L Diane Johnson

NOT A VERY ORIGINAL TITLE, but simplicity is what this painting is about! The second in a series of several pieces from a nearby lavender garden. This particular image shows the early morning just as the sun came over trees to the my right, revealing the white and color variations of lavender clusters happy to see a new day.

The next piece I will post, is large showing much of the field and the gardener's home. This and many other paintings are in progress to become a new show of lavender and sunflowers - a great combination!

SOME OF YOU have been awaiting the display of recent paintings I created in the only known lavender farm in North Carolina. I was amazed that this farm existed much less be so beautiful! As part of a festival celebrating the summer harvest - just a week before the lavender was to be cut - painters were invited to capture the garden. The public too, came to purchase and make items from the fresh lavender. There was even chocolate ice cream with the blossoms as flavoring.

This is the first and smallest of several pieces I will offer...the best is yet to come!

IT'S BEEN MANY YEARS since my work has been available through anything but "galleries". I have exhibited in restaurants, small malls and the like in the past. About a month ago, one of my friends (also one of my collectors), purchased a high-end coffee shop in Lexington, SC, just outside of Columbia. It is part of a great, huge old mill that has and continues to be renovated with specialty stores of every kind.

My friend invited me to fill the shop with paintings to provide an inviting, warm look and be my sole gallery representative in South Carolina. Now eighteen paintings adorn the walls of this cozy restaurant that rivals anyone "coffee-wise". The current painting theme is French and American gardens.

If you live or travel through Lexington, please stop by the [b]The Wired Bean[/b] at 711 East Main Street, Suite R, Lexington, SC 29072, 803.957.7029 or email Owner, Jay Schabacker or store Manager, Cheryl anytime.

We're planning a show for late Fall or for early next year and I will paint on the property during the opening. I'll let you all know when a final date is set.