Monday, March 18, 2024

 

"forest path"

We all have to find our own way through the forest. No one can choose your path for you and if they try, we usually resent them for telling us what to do. The direction can be confusing, obstructed or seem downright impossible but no matter what, we must take that first step by making our own decisions and choices. Once we do this, we see the path becomes clearer and more direct. We might get help or meet new friends along the way. Each path is beautiful and custom designed for the one who chooses it.

This image is available on ebay here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/255599922744


This painting has specs of glitter worked into the protective clear coating so it sparkles in a very subtle way.

9" x 12" without a mat

This listing is for one, original watercolor and ink painting created on Bristol Board.

It is signed on the front and titled on the back.

This original painting will arrive in a specially designed, flat package.



Friday, March 8, 2024

 

"Mountain Stream"


Some of the purest lands in any country are way up high where most of us cannot reach. 
Perhaps this is one of the reasons many ancient cultures have designated the highest peaks for their gods. Untouched nature does feel pure and god-like to all of us. 
It is my wish that we keep striving to protect these environments no matter what our belief system dictates. There is something pure and holy about untouched, untampered nature.


This original, abstract, minimalist painting has a raised surface with texture.
It is available on ebay here:


5" x 3.5" on thick board

This listing is for one, original acrylic on primed board painting.

It is signed on the front and on the back.

This painting will be sent in a flat package.

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

 



Blue-Green Fantasy


Some things cannot be put into words nor can they be explained.


Available on ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/265785967839

This abstract, minimalist painting has glue and silver leaf on top of traditional 140 lb watercolor paper. This painting will be sent in a flat package.

11" x 14" without a mat

This listing is for one, original watercolor and ink painting created on Bristol Board.

It is signed on the front and titled on the back.


Monday, March 4, 2024

 


"roaming river"

A roaming river winds through a small, quiet town adding interest to an ordinary day.

We need interest in every day - usually in the form of progress. Nothing is more depressing to me than, stagnation. Have you ever worked for someone who insisted you do things in an old, inefficient way? Do you remember the frustration you felt?

A river is constantly flowing, every changing. A famous quote says, "You can never step into the same river twice." 

Change can be interesting and over-whelming at the same time. I have found that if I or the people I work with put off change, it gets overwhelming when we are finally forced to face or make that change. That is when the river becomes a raging body of water. We can't ignore change.

This item is available here on ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/264310712827


2.5" x 3.5" card size - ACEO PRINT on high quality matte paper from original oil pastel created by me, the artist, dianne curtis. It will be signed and dated on the back. The signature on the front is part of the print from the painting.

This card is ACEO size and is signed and dated on the back. It will arrive in its own protective sleeve. ACEO stands for "Art Cards, Editions and Originals," and the cards have one main rule - they are 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" - the size of a trading card. Art Cards are made to be collected and traded. The price for ACEOs are usually low so anyone can afford them. They can be displayed as artwork, framed individually or in groups, carried in your pocket, used as a bookmark, or stored in an album.

It will be signed and dated on the back.

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

"Third Floor Mailbox"


A black crow delivers the mail on the third floor which drops it into a chute that travels all the way down to the first floor and lands on a desk.

This print is available by clicking on this link that takes you to an ebay page: https://www.ebay.com/itm/265314585235

Other sizes are available. Contact me for price and sizes.


Monday, July 12, 2021

 Fort de Soto, Florida

I had the opportunity to  visit this Fort de Soto recently during the hot summer months. The beach is usually beautiful unfortunately the red tide and a recent storm caused the water to be littered with debris. I looks much prettier from a distance...

It must have been beautiful when the conquistador arrived at this spot. The water is a clear blueish-green.
The area is very hot and tropical with all kinds of wild birds nesting in the area.

Giant palm trees line the walk ways...

There are bike trails all over the park but by the time we arrived, they were already gone...



Although the Fort is named after Hernando de Soto, it wasn't built till 1898 as a strategic outpost for the Spanish American war. It was a fully functional fort with a barracks, holding cells, kitchen, mess hall, storehouse and even a hospital.



I cannot imagine how hot these jail cells must have been with the summer heat and humidity that Florida receives.

 


Since the Spanish-American was was called the "splendid little war," meaning it was an easy victory for the United States with very few casualties. I remember my history teacher telling us that more soldiers died from ptomaine poisoning than from actual combat or artillery. 

So the pride of this landmark goes to the types of weaponry on display. 


The remains of the military equipment are rare, one of a kind military pieces that are on display for the public. I'm sure most military enthusiasts would love to see these authentic weapons up close.







Thursday, July 8, 2021

A Sacred Site


 I had an opportunity to visit an ancient Tocobagan Indian mound in Florida. It was near the site where some of the Spanish conquistadors first landed and the Tocobaga lived in this region with several other tribes. 

The family who bought this property were historians and they knew their ground was sacred. You can find this tour at discoverfloridatours.com. I really appreciate the preservation of the land that they have done. Some of the carved shells are laying exactly where the Tocobaga left them thousands of years ago. 


This mound is called the "Anderson/Narváez Mound" which is named after the previous and current owners of the land. The mound itself is considered to be in "pristine condition" by archeologists thanks to the efforts of the previous and new owners of the territory. 



There are four different reasons why Native Americans would build a mound. Burial is the most familiar but there are also ceremonial, trade and ritual purposes. No one knows why this mound was built and it has not been excavated. 

Many of the plants surrounding the mound are native to the region and were the same plants the native peoples used to nourish and heal their bodies. 


There are paths wandering through the jungle landscape that allow you to view all the vegetation and wildlife. They brought peacocks onto the land in the 1960s and they seem tame and feel right at home.

 



There is a nursery when you first enter the site where they raise a lot of native plants. 
Look at these beautiful orchids!