12/9/2025 11:19:54 AM
What a good year for Art. I do hope it has been good for you as well in all ways. The seasonal outdoor art festivals were absolutely fabulous! I just love being outside meeting old and new friends. I can't thank my husband Dan enough for lugging my tent and all my supplies and paintings plus the extra help from my grandkids and their mom in Surry.
River Arts in Damariscotta has been s wonderful galley to display and sell my original watercolors. Maine Artisans in Lincolnville Beach has continued to sell my framed work and this wonderfully large group of artisans and crafters has expanded their seasons to include Christmas this year. The volunteers who run this growing business are so hard working, creative and welcoming. I really can't thank them enough.
I do look forward to 2026 for all that will happen and expect another great season. The one thing I really need to improve on is managing my website. I need to put a fun Holiday painting with this letter but if it doesn't show up it is added to my regular work. Hint: It's a clothesline. Love to all of you. Dianne
12/10/2024 4:04:04 PM
12/10/2024 4:02:03 PM
Dear Friends, Family, and ART FUN people, Holidays 2024
It's the end of 2024 and what a year it has been. I do hope you have your own health and happiness. I did have successful cataract surgery. Dan hauled my tent and supplies again this summers so I could participate in several art festivals again. It is very encouraging to see so many people both new and old, I mean people that I have seen before, Ha! Ha! Maine is a beautiful state, isn't it?
I have not been able to paint recently. Our 44 year old son Rob had to stop working in September for renowned sculptor Martin Puryear in Accord, NY as his fabricator after 20 plus years. (Look at Martin's website) Rob had a major seizure and had to be transported to Slone Kettering in NY for surgery on a glioblastoma tumor on his brain. He is just finishing both chemo and radiation together and will take a short break and double the meds. Marissa is a Food Stylist with her own Instagram account More Than Granola and has really helped with his suggested Keto diet. Hopefully he will be able to continue this exciting sculpturing work after all these health issues. Luckily Alexis 10 is able to continue her iceskating with transportation and encouragement from friends, family and neighbors.
I have my winter studio all set up to begin work for 2025 art festivals. Although I will greatly miss my very good friend Susan Tobey White who passed away in September I do know she would want me to keep painting, painting, painting.
Dan and I wish you all Happy Holidays and encourage you to enjoy each day and the pleasures in it.
Dianne and Dan in Swanville, Maine
12/10/2023 11:31:54 AM
Happy Holidays I am so thankful for a wonderful year being able to participate in several ART Festivals and Galleries around Maine in 2023. Together we did well. Thank you all so much! The Bar Harbor Annual weekend festival sponsored by their Chamber of Commerce in June had to be cancelled because of very high winds and rain. I do remember one year Dan and I went to check the tents early on a Sunday morning to see flattened tents and smashed displays as well as art work strewn everywhere after a storm at night. Some actual displays were in trees! You had to see this to believe it. Fortunately my tent was unharmed. Go figure. Outside art shows can be a scary place to be as weather is so unpredictable.
I am having some eye issues and recently had to postpone cataract surgery until problems are resolved. Reading and seeing road signs are sometimes a problem. Ocular migraines without any pain are visually fascinating for an artist! HA! HA! But luckily my watercolor brushes loaded with paint have no trouble moving around on watercolor paper and I am often pleased with the results.
Stay healthy and happy and enjoy each day as it comes and be thankful for each day. Dianne and Dan Horton in Swanville, Maine
12/12/2022 1:29:32 PM
Happy Holidays From Swanville, Maine
Hope you all are doing well and able to visit with family and friends.
Dan lugged while we participated in 7 Art Festivals in Maine as well as a 3 day Plein Air Event for Habitat For Humanity. An auction finalized this event with 100% profits from the sale on my "Coffee Man" helped build a structure for repurposed items on Route #3 in Belfast.
I am having some eye issues so I have decided not to send my 600+ customer and friends post cards as in the past. Each year this project has seemed more difficult for me. The eye issues really are a problem. So very sorry.
Hope you have a good 2023 and hope to see you at my Art Festivals as some are already scheduled. Dianne and Dan
