I enjoy the freedom that paint allows,
no punctuation or perfect grammar necessary,
just a blank canvas ready to take in my story & share
diane reiber
meets me
4 1/2” x 4 1/2”
water based oil on treated paper
sometimes many ideas are packed into an image like this small study. I noticed a friends photo of a sunrise and loved the colors and contours of the road. Later that night I see the sunset dripping onto the street, beautiful. So now as I paint this piece the lyrics "take me home to the place where I belong" runs through my mind and I'm instantly back in a memory of being at Blue Raven with my son, who’s learning to play guitar to the familiar John Denver song.
As I listen to him play, to my left a woman starts softly singing the lyrics right along with his guitar and it fills the studio, to my surprise tears fill my eyes.
The beauty of music and memory and a small square paper.
-please email me at dianereiber@gmail.com for more details
generous
18 x 24 x 2
water based oil on canvas
this simple cabin lavishly draped by the warm tones of the sunrise,
shares a cloud filled sky that brings in the breeze
that dances through the tall grasses,
perfectly describing the layers of grace felt within.
$700
invitation
24 x 18 x 2
water based oil on canvas
wherever I may find myself from time to time, darkness, doubt, even fear...
lightly, gently I am found, it's not anything I have done except to finally stop running and invite Him into it.
I will be sitting with this piece for awhile as hope is a wonderful place to land.
Peace to all those wandering.
$700
Drawn
9 x 12 x 2
steely grey and pale pink hues share the sense of being drawn in, held close and embraced.
edges of life softened by love
$300
-I’ve been busy in my studio creating for this event and I’m so happy to be a part of it!
xo
24 x 18 x 2
water based oil on canvas
no matter the briefness
or the extended time frame of Love,
it shapes, moves, and heals
leaving its beauty within,
forever changed.
$700
threshold
24 x 36 x 1 1/2
water based oil on canvas
in the heaviness of life, choosing light seems obvious but sometimes it feels elusive. Allowing yourself to slow down and just be where you are, no urgency, no time clock, but to let yourself be found.
$750
Summer is within, always
15 1/2 x 8 1/2
water based oil on treated paper
“…dusted with the air of high June”
As I reflect on this line from a poem by Andrea Potos,
her words inspire me to paint soft airy clouds floating along intense blue skies with fields below sharing every hue of green,
helping me to decide to take hold of the hope of summer’s warmth within
as we winter ahead.
$300
shoes off
24 x 18 x 2
water based oil on canvas
Taking inspiration from line in a poem I recently
read, I let my paintbrush share its impact with soft
tones and filtered light.
“Earth’s crammed with heaven…
but only he who sees,
takes off his shoes”
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning
$700
Ushering in
9 x 12 x 2
water based oil on canvas
I will admit, I have a hard time letting go of the warmer days of summer and autumn.
There is something magical though about seeing the birds take flight, only to return once again when the warm air of spring arrives
offers me lessons of patience and hope.
$300
morning light
24 x 18 x 2
water based oil on canvas
untouched, white brilliant snow covering the trees and tall grasses,
I feel the warmth of reflecting light touching my face as I run by.
I’m reminded that there is always beauty present, even with the absence of color
softened now by this new snowfall
$700
Fondly yours
12 x 12 x 2
water based oil on canvas
It seems confessing barriers that keep me distant has a way of drawing me in deeper.
Instead of feeling empty,
there is an outpouring of grace and blessings and the reminder of my own belovedness.
Layering this experience of pain and love together, Fondly Yours has been a process of my heart.
$350
endless
20 x 20 x 2
water based oil on canvas
finding perspective happens often for me when I’m on a walk,
so many moving parts within me
tend to scatter away when I look into true Beauty.
$600
POSSIBILITY
18 x 36 x 2
water based oil on canvas
“I dwell in possibility” - Emily Dickinson.
So much insight shared in this quote as I momentarily forgot to be open to possibilities and instead buried myself for awhile under heaviness, not a good plan… it wasn’t until I let go of the worry that hope emerged.
A photo of the Nebraska landscape taken by a friend was the inspiration piece and seemed fitting, the image sharing light lifting the darkness.
$550
Let me see you
20 x 10 x 2
water based oil on canvas
This piece was wonderful to work on, work through and draw closer.
