even if it’s half done...I will post it. The main reason why they have this challenge is to just PAINT! So, I’m using this time to get back into the routine. I hope you will follow along. I would love to hear your feedback. Painting in the studio is a lonely place (though I don’t mind) but it’s nice to connect with the outside world. I love hearing from all of you who follow what I am doing.

Preparing for the 30 day challenge-day one!

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Day 2 -30 paintings in 30 days challenge-Lupins

Most people who live in NH or come here to vacation in our beautiful White Mountains knows this iconic place! Every year this location celebrates the bloom of the beautiful lupins which cover the hills and fields for miles. Can you guess this location?

Last year I started this painting in plain air (on location) and finished it tonight with photo references I took that day. I'm happy to finally have it finished. It is for sale, but I have decided not to auction this piece. For more information, click on the link below.

Lupins by Dee Lessard 8x10  $295

To purchase or see more info on this piece CLICK HERE


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Day 1- 30 paintings in 30 days challenge- Pink Peonies

Here is a painting I started a couple of months ago! I thank God for this 30 in 30 challenge to get me back to painting! For those who are not familiar with this challenge, I will try to paint one painting every day for 30 days. Most of the paintings I will be listing are small ones but I have some slightly larger ones I started a while back and plan to use this time to complete them. If they are available for sale, I list them at an artist auction site called DailyPaintWorks.com and will link them below with the description. I hope you are able to follow me this month. When I did this in January, I was VERY encouraged by the friends cheering me on, reading their comments and watching the bids (and seeing what paintings drew in the most interest!)

Feel free to forward these posts to your friends and ask them to sign up for getting my posts by email HERE and look on the left side under my picture for a box to subscribe for my posts by email. (*IMPORTANT: you need to look in your in box to VERIFY before it becomes active.) Then all posts I make here will arrive in your email in box.
I will be doing a drawing to give away a small painting for those who are on my subscription!

Pink Peonies by Dee Lessard  6x8 (available)

To place bid (or "buy now" before auction starts)
or to see more information CLICK HERE



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Marshland Diptych-makeover

I'm sure you remember the diptych I did during the challenge. 

Well, looking at Google stats, I could tell, very few people were interested in them.

Truthfully, I was thinking it would be fun to try a looser style and 

why not get two done at the same time! (I think I was anxious for a night off!)

Well, I can't blame anyone for not being interested.
So, I went in and did a serious overhaul.

  Now, I m pleased to offer you a better, much improved version!

So, here is the AFTER version. To see the BEFORE, click HERE.

 I'm offering this at a great price for BOTH together!

(Each side of diptych is 4x6) -SOLD

Marshland Diptych 4x12 (total) oil by Dee Lessard 

Dappled Light in fall foliage

 Here is a painting you've all seen already. But I did not offer it for sale.

After encouragement from my artists friends and also from 

family members to leave it alone, and seeing that there was a lot of 

interest in this style, I have decided to put it on the auction block!

Have fun!

Dappled Light 6x6 oil by Dee Lessard -SOLD

There are still a few paintings left for auction. To see them click HERE

Recap - 30 Paintings in 30 days challenge!

Well, I did it! I am so thrilled at all of the support and also all that I have learned by this little discipline! There is another challenge scheduled in September.

I plan to participate, but I may also do one of my own.

I'm thinking of May. (I'll keep you posted). In the meantime, I will
be giving away a FREE painting! If you are already

getting this post by email, then you are already in the drawing.

Otherwise, you can sign up here:

Subscribe to Dee Lessard's Fine Art of Living! by Email

Feel free to forward this to your friends so they too can be entered.

(VERY important: Don't forget to go to your in box

and click on the confirmation link that is sent. This final step

activates your subscription to my blog and gets you into the drawing).

GOOD LUCK!

January 2016 by Dee Lessard

Collage of all 30 paintings done during the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge!

Day #29 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge!

I am working on my Landscapes. 

It's very different than doing portraits or still life subjects.

The diptych I did a couple of weeks ago are going to be 

worked on this week-end and reposted. You'll have to give me feedback!

I love the effect of light on things and tried to get that on this painting below.

In The Pasture 5x7 oil by Dee Lessard

SOLD!

Day #28 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge!

I am so happy to live in a state where we are so close to so many beautiful sights. 

30-45 min an any direction brings you to the mountains, 

the lakes region or the ocean! How glorious and blessed we are! 

And truly a painters dream!

The Wave 5x7 oil by Dee Lessard

SOLD!

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Day # 27- 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

This is one of my favorite subject matters. 

I love to get the glow of the fruit as light goes through it. 

I'm getting ready for a large still life show that I was invited to 

exhibit along with two other artists. It's not until the fall, 

but it was scheduled 3 years ago! It's quite an honor to be invited 

to exhibit at the Whistler House in Lowell, MA

Grapes 5x7 oil by Dee Lessard -SOLD

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Day #23- 30 paintings in 30 days!

OK, So I know I already did a a cardinal, but this one is an ADULT one, 

where the other one was young! The other one sold so fast,
and many of you were bummed.

So, here is another one for you to bid on! Good Luck!!!

On Watch 6x6 oil by Dee Lessard -SOLD

Day # 22 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

I love dogs! I have wanted to ask my friends to send me pictures
of their furry friends to add to this challenge. I decided for now,
I had enough to work on to get me through these 30 days.
But afterwards, I would love to have people send me images 

of their dogs for me to use royalty free to paint from. So, in the next couple
of months, keep that in mind and start looking through your pictures!

The Great Dane.  6x6 oil by Dee Lessard -SOLD

Day # 20 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

Here is another figurative painting. This is a rower we caught just chilling.

It's been a long day, but I finished!

The Rower. 5x7 oil by Dee Lessard

SOLD

To see other available works go HERE

Day # 14 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

My husband is a master gardener and is an artist in the field of gardening to name one of HIS many talents!

We (oops I mean HE) grows a couple of beautiful hydrangea plants. At the end of the summer season, he will go around and pick the last of the flowers before the first frost. This hydrangea was clipped when it was still green. But as it dried in the vase it became this beautiful blue-ish green that is gorgeous. I still have it! (Of course the painting is while it was still fresh!)

Endless Summer  5x5 oil by Dee Lessard

SOLD

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Day #11 - 30 paintings in 30 days challenge

I'm trying very hard to be faithful to my followers who have expressed their anticipation each day as I post a new painting! I Don't think I have ever painted for 11 days in a row! With work and life events it just hasn't happened until now! I guess the intentional focus of doing this challenge and knowing that my friends are watching, keeps me accountable to my promise of completing this challenge!
Thank you for following!

Backyard Visitor 6x6 oil by Dee Lessard

SOLD

To see other available works go HERE



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