April 11, 2011
My sister Barb & her husband Tim arrived Saturday at noon with a lovely router table Tim had made for Jeff. Although they were only here for 22 hours or so, the visit felt deliciously full and complete. A rainy afternoon meant we spent most of it inside, except for a dog-walk. Barb and I always have so much to talk about, and I enjoy her company. We pushed the huge glass coffee table out of the way in the living room and did some yoga together.
The evening dried out and the light was luminous. We took them out for dinner at The Precinct, a first for me. We don't eat out very often, so this was a treat for all. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was truly a great meal.
After their departure this morning, I showed up for the plein air painting session in Eden Park. I worked for two and a half hours in the magnolia trees...they seem to be in bloom all over Cincinnati right now. I'm hopeful this painting will work, but my afterthoughts of it are that it is too sweet...I'll have to spend some time on it in the studio this week. (Have been working on the painting from last weekend, but still not finished with it)
Jeff & I bought a rose bush to plant in honor of Whit's 27th birthday. Another difficult day, but not as hard as the anniversary of his death. At least that is my perception.
Posted by Diane Debevec.
April 9, 2011
 "Man With Storage" by Emil Robinson 2011 oil on panel This is one of Emil Robinson's paintings from the Weston Art Gallery group show, Narrative Figuration, that I wrote about yesterday. (See blog entry "Inspired") His work is intelligently and masterfully painted, as are those of his colleagues. This show is one not to be missed. I've been fortunate to be in several of Emil's classes at Manifest Drawing Center, and have learned a great deal from him: he's an excellent teacher. Too, I learn ... Continue reading...
Posted by Diane Debevec.
April 8, 2011
Recently I'm trying to get back to a regular yoga practice, whether on my own or in a class. I always go deeper in class, but I have this (stubborn) idea that I can do it on my own, and also save money since our income has decreased. There are three yoga studios in my neighborhood, one of which is owned by my first teacher, Sherry Joy. Joyful Life Yoga (http://www.joyfullifeyoga.com/index.html) is at the corner of Liberty & Main. Today I woke up determined to get to the noon class. I was t... Continue reading...
Posted by Diane Debevec.
April 7, 2011
My father (a sometime writer) used to say that writing was 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration. What I know to be true for painting and my own work is a bit different. Generally inspiration is thought of as a flash of brilliance, a complete thought-form or idea just ready to be executed. (Executed being the more friendly definition of THAT word, which is to say created rather than destroyed). For me, inspiration is more the thing that keeps me working, the motivation to show up and paint. Th... Continue reading...
Posted by Diane Debevec.
April 6, 2011
You can now leave comments on my blog posts. Just click on the actual post you want to leave a comment on, then follow the prompts on the bottom. I hope to hear from you! Continue reading...
Posted by Diane Debevec.
April 6, 2011
I attempted to post a blog entry last night but couldn't get into the internet for some reason. Always frustrating, but I've learned that it's much less frustrating to just give up, shut it down, and try again the next time I log on. Otherwise I can get into that steam-coming-out-of-my-ears mood, a complete waste of energy. When that happens, Jeff & Audrey disappear, Mandy goes straight to her bed and feigns sleeping, and Sydney sits at my feet wherever I go, quivering but refusing to leav... Continue reading...
Posted by Diane Debevec.
April 4, 2011
 Two years ago today, Jeff's only son took his own life. Whitney Holwadel Smith was 6 days shy of turning 25, and had been living in a Segregated Housing Unit (SHU, also known as solitary confinement) for 15 months. He was denied phone and visitation privileges. His only contact with the outside world was in writing and receiving letters. Five months before he died, Whit started writing a blog. He would send Jeff a handwritten entry, which Jeff would promptly transcribe and post. Whit ... Continue reading...
Posted by Diane Debevec.
April 3, 2011
Posted by Diane Debevec.
March 31, 2011
 We reside with an assortment of animals, and since Sydney the Brown was featured in a recent post, I thought I would introduce a few of the others. Animals are a constant source of artistic & life inspiration to both Jeff and me, for their devotion, loyalty and antics. Mandy the Mandiferous (above) came to us in her (and our!) mid-life after her original owner died. That was about 20 months ago and she is a wonderful companion. Recently recovering from a torn acl, and subsequent surgery ,... Continue reading...
Posted by Diane Debevec.
March 30, 2011
Okay, that title popped into my head and now I have to come up with some subject matter to fit. I've been writing more than ever, it's true...my morning pages seem to be expanding into art process writings. And, too, this blog. I have loved the sketchbook I bought at Christmas time to use as a journal. It is oblong and spiral bound, so I've been writing in it long ways, and for some reason that has suited my mood this year. I started it January 1st. Already anticipating that it will soon b... Continue reading...
Posted by Diane Debevec.
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About Me
Recently shifting gears (again) towards artmaking as my primary vocation, I plan to blog as a way to chronicle the journey. A daily journal-writer since 1999, writing has become integral to my life. Hopefully it will add perspective and dimension to this website.
Happy reading!
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