Tangled thoughts make it difficult to focus, pray or really string words together and as I share my demise with You, I hear
“let Me see you”
tender, calm and peace infused these words while frustration, anxiousness and bewilderment left.
I will be sitting here in this spot with these words, allowing them to unfold and allowing myself to unfold, such a beautiful invitation
$250
listening to beauty
18 x 36 x 2
water based oil on canvas
this morning I’m opting to go against habit by turning off the radio in my car while I’m driving, deciding to notice what’s arounds me instead…. clouds, trees, grass yes. But go deeper.
Tightly packed trees in a row that as I drive by each one, their shadows brush against my face. The glowing sun making a sliver through the clouds and pressing in. With each cloud, their progression of size and shape mimics the ocean waves making me feel like that last one will envelop me and I’m okay with that.
As I finish taking in the view around me I am grateful for all that I’ve seen this morning realizing all this could have been lost on me in the hum of noise.
$650
subtle movements
water based oil
22 x 28 x 1½
Often when He speaks it’s quietly and in a movement, like waves gently coming in.
The boat, always at bay and waiting for me to climb in with all my concerns, doubts and fears, allowing Him to navigate the waters as He has done countless times before, resting in that assurance.
As I painted this 2nd rendition of Subtle Movements I thought a lot of my beloved Uncle Clair, who enjoyed the subtle movements of the water too.
$500
along the way
12 x 24 x 2
water based oil on canvas
This piece has moments of past, present and future intertwined. I spent time on the curve of the road, touched the soft grasses and stood under the rays of light breaking through these clouds, reflecting on my own life where I’ve experienced Light and beauty and its healing rays.
Funny as I was painting this, I took a break and stepped out for a brief walk noticing the large clouds overhead, it’s like I couldn’t escape them inside my studio or outside! Moments from these clouds found their way onto the canvas as inspiration in the present moment, the future is shared here too.
Seems fitting as Love is timeless.
$550
INFUSED LIGHT
24 x 18 x 2
water based oil on canvas
INFUSED LIGHT
At times life can seem like a warm, fragrant spring day and you feel light on your feet. Other moments can seem dark, heavy, uphill and endless. I’ve found that there is always a thread of light, even if it’s a slight glimmer from the depths beneath the depths.
A treasured moment with God who is as vast as the skies above helps me realize His desire to share His light and love within each one of us, wherever we may find ourselves. Just as this single star adds its seemingly small light to illuminate the heavens, we are all invited to be a part of this whole amazing tapestry. Infused by Gods light, words escape how cherished I feel after this encounter and this is where the painting takes over.
Every time I sit with this piece, there is a verse from a song by Oh Wonder that plays in my mind … “I’m a lonely star, is there anybody out there”? -the answer, yes.
$500
inner cadence
18 x 24 x 2
water based oil on canvas
As I work on this piece the question keeps coming to mind; where is home to me?
Every brushstroke, every gold and cream tone highlighted in the field and then in the clouds, it all makes me wonder.
As I walk through this field, recognizing the busy life of insects and no see-ums beneath my feet contrasted with the grand and endless sky above, this rhythm of life is all around me. I realize this is home. This is where I feel that inner cadence drawing me in. I sense and get a taste of life to the full, the energy buzzing around me. To reach the top of the hill and sit with the One who lay out all the intricate details. Home
$600
breathing room
24 x 18 x 2
water based oil on canvas
This piece was titled before I even began to paint it. On an evening walk with my husband, lofty moonlit clouds were above us and the first star of the night appeared in the sky.
We talked about the need for space and solitude to collect our thoughts and just breathe. Away from the noise, away from the distractions. For my husband it’s gardening, for me, my art studio or a simple chair near a window with a view of nature.
Breathing Room shares that place, with no ceiling above you. Reclaiming the sacredness of who you are and a feeling deep in your bones of the Presence within. Allowing unspoken language to enter, restore and guide.
$550
rest
18 x 24 x 2
water based oil on canvas
walking along the shoreline at Lake Harriet with my husband I felt a connection with the grey toned sky and water, the tethered and anchored sailboats.
Sometimes we need to be gently led into the calmer waters to be anchored and renewed in its stillness.
How difficult it can be to remain still, once you give in though, there is much to receive.
$500
prone to wander
24 x 36 x 2
water based oil
At times I’ve felt as if I’m wandering the hallways of my mind, in search of you. Opening cracked doors and peering in, longing for a calm landing place.
