I never stop feeling dazzled by the infinite variety of outcomes that can be achieved within the framework of still life painting.   

Purely visual components like opposites on the color wheel or the passage of dark to light are easy springboards for my compositions.

<  Lone Freesia  Oil on cradled wood  8" x 8"  

Achieving a feeling of balance, abundance and harmony in my paintings is very important to me.  Flowers have an ethereal beauty that both reassures and revitalizes one's spirit.  As long as flowers spring from the earth and decorate our tabletops things can't be all bad, right?   Painting flowers is my way of feeling that sentiment and passing it on.  

I admit to being influenced by the latest trends in interior design and fashion-- My secret inner design junkie must be constantly fed as well as challenged.  As I add more "props" like toys, figurines and fruit to my paintings the quotient for meaning and delight rises.  

                                                                                                       …Diane Hoeptner,  June, 2011