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

Images of Art in Bloom, June 2, 2007 Park And Tilford Gardens

A few pictures taken from the Art In Bloom showing Diane's students' work along with floral interpretations by the Capilano Flower Arrangers Club.


Diane beside her painting "At The Seaside"



Student Kelly Dolan's painting of the Popcorn Vendor, sold at the show that day.


(Have you ever seen a peony this shade? Plucked from a floral arranger's own garden)
The weather was glorious and the turn out was fantastic. Park and Tilford Gardens is really the perfect setting for our Art In Bloom showing. A few shots from this afternoon.

Painting by Diane, Cherries Jubilant.



Pat Fahlauer's painting of one of Umberto's Restaurants.


Roses fill Park & Tilford this time of year.


Aubergines by Shirley Dircks


Chinatown by Vivien Leong





The show proved to be tiring for one little Maggie May, Sherrill McCall's baby dashund.


Carole Froese's Robin painting with Donna Simms' floral arrangement.

Art In Bloom

As published in the North Shore News, Wednesday, May 30, 2007:

NORTH SHORE NEWS photo Mike Wakefield

The Capilano flower arranging club¹s Donna Sim gets together with painter Diane Kiernan to promote the sixth annual Art in Bloom. The June 2 event pairs artists from Kiernan¹s studio with flower arrangers, who design floral interpretations of the paintings. Admission is free, and the event is held at Park & Tilford Gardens, 333 Brooksbank Ave., in the Rose Room, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Info: 604-986-9360.

ART IN BLOOM - Saturday, June 2nd

Don't miss the Annual "Art in Bloom" exhibit at Park & Tilford Gardens in North Vancouver will be held Saturday, June 2nd.

The Painted Petal Gardens