Feeling as though I’ve missed you, with suitcase in hand and ready to board, only to find the train has just left.
This is a well-traveled and familiar place. I realize all that is needed here is to simply be still. The running, seeking and wandering halts, as I slip into an empty chair and feel the warmth of your light.
You are always right here, just waiting for an invitation.
$600
dwellings
24 x 18 x 2
water based oil on canvas
Places of retreat, where curling up is naturally welcomed with promises of no intrusions.
Breathing freely, replaces tightly holding your body and breath
and when lines are crossed, this place that is remembered within you, shares its sunlight, spilling and flooding into your rooms. With layers being lifted, unveiling deep healing.
This place where Truth desires to meet you reminding you who you are,
and Whom you belong to.
Welcoming you to stay indefinitely.
-unavailable
fragile hope
24 x 12 x 2
water based oil on canvas
Walking through the grasses and dandelions
and hearing the sounds of a soft, gentle breeze
making it’s way
through this field was peaceful.
There is a story in this painting of hope and so much love.
Feel free to sit, make a wish..
-sold
ascent
18 x 24 x 2
water based oil on canvas
Walking outdoors this time of year has me looking up into the vast sky asking anticipating questions: Is it time yet? Are they on their way?
I search the skies trying to spot the endless ribbons of v shaped patterns made by thousands of Sandhill Cranes.
A celebration in the skies that is ushering in a fresh new season, an invitation to allow this to wash over me as well.
As I paint these birds an appreciation grows for their many intricacies. The variety of hues, their strength and determination seen in their eyes and bodies in flight.
They are magnificent.
-sold
interwoven light
20 x 20 x 2
water based oil on canvas
Sharing a space to open up, curl into and reverently honor loss. Allowing unanswered questions to surface and inviting God’s light to filter in.
As I started this project for a client, I painted with loss in mind, a memorial for the recipient as she has suffered tremendous loss.
An amazing photo of a tree with a simple swing taken by Ryan Parker offered inspiration as it encapsulated a certain reverence to the story. I started to put in the background, the trees and grasses. I saw the shadows play on the ground, light and darkness interwoven. I also notice the well-worn path from the swing. I sensed the painting shift and while it honors the loss of life, it’s also becoming a painting of God in the midst.
The invitation to sit in the heartache of it all, create a well-worn path and take in God’s healing and comfort in the shade he provides to protect us. That even in these most difficult and traumatic times of our lives he offers hope, protection and yes life.
-sold
when you’re ready
20 x 10 x 1 1/2
sadness, grief, sorrow; use any descriptive word you wish. It’s a lonely place. Especially when it feels endless.
Who will you invite here, who has the time or patience?
I feel that we rush through this, or even want to rush others through it. It’s uncomfortable, so many hard questions floating around, accusations, confusion.
In the end, I found the one to invite. I was caught from falling and shown a way through it, only when I was ready,
$175
Elegant structure
24 x 30 x 1
water based oil on canvas
To see what’s behind the foliage and delicate buds… the architecture of a tree. The purposeful bends and curves that the elements have helped shape & how they continually reach for the light, beauty in motion .
$325
TRANSITIONS
20 x 20 x 2
water based oil on canvas
…as the water empties and we look back
and see the gift given, there is beauty to behold,
an appreciation for this life, the intricacies of our very own body knit together and placed here for this moment in time.
The relationships, the experiences and the love
there is space to breathe and take this all in
to reflect, reverence and realize
that I’m still here, it’s okay and there is more.
To recognize the Love surrounding me, present in the warmth of this light has been present throughout.
To realize the living water is not only for this lifetime spent in the familiar
but for transitioning to the new.
-sold
just a moment longer
24 x 18 x 2
water based oil on canvas
While driving through the countryside and watching the warm golden fields against the bold endless skies pass by, I commented to my husband, ”look how soft the fields appear, I just want to go and lie down in them and take this beauty all in”.
Here, there is an invitation to sit in the warmth of this lush golden field, to look up at the sky and stay, even stay a moment longer after your body impatiently tells you to move on.
Sometimes grace can come in a slight moment, like the flutter of a butterfly’s wing, yet there is an unmistakable weight to it that touches you deeply and will change you if you allow.
Learning to let it seep in… every last drop, then moving forward anew.
-sold