L Diane Johnson

LAST EVENING MARKED MY FIRST SHOW WITH PAP-SE (Plein Air Painters of the Southeast) of which I was recently inducted as a member. We spent the last week painting beautiful St. Simons Island and surrounding areas which culminated in an exhibition and sale that will run through the month of May at Anderson Fine Art Gallery. Most of the exclusive PAP-SE group of 22, was out in full-force painting and enjoying the incredible weather.

This photo is of me painting just before the exhibition, followed by the final work. I did not realize until I was finished, that around the other side of this particular tree was a plaque. The text said the tree I had been painting was the oldest live oak on Jekyll Island! Of all the trees I could have painted, I was stunned to find it was an important tree indeed.


Here are just the two of the pieces that are available now at the gallery - not yet posted to my web site but are here for YOU to see now:

This painting is of historic Christ Church, on St. Simons Island. John Wesley preached in this church in the 1700's.

A lyrical painting of a village storefront in the morning sunlight. Cardboard models showcased colorful hats and garb - fun to cature. Just 4 days after I painted this piece, they completely changed all the clothes. I did not have time to paint the new display live, however, have good photos for a future studio painting.

JUST RETURNED FROM PAINTING AT EPCOT - a great honor for the third year. Here, I am painting en plein air during Disney's Garden Festival as a part of a group of fifteen plein-air (outdoor) artists. The photo shows me painting in "Italy."

I am traveling again in two days to participate in yet another event (Spring and Autumn are my busiest traveling times.)

I will post paintings from the Epcot event as well as the upcoming major paint out as a member of Plein Air Painters of the Southeast (PAP-SE) on St. Simons Island, GA in the coming weeks. If you are on St. Simons Island, you can visit me and colleague artists painting in and around the island from April 18th through 24th. If you are in the area and want to know where I am painting, you can call me at 919.412.7005. I only use this number while on the road.

A major exhibition of works by our in-demand group of painters (of which I have recently been accepted as a member among a mere 30) will be opening Friday, April 25th at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery.

Meanwhile, please plan to visit my first major pastel (for which I became known) show in over ten years at The Little Gallery on Smith Mountain Lake. The opening is on Sunday, May 18th from 1-3. I will be there to greet collectors, artists and anyone enjoys my, or many other exceptional painters works represented by the gallery. I have been with this gallery for over eighteen marvelous years!

My show is all about azaleas. Callaway Gardens in Georgia, was the inspiration for this new collection. Included, will be a large oil and two medium-sized acrylic paintings. Many created on location. They will be posted to my online gallery after the exhibition and sale.

Can't wait to tell you more!