Summer Painting Retreat

Welcoming my three guest artists from Whistler, Horseshoe Bay and the Interior of British Columbia. They successfully painted a painting per day during the weekend workshop. The weather was fabulous.


My daughter says I match my house. Her caption to this photo is "Look, I match my house."

Claire's poppy - very Georgia O'Keeffe

Cheryl's tulip painting was spectacular

Melanie's gorgeous up-close and personal magnolia

Apres painting, relaxing out on the porch.

The Summer House

The summer of 2009 was busy with minor renovations to the salon and the kitchen. This photograph shows the new built-ins that my dear friend Al completed. He also added classic moulding around the windows. I was so pleased with the result. Al is so amazing. He also re-did my kitchen countertops. I found some splashy new fabric and made the tablecloth. I was working on the coordinating window valances when I took this photo.

The summer of 2010 we will paint the salon a pale yellow. All the white furniture will look so lovely with the new backdrop.

Summer Painting Retreats at the Painted Petal Studio

Diane is offering two-day painting bed & breakfast retreats at the Summer House Painted Petal in Merritt.

For the working person needing a well deserved break, leave Vancouver Friday evening and drive the beautiful Coquihalla Highway, (a mere 1 hour drive from Hope) to Merritt, British Columbia.

Stay in either the Rose Room or Sunflower Room and awake refreshed to breakfast on the sunny patio or in the dining room.

Begin painting your selected subject matter until noon when you will break for a delicious lunch.

After lunch you will continue painting until 4pm.

You are then free to explore the local area, the Lower Nicola Valley, or drive east along Nicola Lake to historic Quilchena Hotel.

You can dine there, choosing the patio, formal dining room or old-fashioned saloon, complete with bullet holes in the bar.

In the evening, various painting DVD's are available to view in the parlor room at the Summer House or just relax out on the verandah with a book, enjoying the evening breeze and then a star-filled sky.

Then it's off to bed in your private room and up to enjoy it all again on Sunday. You will finish two complete oil paintings and be back home to Vancouver early Sunday evening.

Sunset, Sunflowers, Fruit or Vegetable

shown below are examples of subject matter to choose from:

An experienced or a beginner, you will have two small or one large painting to take home ready to hang.

A fabulous, creative getaway to treat yourself to. Call Diane today and book your weekend.

Friday to Sunday evening, including two nights accommodation, two breakfasts, two lunches, canvases, paint and supplies (bring your own brushes), $300.00

Weekday workshops also available, arrive Monday evening, paint Tuesday and Wednesday, and depart Wednesday late afternoon.

Call Diane, (250) 378-5773.

Seasons Change The Subject

May 24th is usually considered the dateline for safe planting outdoors. This year has been extra cold and my neighbour had two newly purchased perennials left on her porch freeze to death just a week ago. However it has finally warmed up and this week I will head back to Merritt to plant the garden.

Since gardening is such a major source of joy for me, it naturally follows that vegetable bounty would seep into my painting subject. For years my subject matter has been devoted to floral and seascape but recently I have taken interest in close up fruit and vegetables as well as an array of still-life.






I haven't given up flowers as subject matter by any means. As Eckhart Tolle,in his book The New Earth, refers to flowers as the enlightened beings of the plant world. I whole-heartedly agree.





These poppies have just come to bloom in my daughter's garden. They are so beautiful I am sure they will be subject matter for future paintings.

Luminous Tide

This original oil, “Luminous Tide”, will be offered at a special fundraising event benefiting Turning Point, April 30th at The Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver.

What Is Christmas?

It is tenderness for the past, 

courage for the present, 

hope for the future. 

It is a fervent wish that every cup may 

overflow with blessings rich and eternal, 

and that every path may lead to peace. 

-Agnes Pharo

Merry Christmas From The Painted Petal

Penticton Peaches

Penticton is famous for summer orchard fruit. I finished this oil of the peaches this past Summer. One of my students, Joanne Unruh, had taken a great photograph and let me use it as subject matter. This oil is stunning in real life. Everyone says you can practically feel the peach fuzz. It turned out to be a favorite...I will have a hard time parting with it.


Penticton Peaches, 20 x 20, $800

Life Is Just A Bowl of ....

Cherry Bowl, 16 x 20, $800

This is the finished oil original, from the inspirational photograph taken last summer in the Okanagan at the Lazy Dog Vineyard.

Future painting

I couldn't resist taking this photo. It will make a great painting soon I hope.

Saying Goodbye to Painted Petal Studio North Van

The house is sold and the Painted Petal Studio classes in North Vancouver have ended. The new Painted Petal has gone mobile with classes in Merritt and in Surrey. Saying goodbye to the house was essentially easy. The large garden and house demanded so much time and energy. Saying goodbye to my dear students was terribly difficult. We had our last class and celebrated our times together with a potluck. I've been so blessed with having the opportunity to meet these wonderful people who love to paint. It was my honour to help them along the way.



This is the last sunset I enjoyed at the house. What a beautiful time.

The Summer House, Before and After Shots

Built circa 1920, my Summer House has been a work in progress for the past three years.  When I first purchased the property, the Arts and Crafts design was coated in dark brown paint.  

Once I took possession in the Summer of 2005, the exterior was handwashed with white latex stain to create the Cape Cod cottage look. 


Rear of the house before (above) and the transformation one year later (below). 



The main parlour is awash with sunlight first thing in the morning.  Ten foot ceilings were revealed after a false ceiling was taken out. 


We're now holding summer bed-and-breakfast stays and/or painting workshops.  The Rose Room and the Buttercup Room are available.  Call 250-378-5773. 

Spring Classes Begin April 8th

Oil Painting Classes for Beginners Register Now. Find the online LINK HERE.

Discover the magic of oil painting in this specially-designed beginner's course. Become familiar with colour mixing and painting terms, and brush and palette knife techniques. With expert guidance, complete 3 beautiful oil paintings in just 6 weeks. No previous drawing experience required. Bring your own supplies or choose from supplies available in class. 

Oil Painting For Beginners

Discover the magic of oil painting in this specially-designed beginner's course through North Vancouver Continuing Education. Become familiar with colour mixing and painting terms, and brush and palette knife techniques. With expert guidance, complete 3 beautiful oil paintings in just 6 weeks. No previous drawing experience required. Bring your own supplies or choose from supplies available in class.

Beginning January 22 or January 24, register for either Tuesday morning or Thursday evening classes here.

Later Spring Class Registration is also open. Find the LINK HERE.

Note: The image above is from very talented artist Michael and his Flickr page. His photography is amazing.

"After Class"

Joanne Unruh's painting, "After Class", demonstrates the theme of the current show "WINDOWS" at The Bakehouse in Edgemont Village. Diane's and students' works are featured for November and December.

Edgemont Village

The Bakehouse

Mix of Peonies

Tree Peony

Villa de fleur en Merritt